March 02, 2011--Visitors to Spartanburg have a new upscale lodging option.

After undergoing months of renovations, the landmark former Radisson and Wilson World hotel at 9027 Fairforest Road near Interstate 26 and Business 85 reopened Tuesday under Choice Hotel Group International's Clarion brand.

St. Louis-based Roberts Hotel Group, the nation's largest black-owned franchise operator for Choice, decided last year to rebrand the hotel and give it an overhaul to bring it up to the standards of that new brand, which turned out to be Clarion.

"We're very excited about the new brand and the partnership with Choice hotels," said Cosha Marin, the hotel's general manager.

"We think it will open up a plethora of opportunities for us based on the location of the hotel, the business we target and the services we provide."

The hotel did open for a brief time in December to accommodate people visiting Spartanburg for the 2010 Shrine Bowl, Marin said. But it has been pretty much shut down throughout the renovation.

With a fresh look, a new rate structure and high-quality services, the hotel is hoping to attract group travelers and tap into some new segments in the tourism market, Marin said.

She said bookings were already pouring in for this weekend's Southern Classic Volleyball Tournament in Spartanburg.

"We're definitely gearing up to be a destination for events like this," Marin said.

"We're anticipating being one of the top hotels in the area. We're the only other full-service hotel in Spartanburg. Our location really makes us unique and will allow us to do many things."

The facility has 11 flexible conference rooms, and 13,000 square feet of banquet and meeting space that can accommodate up to 400 people.

The hotel opened in 1989 as a Wilson World property and was sold in 2002 to the Dallas-based Tabani Group.

Under the Tabani Group's ownership, it underwent a $3 million renovation. The Tabanis kept the hotel open during the project and donated its high-quality Wilson World furniture to the Salvation Army. It took 10 days and 32 truckloads to move all of the furniture.

Roberts acquired the hotel in 2006.

Operated by Michael Roberts and his brother, Steven Roberts, the company operates 10 other hotels in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.

For more information, visit www.roberts-companies.com.

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