Clarion Hotel opens a city hotel in the heart of Helsinki

In the 1930s, Finland's construction expertise gathered to create their new headquarters. As the business grew and developed, so did the building. In the early 2000s, needs had changed, and the property began its transformation into a hotel. In the summer of 2024, it's time for another milestone in the building's history. Hotel Mestari is taken over by the Nordic hotel group Strawberry and becomes part of the well-known and appreciated Clarion Hotel chain.

-It feels like a match made in heaven that Strawberry, with growth in its DNA, moves into the epicenter of Finnish construction. This feels both incredibly right and exciting. Hotel Mestari is a highly appreciated hotel, and it will be fun to continue developing it together with the team, says Strawberry owner Petter Stordalen.

Hotel Mestari, with its 237 hotel rooms, becomes Strawberry's nineteenth hotel in Finland. The hotel strengthens the hotel company's position as central Helsinki's largest and most multifaceted hotel chain. With its obvious location on Fredrikinkatu, Helsinki Central Station is just a short walk away, and the capital's bars, restaurants, and shopping are right outside the hotel door.

-Helsinki is probably one of Northern Europe's most interesting hotel cities. It has everything from the most iconic and historic hotels like Hotel Kämp, but also the real rebels in the hotel world like Hobo Helsinki. We are therefore very happy to add another hotel that creates added value for our guests, while we continue to create a vibrant and metropolitan feel in the most central part of Helsinki through Clarion Hotel, says Erika Ehrnrooth, COO Finland.

The hotel has a popular restaurant and bar that attracts both overnight guests and Helsinki residents looking to expand their repertoire of new favorite spots. With nine meeting rooms, there is also the opportunity to welcome groups of 10 to 140 people for inspiring activities ranging from wine tasting to sauna parties.

Strawberry takes over the business on the 13th of august 2024. The change is the result of a 20-year lease agreement between Strawberry and the property owner Rakennusmestarien Säätiö sr.

-We feel an enormous pride for the building, our history, and our industry. Therefore, it has been very important to find a tenant who both sees the value of the business we conduct but also has the muscle and know-how to develop the business further. I am therefore very happy that we are now entering a long-term collaboration with Strawberry, says Mr Ari Autio, the Chairman of the board at the property owner Rakennusmestarien Säätiö sr.

All employees at Hotel Mestari will continue their employment at Strawberry, and guests' existing bookings will be fully taken over by Strawberry.

Strawberry has recently been an active player in the Finnish hotel market. In addition to the acquisitions of Hotel AX, Hotel Katajanokka, Hotel Sveitsi, and now Hotel Mestari, a hotel project in Turku has also been presented, as well as the opening of Comfort Hotel and Clarion Hotel at Helsinki Airport. This means that all of the hotel company's hotel chains are now represented in the Finnish market.

Hotel Facts:

Hotel operator: Strawberry

Hotel chain: Clarion Hotel

Name of the hotel: Clarion Hotel Mestari

Loyalty program: Strawberry

Number of hotel rooms: 237

Restaurants and bar

Meetings: 9 meeting rooms with a capacity of up to 140 people

Fitness room

Indoor parking

Property owner: Rakennusmestarien Säätiö sr.

For more information, contact: