Radisson Hotel Group is one of the world’s leading hospitality companies. It is known for its diverse portfolio of distinctive hotel brands and a strong global presence. The brands owned by the Group include Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, and Country Inn & Suites by Radisson. The Radisson Hotel Group logo shows the growth of the brand, changing ownership, and shifting market strategies. The article explores the logo evolution of Radisson Hotel Group, among other details.
The Genesis of the Radisson Hotel Group Logo (2017 – Present)
Although the Radisson hotel has a long history, the overarching group owning several subsidiary hotels was formed as early as 2017. The logo showed the combination of a circular emblem and the brand name. The emblem in black has the abbreviated letters “RHG” in white inside. To its right is mentioned the brand name in two levels. The top level displays the wordmark “RADISSON” in a black and bold sans-serif typeface. The bottom level, separated by a thin black line, displays the wordmark “HOTEL GROUP” in a smaller size and using a sans-serif typeface as well.
The Elements of the Radisson Hotel Group Logo
Font
The Radisson Hotel Group logo uses an uppercase sans-serif typeface. It symbolises a more corporate and streamlined brand identity.
Colour
The Radisson Hotel Group logo employs a sophisticated greyscale palette. It uses shades of black and grey to promote a modern, professional, and neutral image that can adapt globally.
The History of Radisson Hotel Group
The Radisson Hotel Group traces its roots to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Edna Dickerson, who was inspired by local business leaders, invested $1.5 million to build the first Radisson hotel. The hotel is named after the French explorer Pierre-Esprit Radisson as a luxury destination that boasts French Renaissance architecture and high-end finishes. It quickly became a social hub in Minneapolis, which is known for its opulent interiors and prominent events.
The hotel weathered the Great Depression under the management of Edna and Simon Kruse but was lost to foreclosure in 1934. It changed hands several times before being acquired by Carlson Companies in 1962. This marked the start of a new era for the Radisson brand.
Under Curt Carlson’s leadership, Carlson Companies began expanding Radisson Hotels across the United States and internationally. The original Minneapolis hotel was remodelled in the 1960s but was ultimately demolished in 1982. Despite this, the Radisson brand continued to grow. It added new properties and established a reputation for quality hospitality. Carlson also launched new brands, such as Country Inns & Suites, in 1986. It acquired Park Plaza in 2000, thereby further diversifying the company’s portfolio.
A key moment came in 1994 when Carlson signed a franchise agreement with SAS International Hotels (SIH). This allowed the Radisson brand to expand into Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) under the Radisson SAS name. This partnership led to significant international growth and the eventual creation of the Radisson Blu brand in 2009.
Rezidor SAS Hospitality, which was later known as Rezidor Hotel Group, managed the Radisson brand in EMEA and, by 2008, expanded to over 320 hotels. Carlson acquired a 25% stake in Rezidor in 2005 and increased its ownership to 51% by 2012. The combined entity began operating as the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, which was one of the world’s top hotel corporations at the time.
During this period, the group launched several new brands, including Radisson RED (upscale lifestyle) and Quorvus Collection (luxury segment). The company also introduced the Radisson Rewards loyalty programme and expanded its digital presence with RadissonHotels.com.
In 2016, the Chinese conglomerate HNA Tourism Group acquired Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. Shortly after, the company underwent a rebranding. Thus, Carlson Hotels, Inc. became Radisson Hospitality, Inc., and Rezidor Hotel Group AB was renamed Radisson Hospitality AB. In 2018, HNA sold the Radisson Hotel Group to a consortium led by Jin Jiang International Holdings, a major Chinese hospitality company. The company also rebranded its loyalty programme as Radisson Rewards and introduced new global brand architecture. This included the launch of Radisson Collection and the rebranding of Country Inns & Suites to Country Inn & Suites by Radisson.
The Radisson Hotel Group continued to innovate and expand and launched responsible business initiatives and digital platforms. In June 2022, the group agreed to sell its Americas operations (Radisson Hotels Americas) to Choice Hotels for $675 million. This deal was completed in August 2022. The Radisson Hotel Group retains ownership of its brands outside the USA and focuses on growth in EMEA and Asia-Pacific.
Today, the Radisson Hotel Group operates nine brands, which include Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and prizeotel. Its headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium, and the group remains a major player in the global hospitality industry.
Interesting Facts About Radisson Hotel Group
- The first Radisson hotel opened in 1909 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was funded by Edna Dickerson and named after the French explorer Pierre-Esprit Radisson. The original building was a luxury property with French Renaissance architecture and was among the tallest buildings in Minneapolis at the time.
- The European journey of the Radisson brand began in 1960 with the opening of the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. It was widely recognised as the world’s first designer hotel. This property, now the Radisson Collection Royal Hotel, was designed by the legendary architect Arne Jacobsen.
- Radisson Hotel Group has grown into one of the world’s largest hotel groups. It owns over 1,320 hotels in operation and development across more than 95 countries. The geographies include EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) and APAC (Asia-Pacific).
- The group operates a portfolio of nine distinctive hotel brands, including Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and prizeotel.
- Radisson launched its loyalty programme in 1999, which is now known as Radisson Rewards. It allows guests to earn and redeem points across its global portfolio.
- Radisson was one of the first international hotel brands to enter many secondary Indian cities. These include Guwahati, Gorakhpur, Ranchi, Nagpur, and Indore. Its flagship property in India, Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport, opened in 1998.
- In 1994, Radisson expanded into Europe, the Middle East, and Africa through a franchise agreement with SAS International Hotels. This led to the creation of the Radisson SAS (later Radisson Blu) brand.
- The group has experienced several major ownership changes, including acquisition by Carlson Companies in 1962, sale to China’s HNA Group in 2016, and subsequent acquisition by a Jin Jiang International-led consortium in 2018.
- In 2022, Radisson Hotel Group sold its Americas operations (including the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean) to Choice Hotels for $675 million.
- The Rezidor Hotel Group, which forms a key part of Radisson’s global operations, was named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute in 2010.
- While originally American, the group’s global headquarters is now in Brussels, Belgium.
- The Radisson Blu Hotel at Hamburg Airport and the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson in Gillette, Wyoming, are just two examples of the group’s diverse and widespread property portfolio.
Finally
The Radisson Hotel Group’s logo evolution shows the journey of the Group from a single Minneapolis hotel to a global hospitality powerhouse. Each logo redesign has balanced tradition with innovation. It signalled the brand’s adaptability and enduring commitment to excellence in guest experience.