The Standard King: A comfortable bed dressed to feel soft and look welcoming serves as the focal point of the room. Color, pattern and eclectic furnishings add character and visual interest. — Photo by Radisson Hotel Group
Hotel Exterior — Photo by Radisson Hotel Group
The Living Room: Open, friendly and easily discovered, the living room serves as a flexible space with a welcoming reception area, relaxing seating and cozy atmosphere. — Photo by Radisson Hotel Group
The Servery: Like a modern country kitchen, our complimentary hot breakfast area creates an inviting, simple setting that allows guests to easy access. Shelf-top blackboards display daily menu categories, such as Hot & Fresh, Beverage, Bakery and Healthy. — Photo by Radisson Hotel Group
Country Inns & Suites

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, today announced Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSMhas launched a new brand identity and a new generation hotel prototype. The hotel brand simultaneously announced a partnership with celebrity interior designer Genevieve Gorder, who has provided her approval and endorsement for the new designs.

"It's a natural next step to evolve into a product that appeals to a younger generation. But we will be fiercely maintaining our service culture and amenities that have built our strong, loyal customer base."

While the brand has seen consistent upgrades and regular renovation cycles, this is the first time in its 25-year history that it has been completely redesigned to include a new architecture, interior aesthetic and visual identity, including logo. The new Country Inns & Suites logo, which has been reinterpreted to evoke a more modern and sophisticated image, will be seen immediately, with a controlled roll out across the entire portfolio.

The updated hotel architecture and interiors, designed by London-based architectural design firms Imagination and Virgile and Stone, will make their debut in the fourth quarter of 2013. They will feature a clean, contemporary look and feel that complements the new visual identity that combines warmth and comfort with the iconic design elements Country Inns & Suites are known for, including lobby fireplaces. The architectural design is a departure from previous generations of Country Inns & Suites and will allow the brand to expand in a greater variety of areas and locations, including more urban markets. The design will resonate with loyal guests, as well as today's younger, technology-focused business travelers.

"We are looking to the future and are making thoughtful changes that will allow us to grow our brand," said Gordon McKinnon, executive vice president and chief branding officer for Carlson. "It's a natural next step to evolve into a product that appeals to a younger generation. But we will be fiercely maintaining our service culture and amenities that have built our strong, loyal customer base."

Country Inns & Suites has partnered with celebrity interior designer, Genevieve Gorder to leverage her expert insights on the design needs of today's consumers and reinforce the direction of the brand.

"Genevieve's unique ability to add both style and comfort to living spaces translates perfectly to the guest experience Country Inns & Suites are known for — caring, consistent and comfortable hospitality delivered with a touch of home," said Scott Meyer, senior vice president, Midscale Brands, Americas, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

With shows like HGTV's "Dear Genevieve", "Design Star" and her upcoming show "Genevieve's Renovation," Gorder has become a beloved household name and a force within the design world.

"I am so excited for Country Inns & Suites. The design decisions that were made are strong, smart and progressive," Gorder said. "You do not see attention to detail like this in upper-midscale hotels; it is truly special."

Country Inns & Suites By Carlson is a leading upper-midscale brand with 480 hotels operating throughout North America and India. The brand is focused on growth primarily in the U.S., Canada, India and Mexico. Country Inns & Suites was founded by the Carlson family in 1987, inspired by the traditional European bed and breakfast and the founding principal that great hospitality means treating guests like family. To this day, guests are welcomed with a batch of warm chocolate chip cookies, a trademark of family-style hospitality. Today, the brand has evolved to a more contemporary vision, yet still embodies the best parts of that founding philosophy, including the cookies.

"With this brand evolution, we're staying one step ahead of our guests' already high expectations," Meyer said, "but our core values remain the same."

For reservations and more information, visit www.countryinns.com.

About Radisson Hotel Group

Radisson Hotel Group is one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups with eight distinctive hotel brands with more than 1,400 hotels in destinations around the world. Our portfolio of hotel brands includes: Radisson Collection™, Radisson Blu®, Radisson®, Radisson RED®, Park Plaza®, Park Inn® by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites® by Radisson and prizeotel.

Rosanne Swanson
763-212-5451
Radisson Hotel Group