Elegant Hotels, the Caribbean hotel operator is considering a move to this side of the Atlantic.

The company, backed by private equity firm Cabot Square Capital, has hired Marcello Pigozzo, formerly of the Inter-Continental chain, to secure properties in London and continental Europe.

Although the prospective sites are not resorts in the Caribbean sense, Elegant Hotels is said to be interested in maintaining the relaxed atmosphere, with a specific focus on encouraging tourist trade.