IHG Hotels & Resorts Signs First Candlewood Suites in Iceland
IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced its first property in Iceland under its midscale long-stay brand, Candlewood Suites. This partnership with ALVA Capital will result in a new hotel in Reykjavik, featuring 53 studios and apartments, each equipped with a kitchen, making it ideal for guests seeking comfortable extended-stay accommodations. The hotel is situated in the Hlíðar district, conveniently close to the city’s main pedestrian shopping street and various attractions, including the Kjarvalsstaðir Art Gallery, the Icelandic Phallological Museum, and Sundhöllin Public Baths.
The signing marks IHG’s first entry into the Icelandic market, and the company plans to develop up to 500 rooms in Reykjavik and other parts of Iceland over the next three to five years, potentially introducing other IHG brands, such as Holiday Inn Express and Holiday Inn.
Candlewood Suites Reykjavik will be converted from a former office building. They will include self-service guest laundry, access to gym facilities, weekly housekeeping, equipped kitchens, in-room coffee and tea facilities, seating areas, and workspaces. Guests will also have access to the Candlewood Cupboard, a 24/7 marketplace offering snacks, drinks, and personal essentials.
(Mrs) Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, commented:”We are looking forward to introducing the Candlewood Suites brand to the Nordics with the signing of Candlewood Suites Reykjavik in Iceland, an exciting emerging market for IHG.
We are especially proud of the swift collaboration between IHG and our esteemed partners at ALVA, who have successfully signed and already begun the conversion to open this property in the near future. ALVA has an established presence in Iceland and this deal holds great potential for IHG to grow across the country with a well respected partner and I am truly excited to see what’s to come.”
Skorri Rafn Rafnsson – CEO of ALVA Capital comments: “We are incredibly proud to be working with IHG Hotels & Resorts to bring Candlewood Suites to Iceland. It is a brand that blends the comforts of daily life with the conveniences of a hotel, enabling guests to stay comfortably and maintain their normal routines for however long their stay. The signing marks a significant step in our commitment to providing exceptional hospitality and tailored services that meet the evolving needs of travellers in Iceland. Partnering with a well-renowned international hotel company like IHG has already proven to be a great choice as we push ahead with the conversion of this property, and we’re incredibly excited to realise the full potential of this deal.”
The Candlewood Suites in Reykjavik is now part of IHG’s Nordic portfolio, which includes 13 properties currently open or in development in the region. This portfolio features hotels such as voco Stockholm – Kista, Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers, and Hotel Indigo Helsinki. Since its acquisition in 2004, Candlewood Suites has expanded to over 410 hotels worldwide, with an additional 192 properties in the pipeline.
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