Accor has signed an agreement with Ebisu Resort LLC, which will see the French Group double its portfolio in Japan.
A total of 23 Daiwa Resorts properties will be reflagged under Accor’s Mercure and Grand Mercure brands, adding more than 6,000 rooms to the group’s portfolio.
The deal will see Accor debut the Grand Mercure brand in Japan, with 12 hotels set to be converted:
- Royal Hotel Okinawa Zanpamisaki, Royal Hotel Nasu, Royal Hotel Yatsugatake, The Hamanako, The Kashihara, Royton Sapporo, Hotel & Resorts Beppuwan, Hotel & Resorts Minamiawaji, Hotel & Resorts Iseshima, Nagahama Hotel & Resorts, Hotel & Resorts Minamiboso, and Hotel & Resorts Wakayama-Minabe
Meanwhile the following 11 properties will be reflagged under the Mercure offering:
- Hotel & Resorts Kyoto Miyazu, Hotel & Resorts Saga Karatsu, Hotel & Resorts Wakayama-Kushimoto, Royal Hotel Nagano, Hotel Toyama Tonami, Royal Hotel Tosa, Royal Hotel Daisen, Royal Hotel Noto, Royal Hotel Munakata, Active Resorts Miyagi Zao, Active Resorts Urabandai
The hotels will begin renovation projects in the fourth quarter of this year, and are expected to join the Accor portfolio by the second quarter of 2024.
The group currently operates 21 hotels across Japan, under its Pullman, Swissotel, Mercure, Novotel, ibis, ibis Styles and ibis Budget brands.
Recent openings include the dual-branded Mercure Tokyu Stay Osaka Namba, which opened in December and comprises a Mercure hotel and a property under Japanese long-stay brand Tokyu Stay.
Accor is also set to debut its Fairmont brand in Japan in 2025, with the Fairmont Tokyo occupying the upper floors of the south tower of the Shibaura Project.
The project will consist of two towers, with the south tower expected to open in 2024 followed by the north tower in 2030.
The hotel will include 219 rooms with views of Tokyo Bay, three restaurants and bars, a spa, fitness centre and swimming pool. Additionally there will be meeting rooms, banquet facilities and a chapel.
Commenting on the news Garth Simmons, chief executive officer, Premium, Midscale and Economy Division for Accor in Asia, said:
“We are excited to be adding these great hotels to our portfolio in Japan, especially as the desire to connect with nature is increasingly in demand amongst travellers today. This agreement will offer our loyal guests just that, with their location in charming coastal towns, proximity to nature and authentic local experiences.
“Popular destinations such as Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto will always remain in high demand, however if you want to immerse yourself in the real authentic culture of a country, sometimes you need to escape the big cities and head off the beaten path.
“We will continue to build on the relationships that Daiwa Resort has successfully maintained within each region, and work closely with our partners, Japan Hotel Reit Advisors, Daiwa Resort’s asset manager, to revitalize these properties and welcome guests back by Q2 2024.”
