Rezidor, operating the Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson branded properties in Europe, the Middle East and Africa is announcing its first hotel in Serbia. The property, which features 236 rooms, is already under construction and will welcome the first guests in Q4 2013.

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Belgrade will be situated in a prime location next to the convention centre and above one of the city’s most important thoroughfares. It is set to become a local landmark, as the overall development of the site will incorporate an existing historical old mill. The hotel will offer access to the traditional “Old Belgrade” neighbourhood as well as to the “New Belgrade” business district. In addition to the 236 rooms with Radisson Blu signature services, such as free high speed Internet access, the property will have a restaurant and bar, 600 square meters of meeting space, a wellness area, and parking facilities.

Austrian real estate developer Soravia Group, in cooperation with Erste Bank Group and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), is undertaking the development of the hotel and of an additional office tower of 3,900 square meters set adjacent to the hotel.

“Our development addresses the current undersupply of quality hotel accommodation providing state-of-the-art finishing and service standards. It is among the first major investments of this type in Serbia and we are convinced that market prospects as well as our engagement with Rezidor will ensure a successful and long-lasting venture in Belgrade,” said Soravia Group-CEO Hanno Soravia.

Kurt Ritter, President and CEO of Rezidor, said: “We are delighted to come to Serbia. The country is an emerging nation, and Belgrade a vibrant, dynamic city with 1.7 million inhabitants where we see a considerable potential.”

Carlson has reached a deal with partner The Rezidor Hotel Group to expand Rezidor’s Hotel Missoni luxury lifestyle brand beyond Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Gordon McKinnon, Carlson’s executive vice president and chief branding officer, says Missoni will mark the company’s debut in the luxury segment. “You will see Hotel Missoni begin to appear,” McKinnon told the audience at Carlson’s annual conference last week.

Rezidor operates Missoni properties in Edinburgh and Kuwait (opening March 1), with additional properties under development in Brazil,  Oman and Turkey.

Carlson is also developing a brand to compete in the economy segment. McKinnon describes the unnamed brand as “style on a budget,” saying the product will be modern in design.

The Rezidor Hotel Group announces Hotel Missoni Belek, Antalya: The 138 rooms-property on the famous Turkish Riviera will welcome the first guests in 2013.

Hotel Missoni, Rezidor’s bold and fashionable lifestyle brand, debuted in 2009 – each hotel is personally designed by Creative Director Rosita Missoni, founder of the iconic Italian fashion house Missoni.

“We develop Hotel Missoni in carefully selected city centres and upcoming resort destinations. Antalya is a perfect location for this exciting, design-conscious and authentic brand”, said Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor. The very first Hotel Missoni opened its doors in Edinburgh, Scotland – further properties are under development in Kuwait, Oman and Brazil.

“In my many years of cooperation with Rezidor, I have been very proud of the fact that the collaboration has always been a great success. I am looking forward to having Hotel Missoni as the crowning icon of our new project in Belek,” added  Haluk Kaya, CEO of Bekay Property Partners and owner of the property.

Hotel Missoni Belek, Antalya will be a golf- and wellness resort located 5 km east of the city of Belek on a hilltop overlooking olive groves, fruit orchards and the sea. It will form an integral part of a high-profile mixed-use development; featuring residential villas, a country club, a sports club, and boutique retail shops. The focal point will be an 18-hole golf course adjacent to the hotel; designed by the Swedish golf champion Annika Sörenstam.

The hotel will offer 110 stylish guest rooms and 28 luxurious villas ranging from 200 to 900 m2. All will feature Missoni’s dazzling design and colour scheme. Two restaurants, including the signature “Cucina Missoni”, will be available in addition to a ballroom and meeting space. For relaxation after a round of golf guests can enjoy the 1,100 m2 spa and leisure area, offering two swimming pools, a spa, Turkish baths, a fitness centre, and a kids club.

Antalya is Turkey’s most visited tourist area (even surpassing Istanbul!): Visitors are drawn to its miles of sandy beaches, year-round sunshine and a wealth of tourist and historical attractions. It is also an established golfing destination with over a dozen courses. In Turkey – a strong and high-potential market for Rezidor – the group has now 4 hotels in operation and 2 under development.

The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide, announces the Radisson Blu 1835 Hotel & Thalassa, Cannes in France. The 134-rooms property, formerly known as 1835 White Palm Hotel, will be re-branded in December 2010 and join Radisson Blu’s design conscious and contemporary portfolio.

“We are delighted to open a further high quality hotel in the South of France which will clearly strengthen our presence along the Côte d’Azur”, said Kurt Ritter, Rezidor’s President & CEO. Rezidor already operates city hotels in Nice and Marseille – and brings its total portfolio of hotels in operation and under development in France to now 28 properties.

