Update on 10/14/16 at 11am PT: Sorry for the delay, I just picked the winner of the 30,000 Club Carlson points – congrats to twa44. I also selected 8 runner ups and sent them each a $10 Amazon eGift Card – congrats to Adam, Brant, Dimi, Joe-SC1, Kelly s, Luke US, Nick and Sharon. Thank you everyone who participated and have a great day.
Good morning everyone, happy TGI Friday! Today’s post is sponsored by Club Carlson and I am going to introduce you to the MORE program: Members Only Rate Exclusive. If you are a Club Carlson members and you book directly through Club Carlson’s website, you can now save up to 10% off your Club Carlson hotel reservation at any Club Carlson property worldwide (Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites By Carlson). If you are not a Club Carlson member, you can join today for free.
As a Club Carlson member, you can enjoy Members Only Rate Exclusive benefits, such as:
- 20 points per U.S. dollar spent on rooms, food and beverages purchases
- Award Nights starting at 9,000 points with no blackout dates
- Food and beverage discounts
- Elite status after just 10 Eligible Stays
To promote the new Members Only Rate Exclusive, I have been given 30,000 Club Carlson points to give away to a lucky reader. To be eligible for the giveaway, please answer one of the following questions:
- What Club Carlson hotel was your favorite to stay at and why?
- If you had a free night at any Club Carlson hotel, which hotel would you stay at and why?
To be eligible for the giveaway, you must leave a comment below before 11:59pm PT on Sunday, September 25. The winner will be chosen by me based on their answer to the above questions. I will contact the winner to get their Club Carlson number, so if you are not a Club Carlson member yet, please sign up for a Club Carlson account before 11:59pm PT on 9/25.
To give you some ideas, I have stayed at the following Club Carlson hotels:
- Radisson Blu Amsterdam – great location a short walk from Amsterdam’s Centraal Station.
- Park Plaza Amsterdam Airport – conveniently located next to the AMS airport with a complimentary hotel shuttle.
- Radisson Blu Rome – near the main train station in Rome, easy access to the FCO airport.
- Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street in London – great location in London near 2 Underground / Tube stations.
- Radisson Blu Royal Dublin – great location and an amazing breakfast spread for Club Carlson Gold Members.
- Radisson Blu Nice, France – convenient access to NCE airport and Monaco.
- Portland International Airport Country Inn & Suites – great location near PDX with a complimentary airport shuttle.
With that said, here is what you need to do:
- If you are not a Club Carlson member, create a free account today.
- If you are planning to stay at a Club Carlson hotel, book your hotel directly at Club Carlson to take advantage of the Members Only Rate Exclusive (MORE).
- If you want to enter the 30,000 Club Carlson point giveaway, answer one of the questions above before Sunday, September 25.
- Have a great weekend everyone!
My favorite is Radisson Blu in Chicago. We have stayed there twice and love it. I would use the points to stay there again!
Radisson Blu Bosporus in Istanbul was my favorite Club Carlson property! Amazing views!
My favorite is Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia. I have stayed there 3 times and love it. It has a beautiful indoor pool and sauna-steamroom on the the 17th floor that has tall glass walls. There are also great bars for relaxing while enjoying Georgian wine. You can look out and see the beautiful churches and surroundings. Simply stunning! The comfortable rooms, detailed customer service, and relaxing ambiance are also the reasons why I would use the points to stay there again.
Radisson Blu Stockholm. Right next to the train station,easy access to bus terminal, great views of the city
My favorite is Radisson Blu Reykjavik. Their breakfast was fantastic and location is excellent too (the are one block over from the main drag in the city).
My favorite Club Carlson hotel is the Radisson Blu 1919 in Reykjavik. The Radisson Blu Aqua in Chicago is definitely second.
My favorite is the Radisson Blu Royal Copenhagen. It was a thrill to see the original setting of Arne Jacobsen’s famous swan and egg chairs, and next time back I’m going to try to book the room that still has all his original furnishings.
