Renaissance Hotels
The first Ramada Renaissance Hotel opened its doors in 1981 within Aurora, Colorado. This property sat just outside the city of Denver and marked the birth of an upscale division for Ramada Inns. The brand emerged as a strategic move to target travelers seeking higher-end accommodations than standard motels offered. Early operations focused on large hotels located in major urban centers across North America. The initial positioning aimed to distinguish itself through service quality and location rather than budget pricing.
Hong Kong-based New World Development acquired Ramada Inns in 1989 for $540 million. This massive transaction included the sale of all hotels and restaurants owned by the parent company. New World Development immediately re-launched Renaissance Hotels as a separate chain independent from the original Ramada brand. In 1993 they purchased Stouffer Hotels & Resorts from Nestle for an estimated $1.5 billion. A transitional period followed where 28 U.S. properties were reflagged as Stouffer Renaissance until 1996. On the 18th of February 1997 Marriott International bought the entire Renaissance Hotel Group N.V. for US$1 billion. This deal surpassed a competing offer from Doubletree Corp valued at $890 million. The acquisition excluded the Stouffer Hotels brand but included the Ramada International brand.
By the 31st of January 2023 the brand operated over 170 hotels worldwide. Statistical records show property counts shifting between 135 and 176 locations from 2006 through 2023. North America consistently held the largest number of properties with figures ranging from 70 to 89 rooms in recent years. Europe maintained a steady presence with approximately 27 to 36 properties during the same period. Asia and Pacific regions saw growth from 31 properties in 2015 to 45 by 2023. Room counts fluctuated alongside property numbers reaching peaks near 55,000 total rooms globally. The portfolio expanded into new markets including the Middle East and Africa where five properties stood by 2023. Caribbean and Latin American operations remained smaller but consistent with nine properties each year since 2015.
The Renaissance Cleveland Hotel dates back to 1918 as Hotel Cleveland within the Tower City Center complex. It was run by Sheraton from 1958 to 1977 before Renaissance took over in 1993. The Bartlett Building once served as the tallest building in Ohio when first constructed. This structure was repurposed as the Renaissance Cincinnati Downtown Hotel in 2014. The Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel occupies the Fulton Building named after Robert Fulton. An unfinished Masonic Temple in Providence became the Renaissance Providence Hotel after rehabilitation in 2007. Construction on that temple had been abandoned due to the Great Depression decades earlier. The Blackstone Hotel known for hosting U.S. presidents operated as a Renaissance location from 2008 to 2017.
The St Pancras Renaissance London Hotel forms the frontispiece of St Pancras railway station. Opening in 2011 it occupies former railway offices called St Pancras Chambers. These offices previously housed the Midland Great Hotel which existed between 1873 and 1935. The Renaissance Barcelona Fira Hotel opened in 2011 inside the suburb of L'Hospitalet de Llobregat. The Renaissance Dallas Hotel features an elliptical and diagonal roofline opening in 1983 as a Wyndham property. The La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort sits directly on the Condado oceanfront. It opened in 1958 before Renaissance assumed management in 2007. The Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel originally opened as the Fairmont Newport Beach adjacent to John Wayne Airport. It rebranded as a Renaissance in 2017.
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Common questions
When did the first Ramada Renaissance Hotel open its doors?
The first Ramada Renaissance Hotel opened its doors in 1981 within Aurora, Colorado. This property sat just outside the city of Denver and marked the birth of an upscale division for Ramada Inns.
Who acquired Ramada Inns in 1989 to launch Renaissance Hotels as a separate chain?
Hong Kong-based New World Development acquired Ramada Inns in 1989 for $540 million. New World Development immediately re-launched Renaissance Hotels as a separate chain independent from the original Ramada brand.
On what date did Marriott International buy the entire Renaissance Hotel Group N.V?
Marriott International bought the entire Renaissance Hotel Group N.V. on the 18th of February 1997 for US$1 billion. This deal surpassed a competing offer from Doubletree Corp valued at $890 million.
How many hotels worldwide did Renaissance Hotels operate by the 31st of January 2023?
By the 31st of January 2023 the brand operated over 170 hotels worldwide. Statistical records show property counts shifting between 135 and 176 locations from 2006 through 2023.
When was the Blackstone Hotel known for hosting U.S. presidents operated as a Renaissance location?
The Blackstone Hotel known for hosting U.S. presidents operated as a Renaissance location from 2008 to 2017. It is one of several historic properties repurposed under the Renaissance brand name.