Dawnay Shore Hotels has revealed a 2.9 per cent increase in hotel operating profits in its full year results, up to £33.1m from £32.1m in 2005.

Turnover was up 1.5 per cent from £85.6m to £86.9m and an independent valuation of the company’s assets showed an increase in value of 17 per cent.

During the period the company has continued to make acquisitions within the four-star hotel sector and has now introduced two brands to its portfolio, Paramount, and Paramount Signature, hotels.

“After the initial purchase of the Paramount estate in 2004, and our subsequent acquisitions, we wanted to establish some consistent operating standards within the hotels,” said Charles Prew, chief executive officer of Dawnay Shore Hotels (pictured).

“We’re now happy to put Paramount in front of the names our hotels and build some brand value in the name. Likewise, with the acquisition of the Furlong Group last December, we’re setting up the Signature group of high-end, four-star properties and will be looking to add a further four or five of our current hotels to the collection.”

The company has also seen a boost in corporate room night bookings of 11 per cent following an increased effort to market the group to the sector. Corporate room nights now account for around 30 per cent of the company’s business, with 30 per cent made up of conferencing and the remaining 40 per cent leisure guests.

Finance director Peter Procopis said the company is well on its way to its target of 4,000 rooms – it currently operates 2,700 across 20 properties – and that more would be added through acquisitions but also through the addition of new rooms at exiting properties.