“Rezidor’s entrepreneurial spirit will add new value to the hotel and the extraordinary spa Les Thermes Marins de Cannes”, commented Nathalie Esclapez, owner of the hotel and an renowned expert on the hospitality field: She recently received the French “Médaille d’Argent du Tourisme” (silver medal of tourism) and was awarded as “Manager de l’Année” (manager of the year 2010) by the French group Nice-Matin.

The Radisson Blu 1835 Hotel & Thalasso, Cannes enjoys a prominent prime location on the edge of the picturesque old quarter Le Suquet, overlooking the harbour and just across the street from the beach. It is within walking distance of La Croisette, Cannes’ famous main avenue renowned for its luxurious boutiques, trendy bars and restaurants, and palm-fringed sidewalks with sea views. The legendary Palais des Festivals et Congres is 800 meters from the hotel and hosts all major events of Cannes including the annual Film Festival on 35,000 square metres of congress space. And for those born under the lucky stars, Cannes’ three casinos are easily accessible from the hotel.

The hotel, a masterpiece by the French interior designers Marc Hertrich & Nicolas Adnet, was renovated in 2009. Besides 134 stylish and bright guest rooms it features 6 meeting rooms and 3 restaurants: “Le 360″ is situated on a roof terrace offering, as the name implies, 360 degree views of Cannes, the sea and the harbour. The adjacent roof top bar is well-known in the city and a preferred venue for exclusive parties and events. “Le Bio” is located within the spa, specializes in healthy dishes and offers a unique “Bento Box” concept. “30° Celsius” serves light meals on the ground floor.

A further highlight of the hotel is the Thalasso spa, Les Thermes Marins de Cannes, which pampers body and soul with the power of sea salt and alga has already set new standards as one of the finest spas in the region. The 2,700 square meters facility with an outstanding ultra-modern design offers 46 treatment rooms, a fitness centre, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, hammam (Turkish bath), sauna, caldarium (Roman bath), and whirlpools.

The Rezidor Hotel Group has opened the Radisson Blu Resort Split in Croatia – a luxurious hotel right on the Adriatic coast with panoramic views over the Mediterranean Sea and the island Brač. After an extensive renovation and reconstruction, the former and legendary “Hotel Split” with a history of nearly 50 years offers 240 stylish guest rooms including 2 outstanding Presidential suites. “We are delighted to add a further outstanding first class hotel to our Croatian portfolio. Rezidor aims to grow its young and successful resort business further – and Croatia as an emerging holiday destination in Europe offers not only beautiful landscapes but also the needed infrastructure and manpower”, says Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor.

The Radisson Blu Resort Split is located only 15 walking minutes away from the historic city centre and along a wonderful pristine beach along the Adriatic Sea – it is a unique combination of a city hotel and a sea resort and headed by General Manager Maik Schaefer, a German national. Whether guests choose the classical, yet modern Economy Rooms or the Standard- and Deluxe Rooms or the suites with their ultra-stylish, light and airy design: The majority of rooms offer breathtaking sea views. Higher room categories also feature extras such as balconies, Nespresso machines, bathrobes & -slippers. The Presidential suites comprise 260 m² each, 3 bedrooms, a private terrace with Jacuzzi and an outdoor sauna.

Two restaurants, a bar and a Lobby Lounge will pamper every palate: “The Fig Leaf” restaurant serves Radisson Blu’s signature “super breakfast” and international buffets with an abundant choice of Mediterranean and Continental specialties as well as live cooking stations and a wonderful terrace towards the sea. “The Caper”, the grill restaurant in a modern and sleek environment, combines equally stunning views, grilled cuts, delicious fish and selected wines from Croatia and all around the world. “The Door” bar adds a modern twist to a list of international and award-winning cocktails, and the Lobby Lounge with a cozy atmosphere is a perfect meeting place at the hotel’s lobby level.

Besides access to a private stunning beach with sunbeds, separate plateau and bar service, the hotel also comprises an indoor- and outdoor pool, a fitness centre and an exclusive Anne Sémonin-Spa with 8 treatment rooms, whirlpool, sauna and steam baths. Within the hotel grounds, an international casino will be housed, and for those you want to combine business and leisure, the hotel offers 7 meeting rooms and a banquet hall, all equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

Opening room rates start at 112 EUR per room per night (excluding breakfast). For further information please go here

Alternative hotels in Split and nearby Podstrana

The Rezidor Hotel Group announces the Radisson Blu Hotel, Nantes in France: The famous Palais de Justice in Nantes, capital of the Pays de la Loire region, will be converted into a magnificent 142-rooms property which will welcome the first guests in 2013

“We are delighted to announce one of the most high-profile hotel projects in Western France and to further strengthen our young and stylish Radisson Blu portfolio in the country”, says Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor. This new development with a strong real estate component corresponds well to AXA Real Estate’s hotel investment strategy. On behalf of its clients, AXA Real Estate is currently managing 80 hotels and 12 000 rooms in Europe representing a total investment of around € 1,4 billion.

Rezidor now features 26 hotels with a total of 4,300 rooms in operation and under development in France, and is present in major cities such a Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice and Lyon.

