CEO-Choice-Hotels-Scandinavia-Torgeir-Silseth Hasse-Mellstrom-Torgeir-Silseth-and-Ejnar-Söder — Photo by Choice Hotels Scandinavia ASA

Choice Hotels Scandinavia is continuing with its ambitious growth strategy by acquiring the operating company behind the highly acclaimed hotels Nordic Light and Nordic Sea. With 542 new rooms, Choice will become the biggest hotel chain in Stockholm, and the company has great confidence in future opportunities for the Nordic Hotels brand.

"Today's acquisition of Nordic Hotels is a result of our long-term growth strategy in Scandinavia," explains Torgeir Silseth, CEO of Choice Hotels Scandinavia. "Stockholm is one of our key markets, and Nordic Hotels enjoys a unique position which extends beyond the city. This gives us great flexibility in our continued focus on Scandinavia. We are all experiencing tough times in the hotel industry, but here at Choice we have the financial stability needed to look at opportunities over a much longer timescale - opportunities which we certainly see in Nordic Hotels. Now we look forward to building upon what Ejnar Söder and Hans Mellström have already achieved."

Nordic Light Hotel and Nordic Sea Hotel

Since 2001, Nordic Hotels has operated Nordic Sea Hotel, ABSOLUT ICEBAR STOCKHOLM and Nordic Light Hotel on Stockholm's Vasagatan. Together, the hotels have 542 rooms. Nordic Light Hotel is a member of Design Hotels. Until today, Nordic Hotels was 60% owned by Ejnar Söder's companies and 40% owned by Hans Mellström's company Viamare Invest. Söder has more than 60 years of experience in the hotel industry.

"Both Nordic Light Hotel and Nordic Sea Hotel have been success stories since day one, and this has been an exciting, enjoyable journey," say Söder and Mellström. "After almost ten years at the helm, it's time for someone else to take over."

The biggest in Stockholm

With a total of 542 new rooms at Nordic Light Hotel and Nordic Sea Hotel, Choice Hotels Scandinavia will be Stockholm's biggest hotel chain, boasting the best coverage in the city. The chain already owns Stockholm's two largest hotels, the Clarion Hotel Stockholm and the Clarion Hotel Sign, with 532 and 558 rooms respectively. Over the course of the next few years, Choice plans to open the Quality Solna Nationalarena and the Clarion Airport Hotel Arlanda. Nordic Light Hotel and Nordic Sea Hotel will retain the Nordic brand, and will be operated by Choice Hotels. The actual takeover will take place immediately, together with finalising details for continued operation and focus.

You can see a recording of the press conference on web TV here:

Choice Hotels Scandinavia AS is Scandinavia's largest hotel chain with more than 165 hotels and more than 9,200 employees. The company's brand names in the Nordic market are Comfort, Quality Hotels, Quality Resort, Clarion Collection and Clarion Hotel. For more information, please visit