IHG Hotels & Resorts and Iwate Hotel & Resort have announced the signing of an agreement to open or refurbish three hotels in Japan’s Appi region and add them under IHG brands in December 2021.
IHG Hotels & Resorts operates as IHGANA in Japan, a joint venture in Japan with ANA. With more than 1,000 rooms joining the hospitality brand’s Japan portfolio across the ANA Intercontinental, ANA Crowne Plaza and ANA Holiday Inn brands, “it marks the biggest deal IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed in Japan since it formed its joint venture with ANA in 2006.”
It is also the first time IHG will have three brands located on one site. The hotel portfolio will have 18 restaurants and bars, more than 3,000 sqm of meeting and conference space, several retail outlets, and ten health and recreation venues, including a 2,000 sqm onsen facility.
ANA Holiday Inn Resort Appi Kogen will join seven other Holiday Inn hotels in Japan, including the recently opened ANA Holiday Inn Resort Shinano-omachi Kuroyon and Holiday Inn & Suites Shin Osaka.
Abhijay Sandilya, IHG Hotels & Resorts VP Development – Japan, Australasia and Pacific said:
“We are delighted to make this announcement in partnership with Iwate Hotel & Resort. These world-class hotels in Japan’s premier four-season resort destination, Appi Kogen, will offer something for every type of traveller, including rich guest experiences and IHG’s True Hospitality for Good.
“I am confident that we will see strong domestic demand and, as borders reopen, from international travellers who are looking to get a real Japanese experience with the familiarity of IHG’s global brands”
A message by Hiroshi Kurosawa, the representative director of Iwate Hotel & Resort reads, “It is our great pleasure to sign an agreement with IHG Hotels & Resorts, the operator of some of the world’s best-known hotel brands, to rebrand our hotels at Appi Kogen.
This will further enhance our efforts towards the betterment of services and hospitality for our customers from around the globe and will lead to a genuine global resort experience at Appi Kogen.
“We are fully committed to offering a pleasant experience and a comfortable space to our customers. It is also noteworthy that Harrow International School Appi, Japan is scheduled to open in the autumn of 2022 nearby the hotels, adding a new dimension to ever-developing Appi Kogen. We always welcome you with our hospitality at Appi Kogen.”
