Radisson Hotel Group

Corporate brand

An international hospitality group operating a portfolio of full-service, upscale, lifestyle, midscale and extended-stay hotel brands.

Last updated August 31, 2026

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Overview

Radisson Hotel Group is an international hospitality company headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. Its business is built around hotel ownership, management, franchising, licensing and loyalty-program operations rather than a single uniform hotel format. The group serves several segments, from upscale and upper-upscale full-service hotels to lifestyle, midscale and extended-stay accommodation. The organization developed from the hotel interests of Carlson Companies, whose founder Curt Carlson acquired the Radisson Hotel in Minneapolis in the early 1960s. Carlson subsequently assembled a broader lodging portfolio that included Radisson Hotels, Country Inns & Suites, Park Inn and Park Plaza. A major step in international expansion came in 1994, when Carlson entered a franchise arrangement with SAS International Hotels, the hotel subsidiary of the Scandinavian Airlines group. The arrangement allowed the Radisson name to be used in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, initially through the Radisson SAS co-brand. That regional business later became Rezidor SAS Hospitality and then Rezidor Hotel Group. Carlson acquired a 25 percent interest in Rezidor SAS in 2005, and Carlson became the parent company of Rezidor in 2010. The enlarged organization traded as Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group from 2012. During this period, the group broadened its brand architecture, developed Radisson Blu, introduced the Radisson RED and Quorvus Collection concepts, and maintained or expanded brands such as Park Plaza, Park Inn and Country Inns & Suites. Quorvus Collection was subsequently renamed Radisson Collection, while the group also added Radisson Individuals and other concepts. The ownership structure changed substantially in the second half of the 2010s. Carlson sold Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group to HNA Tourism Group in 2016. The Carlson and Rezidor entities were then renamed Radisson Hospitality entities, and the group adopted the Radisson Hotel Group trading name in 2018. Later in 2018, HNA sold the group to Aplite Holdings AB, a consortium led by Jin Jiang International. The transaction brought together the North American Carlson hotel business and the international Rezidor platform under the Radisson identity. Radisson Hotel Group's portfolio has included Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, prizeotel and later Prize by Radisson, as well as Radisson Inn & Suites in relevant markets. The group also participates in the art'otel ecosystem through arrangements involving the brand's owners and licensees. Its loyalty platform, Radisson Rewards, connects participating brands and properties and replaced the earlier Club Carlson name. In 2022, the group agreed to sell its Radisson Hotels Americas business, including franchise agreements, operations and intellectual property covering the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, to Choice Hotels. The transaction closed on August 11, 2022. Radisson therefore continues as a major international hotel platform, while the Americas business has a distinct ownership and operating relationship through Choice Hotels. The group remains associated with a wide network of hotels in operation and development, with a strategy centered on multi-brand distribution, franchising, hotel management, loyalty and international development.

History

Radisson Hotel Group traces its roots to Carlson Companies and the Radisson Hotel in Minneapolis, acquired by Curt Carlson in the early 1960s. Carlson developed the hotel operation into a wider lodging portfolio that included Radisson Hotels, Country Inns & Suites, Park Inn and Park Plaza. The company also acquired the Regent brand in 1997, although Regent was later sold in 2010. The group's international structure emerged in 1994 when Carlson signed a franchise agreement with SAS International Hotels, the hotel division of Scandinavian Airlines. SAS International Hotels used the Radisson name in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, initially under the Radisson SAS identity. The regional company became Rezidor SAS Hospitality in 2001 and Rezidor Hotel Group in 2006. Its network expanded through hotel development, management and franchising, while the agreement with Carlson was renewed and broadened. The 2002 renewal added brands including Park Inn, Regent and Country Inns to the relationship. In 2005, Carlson acquired 25 percent of Rezidor SAS. Rezidor subsequently became a listed company, and Carlson became its parent in 2010. From 2012, the combined business traded as Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. The organization continued to add formats, including the luxury Quorvus Collection and the lifestyle-oriented Radisson RED, both introduced in 2014. Quorvus Collection later became Radisson Collection. The group also managed licensed and acquired concepts. Its Hotel Missoni license ended in 2014, after which the Edinburgh and Kuwait properties were expected to leave the Hotel Missoni branding. Carlson Rezidor acquired 49 percent of German chain prizeotel in 2016 and later announced the purchase of the remaining interest. Country Inns & Suites, established by Carlson in 1986 as a middle-class hotel brand, was renamed Country Inn & Suites by Radisson in 2018. Ownership changed in 2016 when Carlson sold Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group to HNA Tourism Group. During 2017 and 2018, the principal corporate entities were renamed Radisson Hospitality entities and the group adopted the Radisson Hotel Group trading name. In August 2018, HNA sold the business to Aplite Holdings AB, a consortium led by Jin Jiang International. At that point the group reported more than 1,400 hotels in operation and development. The group's modern portfolio has included Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, prizeotel or Prize by Radisson, and additional Radisson-branded formats. Radisson Rewards is the group's loyalty program; it replaced Club Carlson and has also been connected with external travel loyalty programs through partnerships. A major strategic separation occurred in 2022. Radisson agreed to sell Radisson Hotels Americas to Choice Hotels for $675 million. The transaction covered the Radisson franchise agreements, operations and intellectual property in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, and closed on August 11, 2022. This transaction left Radisson Hotel Group as an international hospitality platform with a distinct relationship to the Americas business.

