Radisson has a new focus with its latest Sydney hotel

 

Sydney is get another luxury lifestyle hotel, but this one will be in the Haymarket district, close to Central Station. 

Radisson Hotel Group this week announced the signing of Radisson RED Sydney Haymarket, a 328-room, new-build hotel set to open in 2029. 

The 31-storey hotel will be positioned in the heart of Haymarket granting easy access the Sydney Light Rail, Chinatown and Darling Harbour. 

 “The signing of Australia’s first Radisson RED marks an important milestone in our Australasia expansion plan," said Elie Younes, executive vice president and global chief development officer (whew!) for the Radisson Hotel Group. 

"Radisson RED is a distinctive brand that offers a relevant and impactful proposition to both guests and owners. We are excited to partner with Ceerose on this project and are grateful for their trust in our brands and people.”

Radisson RED Sydney Haymarket will feature those 328 rooms, a restaurant, a lobby café-bar, a pool bar, meeting rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, and a fitness centre. 

The hotel will also include a dedicated early- and late-check-out lounge for guests. 

Edward Doueihi, founder and managing director of developers Ceerose, said: “Radisson RED Sydney Haymarket has been conceived as a destination that reflects the energy and transformation taking place across this part of Sydney."

See https://www.radissonhotels.com/

Simply Red: new hotel for Queenstown

Queenstown, New Zealand's boom tourism destination, is to get another major international hotel. 

Radisson Hotel Group has signed the Radisson RED Hotel Queenstown, a new-built lifestyle hotel set to open in early 2028. 

This follows the brand's upcoming Radisson RED Auckland opening. 

Radisson RED Hotel Queenstown will feature 221 rooms, including four deluxe rooms and five suites.

The plans details an all-day dining restaurant and bar along with a rooftop bar with a large terrace and mountain views. 

There will also be two flexible meeting rooms and a gymnasium. 

The hotel will be situated a seven-minute walk from the centre of Queenstown, in an emerging precinct that is adding new retail outlets, a supermarket, and dining concepts. 

Guests will look out toward Coronet Peak, the surrounding ranges, and Lake Wakatipu. Coronet Peak's ski lift is a 15-minute drive from the site. 

Queenstown is New Zealand's four-season adventure capital, with skiing, lakefront trails and biking, along with easy access to Arrowtown and Central Otago wineries. 

The developer of the project is Redwood Group, which has been responsible for numerous projects across the Queenstown region. 

Tony Gapes, owner of Redwood, said, "We're delighted to be partnering with Radisson Hotel Group to bring Radisson RED to Queenstown. The brand's energy, design-led style, and understated luxury feel perfectly matched to the spirit of the region. 

"This is an exciting project for Queenstown, and we're proud to continue to deliver developments that add long-term value to the region."

New life for a long-time Bangkok favourite

A popular Bangkok hotel over several decades has been re-styled and given new branding. 

 
Radisson Hotel Group has unveiled the new-look Radisson Hotel Chateau de Bangkok, which it describes as "a stunning reinvention of one of the city's most storied landmarks". 

Nestled in the upmarket Ploen Chit district - home to major shopping malls, hotels and office towers - the hotel now offers 178 rooms, three dining destinations and versatile event spaces.

 

Radisson says the revamped property offers an "exceptional stay for both business and leisure guests seeking comfort, style, and convenience in Thailand’s vibrant capital".

Savvy guests will request a room offering panoramic views of Bangkok's dramatic skyline. 

Tim Cordon, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group, says: "Thailand is one of our key markets in south-east Asia, and we are delighted to strengthen our portfolio with the opening of Radisson Hotel Chateau de Bangkok. 

"This property has a special legacy in the city, and its reintroduction under the Radisson brand reflects both our growth ambitions and our commitment to creating memorable stays for our guests."



Guests can start the day at Larder & Lounge, a café serving artisanal coffee and locally inspired bites, indulge in Thai-French fusion at Château Botanique or enjoy cocktails and light refreshments at View Pool Bar on the 12th floor, while enjoying panoramic city views from the rooftop oasis.

