With conversion opportunities leading the way, Radisson Hotel Group delivered strong growth during 2024, with over 130 new signings and openings internationally. In the UK and Ireland, the group signed 10 new deals with some 13,000 rooms over the past year, with six new openings including 700 rooms in the UK.
It has seen success within the sports and events hospitality segment, with exciting projects at Radisson RED London Twickenham Stadium, the home of England rugby, Radisson RED Birmingham Edgbaston Stadium, a leading cricket ground in the UK, and The Bolton Stadium Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals, at the home of Bolton Wanderers Football Club.
Radisson Individuals is the group’s soft affiliation brand, which although launched only four years ago, has now reached almost 90 properties trading and in the pipeline globally. The brand celebrates the individuality of each of the hotels’ own culture and story while benefitting from Radisson Hotel Group’s international reach and global reservation channels. The hotels can join the group’s systems on a short term contract without an initial property improvement plan. Radisson Individuals is leading the way for conversions, however Radisson Blu, Radisson RED, Radisson and Prize by Radisson also lend themselves to conversion opportunities.
Adela Cristea, vice president, head of Business Development UK, Ireland and Nordics said: “Conversions have kept us busy over the past few years, and continue to do so. We support our owners by optimising the spaces, adapting our brands to different projects and their localities, and maximising the return for the investors.”
The group announced the latest additions to its growing Radisson Individuals portfolio, with the openings of The View Hotel Folkestone, a member of Radisson Individuals and Stanhill Court Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals, with two further additions to the brand coming soon, bringing this brand’s UK and Ireland offering to nine.
The View Hotel Folkestone, a member of Radisson Individuals, is a four-star boutique hotel located in the charming seaside town of Folkestone in Kent, close to attractions and a nearby beach overlooking the English Channel. Meanwhile, Stanhill Court Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals, is a stunning country manor hotel located in the heart of Surrey, providing Victorian charm in a picturesque setting, with woodland walks on the doorstep.
Affordable high design
A new brand headed for the UK and Ireland, is Prize by Radisson, which offers a midscale lifestyle experience with a unique personality at the cost of an economy hotel, featuring bright, energised spaces ideal for modern living, work, and social interaction. The conversion-friendly properties offer a lifestyle midscale experience at the investment cost of an economy hotel. The compelling design proposition brand commands high GOP margins (+50%) and has a lean operating model.
The first Prize by Radisson property opened in 2009 in Germany. The brand is currently present in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Belgium and includes around 20 properties in operation and under development, representing almost 4,200 rooms. New and exciting projects are expected to be announced soon.
Sports and events related hospitality expert
Radisson Hotel Group announced the signing of Radisson RED London Twickenham Stadium earlier this year, set to open in 2025 following a full refurbishment. Twickenham Stadium is one of the world’s largest rugby stadiums and the home of England Rugby. Located in West London, the iconic venue hosts numerous international rugby matches, concerts, and other events throughout the year. The hotel will accommodate 150 spacious bedrooms along with a large lobby, lounge bar and destination restaurant.
The latest Radisson RED signing in the UK is Radisson RED Birmingham Edgbaston Stadium, set to open in 2027 at one of the most famous and renowned cricket grounds in the UK. The hotel will feature 146 guest rooms, with more than half overlooking the cricket ground. Several rooms have balconies and are convertible rooms that can also be used as hospitality boxes during matches and as additional meeting spaces for events. The stadium has a capacity of 25,000 visitors and is home to Warwickshire County Cricket Club. This addition brings the Radisson RED portfolio to nine properties, including the multi-award-winning Radisson RED Glasgow and Radisson RED Liverpool.
The Bolton Stadium Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals, opened its doors in the Toughsheet Community Stadium, which has a capacity of 29,000 seats and is home of Bolton Wanderers Football Club. With 125 rooms and suites, panoramic pitch-side views, an all-day restaurant, bar, and lounge, as well as several modern meeting rooms, the hotel is the perfect venue for guests visiting the stadium or business travellers arranging meetings and events. The group is rapidly becoming an expert in sports and events related hospitality and is expected to announce further stadium properties in the coming months.
Liam J Moran
