Radisson Hotels & Resorts is a leading, global hotel company operating, managing and franchising full-service hotels and resorts worldwide. With its headquarters in Minneapolis, Minn., it is one of the lodging brands of Carlson Hotels Worldwide, a part of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide. Carlson Hospitality Worldwide is one of the primary operating groups of Carlson Companies, Inc., one of America's largest privately-owned corporations.

The history of Radisson Hotels starts in the early 1900s, when an enterprising woman from Chicago by the name of Edna Dickerson was left a large amount of money and property by a dying distant relative in Minneapolis, Minn. When she came to Minneapolis to collect her inheritance, she was urged by the city businessmen to construct a hotel which would be a boon to downtown business. Edna agreed and the hotel was constructed and ready by the end of 1909. It was named “Radisson” after the great French explorer, Pierre Esprit Radisson, believed to be the first white man to explore Minnesota in the 17th century. The structure of Radisson Hotel was so distinctive and famous that a March was named after it, as were several other products. The hotel ran successfully till the 1920s, when it finally went broke and was taken over by the Philadelphia Fidelity Trust Company in 1934.

Radisson Hotel moved from a first-class hotel to a dismal position, and continued to deteriorate till the Depression and World War was over. It was then bought by two gentlemen, Byron F Calhoun, manager of Hotel St. Paul, and Tom Moore, a young Irish businessman in 1943. They refurbished the hotel and together they brought Radisson back to national prominence. The 1950s saw a sharp rise in business, and in 1957 more rooms and facilities were added. In 1960, a Minnesota businessman Curtis Carlson, who had helped cover the refurbishing bill, along with some other businessmen bought half the interest in the hotel. In 1962, Tom Moore decided to retire and sold his share of the hotel to Carlson.

With the majority of shares in hand, Carlson embarked on an ambitious expansion of the Radisson name - first around Minnesota and then across America and eventually throughout the world. It wasnt long before the Radisson name and flaming "R" symbol became familiar around the globe.

Today there are 435 Radisson hotels, representing more than 102,000 guest rooms in 61 countries around the globe. It is now a global leader in the hospitality industry, offering quality facilities and service.

There is a Radisson Hotel in Waikiki, Oahu, as well.