Minor Hotels, an international hotel group, owner, operator and investor, announces an important milestone in its international expansion. The company is opening its first property in Finland, the NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa, marking its continued commitment to the Nordic market.
The project involves the refurbishment of two historic buildings, in partnership with Ylva. NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa will be Minor Hotels' second property in the Nordic countries, following the opening of NH Collection Copenhagen in 2021. The hotel is scheduled to officially open in the first quarter of 2024.
Located in the heart of the city of Helsinki, on the main Mannerheimintie street opposite Central Station, the hotel's strategic location offers convenient access, just 25 minutes by car and 33 minutes by train from the airport. This makes it an ideal choice for travellers wishing to discover Helsinki.
The NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa hotel is housed in two of the city's most emblematic buildings: the Kaleva building, formerly known as the Seurahuone Hotel, and the New Student House, which housed the famous Hansa Hotel between 1924 and 1968. In addition, a recent extension will complete the range of accommodation on offer. The hotel will feature 224 rooms, a restaurant, a lobby bar, a rooftop bar with panoramic views of Helsinki city centre, a spa, a fitness centre and nine function rooms and areas.
Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Group CEO of Minor International, commented, “We are pleased to announce our first property in Finland and consequently increase our presence in the Nordic countries. 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, commented: “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.”
In addition, the NH Collection brand has recently expanded its presence by opening properties in the Middle East and Asia, including NH Collection Dubai The Palm and NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort. In Europe, new properties such as NH Collection Milano CityLife, NH Collection Frankfurt Spin Tower and NH Collection Prague Carlo IV have joined the portfolio.
The brand plans to open the NH Collection Chiang Mai Ping River in Thailand and the NH Collection Luang Prabang in Laos in 2024, as well as several other properties in China over the next year.
