These additions bring Radisson's upscale hotel property total to 432 in 63 countries, while Country Inns & Suites global property count totals 346, and the Park Inn portfolio contains 79 properties in 11 countries.

"As part of Carlson Hotels Worldwide, these new hotel locations provide more choices for our customers and added strength to the global presence of our brands," said Sam Winterbottom, executive vice president of development, Carlson Hotels Worldwide, parent organization of Regent International Hotels, Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Country Inns & Suites and Park Inn.

"The hotels will also gain access to key business building tools and strategies including customer relationship management (CRM); Curtis-C, the company's award-winning global reservation system; membership in the patented Look To Book program, the industry's most recognized travel agent reward program; participation in goldpoints plus, our new guest loyalty program; and access to the $800 million purchasing power of Provisions, Carlson's global procurement division," Winterbottom added.

European and U.S. Expansion for Radisson Hotels & Resorts

Located just one mile from the Pentagon and within close proximity to many Washington D.C. monuments and museums, the Radisson Hotel Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Va., includes 247 newly renovated guestrooms, as well as a full range of services and amenities to serve business and leisure travelers.  The comfortable guestrooms feature complimentary high-speed Internet access, coffee service, microwave, refrigerator, and hair dryer.  Complimentary transportation is also offered between the hotel and Reagan National Airport. 

In the scenic Bavarian woods of southern Germany, guests are welcomed to the new Radisson SAS Resort in Wutzschleife.  The eye-catching, glass-roof architecture high above an open, four-story lobby serves as a visual surprise for guests.  Each of the hotel's 58 rooms feature a unique design, yet all are beautifully appointed and offer every amenity expected at a first-class hotel.  Guests can choose between three different room styles: Landhaus, located near the pool area with romantic furnishings and a fireplace; Lifestyle, featuring modern and elegant décor with generously sized bathrooms; and Junior Suite, with picturesque views and home-style furnishings for ultimate comfort.  

The 150-room Radisson SAS Hotel Biarritz in France is the perfect destination with easy access from Biarritz Airport, and a short commute to the Spanish border.  All of the spacious guestrooms and suites are equipped to meet the needs of the discerning international traveler with cable television, wireless Internet access, fully stocked minibar, hair dryer, trouser press, individual safe, iron and ironing board.  The Spanish-style décor serves as an ideal backdrop to the panoramic views of the ocean.  The onsite L'Hélianthe restaurant promises an innovative and original culinary experience, with their chef's interpretation of classical Basque dishes, featuring the flavors of the local cuisine.

Middle America Growth for Country Inns & Suites By Carlson

Created out of seven historic buildings dating back to the 1860s, the 155-room Country Inn & Suites-New Orleans in Louisiana is a corporately developed property that marks the brand's entry into an urban marketplace.  The hotel has all the historic charm of a boutique hotel with additional features to meet the needs of the New Orleans market, such as a cozy pub and expanded meeting space.  

To maintain the historical look and feel, the hotel offers unique features such as an indoor courtyard, five-story atrium lobby, rooms with 10-foot ceilings and palladium windows.  From exposed beam ceilings, slate floors and historic brick walls, the interior décor is artfully contrasted with rich woodwork, granite counters and wrought iron chandeliers.  The hotel is within a three-block walk to the French Quarter, and six blocks to the Convention Center.  Each room features top-of-the-line, pillow-top beds, as well as complimentary high-speed Internet access.

Located near the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan in Illinois is the new Country Inn & Suites-Zion (Illinois).  To make guests feel at home, the hotel's 66 rooms and suites are furnished with traditional furnishings, rich woods and elegant floral-patterned fabrics, and feature personal care bath items and hairdryers, as well as many modern conveniences like coffee makers, irons and ironing boards and cable television.  

Zion is just one hour from both Chicago, Ill., and Milwaukee, Wis., and is a haven for anglers who can either fish from the shores of a small inland lake, or venture onto Lake Michigan for coho salmon.  Other prime attractions for visitors include the six-miles of sandy beach at Illinois Beach State Park, as well as nearby Six Flags Amusement Park, and numerous museums, theaters, shopping and dining venues. 
The 73 spacious guestrooms at the Country Inn & Suites-Findlay in Ohio feature the traditional architecture and sophisticated residential interior design that has become the brand's signature elements.  With a beautifully appointed grand staircase at the center of the lobby, hardwood flooring, fireplace and decorative ceiling borders.  All guestrooms offer complimentary high-speed Internet access, two-line phones with speaker, large work desk with ergonomic chair and a comfortable sofa.

Findlay is located in northwestern Ohio, approximately 50 miles south of Toledo, and is a great location for leisure travel fun.  Guests of the Country Inn & Suites-Findlay can enjoy beautifully maintained historic homes on South Main Street, and nationally recognized golf courses, as well as a variety of high-quality dining and unique shopping experiences. 

Park Inn Continues European Expansion

Park Inn began 2005 with recent openings of seven new hotels in Germany and one in Denmark.  The brand is striving to become one of Europe's leading mid-market hotel brands, with plans to have 150 hotels in operation and under development by 2007.

The new hotels include the Park Inn Bochum, a 162-room hotel located directly opposite the main railway station in the city's center; the 125-room Park Inn Dortmund-City Center, located in a one of Germany's key cities with a fascinating industrial history, interesting museums, theatres, and a vibrant dining scene; the 192-room Park Inn Dusseldorf/Kaarst, located on the outskirts of Dusseldorf; the Park Inn Hanover, featuring 150 rooms located approximately 15 minutes from the city's central business and entertainment districts; the 94-room Park Inn Kamen/Unna, with more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia; the Park Inn Cologne-Belfortstrasse, offering 120 guestrooms, a new conference center under renovation, and an ideal location in the Rhine quarter just a few minutes from the historic center; and lastly, on the west bank of the Rhine River, the 205-room Park Inn Cologne City-West, a state-of-the-art hotel with the perfect mix of services and amenities to serve the needs of both business and leisure travelers.

Outside of Germany, the brand welcomed the Park Inn Aalborg in Denmark, a hotel with 89 freshly designed and comfortable guestrooms, and two spacious suites perfect for extended-stay business travel or family vacations.  The hotel is within close proximity to museums and other local attractions, such as the Tivoli and the Aalborg Zoo.  In 1992, Aalborg celebrated its 1,300th anniversary, and is today a thriving commercial and shipping town and Denmark's fourth largest city.

Carlson Hotels Worldwide is one of the major operating groups of Carlson Companies, a global leader in providing corporate solutions and consumer services in the marketing, travel and hospitality industries.  Other names among the Carlson family of brands and services are: Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, Carlson Marketing Group, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Results Travel, Cruise Holidays, T.G.I. Friday's and Pick Up Stix restaurants.  The company has been recognized by both Fortune and Working Mother magazines as one of the "100 best places to work for in America," Carlson Companies' corporate headquarters are in Minneapolis, Minnesota.