HELSINKI, Finland – Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has announced today the signing of a management agreement with M&L Group for The Hotel Maria in Helsinki, which will be re-branded as Waldorf Astoria Helsinki. This marks the first hotel to operate under the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand in Finland, introducing the brand’s legendary service and award-winning hospitality to the Nordics.
Located in the historic Kruununhaka district in a building designed in 1885 by architect Lagerspetz, the 116-room property will be rebranded later this year as Waldorf Astoria Helsinki. This will follow a short transitional period during which the hotel will remain operational.
The luxury hotel will feature signature dining, a bar, fitness studio and a Nordic wellness spa with a traditional Finnish sauna, blending timeless elegance, unforgettable experiences and culinary mastery for guests throughout their stay.
Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Hilton, said, “We’re delighted to be collaborating with M&L Group to introduce the Waldorf Astoria brand to Finland. As we near 300 luxury hotels in EMEA, it’s fantastic to have signed our first in the Nordics. The Finnish capital has seen growing travel demand in recent years, and we look forward to serving an even wider range of traveller needs as we open our fourth property in the city.”
Jocelyn Kum, executive director of M&L Group, said, “The rise in demand for high-end leisure and business travel in Finland presents a compelling opportunity for us. For more than a decade, our trusted partnership with Hilton has been built on shared values and a consistent commitment to excellence. Waldorf Astoria Helsinki marks our eighth hotel partnership, and we’re excited to introduce this iconic luxury brand to the city and contribute to its growing appeal as a destination for discerning global travellers.”
Spanning five continents, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is Hilton’s luxury brand of iconic hotels in the most sought-out destinations around the world. Guests can expect an effortless experience throughout their stay, allowing them to focus on connecting with friends, family and the destination they are visiting, creating memories to last a lifetime. Waldorf Astoria Helsinki joins the brand’s global portfolio of 67 hotels trading and pipeline, including the recently opened Waldorf Astoria Osaka and Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique followed by the upcoming openings of the legendary Waldorf Astoria New York and Waldorf Astoria Rabat Salé. Looking further ahead into 2026 and beyond, Waldorf Astoria will see the highly anticipated and first market entry in gateway cities from London, Sydney, Hanoi, Jakarta, Tanger, Kuala Lumpur and Jaipur.
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About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 24 world-class brands comprising more than 8,800 properties and nearly 1.3 million rooms, in 139 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, was named the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune and has been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 226 million Hilton Honors members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
About Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is an award-winning portfolio of 36 iconic properties, each embodying a distinct sense of place through sincerely elegant service, one-of-a-kind experiences, and culinary mastery in landmark destinations around the world. The highly anticipated reopening of Waldorf Astoria New York marked a defining moment for the brand - reintroducing a legend while ushering in a new era of luxury. Inspired by their timeless environments, Waldorf Astoria hotels deliver an effortless experience seamlessly, creating a true sense of place for guests through stunning architecture, the famous Peacock Alley, refined art collections, Michelin-starred dining and elevated in-room amenities. In addition to the brand’s world-class hotel offerings, Waldorf Astoria boasts a global residential portfolio that provides the comfort of a private home combined with unsurpassed amenities and high-touch service. Waldorf Astoria is part of Hilton, a leading global hospitality company. Experience an unforgettable stay at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts by booking at waldorfastoria.com or through the through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits Learn more about Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts at stories.hilton.com/waldorfastoria, and follow the brand on X and Instagram.
About M&L Group – Hospitality
M&L Group is a Singapore-based real estate investment platform with an international portfolio of best-in-class hotels. Since 2009, M&L Group has grown its portfolio to 21 hotel properties across Asia-Pacific, the UK, and Europe. Its hotels are located in prime, central locations within major international gateway cities and are operated by some of the world’s most recognisable hotel brands, including Accor, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Radisson Hotel Group. For more information, please visit: mlgroup.com.sg