New Rochelle, NY (February 16, 2012) The Radisson Hotel New Rochelle has won a prestigious award for renovation excellence in recognition of the significant investment it made last year in upgrading its facilities. Representatives from the only full-service hotel in lower Westchester were on hand today at the annual Carlson Global Hotel Business Conference, Atlantis Hotel, Paradise Island, Bahamas, to receive the honor. Carlson, the parent company of Radisson, is one of the world’s largest hospitality and travel groups.
Thorsten Kirschke, President, Carlson, the Americas, said: “The 2011 award winners are making a difference for our guests, our communities and our company. Each one has earned this distinction by demonstrating a level of enthusiasm and dedication that is an example of the Radisson’s campaign to provide consistently excellent services to all its hotels.”
Colby Brock, an interior designer and the hotel’s food and beverage manager, who has overseen the Radisson Hotel New Rochelle’s $2 million renovation, said: “We are thrilled and honored to be recognized for the improvements we have made to transform the 37-year-old hotel into a boutique-style hotel and to become a model for the Radisson brand. We are one of the first franchised hotels in the world to adopt the Radisson’s new brand initiative.”
One of the criteria for winning the award was maintaining the Radisson’s high Sustained Guest Satisfaction Index (GSI) throughout the renovations and achieving a higher GSI following the improvements. Ms. Brock noted: “This means that we did not compromise our high level of satisfaction while work was being done. Equally important, the positive reaction to these enhancements as measured by the increase in guest satisfaction validates the choices we made to create a more attractive destination for today’s sophisticated traveler.”
Renovations began in January 2011 when Radisson owner and noted commercial real estate developer Peter Brock, and his daughter, Colby, recognized a shift in the profile of his customer to a more sophisticated, jet-setting traveler. The father-daughter team decided that change was in order, and so they initiated the renovation. The result is a new, stylish and contemporary design that has the look and feel of a chic Manhattan hotel.
All 129 guest rooms are now equipped with rich wood furniture, tufted headboards, wool carpet, new window treatments, linens and down-filled duvets and pillows, oversized flat screen televisions, and work stations with WiFi capability. Many offer sweeping views of the Long Island Sound.
In addition, the hotel lobby was re-designed to create a warm, inviting look highlighted with white marble, cultured stone and inlaid wood. Mojo Stumer Associates Architects P.C. served as architect for the lobby make-over.
The guest elevators were also re-designed and redecorated. The beginning phase of the renovation of all guest room bathrooms is underway to create more sophisticated, elegant marble bathrooms with glass shower doors and spa-like amenities.
As part of the renovation, the Radisson’s banquet suites, which can accommodate groups of up to 300 for weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, confirmations, social events and business meetings, are being given a full makeover, offering a more contemporary feel. The Grand Ballroom will be getting a new carpet and chairs this year. It features cove lighting, wall sconces, a crystal chandelier and warm, neutral colors that provide a beautiful backdrop for any special occasion. The hotel’s three smaller, more intimate event spaces were newly decorated last year.
The Radisson is undertaking another major project by transforming its restaurant into a new trendy dining destination to be named NoMa Social. When it opens this spring, NoMa Social will offer hotel guests and food lovers from throughout the region the perfect place to socialize and enjoy a new Mediterranean menu created by renowned chef Bill Rosenberg, formerly of F.I.S.H. in Port Chester, New York and Barcelona in Greenwich, Connecticut.
“We are pleased to offer our guests new and updated facilities,” said Ms. Brock. “The response to the renovations has been extremely positive. We are looking forward to more with the opening of NoMa Social this spring.”