2022
Radisson Hotels Americas is sold to Choice Hotels
[1]Radisson Hotel Groupen.wikipedia.org
Choice Hotels acquired the Americas franchise, operating and intellectual-property business; closing occurred on August 11.
2018
The Radisson Hotel Group name is adopted
[1]Radisson Hotel Groupen.wikipedia.org
The principal entities were renamed Radisson Hospitality entities and the group adopted its current trading name.
2018
HNA sells the group to an Aplite Holdings consortium
[1]Radisson Hotel Groupen.wikipedia.org
A consortium led by Jin Jiang International acquired Radisson Hotel Group from HNA.
2016
HNA acquires Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group
[1]Radisson Hotel Groupen.wikipedia.org
Carlson sold the hotel group to HNA Tourism Group.
2014
Radisson RED and Quorvus Collection are introduced
[1]Radisson Hotel Groupen.wikipedia.org
The group expanded into lifestyle and luxury positioning with two new brand concepts.
2012
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group becomes the trading identity
[1]Radisson Hotel Groupen.wikipedia.org
The enlarged hotel organization began trading under the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group name.
2010
Rezidor becomes a Carlson subsidiary
[1]Radisson Hotel Groupen.wikipedia.org
Carlson became the parent company of Rezidor Hotel Group.
2005
Carlson takes a 25 percent stake in Rezidor SAS
[1]Radisson Hotel Groupen.wikipedia.org
The investment deepened Carlson's relationship with the international hotel operator that became Rezidor Hotel Group.
1994
Radisson expands into EMEA through SAS International Hotels
[1]Radisson Hotel Groupen.wikipedia.org
A franchise agreement created the Radisson SAS platform in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
1986
Country Inns & Suites is established
[1]Radisson Hotel Groupen.wikipedia.org
Carlson created the Country Inns & Suites brand as a middle-market lodging concept.
1962
Carlson acquires the Radisson Hotel in Minneapolis
[1]Radisson Hotel Groupen.wikipedia.org
Curt Carlson acquired the namesake Radisson property, establishing the historical foundation of Carlson's hotel business.

Products and positioning

A multi-brand international hotel group spanning upscale, upper-upscale, luxury, lifestyle, midscale and extended-stay accommodation.

Luxury hotels · 2018
Radisson Collection
Radisson Collection is the group's luxury collection brand, created from the former Quorvus Collection. It is intended for distinctive, design-led properties that retain individual local character while operating within the Radisson commercial and loyalty ecosystem.
Upper-upscale hotels · 2009
Radisson Blu
Radisson Blu is a major full-service brand serving business and leisure travelers. Its hotels generally emphasize contemporary design, restaurants and bars, meeting facilities, and locations in urban, airport and resort markets.
Upscale hotels
Radisson
Radisson is the group's core upscale full-service hotel brand. Properties typically combine accommodation with food and beverage, meeting space and business-oriented services, with the precise offer varying by market and property.
Lifestyle hotels · 2014
Radisson RED
Radisson RED is a lifestyle-oriented concept introduced to appeal to travelers seeking informal, design-conscious hotels. The brand uses a more contemporary and social positioning than traditional full-service formats.
Soft-brand hotel collection
Radisson Individuals
Radisson Individuals provides an affiliation model for independent hotels and small collections. Participating properties can retain their own identity while accessing selected Radisson distribution, commercial systems and loyalty benefits.
Upscale hotels
Park Plaza
Park Plaza is an upscale hotel brand associated with urban, business and leisure destinations. Its portfolio has included full-service hotels with restaurants, meeting facilities and prominent city locations.
Upper-midscale hotels
Park Inn by Radisson
Park Inn by Radisson is positioned as an accessible, contemporary full-service or select-service brand. It targets business and leisure guests with practical accommodation, food and beverage options, and a consistent branded experience.
Midscale hotels · 1986
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson
Country Inn & Suites originated as a Carlson mid-market lodging brand in 1986. The format is associated with comfortable, practical accommodation for leisure, business and extended visits and adopted the Radisson name in 2018.
Budget and design hotels
Prize by Radisson
Prize by Radisson is the group's successor branding for the prizeotel concept. It serves value-conscious travelers through compact, design-oriented hotels and a more limited-service operating model.
Loyalty program · 2018
Radisson Rewards
Radisson Rewards is the group's customer-loyalty platform. It replaced Club Carlson and supports member recognition, points earning and redemption, and selected benefits across participating Radisson Hotel Group properties.

