For some time, there have been disputes between Cologne based Neue Dorint GmbH and Intercontinental Hotels and the two companies are now going seperate ways, which means that IHG will loose the IC Berlin, Cologne and Düsseldorf.

It is said that the company is currently negotiating with other internationally operational hotel groups interested to take over the hotels.

Neue Dorint GmbH is also considering the option of operating the hotels as enterprises within its own Dorint Hotels & Resorts brand.

Press statement on Intercontinental Hotels

A spokesman of Neue Dorint GmbH in Cologne issued the following statement in response to media reports that Intercontinental Hotels wish to withdraw from management of the hotels in Berlin, Cologne and Duesseldorf:

"The Intercontinental Hotels operating company has, for many years now, been commissioned with the management of the real estate properties in Berlin, Cologne and Duesseldorf leased from Neue Dorint GmbH. For some time there have been legal disputes between the Intercontinental Hotels operating company and Neue Dorint GmbH. Contractual provisions prevent us being able to reveal any further details at the present moment.

The members of staff at the Intercontinental Hotels in Berlin, Cologne and Duesseldorf are employees of Neue Dorint GmbH. The hotel managers are the only staff members provided by Intercontinental. On the part of Neue Dorint GmbH there is no doubt whatsoever that the hotels will continue to be operated in a proper and orderly fashion. There will not be any interruption or suspension of their business operations."

Neue Dorint GmbH operates 33 hotels throughout Europe under the Dorint Hotels & Resorts brand.

"If we cannot reach an agreement despite the best possible efforts, the InterContinental Hotels Group will no longer work with the New Dorint GmbH as business partners," said Jennifer Cox, COO Continental Europe at IHG.