Radisson’s luxury hotel Blu to debut in Chicago high-rise

by Melanie Nayer on

The first Radisson Blu hotel in the United States will open on 18 floors of a new 81-story tower in Chicago. Radisson and Carlson Hotels bought the space for $125 million and will launch the luxury-brand hotel in Aqua, the new Chicago skyscraper at 225 N. Columbus Drive.

According to Radisson, about half the $125 million will be put toward development and furnishing of The Radisson Aqua Blu guest rooms, lobby space and meeting areas. The remainder of the money will be put toward other floors containing condos and apartments.

You’ll have to wait a bit before the doors open – The Radisson Aqua Blu won’t be ready until fall 2011.

But, while you’re waiting you can watch the development take place. The new Aqua tower, which opened in 2009 and stands adjacent to the hotel, offers great views of the city from just about every angle.

Radisson Blue Coming to Mongolia

by Tom Johansmeyer on

It’s time to go to Mongolia! Almost. In winter 2011, the country will welcome the Radisson Blu Hotel Ulaanbaatar, the first Rezidor Hotel Group property to hit Mongolia. This will increase the company’s tally to 61 countries, says Rezidor president and CEO Kurt Ritter. You’ll find the new Radisson Blu right in the heart of the country’s capital, Ulaanbaatar, walking distance from Sukhbaatar Square and Peace Avenue, and it will be adjacent to the Choijin Lama Temple, which is home to an eighteenth century gold-covered statue of Buddha Shayaryamuni.

The property will have 175 guestrooms, three restaurants (including a microbrewery) and a wellness center – not to mention close to 5,000 square feet of conference and meeting space. Needless to say, this will be helpful in accommodating the increasing number of tourists to Mongolia, which has been growing at a compound annual rate of 15 percent since 2006.

So, if you’re looking to check out the temple or trod some of the same dirt as Genghis Khan, you’re about to get another lodging option.

Blu Le Dokhan opens on Trocadero in Paris

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Now, you have a new reason to go to Paris this year. The Radisson Blu Le Dokhan’s Hotel has just opened. This new spot is an easy walk from the Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. I remember the area well – there’s decent subway access out to Place Vendome and the rest of the city.

The Radisson Blue Le Dokhan’s Hotel occupies what used to be a private residence, a building that dates back to the 18th century. From the outside, you can enjoy a restored Haussmann exterior; the inside was designed by Frederic Mechiche. The real attention-grabber, though, is an elevator made from a vintage Louis Vuitton wardrobe trunk.

Grab a glass of champagne (from an extensive menu) at Le Dokhan Bar, where you can enjoy live music well into the night. Room service is available around the clock, and internet access is free. Hey, this matters to me. Nothing’s more irritating than having to shell out $10 a day once you’ve already paid for the damned room.

Look, there’s no shortage of hotels in Paris. Anyone who’s been there knows this, and even if you haven’t, it’s not hard to figure it out. But, I’m a big fan of boutique hotels, and this 45-room location seems like a great addition to a crowded city.