Carlson Radisson Rezidor Group opens 29th hotel in Karjat, 11 more in pipeline

Karjat (Maharashtra): Global hospitality major Carlson Radisson Rezidor Hotel Group, in partnership with Hill Crest Resort and Spa, has opened its 29th Radisson Blu Resort & Spa in Karjat near Mumbai and has another 11 in the pipeline under the upscale brand.

“This is our 29th property under the Radisson Blu brand, which is located in Raigad district (Maharashtra) and we have another 11 hotels under this brand in the pipeline. With 102 keys, we are mainly targeting corporate retreats, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions/events), destination weddings and individual leisure for this property,” Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group CEO, South Asia, Raj Rana, told reporters.

The resort’s owner, Debasish Chakraborty, who has a background in courier and logistics business and has co-founded courier brand DTDC, said, “The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has a better understanding of the consumer needs. With the property under this brand, we are expecting it to become a favourite destination soon and give good returns. We have spent over Rs 130 crore in developing this property, which is a beautiful balance between modern design and enveloping natural beauty,” he said.

Globally, there are 300 Radisson Blu hotels in operation in 69 countries and territories.

With the opening of the Karjat property, the group now has 77 hotels in India, with another 41 in the pipeline. “Our target of 170 operating hotels by 2020 in India is well on track as we already have 77 properties in operation and another 41 in pipeline. On an average, we aim to open 8 hotels every year,” Rana said.

He said with demand emerging in tier II and III cities, the global hospitality group is looking at more properties under its Park Inn, Country Inn and Radisson RED brands.

“We are seeing demand in tier II and III cities. So our focus is to expand to these areas with our Park Inn, Country Inn and Radisson RED brands. We are mainly looking at locations with good connectivity, by air or road, economic zones providing tax concessions with good corporate demand and religious destinations. We are more focused on locations in the southern region and the north east,” Rana added.

About introducing the Quorvus Collection in India, Rana said the hospitality group is careful about its luxury brand as it is a niche product.

“We are looking at conversion of either a heritage property in Rajasthan or water resort for the Quorvus Collection in India and we are hoping see one property under this brand in next two years,” he added.

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has 1,400 hotels in operation and under development with more than 220,000 rooms and a footprint spanning 115 countries and territories.

The group’s portfolio includes seven global brands, including Quorvus Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites By Carlson.