Brand decisions

2022
Sale of Radisson Hotels Americas to Choice HotelsM&A
Background
The group reorganized its presence in the Americas by separating the North, Central and South American franchise and intellectual-property business from the wider international platform.
Action taken
Radisson agreed to sell Radisson Hotels Americas to Choice Hotels; the transaction closed on August 11, 2022.
Aftermath
Choice Hotels assumed the specified Americas business, while Radisson Hotel Group continued as the international hotel group outside that transaction's scope.
Transaction value. $675 million (Agreement announced June 2022; closed August 11, 2022)
Source
2018
Rebranding as Radisson Hotel GroupStrategy
Background
The Carlson and Rezidor ownership and corporate structures had been consolidated under new ownership after the HNA transaction.
Action taken
The principal entities were renamed Radisson Hospitality entities and the combined business adopted Radisson Hotel Group as its trading name.
Aftermath
The Club Carlson loyalty program was renamed Radisson Rewards and the brand portfolio was increasingly presented under the Radisson master identity.
Source
2016
Acquisition of a minority stake in prizeotelM&A
Background
Radisson sought to expand its presence in the German design and budget hotel segment.
Action taken
Carlson Rezidor acquired 49 percent of prizeotel and retained a future right to acquire the remainder.
Aftermath
Radisson announced the purchase of the remaining 51 percent in 2019.
Purchase price for initial 49 percent stake. €14.7 million (March 2016)
Source
2014
Launch of Radisson RED and Quorvus CollectionProduct launch
Background
The group was broadening its portfolio beyond traditional upscale and full-service hotel formats.
Action taken
It introduced Radisson RED as a lifestyle concept and Quorvus Collection as a luxury collection.
Aftermath
Quorvus Collection was later renamed Radisson Collection, while Radisson RED remained part of the group's brand architecture.
Source
2014
Termination of the Hotel Missoni licenseStrategy
Background
Carlson Rezidor's master license arrangement for the Hotel Missoni brand was ended by mutual agreement.
Action taken
The Hotel Missoni Edinburgh and Hotel Missoni Kuwait properties were scheduled to stop using the brand no later than June 30, 2014.
Aftermath
The properties were associated with the group's Quorvus Collection repositioning.
Source

Recent events

2023
Radisson Rewards Americas becomes part of Choice Privileges[3]丽笙奖励美洲计划成为Choice Privileges的一部分en.wikipedia.org
Other
The Americas loyalty program created during the regional separation was integrated into Choice Hotels’ Choice Privileges program.
2022
Radisson agrees to sell its Americas business to Choice Hotels[1]Radisson Hotel Groupen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Radisson agreed to sell Radisson Hotels Americas, including relevant franchise agreements, operations and intellectual property, to Choice Hotels for $675 million. The transaction closed on August 11, 2022.
2022
Choice Hotels agrees to acquire Radisson Hotels Americas[3]丽笙奖励美洲计划成为Choice Privileges的一部分en.wikipedia.org
M&A
Choice Hotels agreed to acquire the Radisson Hotels Americas franchise agreements, operations, and intellectual property covering the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean for $675 million.
2022
Radisson Hotels Americas transaction closes[3]丽笙奖励美洲计划成为Choice Privileges的一部分en.wikipedia.org
M&A
The sale of the Radisson Hotels Americas business to Choice Hotels closed on August 11, completing the regional ownership transition.
2021
Radisson Hotel Group separates its Americas business[3]丽笙奖励美洲计划成为Choice Privileges的一部分en.wikipedia.org
Other
Radisson agreed to establish its Americas hotel business as a separately operated organization with operational independence from the wider Radisson Hotel Group.
2019
Radisson completes the acquisition of the remaining prizeotel stake[1]Radisson Hotel Groupen.wikipedia.org
M&A
After acquiring a 49 percent interest in prizeotel in 2016, Radisson announced the purchase of the remaining 51 percent.
2018
The group adopts the Radisson Hotel Group trading name[1]Radisson Hotel Groupen.wikipedia.org
Leadership change
Carlson Hotels and Rezidor entities were renamed Radisson Hospitality entities, and the combined business adopted Radisson Hotel Group as its trading identity.
2018
HNA sells Radisson Hotel Group to an Aplite Holdings consortium[1]Radisson Hotel Groupen.wikipedia.org
M&A
HNA sold the group to Aplite Holdings AB, a consortium led by Jin Jiang International.
2016
Carlson Rezidor is sold to HNA Tourism Group[1]Radisson Hotel Groupen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Carlson Companies sold Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group to HNA Tourism Group, changing the ownership of the international hotel platform.
2014
Carlson Rezidor introduces Quorvus Collection and Radisson RED[1]Radisson Hotel Groupen.wikipedia.org
Product launch
The group introduced a luxury collection concept and the Radisson RED lifestyle brand as part of its effort to broaden its brand portfolio.

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