IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement covering a 14-hotel portfolio in Kyoto, expanding its presence in the Japanese city.
The properties are located across key Kyoto districts, including areas around Kyoto Station, Shijo and Gojo, and are near major transport hubs and cultural and tourism attractions.
The deal adds to IHG’s existing Kyoto portfolio, which includes Six Senses Kyoto, ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto, Holiday Inn Kyoto Gojo and Garner Hotel Kyoto Shijo Karasuma. All 14 hotels will be converted, with phased openings after renovations and rebranding, into the Garner and Holiday Inn Express brands across the next 12 months.
“This is a true milestone signing for IHG in Japan with one of our long-term partners, GCP Hospitality,” said Abhijay Sandilya, managing director, Japan & Micronesia, IHG Hotels & Resorts and CEO of IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan. “With this agreement, we are expanding our mainstream presence quickly in Japan, reflecting both the strength of our brands and the growing confidence of owners in our business and our strong in-market team. We are just starting to tap into Garner’s full growth potential in Japan as the business hotel segment is underpenetrated by international brands. There is an opportunity to grow across the country in this space, and we are ready to work on more portfolios. We look forward to introducing the brand’s offering to more owners and travellers in the years ahead.”
“Building on GCP Hospitality’s successful track record in Japan, we are pleased to expand our partnership with IHG through this historic portfolio agreement,” said Erwann MahĂ©, CEO of GCP Hospitality. “GCP Hospitality has been appointed to lead the management team across the 14-hotel portfolio, supported by IHG’s global scale, brand strength and distribution capabilities as we reposition the portfolio in one of Japan’s most important tourism markets.”
Garner is IHG’s fastest-ever brand to scale globally and recently celebrated reaching 100 open hotels since its August 2023 launch. It also marks the signing of IHG’s third Holiday Inn Express in Japan, following Holiday Inn Express Osaka City Centre – Midosuji and Holiday Inn Express Sapporo Susukino.
IHG launched Garner in Japan in 2025 with three hotels in Osaka. The brand provides an affordable, high-quality option for business and leisure travelers in Japan’s established business hotel segment.