Siberia gets its first Radisson as hotel revolution gathers pace

It will be the first Radisson brand in Siberia and follows the arrival of Hilton, Marriott, Best Western and Hyatt Regency among major international chains to open east of the Urals. 

The new trend is seen as crucial to bringing more upscale business and tourist visitors to Siberia.

The hotel will be close to Novosibirsk Railway Station and it is being constructed by St Petersburg-based Regional Hotel Chain under a partnership agreement with The Rezidor Hotel Group, which is responsible for the Radisson brands.

A 12-storey hotel, it will comprise 150 suites, as well as five conference halls, three negotiation halls, the Paulaner restaurant for 170 guests, and a fitness gym, said spokeswoman Irina Zakharova.

The group currently operate more than 6,700 suites in 21 hotels in Russia. 

Regional Hotel Chain is run by Andrey Yakinin, son of the CEO of Russian Railways, Vladimir Yakunin.  The 2009 agreement with Rezidor involves 20 hotels under the brand Park Inn by Radisson in a number of Russian cities. 

'The main advantage of a railway station hotel is that it is located next a great flow of tourists,' said Kirill Irtyuga, General Director of RosinvestOtel Management Company. 

'Hotels at railway stations, just like at airports, attract many 'business travellers' - people who are in a hurry and do not wish to drive into the centre, those who urgently need to conduct business meetings and leave.'

Among the new wave of international brand hotels in Siberia, there is a Courtyard by Marriott in Irkutsk and another five star Marriott planned for Krasnoyarsk. 

Novosibirsk has a Doubletree by Hilton and Tyumen has a new Best Western.  In the Far East, Vladivostok boasts two new Hyatt Regency hotels.