I stepped out of a James Bond movie and right into the Radisson Royal Hotel Moscow. From the expensive chauffeur driven automobiles parked out front, to the gorgeous young “models” strolling the lobby on the arms of their mature companions, to the absolutely amazing suite…. it was an experience to savor… definitely my favorite Club Carlson hotel stay.
My favorite Radisson so far is the Blu Alcron in Prague. The location is great for walking the old city, the breakfast buffet is the best I’ve ever had and it has a restaurant with a Michelin star in the hotel where my husband and I enjoyed a fantastic dinner.
My favorite stay was at Radisson Blu Bangkok and I loved it due to the way the personnel treated us.A plus was the breakfast buffet which in Asia I must say is delicious.
I would use the certificate at Radisson Blu Sydney for its location (proximity to Circular Quay).
Thank you
My favorite Club Carlson hotel was Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Deer Valley. Staff was amazing, and were so kind to give me a complimentary room upgrade. I have fond memories of that stay! :)
Thank you for the nice giveaway!
My favorite is the Country Inn and Suites near Universal Studios, Florida. If I could stay anywhere, I would stay at the Radisson Blu Rome. Looks real nice.
My favorite is the Radisson Blu at Mall of America. Can’t beat the location and the cool decor. I’d use a free night to stay there anytime!
Our dream trip is to go to Ireland. If we had a free night anywhere we would use is at the Radisson Blu Royal Dublin, from your review it looks like a great hotel. Right now I am working on planning a trip to Dublin next year for our 28th wedding anniversary and we could really use points for hotel stays, so it would be amazing and much appreciated to have 30,000 points! It could help make a dream come true. So nice of you to offer this, thank you.
My favorite is the Radisson Blu Royal Brussels because it’s within walking distance to all the chocolate shops and the Grand Place! Have stayed here twice!
Bonus: I would love to stay at the Radisson Blu Amsterdam, great location for walking around Amsterdam!
Plaza on the River, London. I had two wonderful stays there. The location is incredible (so close the Thames river and the Parliament), the staff is fantastic, and the accommodations gorgeous. Last time I stayed there was on New Year’s Eve, and you couldn’t beat the location to see the fireworks.
My favorite is Radisson Blu Reykjavik – because of it’s location.
My favorite stay so far has been the Radisson Blue on O’Connell Street in Sydney (so much better than the Radisson Suites on Liverpool in Sydney). Heard great things about the Radisson at the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland so would like to stay there in the future.
I love the Radisson Blu London Mercer St. location in the midst of the West End theatres. As a Carlson Club Gold member, I’ve always been upgraded to an Executive room on a high floor (6 or 7 floors) with a view of the London Eye. Also, I love that they have complimentary computers/printer in the business lounge.
My favorite hotel is the Radisson Blu Aqua in Chicago.
Hey Grant,
Here is a shocker. My favorite Club Carlson hotel is NOT a
Raddison, rather a Country Inns and Suites near San Jose, Costa Rica! At only 9000 points per night it is a true bargain in a beautiful country and city. With free shuttle from the airport and close to everything, they serve a very nice complimentary breakfast which is quite good. The service and facility are a step up also.
Favorite was Radisson Blu in Bangkok. It is only a few years old, so very modern and clean, has good location near many of Bangkok’s main shopping malls, friendly staff, and priced reasonably.
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge – very modern and clean and within close walking proximity to all the major tourist spots, including the London Eye, Big Ben, and the River Thames.
I really liked the Radisson Blu Capetown. If I won, I’d definitely like to stay there again. Also in at hat tip to the other respondents, The Radisson Blu Aqua is awesome.
Radisson Martinique in NYC. Best customer service ever!!!!! I would stay there again if I had the points
I would say the hotel I liked most until now was one of the Country Inn & Suites hotels in Phoenix, AZ. The one up north (Deer Valley). At the time we stayed there it was the most expensive Club Carlson hotel in Phoenix area cash-wise, but the least expensive in points. We were given a very nice suite, had a good time there and, no wonder being in Phoenix, we had some beautiful weather.
