Minor Hotels to open first property in Finland
Minor Hotels has announced the Q1 2024 opening date of its first property in Finland – NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa – as part of its ambitious expansion plans in the region.
Currently under construction in partnership with Ylva, the project will be Minor Hotels’ second outpost in the Nordic region, after the opening in 2021 of NH Collection Copenhagen. Situated on Mannerheimintie, the main street of Helsinki in front of the central station, the property will combine two of the city’s most iconic buildings: the Kaleva building – known as the Hotel Seurahuone – and the New Student House – home to the famous Hansa Hotel between 1924 and 1968 – as well as a more recently constructed extension.
A full refurbishment of the two existing buildings and the construction of the third by Ylva are in the final stages. Once complete, NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa will comprise 224 guestrooms, a restaurant, lobby bar, rooftop bar with a terrace and 360º views of central Helsinki, together with extensive spa and fitness areas, and nine meeting and event spaces.
“We are pleased to announce our first property in Finland and consequently increase our presence in the Nordic countries,” says Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Group CEO of Minor International. “We believe this is a market with significant growth potential for Minor Hotels, so we are investing in iconic properties such as the upcoming NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa and the NH Collection Copenhagen.”
Leea Tolvas, CEO of Ylva, comments: “We are very excited to bring a new operator to the market, known worldwide for its unique luxury destinations. Last year, 3.7 million overnight stays were recorded in Helsinki – a much higher figure than in 2021. The growth is expected to continue, and there is room in the market for high-quality hotels, especially for discerning tourists seeking luxury and premium experiences.”
Elsewhere, NH Collection has recently launched its first hotels in the Middle East and Asia – NH Collection Dubai The Palm and NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort. Recent additions to the NH portfolio in Europe include NH Collection Milano CityLife, NH Collection Frankfurt Spin Tower and NH Collection Prague Carlo IV. Furthermore, the brand plans to open NH Collection Chiang Mai Ping River in Thailand and NH Collection Luang Prabang in Laos, both in 2024, as well as a number of new properties in China during the year ahead.
Minor Hotels is an owner, operator and investor with more than 530 hotels in 56 countries in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe, South America and North America.
