Scandic Hotels has signed an agreement to open two new hotels with a total of 459 rooms in Helsinki, which are scheduled for completion in 2028.

The 232-room Scandic Go hotel and 227-room Scandic hotel will form part of a new urban development project, known as Garden Helsinki, located two kilometres from the city centre.

The Scandic Go property, the group’s economy brand, will be the first in the Finnish market, while the Scandic hotel will include meeting facilities for up to 250 people as well as a bar and restaurant area.

With construction due to begin in 2024, the precinct will also include a ‘mega’ events and sporting arena, office and retail space, dining options and residential apartments.

Scandic Hotels Group president and CEO Jens Mathiesen said there is growing demand for room nights “all year round” from both business and leisure travellers.

“We have a high level of activity at Scandic and we’re continuing to strengthen our position in attractive key destinations where we see great potential,” he said.

“The Helsinki region is expected to generate about 5 million hotel nights from 2026, which is why establishing these two hotels is an important milestone in our growth strategy,” he added.

The new hotels will be built “with sustainability in focus” and will be certified by the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, the official ecolabel of the Nordic countries, as well as internationally-recognised certifications such as LEED or BREEAM, according to the group.