Strong performance continues in S-Group hotels and restaurants

May, 2025

Strong performance continues in S-Group hotels and restaurants – last year's top achievements in the hospitality industry celebrated at the awards gala

In early May, the S-Group's hospitality professionals' awards gala was held at Original Sokos Hotel Tripla in Helsinki, celebrating last year's successes that delighted customers of S-Group hotels and restaurants in 2024. The best-performing establishments in various areas were also recognized. Thanks to skilled and enthusiastic staff, S-Group is performing better in the hospitality industry than the general market.

S-Group firmly believes in brighter prospects for the accommodation and restaurant industry compared to recent years: investments in the network of establishments, services, and the development of customer experience will continue this year.

– During 2025, several of our hotels, restaurants, and services will be renovated. The new Break Sokos Hotel Himos will open at the end of the year in Jämsä. New culinary experiences can be found in hotel breakfasts as well as in the menus of our restaurant brands like Rosso and Amarillo. Overall, there is a real sense of action in our restaurants. We are also investing in digital services, with the latest being the Sokos Hotels app launched earlier this year, says Juha Helminen, Director of S Group Travel and Hospitality Industry.

Return to market leadership and record customer satisfaction

Customer satisfaction in S-Group hotels and restaurants reached record levels in 2024.

The travel trade returned to market leadership in terms of euro-denominated room sales. This is driven by strong growth among both domestic and international customers. Growth has continued from January to March.

– The number of foreign guests staying with us increased by 23 percent from January to March, while the average in the Finnish market was 11 percent. Similarly, the number of domestic customers has remained at last year's level, while the average in our operating field has dropped by 4 percent. These figures are great achievements by our staff, who are energized by meeting, helping, and serving people – the essence of our work is to delight others and enable memorable experiences for them, Helminen explains.

Outstanding performances at individual and team levels

S-Group's hotel, restaurant, or kitchen managers of the year are chosen based on their exemplary work and leadership, which have led their units to excellent results in employee experience, customer service, and profitability.

This year, the Hotel Manager of the Year award went to Satu Karhumäki from Solo Sokos Hotel Helsinki, the Restaurant Manager of the Year award to Mia Hjulgren from Grill it! at Solo Sokos Hotel Torni Tampere, and the Kitchen Manager of the Year award to Tiina Sairanen from Frans & Rose in Kouvola.

– The awardees, along with their teams, achieved exemplary top performances last year. They delighted our hotel and restaurant customers throughout the year, Juha Helminen praises.

Winners 2024

Award winners of S Group's hotels

Hotel of the Year 2024: Original Sokos Hotel Lappee, Lappeenranta
Conference Hotel of the Year: Solo Sokos Hotel Lahden Seurahuone, Lahti
Hotel Restaurant of the Year: Grill it! Paja, Solo Sokos Hotel Torni Tampere
Surprise Prize: Heymo 1 by Sokos Hotels
Best NPS Break hotels: Break Sokos Hotel Koli Kylä, Lieksa
Best NPS Solo hotels: Solo Sokos Hotel Paviljonki, Jyväskylä
Best NPS Original hotels: Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna, Kouvola
Best NPS in Sokos Hotels chain: Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna, Kouvola
Best NPS development: Break Sokos Hotel Tahko, Kuopio
Mystery Shopping Original hotels: Original Sokos Hotel Seurahuone, Kotka
Mystery Shopping Break hotels: Break Sokos Hotel Koli, Lieksa
Mystery Shopping Solo hotels: Solo Sokos Hotel Lahden Seurahuone, Lahti
Revenue Manager of the Year: Mirja Jussila
Salesperson of the Year: Anette Montanari
S-Boss of the Year, hotels: Satu Karhumäki, Solo Sokos Hotel Helsinki
S-Boss of the Year, restaurants: Mia Hjulgren, Grill it! Paja, Solo Sokos Hotel Torni Tampere
The most influential service act of the year: Jasmin Kiskonen and Olav Arnoldussen, Radisson Blu Grand Hotel Tammer, Tampere
Happiness Creator of the Year, Sokos Hotels: Sami Lehtonen, Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna, Vaasa
Happiness Creator of the Year, Sokos Hotels: Juuli Juutinen, Original Sokos Hotel Valjus, Kajaani
Happiness Creators of the Year, Sokos Hotels: Kamilla Lehtineva and Rosa Borgström, Original Sokos Hotel Lappee, Lappeenranta

Award winners of S Group's restaurants

Amarillo of the Year: Amarillo Rovaniemi
Rosso of the Year: Rosso Kokkola
Brick-and-mortar Café of the Year: Coffee House Kouvola
Restaurant World of the Year: Prisma Iisalmi
Beverage, Social and Entertainment Restaurant of the Year (chains): VENN Original Sokos Hotel Arina, Oulu
Hesburger of the Year: Hesburger Tampereentien Prisma, Turku
Best NPS Food restaurants: Frans & Chérie
Best NPS Beverage and social restaurants: VENN Original Sokos Hotel Lappee, Lappeenranta
Best NPS Cafes and fast eating: Presso Kerava
Unique of the Year; Drinking, socializing and entertainment restaurant: Zetor, Helsinki
Unique of the Year; Cafes and fast eating: Puisto Kahvila, Tampere
Unique of the Year; Food restaurant: Gunnar Eatery & Bar, Solo Sokos Hotel Turun Seurahuone, Turku
S Chef of the Year: Tiina Sairanen, Frans & Rose, Kouvola