The 19th century Palais de Justice is a local landmark and its elegant, classical façade overlooks bustling Aristide Briand Square in the city centre of Nantes. The building served as a courthouse until 2000 and the local government recently authorised its transformation into an upscale hotel and cultural centre.

The interior by the French designer Jean-Philippe Nuel (Agence Nuel) will be sophisticated and contemporary, but reflective of the local culture and the historical aspects of the building. In addition to 142 guestrooms – including 20 spectacular suites – there will be an all-day-dining restaurant in the former courtroom, a bar, 320 m2 of meeting space, an exclusive spa, and a cultural centre which will also be used for events.

With a city centre location, the hotel is proximate to Nantes’ main high street and well-known shopping areas. The city’s main tourist attractions, such as Le Château des Ducs de Bretagne (a castle housing the Nantes History Museum) and La Galerie des Machines (a Jules Verne inspired attraction) are within walking distance. The train station is 1.5 km away and links the city by high speed TGV lines to Paris, Lille, Lyon, Marseille and Strasbourg. Nantes is also the gateway to many of the resort areas along the Atlantic Coast of France.

New Radisson Blu Milan Offers Al Fresco Italian Dining, Modern Penthouse Suite and Pool Overlooking the City Skyline.

Brussels-based hotel management company The Rezidor Hotel Group opened Radisson Blu Hotel, Milan yesterday.  The first Radisson Blu in Milan and second in Italy, the 250-key property was formerly known as the Chedi Milan and The Virtus.

Hotel interiors by Jaya Ibrahim offer a serene, “Indonesia-meets-Italy” aesthetic. Guestrooms in warm earth tones with bronze and white accents include limestone bathrooms, flat screen televisions and complimentary high-speed internet access.  The 10th floor, 1,600-square-foot Penthouse Suite features a separate living room, bedroom, and kitchenette with private dining space, as well as floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a private terrace with sweeping city views.

Radisson Blu Milan offers Rezidor’s signature contemporary Italian restaurant Filini, which serves a modern Italian menu and opens onto a garden courtyard for daily al fresco dining. The hotel’s sleek Lounge Bar, situated between the lobby and restaurant,  is highlighted by a marble spiral staircase

Additional hotel facilities include an indoor swimming pool located under a glass atrium and overlooking the Milan skyline, as well as health and wellness facilities including a steam room, private sauna, and fully-equipped fitness center.

Radisson Blu Milan also offers eight meeting rooms, a conference room with capacity for 240 guests, a 10-seat boardroom and a private delegate entrance. All meeting and events space features natural light as well as complimentary high-speed internet access.

Located in the northern Bovisa district, near Milan’s major international trade fairs, the hotel is within 20 minutes of city-center attractions such as La Scala Opera House, the Duomo Cathedral and Brera, Milan’s old city.

Radisson Blu Milan joins the existing Radisson Blu es. Hotel, Rome in Italy’s capital, as well as a number of new properties in major European cities. Recent openings include two boutique hotels in Paris, France; a resort in Dubrovnik, Croatia; a boutique hotel in Madrid, Spain; and a major renovation to a city-center hotel in Hamburg.

10 Reval Hotels owned by the Norwegian company Linstow join the group’s portfolio

The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide, announces a management agreement with the Norwegian real estate developer Linstow for 10 Reval Hotels in the Baltics (Latvia, Estonia & Lithuania) and in Russia. The agreement between Rezidor and Linstow will come into effect on June 1, 2010 and includes 3 hotels in Riga, 2 hotels in Tallinn, 2 hotels in Vilnius, and 1 hotel in each Kaunas, Klaipeda and St. Petersburg – adding a total of 2,367 rooms to Rezidor’s portfolio. 6 hotels will be rebranded as Radisson Blu and 4 as Park Inn.

“We are delighted and proud that Linstow, Reval Hotels owner, has chosen Rezidor as a business partner”, comments Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor. “Reval Hotels is the leading hotel chain in the Baltics. This portfolio agreement gives Rezidor, which is the number one among the international hotel operators in Russia, a strong market position in the Baltics, too. We will be able to substantially strengthen our position in the key markets of Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius, where we already are present with our upper upscale brand Radisson Blu and a total of 760 rooms”, continues Ritter.

”After developing and building up the Reval Hotels chain in the Baltics, Linstow now wishes to focus on its core role as a real estate developer and real estate investor. As an internationally renowned hotel player in expansion, Rezidor has a very strong sales organization and presence with well known brands in all markets outside the Baltics and St. Petersburg that are important to bring new customers to our hotels. The management deal therefore assures further revenue growth for our hotels in both the Baltics and Russia. This will happen through, among other things, more effective marketing of the hotels,” says Per Mortensen, CEO of Linstow.

Reval Hotel Sonya in St Petersburg/Russia (173 rooms) will become a Radisson Blu and be Rezidor’s second property of this brand in town.