Renewing Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel in Helsinki: Focus on service and design
Press release 16.10.2012
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel in downtown Helsinki is carrying out a major renewal programme in 2012. The entire hotel premises – rooms, conference and event facilities, and restaurants – will be renewed. The exterior of the hotel building will also be renovated. At the same time the hotel’s new, more personal service concept will be launched. The new Plaza is Hotel Made by You, which means that you decide what kind of hotel and dining experience is best for you. Sokotel Oy and SOK are making a total investment of about MEUR 14 in the renewal project.
The new hotel aims to exceed the expectations of those travellers who desire personalized services. The hotel will operate normally during the renewal, with guests having access to new facilities exclusively. At present, half of the hotel rooms have been renewed and already accept guests. The hotel’s new lobby, restaurant Kitzens, Bar 7 Blings and Plaza Lounge are also open to customers. The renewal project is expected to be completed at the beginning of 2013.
Plaza, Hotel Made by You
Global megatrends like personalization, rapidly changing technologies, sustainable development and investment in wellbeing are shaping the future of the hotel industry. These factors, alongside other ongoing changes in the hospitality industry, are the cornerstone of the Plaza Hotel renewal project.
The project pays particular attention to the growing significance of personalized services for hotel and restaurant guests. High-quality hotels and restaurants need to provide innovative and accessible services that take into account the customer’s unique needs. Hence the traditional distinction between business and holiday hotels is no longer valid as personal lifestyle increasingly determines the customer’s choice of hotel.
The new Plaza allows guests to personalize their hotel and dining experience more than ever.
“The hotel and restaurant business is facing major change. To succeed in the future, you need to win over customers with personalized services, while providing high-quality basic services as a given. Our guests want to experience services and environments that stand out,” says Inari Lehtinen, General Manager, Radisson Blu Plaza.
The staff of Radisson Blu Plaza will now take on a more consultative role, while providing the same high-quality basic services customers enjoy in all Radisson Blu hotels.
“The ability to recognize new trends and then adapt them to proven practices is an on-going process in our business,” says Lehtinen.
Where design meets history
With 302 rooms, Plaza Hotel combines modern technology with classic design in a landmark building from the early 20th century. The hotel’s cornerstone was laid in 5th December 1917. Original stained glass paintings by Juho Rissanen and wood sculpture by Johannes Haapasalo exist side-by-side with iconic contemporary Finnish design and artwork, including Eero Aarnio’s Tuplakupla lamps, Sam Vanni’s original paintings and modern lighting design. The new furnishing for the hotel will come from some of Finland’s top designers.
Restaurant Kitzens, located below the hotel’s vaulted roof, offers delicacies from five different types of cuisines. Customers can also use a tablet computer provided by the restaurant to browse through the menu and place their orders. The new Bar 7 Blings is the perfect place for an after-work rendezvous or late-night partying.
Strong position among high-quality hotels
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel is operated by Sokotel Oy. Sokotel Oy and SOK have invested about MEUR 14 in the renewal.
“We decided to renew Plaza now, because the entire industry is changing so rapidly. We want to be the most desired hotel and hospitality destination in Helsinki, where the customer’s individual needs are met with innovative and personalized services. With this renewal, Plaza will be the flagship hotel in S Group’s hotel portfolio,” says Tomi Peitsalo, Vice President, Sokotel Oy.
For more information:
Inari Lehtinen, General Manager, Radisson Blu Plaza, tel. +358 50 303 8560, inari.lehtinen@radissonblu.com
Tomi Peitsalo, Vice President, Sokotel Oy, tel. + 358 50 609 31, tomi.peitsalo@sok.fi
Press materials, requests for interviews and hotel tours:
Aino Laakso, Senior Consultant, Mailand Communications Oy, tel. +358 50 553 8831, aino.laakso@mailand.fi
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel is located next to Helsinki Central Railway Station, where the city’s cultural life and top shopping areas are all in walking distance. Plaza Hotel will be launching a new look and service attitude in 2012. With 302 rooms, Plaza Hotel combines modern technology with classic design in a landmark building from the early 20th century. Guests enjoy a choice of five different cuisines in the new Kitzens restaurant and smart drinks in dazzling Bar 7 Bling. The renewal project also introduces a new, friendlier approach to customer service. From now on, Plaza is Hotel Made by You. Now you decide what kind of hotel experience is best for you. Welcome to Plaza!
Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts
Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts belongs to the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world’s fastest growing hotel companies. The Group also includes Park Inn by Radisson, Regent and Hotel Missoni hotel chains. The Rezidor Hotel Group has over 400 hotels around the world. Club Carlson is the hotel group’s customer loyalty programme. In Finland, Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts hotels are operated by the S Group, which includes Sokotel Oy and TOK in Turku.
Radisson Blu has seven hotels in Finland: three in Helsinki as well as hotels in Espoo, Turku, Vaasa and Oulu. In Finland, Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts is recognized for its first-class service and hospitality, with hotels located only a quick stroll from major city centres and prime shopping areas. All Radisson Blu hotels in Finland have been awarded the Nordic Ecolabel.
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