Hotel AX becomes part of Strawberry, one of the largest hotel groups in the Nordics

Finland's leading hotel in art and culture that recently received the award Finland's Leading Design Hotel 2023, Hotel AX, will become part of Petter Stordalen's growing hotel portfolio in Finland.

In 2019, construction began on what would become Finland's foremost hotel in art and culture. In 2022, the first guests checked in at Hotel AX - by then operated by Primehotels. The unique hotel was developed in collaboration between leading Finnish contemporary artists and created an environment with the aim of being the gateway to Helsinki's art world. From day one, the hotel has been an appreciated addition to the Finnish hotel offer and an important part of creating the new vibrant Jätkäsaari district. Recently, the hotel also received Finland's Leading Design Hotel 2023 at the World Travel Awards.

- It is with incredible pride that we are now adding Hotel AX to our growing Nordic hotel portfolio. The hotel is completely unique and has been created with a generous amount of warmth and commitment. It also feels extra good that our continued growth in Finland is taking place where it once started, at Jätkäsaari. It is the very epicenter of the new, urban and growing Helsinki. A perfect place for Strawberry to grow in, says the owner of Strawberry Petter Stordalen.

Through the acquisition the 173-room hotel with restaurant, bar and event facilities will be taken over by Strawberry on the first of November. The lease agreement runs for 20 years with the property owner Terrieri Kiinteistöt Lp, an alternative investment fund managed by S-Bank Fund Management Ltd.

- Through the lease agreement with a large and long-term player like Strawberry, conditions are created to continue developing and positioning Hotel AX and the Jätkäsaari area further. By becoming part of a large Nordic hotel portfolio, there are also opportunities to reach out with the business in a larger geographical area, says Fund Manager Eero Ojala, S-Bank Fund Management Ltd.

Through the acquisition of Hotels AX operations, Strawberry's growing hotel portfolio in Finland consists of fourteen hotels. During the summer of 2024, another two hotels will be added when Comfort Hotel Helsinki Airport and Clarion Hotel Helsinki Airport opens.

- We are a company that has taken the role to offer travelers unforgettable experiences. It’s my belief that we will be able to do just that through Hotel AX and subsequently the two new hotels at Helsinki Airport. We show our variety and give a hint that we have something for everyone and that we love to surprise, says Strawberry Finland's COO Erika Ehrnrooth.

All employees of Hotel AX will continue their employment in Strawberry and the guests' bookings are automatically transferred to the new owners.

Hotel AX becomes part of Strawberry's portfolio of independent hotels Nordic Hotels & Resorts. A portfolio that contains some of the Nordics' most prominent hotels such as Hotel Kämp, Villa Copenhagen, Copperhill Mountain Lodge and Sommerro.

Hotel facts:
Hotel name: Hotel AX
Loyalty program: Strawberry
Number of hotel rooms: 173
Restaurant: AX Restaurant which boldly combines spices and flavors from all over the world in both classic and modern dishes.
Meetings: 4 meeting areas that reflect the hotel's ambitions in art and culture.
Hotel operator: Strawberry (Nordic Hotels & Resorts)
Property owner: S-Pankki

For more information contact:
Erika Ehrnrooth, COO Strawberry Finland, +35 850 465 93 45