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I know that Radisson is not per se a US hotel brand, but I think of it as a US chain because so many of their hotels are in the USA. In fact, the majority of Radisson-branded hotels are located in the United States.They were partly owned by Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). And are now  one of the leading, full-service global hotel companies with more than 430 locations in 73 countries.

I stayed at the Radisson Blu in Amstedam and did not think it was luxuriously decorated. The lobby is nice but the rooms are not. Radisson Blu, formerly Radisson SAS, is the brand name for Radisson hotels outside the United States, including those in Europe,Africa, and Asia. These are operated by Belgian hotel firm; Rezidor Hotel Group, under a master franchise contract with Carlson. Radisson Edwardian is the brand name for a group of hotels in the United Kingdom, The  Manchester hotel could do with a renovation. It looks like the Radisson Edwardian hotels will be brought into the fold of the Radisson Blu brand name after they have been refurbished.
Goldpoints plusSM has now changed their name to Club Carlson. If you are an existing goldpoints plus member, your membership number hasn’t changed. Radissons’ Club Carlson, the loyalty program for Carlson Hotels, offers rewards for stays at Radisson, Blu, Country Inns & Suites, Park Inn & Park Plaza. One of the many perks is that Carlson Members earn 5,000 points at Avis rental car and save 25% on global rentals. Another is the complimentary "Grab & Run" breakfast + free internet.

New benefits:

• Faster free nights starting at 9,000 points at more than 1,000 Carlson hotels worldwide
• Redeem points for airline miles, Prepaid Cards, and more
• Free Internet for Club Carlson members at Radisson hotels

The Radisson Town Lake | Austin has the largest outdoor pool in downtown Austin, featuring sun decks and poolside service from their T.G.I.Friday's restaurant located on Town Lake. The hike and bike trail, where Lance Armstrong can be seen, is steps away. You MUST see the famed Congress Ave. Bridge Bats. This hotel has rates with self-parking and internet for $183.20 USD A NIGHT
If you want the cheapest rate….Radisson Hotels have Advance Purchase Rates - up to 25% off their standard rate at participating hotels. To get this offer, you must book a stay at least 14 days in advance. Gold Elite is the highest tier at Radisson. Unfortunately they do not renew your elite status if you miss it one year and even if you do attain elite, they don’t give many upgrades.

When I travel, I like to stay at hotel chains because I know what to expect from each brand. Photos on the internet can be misleading. The TV show 20/20  showed how some hotels “photoshop” and airbrush pictures on their websites. You can’t even trust the star rating. (I’ve seen some 4 star rated hotels that should have a rating of one star but have not been downgraded from the 4 stars they got 20 years ago). Also, Most hotels around the world just award themselves stars. In Britain, hotels are rated from one star to five stars, as in many other countries, but the RAC pulled out of accommodation grading in 2008.  Michelin rated reviews are more reliable.

Hotel chains like Marriott and Sheraton give hotels a category to rank the amount of luxury you can expect. -.Although that can also be misleading because some cities are just more expensive. For example;- a plain Marriott hotel (not a JW ) in NYC costs mega $$$ so it has a high category. The New York Marriott Marquis is a Marriott Rewards category: 8 and would cost 40,000 points to obtain a free night at this New York hotel or at the  Paris Marriott Hotel Champs-Elysees . Cat 8 is the highest Category offered by Marriott and Cat 1 is the least expensive in points or in dollars.

Holiday Inn’s brands (IHG) don’t use a category but they are generally true to their brand. The IHG hotels start at the high end top with the InterContinental Brand then continue in descending  order of price with Crowne Plaza, | Hotel Indigo, | Holiday Inn, | Staybridge Suites, | Candlewood Suites and Holiday Inn Express The Starwood Preferred Guest program allows you to redeem Starpoints for Free Night Awards from all seven  categories. A category one hotel would cost you about three or four thousand points whereas a cat 7 could cost up to 35,000 points for a free night and the dollar amount would be according to category too.