Scandic Hotels Group and Hilton have signed a multi-year development agreement covering Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. The two companies will look for new hotel opportunities across the four countries. Hilton brings its global brands and commercial reach, and Scandic brings its regional platform and operating experience. The deal focuses on individual projects, so Scandic’s existing portfolio will not be broadly converted. Scandic describes the agreement as another step in its growth plans.

First Project in Copenhagen

The first project is already in motion in Denmark. Scandic has signed a new Hilton Hotels & Resorts property at Scanport, next to Copenhagen Airport. The hotel will have 284 rooms and is expected to open in 2029. Scandic will operate it under a franchise agreement with Hilton, and construction will begin once the remaining pending conditions are met.

The full-service hotel will sit near Scandinavia’s largest aviation hub. Its planned facilities include:

• A restaurant and bar
• Meeting and event spaces
• Wellness amenities and a fitness area
• An executive lounge overlooking the Öresund Strait

Loyalty Plans and Leadership Comments

Members of Hilton Honors and Scandic Friends are expected to get new benefits under the partnership. The companies will share details at a later date. They say the goal is to open the Nordics to Hilton Honors members and the world to Scandic Friends members. Until then, no specifics on the programs have been released.

Jens Mathiesen, President and CEO of Scandic Hotels Group, pointed to the companies’ track record in Helsinki. He said running Hilton hotels there for many years showed how a global brand and Scandic’s operations can work together. Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton, called the agreement a “significant milestone” for Hilton in the Nordics. He said it gives the company a path to expand its brands across four markets.

A Long Relationship and Strong Demand

Hilton and Scandic have worked together for more than two decades. Three Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties currently operate in Helsinki: Hilton Helsinki Airport, Hilton Helsinki Strand, and Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa. Plans are underway to renovate Hilton Helsinki Airport in several phases. The work will update key guest-facing areas of the hotel.

The announcement comes as travel to the region continues to recover. Interest in nature-based experiences, outdoor travel, and cooler-climate destinations has supported international demand, including from the United States and major European markets. In 2025, Sweden recorded more than 70 million guest nights, and Denmark recorded about 68 million. Norway topped 40 million, and Finland passed 23 million.