Radisson Blu is an international hotel brand managed and operated by Radisson Hotels, and owned by Choice Hotels, Jinjiang International and the Radisson Hotel Group. Founded as the SAS Hotels in 1960, the Radisson Blu brand name came into existence in 2006 with a rebranding of Radisson SAS. It operates in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region with 324 operating worldwide as of 2022.
In 2009, the partnership with SAS ended and the Radisson SAS properties were rebranded as Radisson Blu.[10] The name ‘Blu’ was chosen as part of a research project to find a new visual identity as the company sought to replace the familiar SAS blue box.[9]
Radisson Blu entered the United States market with the opening of its first hotel in Chicago, Illinois in 2011. The hotel occupies part of the Aqua skyscraper developed by Studio Gang Architects.[11] In 2013, it opened its second location. It was connected to the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota.[12] In 2010, Radisson Blu was named the largest upper upscale hotel chain in Europe.