International Tech-powered Aparthotel Pioneer Strengthens Presence in DACH Market with 12 confirmed new openings

Bob W is a globetrotter, a first-class host, and knows the trendiest neighbourhoods – and the people in them. Every guest staying at the innovative, technology and AI driven aparthotels and hotels experiences both the reliability and service of a traditional hotel and the comfort of a home – in other words, the “best of both worlds”. As one of the fastest-growing hospitality operators in Europe, the hotel group with currently 55 properties in 11 countries is now set for further expansion, with 12 confirmed new openings in Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Dortmund, Cologne, Bonn, Vienna, Graz, Salzburg and Locarno on the Swiss shore of Lago Maggiore in the DACH region. Bookings for the Bob Ws in Dortmund and Vienna have been open since 1st of June 2026, marking the brand’s entry into the Austrian market. www.bobw.co

A Home for the Next Generation of Travellers

Niko Karstikko started off as a host for random short-term rentals in his home country Finland. In 2018, he teamed up with his friend from university Sebastian Emberger from Germany and founded Bob W, opening their first aparthotel in Tallinn, Estonia in 2019. Today, the company has locations throughout Europe – handpicked neighbourhoods, modern and local. Each property combines high-quality design with innovative hospitality technology built inhouse: digital reception, seamless self-service check-in and “hosted” guest services available around the clock, all combined in one app. Bob W thus ensures complete flexibility and drives the digital transformation of the hotel industry. Inspired by the neighbourhood and the surrounding city, local designs, artisans, brands and manufacturers lend the properties a unique and homely feel. Whether it's a short break, business trip or workation, the modern concept strikes a chord with the next generation of travellers, as reviews on various booking platforms confirm: Bob W achieved an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 in 2025. The company's strong Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 67, a key indicator of customer satisfaction, underlines this.

“From tastefully localized designs to renewable energy: At Bob W, we see sustainability as an integral part of our DNA. Transparency and honesty are especially important to us. Our guests can check the emissions per overnight stay on our website at any time, which are 100 % offset through selected projects and 69% below the European industry average. At the same time, 2025 was a fully profitable year, showing that responsible growth and strong financial performance can go hand in hand”, explains Niko Karstikko, co-founder of Bob W.

Just like in every other property operated by this innovative hotel operator, guests at Bob W Helsinki-Kaarti have the flexibility to book additional services such as breakfast or rentals bikes around the clock via the Bob W app. © www.bobw.co

By combining smart technologies, sustainability, and high-quality design deeply rooted in its surroundings and community, Bob W creates a hospitality concept that stands apart from conventional formats. Today, the company operates across 11 European countries, with a growing portfolio of serviced studios, spacious apartments, elegant penthouses and stylish rooms with a total portfolio of 8,000 units. The innovative concept has won multiple awards in various categories: Open since summer 2024, the Finnish Bob W Kaarti in Helsinki's historic Kaartinkaupunki district received the international Skift Short-Term Rental Award for its sustainability efforts in 2025. The award honours frontrunners of the industry. Further south, Bob W Munich Schwabing located in the Bavarian capital impressed the jury of the German Design Awards in its opening year 2025 in the categories architecture and interior architecture with its use of high-quality, natural materials, elegant furniture and the digital guest journey.

Stuttgart Welcomes a New Visionary

Nearly 150 years after Gottlieb Daimler invented the first portable combustion engine in Bad Canstatt, smart hospitality, high-tech and Swabian cosiness come together in Stuttgart’s oldest district. The new Bob W is scheduled to open in this historic district in 2027. All rooms reflect Stuttgart's cultural heritage: automotive design elements mimic the workspace of the renowned inventor, tropical wallpapers represent Wilhelma Zoo, and materials such as regional travertine symbolise the city's healing mineral waters. The building stands on a former World War II bunker with a property area of over 3,000 square metres. The 136 smart apartments, laundry room, co-working space, communal kitchen and lounge, as well as a 550-square-metre fitness area, are spread over five floors. In addition to parking spaces and bicycle stands, Bad Cannstatt railway station is just a short walk away. This attention to detail, innovative thinking and connection to the local community in Stuttgart perfectly illustrates what guests can expect at every property.

The high-quality interior design of the new Bob W will reflect the cultural heritage of Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt. © www.bobw.co

New openings are also in the pipeline for Vienna and eight other cities in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. “With the locations of our new properties, we aim to expand and consolidate our long-term growth strategy for the DACH region. We are experiencing a stable demand there”, comments Sebastian Emberger, co-founder of Bob W.

About Bob W. Bob W is an award-winning tech- and AI-powered hospitality operator offering a slicker alternative to mainstream hotels and traditional short-term rentals. The design-centric, full-service aparthotels and hotels combine the consistent quality and aesthetics of a lifestyle hotel with the flexibility, hosted experience, and amenities of a short-term rental. Sustainably operated and thoughtfully designed, Bob W’s properties are made for the modern traveler who expects both style and substance. Backed by institutional investors and world-class entrepreneurs, Bob W has built technology to deliver an authentic 5-star hospitality experience at scale while leading the world’s transition to sustainable travel. With a portfolio of 100+ assets and 8,000 apartment units and hotel rooms, Bob W delights leisure and business travellers in cities across Europe and the UK.