Candidat - Grand Prix Hospitality Awards
Red Lion Hotels Corporation
Campaign - Red Lion Hotels Corporation
Established in 1959, Red Lion Hotels Corporation is a U.S.-based hotel group operating a portfolio of 9 brands ranging from economy to upscale. The group has notably developed through acquisitions, a trend that has accelerated in recent years.
Red Lion Hotels Corporation was originally a real estate management and business development company, founded in 1937 as Goodale & Barbieri. The company entered the hotel industry in 1976 with the acquisition of River Inn in Spokane, Washington. In 1980 it created Cavanaughs, an hospitality management company. The group was renamed Cavanaughs Hospitality Corporation in 1997 and WestCoast Hospitality Corporation in 2000 following the acquisition of the WestCoast Hotels chain. In 2001, the group expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of Red Lion Hotels and Inns and of some Hilton Hotels. It led to the rebranding of the West Coast Hotels units into Red Lion Hotels; the group was also renamed Red Lion Hotels Corporation.
From 2014 onwards, the group accelerated its development: it announced the launch of its high-end hotel RL brand, and in 2015 bought GuestHouse International and Settle Inn & Suites from Boomerang Hotels. In mid-2015 the Chinese HNA, one of the world's largest tourism conglomerates, took 15% of its capital (and subsequently invested in other groups, notably through the takeover of Carlson Rezidor).
In 2016, RLHC became one of America's leading franchisors with the acquisition of Vantage Hospitality Group.Today, Red Lion's portfolio includes 9 brands positioned in the economy, mid- and upscale segments: Hotel RL, Red Lion Hotels, Red Lion Inn & Suites, Settle Inn, Signature Inn, Guest House, Americas Best Value Inn, Canadas Best Value Inn, and Country Hearth Inn & Suites.