IHG ANA Hotels Group Collaborates with Hotel Management International Ltd to Rebrand Three New Hotels in Japan

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IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan has unveiled a significant collaboration with Hotel Management International Ltd (HMI), a company with a varied hotel portfolio throughout Japan. This partnership will see three hotels rebranded under the ANA Crowne Plaza name, marking IHG’s expansion into three new locales.

The transformation will encompass a total of 539 rooms, with the three Crown Palais properties being renovated and rebranded as ANA Crowne Plaza Kochi, ANA Crowne Plaza Chiryu, and ANA Crowne Plaza Hamamatsu. These additions will bolster IHG’s already impressive network, which includes over 20 ANA Crowne Plaza hotels in Japan and more than 400 Crowne Plaza hotels globally, with the new locations set to open in early 2026.

As a prominent global hotel brand, Crowne Plaza is known for its presence in major cities, airports, resorts, and suburban areas. The rebranding of these three hotels will enhance its brand visibility both within Japan and internationally.

Abhijay Sandilya, CEO of IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan and Managing Director of IHG Hotels & Resorts Japan & Micronesia, said: “We’re excited and honoured to work in partnership with Hotel Management International Co Ltd for the first time and bring our collective vision for these three properties to life as ANA Crowne Plaza hotels, the largest international premium hotel brand in Japan.

“Converting these properties reflects the attractiveness of our brands, the value of IHG’s global enterprise backed by our strong in-market team with ANA’s support. Together in partnership with HMI, we will lead these hotels into an exciting next chapter.

“Expanding the brand’s presence and adding three new destinations – Kochi, Chiryu and Hamamatsu to our extensive portfolio across the country offers guests new experiences and options whether they are travelling for leisure, business or blended travel.”

These three hotels are celebrated for their prime locations, top-notch amenities, and exceptional service. Crowne Plaza’s thoughtfully designed spaces, which cater to work, meetings, and relaxation, will further enhance the experience for guests seeking productivity, leisure, or networking opportunities. This thoughtful approach is poised to attract more business from both local and global visitors.

Ryuko Hira, President of Hotel Management International Co. Ltd said: “We are delighted to be partnering with IHG to convert three HMI Hotel Group hotels to ANA Crowne Plaza and be part of the global IHG system.

“With a long history of operating hotels for more than half a century across Japan, we are confident that the power of IHG and the ANA Crowne Plaza brand will enable us to strengthen our offering and expand our business attracting a wider range of travellers to our hotels.

“Japan’s international arrivals are at a record high with 17.7 million visitors in the first half of 2024, and expected to reach 35 million, a record high for the country in 2024. Tourists are also seeking to explore beyond the larger cities and explore lesser known destinations – our rebranded hotels will add increased value to international guests as well as appeal to a greater share of domestic visitors.

“HMI has been delivering the charms of destinations across Japan to guests. With our partnership with IHG, we will set new standards of excellence in hospitality and strive to support the Japanese Government’s inbound policy of ‘creating high value’ and ‘attracting visitors to local areas’.”

ANA Crowne Plaza Kochi, ANA Crowne Plaza Chiryu, and ANA Crowne Plaza Hamamatsu are the latest additions to the impressive 20-hotel portfolio of ANA Crowne Plaza in Japan. This expansion complements the existing ANA Crowne Plaza Osaka and ANA Crowne Plaza Kanazawa. With these additions, IHG Hotels & Resorts continues to strengthen its footprint in Japan, where it now operates 47 hotels and has 15 more in development.

As a major player in Japan’s hospitality sector, IHG Hotels & Resorts boasts a robust presence with 47 hotels and over 14,000 rooms across eight premier brands: Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, and voco hotels. Looking ahead, IHG is set to introduce three new brands to the market over the next three years: Regent Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, and Garner hotels.