US-based private equity firm KSL Capital Partners has acquired UK boutique hotel brands Malmaison and Hotel du Vin.

KSL plans to invest significantly in the existing portfolio of 27 hotels and expand both hotel brands in the UK and internationally.

The investment will support the current development strategy of chief executive Gary Davis - who joined the brands in January 2012 - including the planned September opening of a new Malmaison Hotel in Dundee.

There are also plans to convert an existing property in St Andrews to a Hotel du Vin by early 2014.

Davis said he is delighted to welcome KSL as the new owners of the two brands.

"We look forward to leveraging their considerable expertise, which combined with the talent in our own senior leadership team, will further develop our leading hotel brands.

"Despite the wider challenging economic climate, we are proud of the strong operational and financial position that the hotels currently enjoy."

KSL specialises in travel and leisure enterprises in five primary sectors: hospitality, recreation, clubs, real estate and travel services.

It already owns The Belfry in the West Midlands, as well as a number of luxury hotels and resorts in the US.