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SPANISH hotel chain Sol Melia has plans to roll out its new brand of Hard Rock properties across the US.

The first of the music-themed properties, in Chicago, will undergo a soft opening this month in preparation for a full opening next February. The 381-room hotel has been built in partnership with Hard Rock Cafe owner The Rank Group.

"Chicago is the first, but we are looking at sites right across the US," said Sol Melia vice-president sales and marketing Luis del Olmo. "We feel

the concept is right for the big cities."

St Louis, Boston and Los Angeles are among potential targets. The development is part of Sol Melia's plans to create differentiated products more suitable for families. It recently opened Flintstones themed hotels in Minorca and Majorca in association with Warner Brothers. Another Flinstones property will open on each of the islands next year.