Ikea Opens It's First Ikea Hotel In Gran Canaria Las Palmas – Mr TravelON Spends One Night

Exclusive: Mr TravelON Stays at Spain’s First IKEA‑Backed Hotel in Gran Canaria

Las Dunas de Santa Catalina Boutique House, perched in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, recently opened in April 2025 as IKEA’s inaugural hotel in Spain—and only the second IKEA hotel worldwide, after the iconic Älmhult hotel in Sweden.

The property booked by Mr TravelON, including Bed & Breakfast delights guests with every feature furnished by IKEA: crisp minimalist design, Zweedish-esque comfort, and a modern yet playful vibe. Mr TravelON filmed the full experience in a video walk-through, highlighting how the flat-pack Scandinavian-chic furnishings mesh with sleek local aesthetics.

What Makes This Stay Unique at an Ikea Hotel?

Design & Decor: Though fully furnished with IKEA pieces, branding is subtle—no blue-yellow logos here. Instead, expect softly styled rooms with air conditioning, parquet floors, minibars, coffee makers, smart TVs, and private baths.
Facilities: A tranquil adults-only vibe with heated outdoor pool, garden terrace, solarium, and daily continental breakfast included .
Guest Experience: Seen as "lovely, clean, modern" with “a beautiful pool/seating area” and “quietness” appreciated by early visitors.
Location: Just a five‑minute walk from Las Alcaravaneras Beach, with local sights like Roman Park and Poema del Mar Aquarium nearby 
Was This in IKEA’s Original Hospitality Plan?
Yes. IKEA’s entrance into hotels isn't new: its Älmhult hotel dates back to 1964 as the original Motell IKEA. While Swedish properties retain the classic IKEA branding and flat‑pack ethos, the Gran Canaria boutique house represents a more low‑profile, boutique approach without overt brand cues.

Moreover, IKEA is clearly testing the hospitality waters in Spain: a second boutique-style property Las Vegas de Ciudad Jardín Suites, built from two villas is slated to open nearby in Gran Canaria.

Strategic Shift: Boutique Over Big-Box

Differing concepts: The Swedish hotel serves as a brand showroom; in Gran Canaria, IKEA supports boutique hotels managed via local partner Sarton Canarias, focusing on discretion and comfort, not branding.
Expansion vision: IKEA has quietly experimented in Mallorca and the Caribbean with similar hospitality concepts.
Why it matters: This signals IKEA’s evolving strategy, leveraging real estate and design expertise to enter high-value tourism markets with boutique offerings.

Conclusion: Is IKEA Building a Hotel Chain?

While IKEA isn't launching a global hotel franchise per se, it's experimenting selectively: the Gran Canaria boutique house and upcoming Ciudad Jardín Suites demonstrate a move toward curated, location-sensitive stays. This venture marks Spain’s first IKEA hotel beyond Sweden and possibly just the start.

For Mr TravelON and travelers alike, this is exceptional news: a stylish IKEA-furnished escape, blending modern comfort with local flair. With a second property on the way, the question isn’t if IKEA will expand again but where next?

Bottom line: Mr TravelON’s B&B stay at Las Dunas de Santa Catalina is more than a travel vlog it’s a front-row seat to IKEA’s subtle yet strategic move into boutique hospitality in Spain.