Of course, weather has nothing to do with the hotel itself, but it helped feeling good … and thus having some good memories.
My favorite stay at a Radisson property was at the Radisson Blu Royal Dublin. From the friendly, competent and helpful desk clerks to the comfortable, quiet and clean rooms it was a first rate operation. The breakfast buffet was outstanding and complimentary to Club Carlson gold members which is attainable by holding the co-branded credit card. The central Dublin location works well for those who want to use public transportation.
Haven’t had the opportunity to stay at Carlson hotels outside of U.S. yet, but I have stayed at a few in the U.S. My favorite is the Radisson Martinique on Broadway in New York. It is not the most fancy Carlson hotel but staff is wonderful and its location is perfect – right in the middle of all the fun shopping and dining in midtown Manhattan, and within walking distance to Time Square, or just a short subway ride to everything else in the city that never sleeps! If I have a free night, I would stay here again. In fact, I will be next year when I go back to NYC for the Hamilton show! ;-)
My favorite to stay to date at a Carlson property has been at the Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam, a historic hotel ideally situated for exploration of the old city and access to the canals. The staff was friendly and helpful, and the seasoned charm of the hotel added to the immersive experience.
If I had a free night at any Club Carlson hotel, I’d return to the Raddison Blu in Reykjavik, because (a) it’s time for a return visit before the country is completely overrun by (fellow) tourist, and (b) its staff and proximity to the central part of town and the bay are outstanding.
I’ve only stayed at one Club Carlson hotel in Asheville, NC. I’d probably stay at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago if given the chance. I’ve never been to Chicago, but I’ve been wanting to explore it for a while. :)
Have been using Club Carlson for few years now; my favorite stay so far was at Radisson Toronto Waterfront. If given a free night, would use at the next trip if property would be available on my route.
I’d like to stay at the Radisson Blu in Edinburgh. The location on the Royal Mile is awesome for a jolly good time ;)
My favorite so far was the Radisson Blu Strand Stockholm, with its perfect location in the most beautiful part of Stockholm on the water, great new renovated rooms, and a short walk to Gamla Stan (the old town) and Djurgarden, a garden island with amazing museums, food and greenery.
The one I would love to visit is not open yet! But supposedly in January 2017, the Radisson Blu Maldives Hulhumale is about to open, and I would love to take the wife for a relaxing week away from it all, and just the two of us and the blue water…
Radisson Blu Aqua in Chicago. Cool design, great location!
Oops, got carried away and hit enter before answering question 2. I might stay at Chicago Blu Aqua to visit family, but also thinking of visiting Rome next year too…so the Rome Blu would be nice!
Radisson Blu Aqua in Chicago – Had a fantastic stay there last month!
The Park Inn in Kissimmee Fl. Their customer service is the best. I would use the points to stay there again.
My favorite Club Carlson stays are at the Country Inn and Suites in Lake George, NY. Yes, it’s not a Radisson Blue, but with young kids the “big trips” are on hold at the moment. Lake George is close to home and a beautiful summer destination – perfect for families. Add in the Six Flags amusement park next door to the hotel, indoor and outdoor pool, playground, breakfast and friendly staff, and you’ve got a great family trip that we can do over and over.
I would stay at the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Brockton,MA. I would like to take my kids into Boston since they haven’t been there yet.
My favorite is Radison Blu at Lucerne Switzerland. Stayed in a junior suite overlooking the beautiful Lake Lucerne for two nights. The hotel is walking distance from the train station and close to other sight-seeing attractions. Breakfast was also very good.
The Radisson Blu Gdansk–a fantastic property that has an ideal location opening up right into the main town square: beautiful atmosphere, lights, dining and architecture in one place! Actually have another vacation planned soon, and could use the points for a redemption for that vacation. Cheers!
