All this as part of a major repositioning in the marketplace - Radisson has dedicated more than $516 million into upgrades (renovations), new amenities and new construction projects at more than 100 properties across North America since January 2005. Now, the brand is beginning to reap the benefits of their investments as evidenced by an increased average daily rate and overall guest satisfaction.  

"The installation of the Sleep Number bed by Select Comfort drove an increase in average daily rate, and the Tasteful Choices lifestyle menu introduction resulted in an eight-percent increase in guest satisfaction with Radisson's culinary offerings for guests experiencing the Tasteful Choices menu," said Nancy Johnson, executive vice president for Carlson Hotels Worldwide full-service hotels and Radisson brand leader, during the American Hotel & Lodging Conference this week in New York. 

"Through a third-party evaluation, over the last several years, Radisson has also increased the overall cleanliness of its hotels by nearly four percentage points, and the overall product by three percentage points. Both areas are key drivers to realizing overall guest satisfaction increases as evaluated through electronic surveys guests complete after check out," Johnson added.  "Radisson's brand repositioning project is a five-year plan, finishing in 2008, that is introducing a new generation of hotels and resorts designed to meet higher levels of product quality and consistency, and deliver distinguishing features that enable greater guest choice and control over the hotel experience," said Jay Witzel, president & CEO of Carlson Hotels Worldwide.

"As part of the repositioning plan, many of the hotels are currently undergoing major renovations to the guest rooms – including the addition of the Sleep Number bed – as well as upgrades to the public areas and food and beverage. The overall property renovations average $17,000 per guest room."  The SLEEP NUMBER® bed is now available throughout North American (U.S., Canada and Caribbean), and hotels continue to install additional beds. More than 80 percent of guests who experienced the new beds said they exceeded their expectations and positively impacted their perception of the Radisson brand.     

Other Radisson brand distinguishing enhancements include Express Yourself, the hotel industry's first online check-in system; and the new Tasteful Choices lifestyle menu, introduced at hotels in the United States. The Tasteful Choices menu was designed by the Culinary Institute of America to provide more choices, whether guests are trying to maintain a healthy diet while traveling or are looking for an opportunity to indulge. Guests noted that Tasteful Choices featured high-quality ingredients and added greater variety of choice. Radisson is already working on expanding the program to add more options and regional cuisine.  "We're thrilled with the positive feedback we have received from guests, developers and owners," said Johnson.  

"Our exciting new vision for Radisson, both in North America and globally, make it an ideal time for investors and hotel owners to align themselves with the Radisson brand," she noted. In addition to brand-wide product enhancements, some highlights of Radisson hotels in key locations undergoing renovation or expansion, include a $20 million renovation at the Radisson Lexington Hotel in New York City, the addition of a $5.2 million, 13,000-square-foot, oceanfront Larimar Spa at the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino, and the construction of the new Radisson St. Martin Resort and Spa opening in late 2007.

Throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Radisson SAS is dedicated to raising the bar in hospitality design by working with such renowned designers as Matteo Thun and Adam D. Tihany on projects in Frankfurt, Germany and Vienna, Austria. Other international Radisson properties, gaining worldwide attention for their design and quality, are being developed in Dubai, Thailand, Brazil and Chile.