The 328-room property will be the first dual branded hotel in the north of England when it opens early next year.

Baron has been appointed sales manager of the first Staybridge Suites to open in Manchester, joining from The Lowry Hotel, and Byrne has taken the Crowne Plaza sales manager role after leaving the Holiday Inn near Piccadilly train station.

The 19-storey building sits on Manchester's Oxford Road Corridor - with Crowne Plaza guests set to occupy the first 11-storeys and longer term Staybridge customers the upper eight floors. It will be operated by Cycas Hospitality.

Andrew Fletcher, general manager of the dual-branded hotel, said: "Samantha was heavily involved in the opening of Holiday Inn and has worked at The Malmaison, Hilton Manchester Deansgate and the National Football Museum, while Andrea boasts experience in serviced apartments too, having been part of the SACO Piccadilly ApartHotel team. We feel they are the perfect fit for each brand and are delighted that they have come on board during what is a truly exciting period as we continue to near our opening date."

Baron said: "The double pack concept is truly unique to Manchester and I'm already enjoying being part of a growing team. I have worked in sales for 16 years, have both hotel and extended stay experience which is quite unusual and have previously worked with my now Director of Sales and Marketing Melanie Thompson. There is so much opportunity to do new business on The Oxford Road Corridor and I believe we can carve a niche for ourselves and capitalise on the growth of the city and the Corridor."

Click here to see an interview with John Wagner of Cycas Hospitality about dual branded properties.