About Us
We have over 75 years of hospitality experience. With that experience, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has grown to become one of the largest hotel companies in the industry with a powerful set of brands that deliver world class hospitality and exceptional service.
OUR COMPANY HISTORY
1960 Carlson acquired 50 percent interest in the Radisson Downtown Hotel in Minneapolis, marking the company’s entrance into the hospitality business.
1962 Carlson acquired the remaining interest in the Radisson Downtown Hotel in Minneapolis. Today, there are more than 550 Radisson Blu® and Radisson® hotels globally.
1980 The company established the Hotel and Resort Group to include Radisson Hotels, Inns and Resorts as well as Colony Resorts.
1986 Carlson and the Radisson brand entered into an international partnership agreement with SAS International Hotels. SAS International Hotels would later become The Rezidor Hotel Group.
1987 Carlson founded the Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM brand with the opening of its first hotel in Burnsville, Minnesota. The brand now operates more than 470 hotels throughout the world, primarily in the United States, Canada, Latin America and India.
1991 Carlson announced an agreement with Edwardian Hotels of London to add its nine upscale five-star and four-star hotels to the Radisson chain.
1992 Carlson launched Look To BookSM, an innovative, patented online reward program for travel agents.
1994 SAS International Hotels signed a master franchise agreement with Carlson to manage the Radisson brand in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and formed the pioneering co-branded partnership, Radisson SAS, which would eventually become the Radisson Blu brand.
1996 Carlson acquired Regent Hotels & Resorts.
1999 Carlson launched the guest loyalty program, Gold Points RewardsSM. The program would later evolve into Club CarlsonSM, the global rewards program of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.
2002 SAS International Hotels became The Rezidor Hotel Group and acquired additional franchise rights to Regent Hotels & Resorts, Park Inn and Country Inns & Suites By Carlson.
2005 Carlson acquired 25 percent ownership of The Rezidor Hotel Group, solidifying the company’s commitment to global growth.
2006 The Rezidor Hotel Group completed an initial public offering on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, with the Radisson SAS brand as a key asset. Carlson purchased additional shares and increased its ownership to 35 percent.
2007 Carlson increased ownership in The Rezidor Hotel Group to 41.7 percent.
2008 Carlson celebrated the opening of its 1,000th hotel.
2009 The Radisson SAS brand name was updated to Radisson Blu.
2010 Carlson sold the Regent luxury hotel brand to Formosa International Hotels Corporation.
2012 Carlson increased its ownership in The Rezidor Hotel Group to 51 percent and the two joined forces in a strategic partnership and went to market as Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.
2014 Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group announced two new brands, Quorvus Collection and Radisson RED.