Wellness also takes centre stage on the 12th floor. Guests can work out in the fitness centre, re-charge in the spa room, or enjoy a swim in the outdoor pool. 

Event venues can cater for up to 250 guests. 

"We are thrilled to welcome guests back to the Chateau, now part of Radisson Hotel Group," says GM Jean Pascal Bernet. 

"Our team looks forward to delivering the personalised service and warm hospitality that this property has been known for, while offering a refreshed experience that reflects the energy of modern Bangkok."

The hotel is a 40-minute drive from Suvarnabhumi International Airport and 30 minutes from Don Mueang International Airport (if traffic is kind). 

The BTS Skytrain Ploenchit station is 400 meters from the hotel. 

For more info click here.

New Melbourne hotel promises "best of both worlds"

If you want to stay close to Melbourne CBD - but not in the centre - then a new hotel opening might be of interest. 

Radisson Hotel Group has just debuted the Park Inn by Radisson Melbourne Carlton.

The city-fringe hotel sits adjacent to next Princes Park, opposite the Carlton AFL Club’s grounds, and is only 4 kilometers from Melbourne’s CBD.

The hotel features 89 rooms with views of Princes Park and the hotel’s outdoor pool. 

The interiors reflect Park Inn by Radisson's upbeat design ethos, creating a space where guests can relax and recharge. Families and small groups can enjoy the convenience of connecting rooms to stay together.

The new hotel is minutes from Lygon Street, Melbourne’s original Little Italy, with its many cafes, trattorias, pizza joints and gelato bars. 

Melbourne Zoo is a short 10-minute walk, with leading medical institutions, including the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, are within one kilometre.

The location is connected to tram routes, the University of Melbourne and city attractions. 

“We’re proud to introduce Park Inn by Radisson to Australia from a spot that feels authentically Melbourne," says GM Kathy Zha. 

"Our guests get the best of both worlds, the city’s energy within minutes and the calm of Princes Park right outside. 

"Whether here for meetings, medical visits, game day, or a weekend on Lygon Street, we’ll keep things easy, comfortable, and uplifting for guests.”

The outdoor swimming pool is now available and a new wellness hub is in development featuring an infrared and steam sauna, as well as a cold plunge experience.

The hotel runs up to 80% solar-powered energy, uses high-efficiency showerheads and taps. It features drought-tolerant native landscaping that needs minimal irrigation.

A multilingual team, speaking more than 10 languages, caters for international visitors. 

Radisson portfolio on an upward trajectory

Radisson Hotel Group reported a record-breaking year in 2024 after adding almost 40,000 keys to its global brand portfolio.

Elie Younes, executive VP and Global Chief Development Officer at Radisson Hotel Group, said: "Despite global geopolitical shifts in 2024, we had a successful year thanks to our relentless efforts to serve our two key customers: the guest and the owner.

“In 2025, we will continue creating more possibilities and opportunities for all our stakeholders through building on existing segments and partnerships as well as seeking new business avenues.

“We are grateful to our owners, partners, shareholders, and dedicated teams, whose trust and support enable our joint success."

Since its launch in 2018, the Radisson Collection brand grew in 2024 to nearly 70 hotels and achieved significant portfolio growth across key destinations. 

This included the signing of the FirstRadisson Collection properties in Paris and Madrid, the signing of the group’s third Radisson Collection property in Riyadh, and the opening of flagship hotels in Rome (Italy), and Srinagar (India). 

The Radisson Collection hotel in the heart of Paris is located in the iconic and heritage-protected Haussmann Building - just steps away from the Louvre Museum and Marais neighborhood.

In Madrid, the Radisson Collection hotel is set to debut in the iconic Generali building located on Alcala Street - one of Madrid's most prominent avenues in the prestigious Canalejas area.

In collaboration with PPHE Hotel Group, Radisson Hotel Group also opened the doors to art'otel London Hoxton in May.

Radisson Blu added over 20 additions to its portfolio, in cities such as Casablanca (Morocco), where the property is nestled in the city's new financial district. The recently opened hotel in Conakry is a landmark addition to Guinea's vibrant capital.

Radisson RED expanded into several new markets including Danang (Vietnam), Berlin (Germany), Auckland (New Zealand), Vientiane (Laos), and Abuja (Nigeria). 

