[3][5] It was planned as a high-end luxury hotel, designed in the French Renaissance architecture style,[6] and constructed with "the best in every line" of paints, enamels, woodwork, and wood finishes,[7] and named after the 17th-century French explorer, ranger and furrier Pierre-Esprit Radisson.

[3] As the opening neared, reports boasted of hand-carved walnut furnishings in guest rooms and Spanish leather chairs in the main lobby and banquet hall.

[3] In the mid- and late-1940s, pianist Liberace "gained national exposure through his performance contracts with the Statler and Radisson" hotels.

[3] The Radisson was purchased in 1962 by the Carlson Company, and it began adding new locations, both through the purchase of existing hotels such as the Schimmel Hotels group and the Denver Hyatt House in 1968,[13] and constructing new buildings in Bloomington, Minnesota, and Duluth, Minnesota.

[15] The original Radisson in Minneapolis was demolished in 1982, with a new hotel being constructed in that city and beginning operations in 1987.

In the 1990s, American-Russian businessman Paul Tatum was murdered after a series of disagreements over the Radisson Hotel in Moscow.

While the company has halted new investments and partnerships in the country, it maintains that its existing operations are owned by third parties and are crucial for supporting employees and local communities.

This decision has drawn criticism, as many global brands have fully exited the Russian market in response to the war and Russia's continued aggression against Ukraine.

The original Radisson Hotel, opened in 1909, was at 41 South Seventh Street in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Its hotels are mainly located in major cities, key airport gateways and leisure destinations.

Locations are mainly independently owned and operated, and franchised under licensing agreements with Radisson Hotels.