Carlson Rezidor’s first property in Moldova – the Radisson Blu Leogrand Hotel in the country’s capital city Chisinau – will open in late 2015 after a complete renovation and conversion of the existing Leogrand Hotel & Convention Centre Chisinau.

The hotel will offer 140 bedrooms and suites, three restaurants, a bar and a 400sq m (4,305sq ft) fitness and spa centre. Located in the heart of the city centre and close to the business centre of Chisinau, corporate hotel guests will have access to 2,000sq m (21,527sq ft) of meeting and conference space.

“We are furthering strengthening our position as the leading international hotel operator in Russia/CIS and the Baltics,” said Wolfgang M Neumann, president and CEO of Rezidor.

In total, Carlson Rezidor operates and develops 75 hotels with almost 18,800 rooms in the Russia/CIS and Baltic region and has a dedicated Area Support Office in Moscow.

Moldova is gaining importance as an emerging market with a private sector that is now carrying over 70 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) according to a statement from Carlson Rezidor.

“The local infrastructure is undergoing a complete modernisation, supported by major foreign direct investments,” the statement continues. “Chisinau is the most economically developed city of the country and its economy revolves around the secondary and tertiary sectors which will drive hospitality demand.”