Major Lapland Hotels development project in Rovaniemi makes headway–Hotel chain owner signs lease agreement for riverside property

Press release | Thu Nov 09 10:00:00 2023

North European Invest Oy, owner of Lapland Hotels, the largest private hotel chain in Finland, and the largest experience service company in the Nordic countries, Lapland Safaris, has signed a land lease agreement with the city of Rovaniemi for a property in Valionranta, Rovaniemi. Lapland Hotels intends to use the site for the development of a high-end congress hotel and spa. In addition to these, three new blocks of flats will be built on the property.

Valionranta is located by the river Kemijoki, on the site of a former dairy north of Jätkänkynttiläsilta Bridge. The authorities have approved construction permits for 22,500 m2 of gross floor area and 15,000 m2 of net floor area for the hotel. The area will become home for approximately 400 residents.

The hotel complex will feature approximately 300 rooms, a variety of restaurants, spacious and versatile meeting facilities and a health spa. Pertti Yliniemi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lapland Hotels, is happy to see the long-prepared Valionranta project get well under way.

“We want to play our part in developing Rovaniemi as an arctic winter city and a hub for meetings and congresses. The riverside area of Valionranta is an important place for the people of Rovaniemi, and it should be developed accordingly. The congress hotel and spa and the new blocks of flats planned for the area will increase the city’s appeal. We are currently reviewing different options for implementing the project, in addition to other planning work. Based on these options, we can draft a phase-by-phase schedule for different parts of the project. These will naturally be subject to the current economy and market conditions. The planning work will take approximately twelve months. According to the terms of the agreement, the construction of the first block of flats must begin within three years after the land use plan has been approved, and the construction of the hotel must begin in five,” Yliniemi says.

“A new hotel in the capital of Lapland supports Lapland Hotels’ strategy and mission to create unforgettable experiences through Laplandish accommodation and restaurant services. This is a natural opportunity for us to expand our operations and to introduce Lapland’s experiences and atmosphere to new customers in a high-class environment. Naturally, we also want to contribute to job creation, says CEO Ari Vuorentausta.

Lapland’s appeal as a year-round tourism destination has been on the rise for several years, with travellers from Central Europe and Asia, among others, contributing to the growth of the international market.

“For us, developing Lapland’s accommodation, restaurant and experience services for both domestic and international markets is a matter of honour,” Vuorentausta says.

The Valionranta investment is currently estimated at €150 million, and the final sum will become clear over the planning and project process. The project will take several years to complete in its entirety.

Image copyrights: Aihio Arkkitehdit Oy

For further information and interview requests, please contact:
Pertti Yliniemi
tel. 0400 636969, pertti.yliniemi@laplandhotels.com

Travel enterprise Lapland Hotels & Safaris offers northern experiences for all senses. It consists of Finland’s largest private hotel chain, Lapland Hotels, the largest experience service company in the Nordic countries, Lapland Safaris Group Oy and Lapland Ski Resorts.The Group has approximately 1,700 employees in total.

Lapland Hotels has 19 hotels, more than 2,400 rooms and apartments, as well as over 10,000 restaurant seats around Finland: In Ylläs, Levi, Saariselkä, Rovaniemi, Olos, Luosto, Kilpisjärvi, Pallas, Hetta, Helsinki, Tampere, Oulu and Kuopio.

Lapland Safaris offers unique outdoor activities in five destinations in Lapland: Rovaniemi, Ylläs, Saariselkä, Levi and Luosto.

Lapland Ski Resorts comprises five ski centres located in Ylläs, Luosto, Olos, Pallas and Rovaniemi.

www.laplandhotels.com, www.laplandsafaris.com