The SAS Royal Hotel Copenhagen was the world's first designer hotel: The legendary Danish designer Arne Jacobsen (1902-1971) created the look of the hotel which SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) had commissioned. Following the inauguration of a new route between the USA and Scandinavia, the airline aimed to build a complex conveniently located next to Tivoli Gardens and Copenhagen Central Station that would represent the very best of Scandinavian design, and include a luxury hotel, a travel agency and a passenger terminal. Behind the slim, elegant façade, Arne Jacobsen created an icon of, at that time, futuristic Danish design: Some of his most famous pieces of furniture were designed especially for the SAS Royal Hotel - his Egg Chairs and Swan Chairs which characterize the interior of the building have become true collector's items around the globe. Room 606 of the hotel is still left just the way it was when Arne Jacobsen designed it, and one of the most recognizable and photographed hotels rooms in the world.

But the hotel is not only a design icon. It is also a family affair; Its first and most famous General Manager was Swiss hotelier Alberto Kappenberger who lived with his wife and children in a suite on the 20th floor for more than 20 years. Alberto's son, Roy Al Kappenberger, thus grew up in the hotel, started out as a piccolo there and later went on to manage the property. As a tribute to Alberto, the Italian gourmet restaurant on the 20th floor, is named Alberto K - it also features original Jacobsen designs and the original cutlery launched at the opening of the hotel 50 years ago.

'Room 606'-exhibition at CPH Airport from
June 1 to August 31, 2010

In celebration of the 50th anniversary, the SAS Business Lounge at Copenhagen Airport also hosts a recreation of the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Copenhagen’s famous “Room 606”. The exhibition in partnership with Danish furniture manufacturer Fritz Hansen and also includes Arne Jacobsen’s Swan chair and Drop Chair.

Facts about the Rezidor Hotel Group
Rezidor has developed from a small Scandinavian group and "new kid on the block" to a renowned international player. The SAS Royal Hotel Copenhagen marked the birth of The Rezidor Hotel Group and was the key to its success (in the early days Rezidor was known as SAS Catering & Hotels and later as SAS International Hotels (SIH)). Today, Rezidor features 5 distinctive brands and more than 400 hotels in operation and under development with over 86,300 rooms in 62 countries across Europe, Middle East and Africa, and is one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide.

For further information about Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, contact:
Ms. Angelica Montez de Oca, PR & Communications Manager - Rezidor
Tel: +47 23 29 33 68, E-mail: angelica.montez@rezidor.com