For the second year running Malmaison is the only hotel group to be included in the 2005 CoolBrands Directory. The Directory lists the UK�s top 87 cool brands for 2005 and is chosen by a panel of experts from the 1,000 companies that applied to be included.

Roz Colthart, Group Director of Marketing at Malmaison commented, �We�ve always believed Malmaison has its own lifestyle niche and we delighted that this has been recognised again this year�.

Stephen Cheliotis, Chairman of the CoolBrands Council explained Malmaison�s inclusion, 'Malmaison offers the ultimate in cool and stylish hotel experiences whilst ensuring that the needs of its consumers are at the heart of its brand promise. This collection of chic hotels has made it their business to deliver a service exclusive to Malmaison, focusing on a sense of humour combined with consistent high quality.

Malmaison is a versatile brand that succeeds in blending traditional qualities present in their sympathetically restored buildings, with a modern twist. The brand has also demonstrated that it is capable of creating the same cosy and 'at home' ambience that its customers have grown to love, within its first purpose built establishment in Liverpool.

Malmaison is a dynamic brand that continues to develop a new and innovative approach to the hotel industry whilst retaining attention to detail. This is illustrated by its most recent venture, which saw one of the first design-led hotel openings in Belfast, offering everything from nine-foot beds to billiard tables. It is this ability to create and maintain such a fresh and passionate delivery of service which has been recognised by the SuperBrands organisation as a CoolBrand for 2005.'

The accolade ties in perfectly with the opening of Malmaison�s long-awaited new property, Malmaison Oxford, on 28th November 2005. Part of Oxford Castle, built by William the Conqueror in 1071, Mal Oxford is the first prison to be converted into a hotel in the UK.

Behind the CoolBrands Directory is the SuperBrands organisation an independent arbiter on branding. It identifies and pays tribute to exceptional brands by recognising, rewarding, and reinforcing leading brands from all over the world.

Notes to Editors: The first hotel group of its kind in the UK, Malmaison introduced central city lifestyle properties that offer original, award-winning design, excellent service and high-quality dining experiences to the discerning UK traveller.

Malmaison retains its reputation for innovation and originality at each of their properties. Since their first hotel launch in Edinburgh in 1994, the company has expanded to include properties in eight key UK cities including Glasgow, London, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds and Belfast � all distinctive, architecturally unique buildings that exude flair.

Malmaison remains passionately serious about style yet grounded in its desire to deliver real value. Malmaison continues to expand with exciting new projects coming up in Liverpool (opening November 2006) and Reading (opening Spring 2007).

Rooms start from �135 midweek and �99 on weekends.

CoolBrands 2005 as featured in the new book:

3, Agent Provocateur, Alexander Mcqueen, Asahi, Audi, Aussie, Australia, Billabong, BlackBerry, bliss, bodas, Bose� , British Airways London Eye, Buddhistpunk, Budweiser Budvar, C.P. Company, Callaway Golf, Campari, Chanel, Cobra Beer, Coca-Cola, Coutts & Co, De'Longhi, Denon, Dermalogica, Design Museum, Diesel, Dries Van Noten, Fisher & Paykel, Fresh & Wild, Gaggia, Gieves & Hawkes, Gizmondo, Guinness, Hakkasan, Havana Club, Hoegaarden� , howies, KitchenAid�, Lavazza, Leica, Liberty, Linda Farrow Vintage, Lulu Guinness, Madame V, magma, Malmaison, MSN, Nokia, O2, Opodo, Orange, Origins, PlayStation, Poggenpohl, PPQ, Prescriptives, Pret A Manger, Proud Galleries, PUMA, Rizla, Roberts Radio, Rough Guides, Saab, smile.co.uk, Smythson of Bond Street, Snow+Rock, Sony Ericsson, St.Tropez, STA Travel, Stella Artois, stila, Storm, Suzuki, TEAC, The North Face, The Sunday Times, The Times, The Wapping Project, The White Company, Tiger, Topshop, Top Trumps, Trailfinders, V V Rouleaux, Vivienne Westwood, Wagamama.

Press Information: Kate Chesshyre / Susie Hanbury / Elizabeth Morrison / Deborah Kroiter PRCo Tel: 020 7259 1100 Fax: 020 7259 1101 E-mail: zfl.uk@prco.org