Carlson Rezidor, one of the most dynamic hotel groups worldwide, holds the largest hotel pipeline in Africa with 30 hotels and 6,300 rooms under development (source: W Hospitality Group, Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa 2014).
Carlson Rezidor Brands
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group develops and operates Radisson Blu in the upper upscale segment and Park Inn by Radisson in the mid- market segment. In early 2014, two new brands were launched: Radisson Red for the upscale lifestyle select segment and the Quorvus Collection for the luxury market.
RadissonRed has been introduced to the market with a goal to re- interpret the guest experience by creating ‘wow’ moments.
With the introduction of Radisson Red, Carlson Rezidor seeks to create a new industry category, “Lifestyle Select,” an upscale, select service concept that boasts a forward-thinking focus on design and detail, the customer experience, persona l interact ion, persona l choice and recognition of the increasingly important role that technology plays in facilitating the best of everyday life.
The Radisson Red focus on technology will include a mobile application that will not only allow guests to skip reception for check-in, but order a drink in the bar, food from the deli, flowers through an online concierge or a taxi for the airport; manage their own personal profile and preferences; and control the environment within their Radisson Red room. The brand, with a contemporary purpose-driven design focus, will convey an eclectic, modernist aesthetic appearance. From arriving in a gallery, to the bar and deli, to the guest connect spaces, to the g6uestrooms, ever y thing will be designed from the customer’s perspective. Ever y touch point and interaction has been considered and addressed with an extraordinary list of unique features and options.
The Quorvus Collection is a new generation of expertly curated luxury hotels inspired by the lifestyle and sensibilities of the contemporary global traveller and has strong ambitions within the luxury segment. Member hotels are historic landmarks, contemporary residences, classic boutiques and urban retreats – all different in scale, architecture, ambiance and design, yet committed to the same, unparalleled service philosophy. Quorvus Collection has a luxury lifestyle value proposition based on a signature suite of hallmark services. The holistic “Q24” concept targets both body and mind, and focuses on six core elements: wellness, replenishment, style, inspiration, entertainment, and connectivity.
Presence in Africa
Carlson Rezidor opened its first hotel in Africa in 2000, the Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, Cape Town (South Africa). Since then, the group has built up a impressive net work of 54 hotels (24 hotels and 5,800 rooms in operation and 30 hotels and 6,300 rooms under development) in Africa, and has a Regional Office in Johannesburg and a Business Development Office in Cape Town.
Why Africa?
“Africa is an important growth region for Carlson Rezidor. We believe in the potential of this continent and are committed to becoming a key player in the travel and tourism sector,” said Friedrich Schaefer, Regional Director of Sub-Saharan Africa for the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.
Carlson Rezidor is focused on g row ing its footprint in sub-Saharan Africa with Radisson Blu in capital cities, financial and economic hubs. Park Inn by Radisson w ill g row in clusters in three of the 16 economic communities in Africa and develop further in the Nigerian and South African market. Recent flagship openings of the group include the Radisson Blu Hotel, Maputo (Mozambique), the Radisson Blu Hotel, Lusaka (Zambia) and the Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town, Foreshore Cape Town (South Africa). Most recently Carlson Rezidor also announced the opening of Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel in Freetown – the first five-star hotel in Sierra Leone. Future openings include Radisson Blu hotels in Nairobi (Kenya), Libreville (Gabon) and Kigali (Rwanda) and Park Inn by Radisson hotels in Cape Town (South Africa), Abeokuta (Nigeria), Libreville (Gabon) and Kigali (Rwanda).
Hotel Residences in Africa
“In Q1 of this year we signed our first Radisson Blu Residence in Maputo. This is the first internationally branded hotel residence in Africa and a product offering Carlson Rezidor is very excited about. Hotel Residences are becoming ver y popular and we hope to take this product offering to other capital cities across Africa in future” added Andrew McLachlan, Vice President Business Development Africa & Indian Ocean Islands.
Developments in Existing Properties
Carlson Rezidor is committed to satisfying its guests, and they can soon look forward to experiencing the newly-refurbished meetings and events space as well the reception area at the Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, Cape Town. In addition, the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel is currently doing a soft refurbishment of its restaurant and bar area; and the Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton will be extending its meeting room facilities, offering guests a space to host weddings, banquets and large conferences.
Contact
For more information about the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, please visit carlsonrezidor.com
* This content was paid for by Carlson Rezidor