Ramada Inn is a US-based multinational hotel chain owned by the Wyndham Group of Hotels and Resorts. Established in 1954 by Marion W. Isbell and Michael Robinson, Ramada has a presence in 63 countries with 800 properties.
The Ramada Inn logo has undergone several changes since its inception. As a prominent player in the hospitality industry, Ramada has adapted its visual identity to reflect changing design trends and consumer expectations. This article explores the history and evolution of the Ramada Inn logo over the years.
The Genesis of the Ramada Inn Logo (1953 – 1961)
The original logo of Ramada Inn featured the illustration of a chef in an apron blowing a long trumpet in monochrome. And along the bottom of the trumpet hung a small fabric banner in black showcasing the wordmark “RAMADA INN ROADSIDE HOTELS” in white and in four levels. Also, the various words forming the wordmark appeared in various styles. In the wordmark “RAMADA,” the letters “R” and “A” were shown comparatively bigger than the rest of the letters.
(1961 – 1975)
In 1961, the previous logo was redesigned using multiple colours, notably black, red, yellow, and white. The chef was clad in colourful attire and was holding a black hat and a trumpet. Here, the wordmarks displayed on the banner beneath the trumpet were written in three levels instead of the four earlier. Further, the red fabric banner with yellow hems had the letters written in white.
(1975 – 1983)
In 1975, the logo design featured a horizontally-oriented rectangular red banner with rounded corners. It displayed the brand name “Ramada” in a stylised, ornate font that was reminiscent of old American saloons. The top line showcased “Ramada” in bigger letters, with the letters “R” and “A” further emphasised to create visual interest.
(1983 – 2005)
In 1979, Ramada updated its logo to enhance brand recognition and modernise its image. The redesign adopted a darker shade of red and introduced a white, thin framing around the banner, which was further complemented by a thin black outline. The ornate typeface of the previous logo was replaced with a more traditional serif font that featured thick lines and elegant serifs. This iteration maintained the brand’s identity and presented a more sophisticated appearance.
(2005 – Present)
The most recent logo iteration came out in 2005 and remains in use today. This version retains elements from previous logo designs but introduces a simplified round emblem featuring a lowercase ‘R’ encircled by a red background. A small leaf protrudes from the top of the lowercase ‘R’ to symbolise growth and freshness.
The typeface is now a bold sans-serif font, which provides clarity and modernity. Besides, it also emphasises accessibility and comfort for guests. The colour palette continues to utilise red, black, and white to ensure consistency with the brand’s heritage while projecting a contemporary image.
The Elements of the Ramada Inn Logo
Font
The Ramada logo features a stylish uppercase wordmark crafted in a bold, modern sans-serif font. The capital letters are spaced widely apart to give the design a contemporary feel. Fonts that closely resemble this include Reckless Sans and Code Pro Demo, though they have undergone significant modifications to the character shapes.
Colour
The Ramada Inn logo showcases an intense shade of pink against a transparent background, which can be either white or gold. Pink symbolises passion and tenderness and presents a sophisticated and chic image that positions Ramada hotels as welcoming and comfortable destinations for guests.
Finally
The various iterations of the Ramada Inn logo reflect broader trends in branding and design within the hospitality industry. Each redesign has aimed to enhance brand recognition while remaining true to its core values of warmth and hospitality.