29 August 2024 – Tokyo, Japan: IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan (IHG) today announced a landmark partnership with Hotel Management International Ltd (HMI), who operate a diverse portfolio of properties across Japan, to rebrand three hotels to the ANA Crowne Plaza brand expanding IHG’s footprint into three new destinations.
Totalling 539 rooms, the three Crown Palais hotels will undergo extensive renovations as they convert to ANA Crowne Plaza Kochi, ANA Crowne Plaza Chiryu and ANA Crowne Plaza Hamamatsu. They will join an extensive footprint, of more than 20 ANA Crowne Plaza hotels across Japan and more than 400 Crowne Plaza hotels worldwide and will open in the first half of 2026.
As one of the world’s largest premium hotel brands, Crowne Plaza has properties located in gateway cities, airports, resorts and suburban destinations around the world and these three hotels will benefit from brand awareness both in Japan and globally.
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 well known for their convenient locations, excellent facilities and hospitality. The addition of Crowne Plaza’s purposeful design that offers flexible spaces to work, meet and relax, while meeting the needs of guests seeking productivity, relaxation or connections will elevate the offering and capture a greater share of business from both domestic and international travellers.
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 join a 20-strong ANA Crowne Plaza portfolio in Japan that includes ANA Crowne Plaza Osaka and ANA Crowne Plaza Kanazawa. These three hotels add to IHG’s growing presence in Japan which currently sits at 47 open hotels with 15 in the pipeline.
IHG Hotels & Resorts has had a long presence in Japan and has grown to become one of the largest international operators in the country, with 47 hotels and over 14,000 rooms, across eight world-class brands: Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express and voco hotels. In the next three years, IHG will debut three new brands in market including Regent Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection and Garner hotels.
