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.
The History of Ramada Inn
Ramada Inn was founded in 1953 by Marion W. Isbell, who was a restaurateur from Chicago, along with a group of investors that included Michael Robinson and Del Webb. The first Ramada motel opened in 1954 on U.S. Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona, featuring 60 rooms. The name “Ramada” was derived from the Spanish word meaning “branchy” or “a place to stop by the road.” The name was officially adopted in 1959 with the establishment of the first franchise. This marked the beginning of Ramada’s expansion as a recognised brand in the hospitality industry.
Under Isbell’s leadership, Ramada grew rapidly during the 1960s and 1970s. By 1964, there were 100 Ramada Inns in operation, which increased to 250 by 1970 and nearly 650 by 1976. During this period, Ramada became the second-largest hotel chain in the U.S., trailing only the Holiday Inn. The company also began expanding internationally by opening hotels in various European countries and other continents.
In 1981, Ramada introduced a new brand called Ramada Renaissance Hotels to cater to a more upscale market. This expansion included separating its international operations into a distinct network known as Ramada International.
The late 1980s brought challenges for Ramada as it faced increased competition and declining business performance. In an effort to revitalise the brand, Ramada Inns, Inc. decided to split its hotel and restaurant businesses from its gaming operations. The hotel and restaurant divisions were sold for $540 million to New World Development Company, while the gaming segment was spun off into a new entity called Aztar Corporation.
By the late 1990s, Ramada was acquired by Cendant Corporation, which further expanded its reach within the hospitality sector. In the early 2000s, Cendant restructured its operations, leading to significant changes within the Ramada brand. In 2006, Cendant’s hotel division was spun off into Wyndham Worldwide, which now owns and operates the Ramada brand.
Today, Ramada continues to be recognised as an iconic brand within the midscale hotel segment, which caters to both business and leisure travellers. The chain emphasises personalised service and regionally inspired designs in its hotels while maintaining a commitment to comfort and affordability.
Interesting Facts About Ramada Inn
- Ramada Inn was founded in 1953 by Marion W. Isbell and a group of investors, which included Michael Robinson and Del Webb. The first motel opened in 1954 on U.S. Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona, featuring 60 rooms.
- The name “Ramada” is derived from the Spanish word meaning “branchy” or “a place to stop by the road.” This reflects the brand’s initial focus on providing convenient roadside accommodations for travellers.
- Ramada experienced rapid growth during the 1960s and 1970s and became the second-largest hotel chain in the U.S. By the late 1970s, it trailed only the Holiday Inn.
- In addition to hotels, Ramada operated a chain of in-hotel restaurants during the late 20th century under various names like Uncle Ben’s Kitchen and Ramada Pancake Cottage. However, these restaurants were phased out by 1990.
- Ramada operates over 850 hotels across more than 70 countries, thereby making it a significant player in the global hospitality market.
- Ramada has undergone several ownership changes throughout its history. It was acquired by Cendant Corporation in the late 1990s and is currently owned by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which manages a portfolio of over 9,000 hotels worldwide.
- Ramada positions itself as a midscale hotel brand that emphasises comfort and personalised service.
- In recent years, Ramada has also embraced a string of sustainability initiatives. These are aimed at reducing environmental impact through the use of energy-efficient practices and eco-friendly amenities across its properties.
- Ramada is recognised for having the most airport locations among Wyndham brands.
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.