The launch of Premier Suites Dublin follows the Euro1.7m refurbishment of Stephens Hall. The property has been transformed into 27 luxury suites and three large penthouses for the medium-stay corporate and leisure markets.

PREM group was established in 1996 following a management buy-out of Stephens Hall, Dublin's first all-suite hotel. Businessmen Jim Murphy, Peter Redden, Gerry McNulty and Paddy Kelly purchased the property from a consortium of investors who had invested in the property under a BES scheme. Today PREM Group operates 15 hotels and 400 serviced apartments, employs 886 people and has undertaken a Euro400m investment/acquisition programme.

"From our initial beginnings at Stephens Hall, PREM group has expanded into one of Europe's leading hotel management and serviced apartment specialists, says group managing director, Jim Murphy.

"The introduction of Premier Suites in addition to Premier Apartments recognises that the market has now evolved into two distinct sectors one catering to the medium-stay corporate and leisure client and the second to longstay corporate clients.

"The long-stay market is at the core of our serviced apartments, offering executives a home away from home over a prolonged period. However, we have seen an increasing trend for medium stay clients who would prefer stylish and spacious accommodation with four star standards which Premier Suites will provide."

Each suite in Premier Suites Dublin comprises a spacious living room complete with the latest technology including a wall mounted 32" LCD TV, a mini hi-fi stereo and a large work desk with complimentary wired and wireless broadband to cater for the busy executive.

A key concept of the design approach was to create an innovative and luxurious living space complete with the comforts of home. All suites boast contemporary walnut kitchens equipped with integrated appliances such as a dishwasher, washer/dryer, fridge, microwave and hob oven. Natural stone finishes complete each bathroom which is fully fitted with a bath, power shower, shaver socket and a heated towel rail.

Ann Strahan is responsible for the interior design of Premier Suites. "The project represented a unique opportunity to create contemporary stylish suites complete with a 'home from home' ambience to suit the needs of business people working away from home, " says Ann.

"In tandem with this, the design approach I adopted aimed to create a sense of luxury to appeal to the weekend visitor too."

The launch complements the Premier Apartments brand in Dublin which provides long stay corporate facilities in locations such as Dublin city centre, Sandyford Business Park and Dublin Airport.

A second location, Premier Suites Galway, will launch in late February.

Last November the group acquired two hotels in Antwerp Belgium - the Golden Tulip Hotel and the Tulip Inn Antwerp - at a cost of Euro16m.

An additional 200-bed four star hotel is planned for Antwerp at the end of February and in March the group plans to announce the acquisition of a 150-bed hotel in Liege, Belgium. Further acquisitions in Berlin, Hamburg, Amsterdam and Poland are also pending.

The PREM group currently operates and leases serviced apartments in Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham under its Premier Apartments portfolio.