Radisson Blu

Radisson Blu, formerly Radisson SAS, is an upper upscale brand for Radisson Hotels mostly outside the United States, including those in Europe, Africa, and Asia. These are operated by Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) used to be a major shareholder in Rezidor Hotel Group and licensed its brand for Radisson SAS hotels. Following the withdrawal of SAS from the partnership in 2009, the name changed from Radisson SAS to Radisson Blu. The new brand is being introduced gradually across the portfolio. In 2012, Carlson Hotels and Rezidor Hotel Group combined to form Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

Radisson Blu operates 265 hotels, with 42 projects in development.

History

In 1960, the Royal Copenhagen hotel opened in Denmark. Designed by the Arne Jacobsen for SAS International Hotels (SIH) - the hotel division of the Scandinavian airline group, SAS.

Radisson SAS was created in 1994 when SAS International Hotels (SIH) joined forces with the Radisson brand for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) in a joint branding initiative.