IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan (IHG) has announced a strategic partnership with Hotel Management International Ltd (HMI) to rebrand three existing Crown Palais hotels as ANA Crowne Plaza properties.
This landmark collaboration will see the hotels, located in Kochi, Chiryu, and Hamamatsu, undergo extensive renovations and be relaunched as ANA Crowne Plaza Kochi, ANA Crowne Plaza Chiryu, and ANA Crowne Plaza Hamamatsu by the first half of 2026. This move marks a significant expansion of IHG’s presence in Japan, further cementing its position as one of the country’s leading international hotel operators.
These three rebranded hotels will join more than 20 ANA Crowne Plaza hotels across Japan and over 400 Crowne Plaza hotels worldwide. Positioned in some of Japan’s most culturally rich and economically vibrant regions, these properties will cater to both leisure and business travelers.
Abhijay Sandilya, CEO of IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan and Managing Director of IHG Hotels & Resorts Japan & Micronesia, expressed his enthusiasm for this new chapter, saying, “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.”
The conversion of these hotels aligns with IHG’s strategy to leverage the global recognition and brand strength of ANA Crowne Plaza. The properties, well-regarded for their prime locations and exceptional service, will benefit from the Crowne Plaza brand’s reputation for offering flexible spaces designed for work, meetings, relaxation, and connection. This will enhance their appeal to a wider range of domestic and international travelers, meeting the evolving needs of business, leisure, and blended travel markets.
Ryuko Hira, President of Hotel Management International Co. Ltd, highlighted the significance of the partnership with IHG: “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 is experiencing a surge in international arrivals, reaching a record high of 17.7 million visitors in the first half of 2024, with expectations to hit 35 million by the end of the year. This upward trend signifies a growing interest among tourists in exploring beyond major cities and discovering lesser-known destinations. The addition of ANA Crowne Plaza Kochi, Chiryu, and Hamamatsu will offer travelers new options and value in these unique locales, combining modern hospitality with local charm.
These new ANA Crowne Plaza hotels will further bolster IHG’s extensive network in Japan, which already includes 47 operating hotels with an additional 15 in the pipeline. The expansion aligns with IHG’s broader plans to introduce three new brands—Regent Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, and Garner hotels—to the Japanese market in the coming years.
With this expansion, IHG is poised to elevate the hospitality experience for its guests, while supporting the Japanese government’s inbound tourism policy of “creating high value” and “attracting visitors to local areas.” As the ANA Crowne Plaza brand continues to grow in Japan, travelers can look forward to more options that deliver the perfect blend of global standards and local flavors.