My absolute favorite Radisson till now is the Radisson Blu Resort Gran Canaria where my son and I enjoyed our first ever son-dad-trip! Great views, pools, beach, garden, dolphins, and more…
I’m planning our next trip so I would love to win this giveaway. Out next target is Mauritius, so we would love to spend the points at the Radisson Blu Poste Lafayette Resort and Spa!
My favorite Club Carlson stays were at the Radisson Blue Beke Hotel in Budapest. I stayed several times when it was 9,000 points per night. Great location near the Jewish Quarter and walking distance to the Danube and a bunch of the old ruin pubs. Honorable mention to the Art’otel in Amsterdam right across from Centraal station.
The hotel I’d stay at with a free night would be the Radisson Blu Capetown – great views with a restaurant overlooking the water.
I love all of the London club carlson properties, but my favorites are Radisson Blu St. Helen’s in Dublin and the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hampshire in London. During the summer, RB St. Helen’s is in full bloom and has the most lovely estate and gardens. Conversely, the RB Edwardian Hampshire is in the heart of Leicester Square and the only hotel where you can overlook the Odeon Theatre where lots of movies premieres are held. I’m in London once a year and also check to see if my stay will coincide with a movie premiere, and if so, the Hampshire is my #1 choice. If I could stay at any CC property, it would be the Radisson Blu Royal Bergen in Norway.
Radisson Blu Sonya in St. Petersburg, Russia
Radisson Blu Royal Copenhagen – Arne Jacobsen design and well, Copenhagen.
My favorite Club Carlson hotel is Radisson Blu, Gdansk. The location is hard to beat, at the very center of Old Town within walking distance to many attractions. The rooms were nice and modern and the service was superb.
While I’d love to go checkout the Radisson Blu in Nice, I have a close friend in Austin TX who is going through a tough time. I’d love to stay at the Radisson in Downtown Austin while visiting her. 30,000 points goes a long way!
My favorite was Radisson Blu Mercer Street in London!!
My favorite Carlson property is the Radisson Blu Gautrain in Johannesburg. The service we received there, during 4 days at the start of a South Africa trip and another 5 days at the end, was the best I have ever experienced, because of the caring and helpful staff, at all levels. I did post a review and thank you tweets, but I am to glad to get to praise them here. Here’s why:
1) We arrived early in the morning from the airport and initially were told that our room wasn’t ready. But when they realized my husband had injured his shoulder en route, they worked some magic, upgrading us to a better room that was ready, and then helping us find and get to a doctor. In our tired, jet-lagged and for my husband painful condition, it was exactly the welcome we needed.
2) Traveling from the US in the winter, we had warm clothes we didn’t need for the month long sabbatical trip. They stored our winter gear and other extra stuff for 3+ weeks while we traveled in southern Africa in connection with my husband’s research, even finding us a box we could use. We were really happy we did not have to drag it all from place to place.
3) The reservations were all award stays, some in my name and some in my husband’s. They made sure we never had to move and kept us in upgraded rooms. I have sometimes found that hotels are less welcoming when they know you are on an award stay, and we were on multiple ones. That definitely did not happen here.
4) The upgraded room included the breakfast buffet, which was truly wonderful. The croissants at the Radisson Blu Gautrain were better than those we had during another sabbatical trip – and that was to France! We could really tell that they employed true chefs and cared about the quality of the dining options.
5) The location across from the Gautrain (light rail) made trips to and from the airport easy, fast, safe and cheap.
6) And finally, that all important thing: the internet. It was great. The room had ample outlets as well as good work space. Perfect for our purposes.
I am not sure if anyone from Carlson will be reading the comments, but if they do, I hope they pass along my thanks and good memories to the staff of the Gautrain property. Extremely fancy rooms, great views and high class amenities are always nice, but to me, it is the service and comfort that really counts. We hope to go back to South Africa and if that entails more time in Johannesburg, we will certainly stay at the Radisson Blu Gautrain. And you should too ;) !
Best Club Carlson stay was the May Fair in London!