One of Qatar’s longest-standing hotels will assume a new name and a new look this fall.

European chain Rezidor Hotel Group has confirmed plans to take over the Ramada Plaza Doha, renaming it the Radisson Blu.

It also said it will pour $18 million into revamping the building, which has 583 hotel rooms and more than a dozen restaurants and bars.

Arabian Business reports:

The deal will see Rezidor make its debut in the Qatar market, as it seeks to take advantage of the Gulf state’s tourism drive ahead of its hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2022…

Doha has pledged to spend some $88bn on infrastructure and hotels over the next decade as it gears up to hold the world’s most-watched sporting event…

Brussels-based Rezidor said in July it had taken over the management of the 471-room JAL Tower on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road and the 257-room Hotel JAL Fujairah Resort & Spa.

The question remains – will the area still be referred to as the Ramada signal?