Redefining Iconic: Introducing Iconic Hotels & Resorts
News
A leading international owner-operator and curated collection of world-class destinations appoints a global, luxury-lifestyle hotelier as COO as it embarks on ambitious growth strategy.
London, 3rd February 2026: L&R, the global real estate and hospitality investment group, announces the debut of Iconic Hotels & Resorts, marking the evolution of the legacy brand and platform Iconic Luxury Hotels. Built from the combined heritage of Iconic Luxury Hotels and L+R Hotels, Iconic Hotels & Resorts is designed to elevate each property’s distinct character while delivering exceptional service, memorable guest experiences, and owner-aligned performance. Backed by L&R’s discretionary capital, Iconic Hotels & Resorts’ initial portfolio spans 5 countries, creating a market-leading platform that can support a robust pipeline and future growth initiatives by partnering with other third-party owners and capital partners.
An iconic portfolio, in nature and name
Anchored by some of the world's most storied hotels, the collection celebrates architectural heritage and cultural significance. Iconic Hotels & Resorts’ parent company, L&R, has committed over £200m of capital towards transformational renovations across the portfolio to elevate guest experiences and preserve these landmark properties.
The collection includes country estate icons such as Cliveden House, one of England's great historic estates with a distinguished political past, and London landmarks span Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, The Chelsea Townhouse, the Grade II-listed Strand Palace Hotel, and The Lensbury, an elite riverside sports resort. Internationally, the portfolio features Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido, home of the Venice International Film Festival and Palm House in Palm Beach, among others. Further portfolio expansion updates will follow later this year.
Strengthened leadership to propel growth
To support the launch and lead the next phase of growth, Shan Kanagasingham has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of Iconic Hotels & Resorts. With an unrivalled track record in operational leadership, bespoke experiences, and brand excellence, Shan brings nearly 30 years of expertise in international luxury and lifestyle hospitality. Most recently, she served as SVP Operations, Openings & Transitions for Auberge Collection, a collection of extraordinary hotels, resorts, residences, and experiences, which Shan was instrumental in growing from 7 one-of-a-kind properties to 40 properties open and under development globally. Her impressive career spans senior roles with some of the world’s most iconic hospitality brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, Raffles, Mandarin Oriental, Viceroy, and Starwood Hotels.
“I’m thrilled to join Iconic Hotels & Resorts at such a pivotal moment in the group’s history. This extraordinary portfolio combines historic landmarks and urban addresses under a single, elevated standard and platform, without compromising what makes each hotel iconic,” said Shan Kanagasingham, COO of Iconic Hotels & Resorts. “Our unique ownership-backing and new, unified operating platform provide us with an incredible opportunity to further globally position the group as an industry-leading B2B, B2C, and employer brand while delivering memorable guest experiences across an eclectic mix of properties in world-class destinations.”
In this role, Kanagasingham will oversee operations across the global platform and lead implementation of Iconic Hotels & Resorts’ guest-experience and value-creation strategies, working closely with L&R’s leadership and capital partners.
New Central London HQ
As part of this launch, Iconic Hotels & Resorts is unveiling its new global HQ located in the heart of central London, comprising over 7,000 square feet of innovative workspace. The HQ unites nearly 100 in-house experts across Commercial, Operations, F&B, IT, and HR. With significant hires in 2025 including Amrita Makkar, Strategy Director, Gemma Mc Aloon, Director of Brand & Communications, alongside senior roles in Global Sales, Commercial Operations and Revenue. The launch also sees the arrival of Iconic’s expansive, new in-house interior design studio and project management division.
Significant investments have also been made across L&R and Iconic Hotels & Resorts to create an industry leading tech stack including new distribution architecture, business intelligence, accounting, treasury, procurement, payroll and labour management.
"The launch of Iconic Hotels & Resorts alongside the appointment of renowned industry leader Shan Kanagasingham as COO brings clarity to our strategic vision and unlocks immediate opportunities to leverage our existing scale and support our growth as a leading international owner operator within the hospitality sector,” said Cody Bradshaw, CEO – Hotels at L&R. “One unified brand and platform, underpinned by a best-in-class team and entrepreneurial culture, allowing each property’s individuality to shine while delivering exceptional experiences for our guests, stakeholder value and meaningful professional growth for our associates.”
A unified L&R Portfolio
This launch signals the transformation of London and Regional, the privately held global investment firm and owner of Iconic Hotels and Resorts into a unified investment platform: L&R. The new corporate identity brings the firm’s four distinct verticals: Hotels, Commercial Real Estate, Private Credit, and Ventures under a single brand, aligning the organisation for its next phase of growth.
Founded in 2016, Iconic Luxury Hotels has grown into a collection recognised for architectural heritage across the UK, Europe and US. As the brand transitions to Iconic Hotels & Resorts, existing leadership continuity is maintained. Andrew Stembridge, Executive Director of Iconic Luxury Hotels will support the transition and ongoing brand stewardship while focusing on supporting the group’s ambitious growth plans in the UK market.
For media enquiries, please contact Director of Brand & Communications Gemma Mc Aloon at press@iconichotelsresorts.com
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About Iconic Hotels & Resorts
Iconic Hotels & Resorts is a collection of owned and managed hotels united by a commitment to craft, character, and consistently elevated hospitality. Each property celebrates distinctive architecture, cultural heritage, and a strong sense of place, delivering outstanding experiences across the luxury and lifestyle sectors.
Along with a robust pipeline of upcoming conversions and new acquisitions, the initial Iconic portfolio comprises 14 properties, 10 in the UK and four across the US and Europe, including Cliveden House, Chewton Glen, The Lygon Arms, The Mole Resort, The Lensbury, 11 Cadogan Gardens, The Chelsea Townhouse, The Mayfair Townhouse, Strand Palace, Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, Marriott Brussels Grand Place, Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido, Palm House in Palm Beach, and Gran Marbella Resort & Beach Club.
About L+R
London and Regional (L+R) is a privately held global investment firm with a £10bn+ wholly owned real estate portfolio, including 115 hotels across 9 countries and a more than 30-year track record of value creation. The firm operates across Hotels, Commercial Real Estate, Private Credit, and Ventures, offering capital partners a vertically integrated platform with unmatched alignment of interest through significant co-investment and flexible capital.