Radisson Hotels - Case Study

MAKING EVERY MOMENT MATTER FOR THE BELGIAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM The World Cup tournaments are football’s greatest spectacle.

When teams travel to the World Cup finals, every single element has to be meticulously planned to help them stay in shape and keep their heads in the game. Selecting the right accommodation is vital. A private, secure and comfortable environment is important to help keep players, coaches and managers restored, rejuvenated, and ready for match day.

Belgium’s national football team has been enjoying a golden age, boasting a powerful roster of gifted players, and racking up wins around the world. So, when they travelled to Russia to compete in the finals, we were honoured that they chose to stay at the Radisson Collection Paradise Resort & Spa, Sochi, not just once but twice.

With state-of-the-art facilities, exceptional service and an environment focused on comfort, health, wellness, and safety, our Radisson Collection in Sochi is one of Radisson Hotel Group’s top Sports Approved certified hotels. Our Sports Approved program has been created to meet the highest requirements with services designed to let teams rest, regroup, and recharge, while helping coaches and players stay focused on their goals.

Personalised approach Every high-profile football team has their own exacting set of requirements.

Hosting the Belgian national team during such a prestigious tournament gave the hotel the opportunity to demonstrate how we are prepared to go that extra mile.

Nothing was too much trouble and no detail overlooked.

To kick off, we provided team managers with a floor plan and detailed room descriptions so they could assign individual members of their group to specific rooms prior to the team’s arrival in Sochi.

Welcome envelopes complete with pre-keyed access were created for a seamless and easy arrival, all arranged in alphabetical order at a discreet, dedicated checkin desk to maintain confidentiality. This allowed our high-profile guests to be whisked off to the comfort of their rooms on arrival without delay.

Rest & rejuvenation A good night’s rest is critical, especially on the eve of a big game. Radisson Collection Paradise Resort & Spa, Sochi accommodated all 60 guests on a single floor, centralizing their stay around pre-blocked rooms to inspire team spirit on and off the pitch. Mini-bars were emptied but open for use in order to comply with the requirements.

Time to relax and recuperate between matches is also vital for the players. So, we created a massage and physical therapy centre on the team’s private floor, and whenever requested, provided fresh ice so that players could cool down and recover.

The utmost privacy Access to all spaces, including the private floor and exclusive dining room, was limited to team staff, coaches, and athletes with approved credentials. This helped keep the team sequestered and safe, while also complying with event regulations.

Throughout their stay the team benefited from a roped-off corridor to two elevators blocked for their exclusive use.

Secure storage for equipment and uniforms was provided, including space for an array of boot heating boxes. Hotel laundry facilities were also made available to the kitman in tending to team uniforms and gear.

Nutrition-focused dining for champions Away from the game, the health and wellbeing of the players was of utmost importance. The team enjoyed a private restaurant equipped with its own kitchen at every meal. Their private chef had full kitchen access to supervise and prepare meals catering to players’ dietary restrictions.

During the World Cup finals, managers and coaches also need time with the players to work on tactics. So, we also arranged their exclusive restaurant space to suit team leadership’s requirements, creating a space to hold meetings and give pep talks before and after meals.

Success on and off the pitch From planning to departure, our teams made sure that everything went as planned and every last detail was delivered to perfection. Our dedicated managers were available on-site from breakfast until each guest retired for the night, and reachable around the clock, 24/7.

The team’s stay at Radisson Collection Paradise Resort & Spa, Sochi was a huge success. “It was a pleasure for our entire staff and players to stay in your hotel.

All members of the staff as well as all selected players had a great stay in a great hotel with a very experienced staff,” said Piet Erauw, Manager, Belgian national team.

On the pitch, the Belgian national team had their best-ever finish in a world cup tournament, coming third in the Russia 2018 World Cup finals.

Find out more about our Sports Approved program at radissonhotels.com/sports-approved