Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has opened The Radisson Blu Hotel, a five-star deluxe hotel, in Ludhiana, a city in northern India.

The hotel has been launched by Malhotra Book Depot (MBD), a publishing house, following a franchise agreement with Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

Located at MBD Neopolis Mall in the heart of Ludhiana, the new luxury hotel targets business and leisure travellers.

The Radisson Blu Hotel Ludhiana’s 81 rooms and suites offer amenities such as free high-speed internet access, flat-screen LCD TV, mini bar and contemporary furnishings.

"The hotel’s guest rooms are the largest in Punjab."

MBD senior director Monica Malhotra was quoted by The Indian Express as saying, "The hotel’s guest rooms are the largest in Punjab."

The hotel has banquet halls spread across 20,000ft², which can accommodate up to 2,000 guests, and provides on-site dining options such as Café Delish, a 24hr coffee shop; Made in India, a restaurant serving local favourites; R.E.D, a pan-Asian restaurant; Peg Bar and Lounge and The Chocolate Box and Lounge.

Guest services include an on-site fitness centre, 12,000ft² spa, swimming pool, health club with therapy rooms, a salon and fitness equipment and business centre.

The hotel is located from the fifth to ninth floor of the MBD mall.

Recently, Carlson Rezidor announced that it plans to open 13 new hotels in India in fiscal 2013, as part of its strategy to open 100 hotels in India by 2015.

The hotels to be opened will be across its four brands – Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, Radisson Blue, Park Inn by Radisson and Park Plaza, catering to mid-scale and premium categories.

It also noted that it was able to achieve strong growth in fiscal 2012 with 13 new hotel openings and 13 deals.

The hotel group ended the year with a total portfolio of 63 hotels in operation and 44 hotels in development in India.