Thai hospitality group Minor Hotels says it will make its debut in Finland with the opening of NH Collection Grand Hansa in Helsinki.

Bangkok-based hotel group Minor Hotels will finally enter the Finnish market as it opens its first property in Finland at the start of next year, under its premium NH Collection brand.

According to a press statement by the hotel group, the five-star NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa will be located on Mannerheimintie, the main street of Helsinki, in front of the Central Station.

The hotel will be housed across two buildings, with the full refurbishment of the existing Kaleva building, known as the Hotel Seurahuone, and the New Student House, the former home of the Hansa Hotel from 1924-1968, plus a construction of an extension by Minor Hotels’ local partner YIva.

Once complete, the hotel will offer 224 contemporary guest rooms, a restaurant, a lobby bar, a rooftop bar with panoramic views of central Helsinki, a spa and fitness areas, plus nine meeting and event spaces.

The hotel is a 25-minute drive from the airport, or 33 minutes by train.

“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,” says Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Group CEO of Minor International.

“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,” says Leea Tolvas, CEO of Ylva.

This will be Minor Hotels’ second property in the Nordic region, following the opening of the NH Collection in Copenhagen in 2021.

NH Collection has also recently launched its first hotels in the Middle East and Asia, with properties in Dubai and the Maldives. Within Europe, the brand has recently opened in Milan, Frankfurt and Prague.