Carlson  has added 13 new properties to its global portfolio of brands during April and May, bringing its expansion pace to an average of six new hotels per month since the start of 2007 -

The company currently has more than 950 hotels in 70 countries.

Among the 13 new hotels are The Regent Palms Turks and Caicos managed by Regent Hotels & Resorts in the British West Indies; two Radisson SAS hotels in Ireland; two new Radisson Hotels & Resorts properties in the United States; five additional Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, including one in Canada and four throughout the United States; and two Park Inn hotels in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Carlson hotel brands also include Park Plaza(SM) Hotels & Resorts.

"We are pleased to be on pace with our development plans for the first half of 2007, opening hotels in key business and leisure travel markets throughout the United States and around the world," said Bill Sipple, corporate vice president of development for Carlson Hotels Worldwide. "Our global development team continues to make major strides in expanding our hotels to serve guests in new destinations around the world."

Regent Hotels & Resorts

In April, Regent Hotels & Resorts made its Caribbean debut with The Regent Palms Turks and Caicos, a luxury resort enclave on Grace Bay Beach. The resort, which overlooks the turquoise waters of Grace Bay Beach, features 72 luxury guest suites housed in five coral stone buildings that form a semicircle around a serpentine infinity pool. The Spa at The Regent Palms offers an array of pampering services for both men and women, and showcases two of the most highly acclaimed skincare names in beauty: Somme Institute and Sonya Dakar. The resort is owned by Palms Holdings Ltd. and Village Lot 24, Ltd.

The Regent Palms joins Regent's growing portfolio of new and in-development properties around the world. The company's well-defined growth plan in the U.S. includes The Regent Bal Harbour, opening in 2007, and The Regent Boston at Battery Wharf opening in 2008.

Regent's existing portfolio encompasses eight properties in the cities of Beijing, Berlin, Miami Beach, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei and Zagreb. Other future developments include properties in Bangkok, Thailand; The Republic of Maldives, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Papagayo, Costa Rica; and Dubrovnik, Croatia. The Regent Maldives, which is located off the southwestern tip of India in the Indian Ocean, is due to open in 2008. It will feature 23 beach villas and 27 over-water villas, including two presidential villas, allowing guests to observe the abundant marine life directly beneath their rooms. The resort will occupy the entire Maalefushi Island, just 50 minutes by seaplane from the capital city of Male.

Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts

The two newest hotels to join the Radisson SAS brand are both airport locations in Ireland, and include the 229-room Radisson SAS Hotel, Dublin Airport and the 81-room Radisson SAS Hotel, Cork Airport.

The Dublin airport hotel, which is owned by CG Hotels Dublin Airport Limited, offers modern rooms just 20 minutes from Dublin's city center, a 24-hour complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport, O'Dea's Irish Pub and Potters Restaurant in the lobby area, plus 30 meeting rooms with high-speed Internet access.

Located in the heart of Cork International Airport complex, the Radisson SAS hotel, Cork Airport offers a 24-hour courtesy shuttle service to and from the airport terminal and the Airport Business Park, and is within a 10-minute drive from the city's business and tourist areas. This hotel is owned by CG Hotels Cork Airport Limited.

Radisson Hotels & Resorts

The Radisson Hotel Detroit-Livonia in Michigan, which is owned by Livho Inc., offers convenient access to the Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Daimler-Chrysler, as well as Cobo Center and three area casinos. The property features 226 spacious guest rooms with comfortably modern decor, and 15 function rooms capable of handling business and social events up to 700 people.

Located just north of downtown, the 171-room Radisson Hotel Indianapolis North is close to upscale shopping, fine dining, world-class golf and a host of area attractions such as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. The Indianapolis International Airport is just 23 miles away; the hotel is owned by Wynn Hotels L.P. To date, Radisson's global portfolio includes 398 hotels with more than 89,000 guestrooms.

Country Inns & Suites By Carlson

With the addition of five new Country Inns & Suites By Carlson hotels in April and May, the brand currently consists of 416 hotels and more than 33,000 guestrooms.

The new properties include the 108-room Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, owned by Ontario Ltd.; the 67-room Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Smyrna, Ga.; and the 69-room Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Capitol Heights, Md., owned by 3AM LLC; the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Winchester, Va., owned by Homestyle Hospitality, LLC, with 81 guestrooms; the 70-room Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Chambersburg, Pa., which is owned by Second State Enterprises, Inc.; and the 77-room Country Inn & Suites By Carlson in Norman, Okla., which is owned by Norman Hospitality South, LLC. All five new hotels feature traditional brand design elements, including hard wood floors and fire place in the grand lobby.

Park Inn

Park Inn brand opened two new locations -- the Park Inn Cardiff City Centre in the United Kingdom, and the Park Inn, Shannon Airport in Ireland. The Park Inn portfolio currently includes 86 hotels and 13,916 guestrooms worldwide.

Adjacent to the Cardiff International Arena and just a minute's walk from the city's prime business and shopping districts, this warm and welcoming hotel is set right in the heart of the action. Park Inn Cardiff City Centre features an impressive Victorian-style lobby, and 146 beautifully appointed guestrooms. This hotel is owned by Mountain Capital.

The Park Inn, Shannon Airport, which is owned by CG Hotels, is located within walking distance of the airport, making it the ideal stopover for early- or late-arriving flights. The hotel offers 114 guest rooms, a lunch in Blairs Restaurant, a mini-gym and childcare services.