Radisson RED Phuket Patong Beach is located 200 meters from the Patong Beach and marks the debut of the brand in Thailand.

First launched in 2020, Radisson Individuals is now one of the fastest-growing brands in APAC with almost 15 additions to the portfolio in the region in 2024, including openings in Udaipur as well as Saket in South Delhi (India).

Towards the end of the year, the group rebranded its midscale lifestyle brand, prizeotel, to Prize by Radisson. New hotels under the rebranded name were announced in Gdansk (Poland) and Berlin (Germany).

The Radisson family of brands portfolio includes Radisson Collection, art'otel, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and Prize by Radisson.

Image: First Radisson Collection, Madrid

New-build hotel for Auckland CBD

If you like your hotels “playful and dynamic” the Radisson group is to introduce its Radisson RED brand to Auckland, New Zealand, next year. 

Located in the heart of Queen Street, the purpose-built 322-key Radisson RED Auckland will “offer a modern lifestyle experience to its guests and add an eclectic ambiance to Auckland”. 

There is fair bit of hype and swagger about the release, which says: “Radisson RED offers stylish spaces with standout designs where guests can feel inspired, engaged and connected to the heart of the destination. The new launch draws inspiration from Aotea's surrounding arts and entertainment venues, creating social spaces designed for guests to unwind and relax in the informal and inviting hotel environment.”

Since the reopening of the country's international borders in August 2022, New Zealand's tourism industry has enjoyed robust growth, with 2.96 million overseas visitor arrivals in the year ending December 2023, up by 1.52 million from the previous year. 

The new property is owned by Stonewood Group, a prominent local developer. 

"We are thrilled to establish our relationship with Stonewood Group and introduce New Zealand's largest leased project with the 322-key Radisson RED Auckland,” said Lachlan Hoswell, regional MD for Radisson. 

“With its distinctive design, vibrant atmosphere, and the versatility to effortlessly transition between work and play, Radisson RED is an ideal match for Auckland, New Zealand's largest and most populous city. Auckland is fast becoming one of New Zealand's top tourist destinations renowned for its multiculturalism and culinary influences, making it an ideal and thriving market to launch the Radisson RED brand." 

Guests will be able to choose from room styles varying from standard rooms to two-bedroom suites, and enjoy access to an all-day dining restaurant, a wellness facility as well as four function rooms for meetings and events.

The hotel will form an integral component of a mixed-use commercial development, incorporating dining establishments including a rooftop restaurant, and retail outlets. 

Radisson has big plans for Australia and New Zealand

Look out for a whole lot of new Radisson hotel properties across Australia and New Zealand over the next few years.

Radisson Hotel Group has announced significant expansion plans for Australasia, with a newly expanded brand portfolio, strategic partnerships and business models that will enable the group to achieve major growth across the region by 2025.

The expansion will target capital cities and popular regional destinations across Australia and New Zealand, such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

The plans were unveiled as the Australasia market is starting to see growing demand for hotels and resorts as it recovers post-pandemic and prepares for the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.

Radisson says that recent research has shown that investors are eager to deploy capital into hotel assets in Australia and New Zealand with a focus on mid-market properties.

The Radisson Individuals, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson and Radisson RED (above) brands will spearhead the growth of the portfolio in Australasia.

Owners and developers in Australasia will have access to an expanded collection of brands in select markets across Asia Pacific, including newcomers 7 Days and Metropolo (terrible name).

Radisson has also secured rights to develop and operate the Golden Tulip, Kyriad and Campanile brands from Louvre Hotels Group.

"Our ambitious plans in Australia and New Zealand are a testament to our success in the market and the relevance of our products to both inbound and domestic travellers seeking a diverse range of hotel and resort experiences," says Ramzy Fenianos, Chief Development Officer, Asia Pacific.

"Our defined brand architecture is designed to be relevant for our guests and owners, delivering on meaningful experiences. With visa applications for Australia already being at 80% of pre-pandemic levels as of May this year, we're optimistic that the market will see continued rapid recovery, and a surge in demand from inbound tourists as we approach the summer season."