The world's first "lifestyle" hotels by Italian luxury fashion dynasty Missoni are to open in Edinburgh and Kuwait City next year.
The Rezidor Hotel Group, which already has the Radisson SAS hotel in the city, has linked with the fashion and design group for the multimillion pound deal.
Rezidor said Hotel Missoni represents "a new standard of design hotel that combines the style of the iconic fashion and interiors label with the expertise of one of the world's leading hotel operators".
Spearheaded by Hotel Missoni creative director Rosita Missoni and Rezidor executive vice-president Gordon McKinnon, the partnership is said to be creating a distinctive blend of "fashion, function, form and service that adds up to a new genre of "genuinely luxurious hotels".
By 2010, Rezidor is expected to have four hotels in or around the capital with the addition of a Park Inn on Leith Walk and at Edinburgh Airport.
Hotel Missoni Edinburgh will be on the Royal Mile at George VI Bridge at the former Lothian Regional Council HQ.
It is expected that it will have 136 bedrooms and suites Mr McKinnon said: "From the moment we were allowed a privileged glimpse into the world of Missoni, we could see that there was a natural alliance with the Rezidor Hotel Group.
"I firmly believe that Hotel Missoni will raise the bar compared with existing fashion boutique hotels and look forward to the day we open our doors to share Hotel Missoni with the world."
Edinburgh and Kuwait City will be the first two properties in the Hotel Missoni portfolio that will see 30 hotels open or under development within 10 years.
A spokesman for Rezidor added: "Missoni's signature bold use of colour and striking patterns will bring a cool, contemporary energy to the hotels, not only to the public spaces of the restaurants and bars but also to the private areas of the bedrooms and bathrooms.
"Each Missoni hotel will have a distinctive individual look, inspired by the location and culture of the host city."
The Hotel Missoni project was said to be a natural step for creative director, Rosita Missoni.
A spokesman said: "Her unique flair and creativity have made the Missoni brand an iconic name.
"Hotel Missoni will also embrace the traditional Italian family values of warmth and hospitality "
