New Radisson RED deal part of strategy to double Thailand portfolio by mid-2024
Slated for opening in late 2023, Radisson RED Phuket Patong Beach marks the conversion of an existing property in the heart of Patong Beach, which will now be fully renovated and relaunched in line with Radisson RED’s bold design and brand standards.
This forms a key part of the Radisson Group’s strategy to double its portfolio of operating hotels in Thailand by mid-2024.
The new Thai property is owned by Destination Group, which recently partnered with Radisson Hotel Group to open both the Radisson Resort & Spa Hua Hin and Radisson Resort & Suites Phuket.
Radisson RED supports growing blended travel needs
With its striking design, upbeat vibe, the new property offers the flexibility “to let guests seamlessly switch between business and leisure,” says Ramzy Fenianos, chief development officer, Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group, and meet the growing post-COVID trend for blended travel.
“Radisson RED has the power to inject new life into hotels and destinations. This makes it the perfect fit for Patong Beach, one of Thailand’s most dynamic tourism hubs,” he adds.
Radisson RED offers ‘playful twist on the conventional’
The 390-key property is located in the heart of Patong, Phuket’s main commercial district, just 270 metres from the beach and surrounded by retail malls, restaurants and nightlife.
With its upscale lifestyle design, Radisson RED aims to present “a playful twist on the conventional” with social spaces that “let savvy travellers kick back, relax and feel the buzz of their destination,” according to Radisson Group.
A nod to Thailand’s most prominent national icons
Guests will be greeted at the rebranded property by a life-sized sculpture of a red lacquered elephant wearing earphones that will serve as the hotel’s mascot. As they enter the art-inspired lobby a red tuk-tuk takes centre stage.
First hotel designed to meet desires of post-pandemic Phuket travellers
Gary Murray, founder & CEO of Destination Group is confident the Radisson RED brand will attract the new generation of ‘always-on’ travellers and describes the hotel as “one of Patong’s most exciting and coolest places to stay”.
Phuket is leading Thailand’s post-pandemic tourism recovery, having welcomed approximately 4.3 million international visitors in 2022 – more than one-third of the country’s total 11.5 million arrivals last year. The island is expected to attract 12 million domestic and overseas visitors this year, and it has already started the year strongly with the restart of direct flights from China in Jan-2023.
Radisson plans exponential growth in Thailand…
Earlier this year, Radisson Hotel Group announced plans to expand exponentially in Thailand, with a multi-brand expansion that will include new hotels and resorts in key destinations such as Phuket. It currently operates six hotels in Thailand across four brands in Bangkok, Phuket and Hua Hin.
… and a strong growth trajectory in South Asia
Elsewhere in Asia, Radisson plans a strong growth trajectory in South Asia with a robust future pipeline. Last year it continued to drive forward its ambitious expansion plan for India with the signing of 12 hotels across the country and the launch of India-focused brands. It also signed a strategic partnership with Ruptub Solutions to develop a 150-hotel-strong network of Park Inn & Suites by Radisson properties over the next decade.
Radisson expects a strong 2023 after strengthening its foothold in South Asia across its brand architecture, including Radisson Blu, Radisson RED, Radisson, Radisson Individuals, and its brand extension Radisson Individuals Retreats developed for the Indian market. Located in key gateway cities and emerging destinations, the 12 new hotels will collectively add over 1,000+ rooms to its domestic network between 2023 and 2026.
Nearly 80% of the new deals marked the Group’s entry into India’s up-and-coming leisure destinations with hotels dotted across Palampur, Kasauli, Nainital, Jim Corbett, Goa, Gandhinagar, Ramnagar, Nainital, Dhanbad, Amritsar, and Chandrapur. It also signed two new hotels in Nepal namely Radisson Hotel Bhairawa and Radisson Hotel Biratnagar.
In 2022, the Group opened seven hotels in picturesque locations like Kufri, Goa, Palampur, Daman, Surat, Katra, and Nathdwara. It also opened the doors to its first experiential resort – Rakkh Resort, a member of Radisson Individuals Retreats.