DLA Piper is representing InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) in the acquisition of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, the world’s largest independent boutique hotel operator, for US$430 million in cash.

The acquisition makes IHG the clear market leader in the boutique segment, the fastest-growing in the hotel industry. The Kimpton deal will bring its portfolio of boutique-style properties to 200 across 19 countries. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2015.

Kimpton was established in 1981 and is the largest independent boutique hotel and restaurant business in the US. It manages 62 hotels (11,300 rooms) across 28 cities in the US in attractive urban and resort locations such as Boston, Chicago, Florida, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, DC. There are a further 16 hotels in the development pipeline (3,000 rooms), of which 10 are under construction. Kimpton also operates 71 hotel-based destination restaurants, bars and lounges across the US.

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) is a global organization with a broad portfolio of nine hotel brands, including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, EVEN Hotels and HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts