In a recent conversation Kurt Ritter, President and CEO admitted to our Editor, Patrick Goff that he was “unlikely” to reach his espoused target of 700 Rezidor hotels by the end of 2012. Shock horror- only adding 50 hotels a year, goodness me! How many hotel groups would be delighted to expand at this rate – from 20 hotels in 2002 to over 410 today. As Jamie Oliver might say – here is another one I prepared earlier, the new Radisson Blu Nantes”We are delighted to announce one of the most high-profile hotel projects in Western France and to further strengthen our young and stylish Radisson Blu portfolio in the country”, says Kurt Ritter, announcing the conversion of the Palais de Justice in Nantes, capital of the Pays de la Loire region in France.
Rezidor now features 26 hotels with a total of 4,300 rooms in operation and under development in France, and is present in major cities such a Paris, Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice and Lyon.
The 19th century Palais de Justice is a local landmark and its elegant, classical façade overlooks bustling Aristide Briand Square in the city centre of Nantes. The building served as a courthouse until 2000 and the local government recently authorised its transformation into an upscale hotel and cultural centre.
The interior by the French designer Jean-Philippe Nuel (Agence Nuel) will be sophisticated and contemporary, but reflective of the local culture and the historical aspects of the building. In addition to 142 guestrooms – including 20 spectacular suites – there will be an all-day-dining restaurant in the former courtroom, a bar, 320 m2 of meeting space, an exclusive spa, and a cultural centre which will also be used for events.
Rezidor continue their twin pronged approach to expansion in which they try to pair up Radisson Blu hotels with their Park Inn by Radisson brand to create a presence at two levels of the market in most major European cities.
Patrick Goff
Images courtesy Rezidor
