It's rather surprising for one of the world's leading hotel groups, but IHG has not had a presence in one of Northern Europe's major markets, Sweden, for some time. A temporary incongruity, since the British group will be making its comeback at the end of 2024 with the opening of the Voco Stockholm Kista. A top-of-the-range, contemporary brand the pace of growth since its launch in 2018 is in line with its lofty ambitions of reaching 200 hotels by 2028, in ten years' time.
To add the Swedish capital to its list of destinations, Voco has found a prime location for business travellers: the Kista district, in the northern suburbs. In other words, not far from Stockholm Arlanda airport, but right in the heart of the city. Sweden's Silicon Valley. Europe's largest information and communication technology hub, the district is home to Ericson headquarters and Nordic Forum, one of the city's largest office redevelopment projects. The voco Stockholm Kista will provide 201 rooms, five meeting and event spaces, a bar-restaurant in the lobby, and a rooftop spa with swimming pool and garden for relaxation.
To bring this opening to fruition, IHG is relying on Revelop for the property side and Mogotel for the operational side, the latter partner also being behind another major project recently announced in another European capital, Budapest. The city is no stranger to IHG, as the group already has a number of hotels there, including an InterContinental, a Crowne Plaza and the Verno House, a member of the Vignette Collection, pending the opening this year of a Kimpton lifestyle hotel. Another of its flagship brands, Holiday Inn, was also already present in the capital's suburbs, in Budaörs.
It is now preparing to refocus with the recent development presented. Expected to open in 2026, the brand will take its place in a new mixed-use development, the Centrale project, combining a shopping centre, a restaurant and high-end offices with a hotel. To mark the occasion, the brand is introducing for the first time in Europe its Holiday Inn " & Suites " concept with 170 rooms and 25 suites equipped with kitchenette, dining room and sofa beds.
This will satisfy both business travellers coming to the Hungarian capital for short or longer periods. Because of its location, direct neighbour of the national football stadium - Puskas Arena - and the Papp Laszlo event hall, the hotel is ideal for both leisure and business stays, thanks in particular to its proximity to the Hungexpo Budapest congress and exhibition centre.
