IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a major 14-hotel portfolio agreement in Kyoto with GCP Hospitality, adding more than 1,000 rooms to its network in one of Japan’s most important tourism destinations.
The deal covers 1,063 rooms across 14 existing hotels, which will undergo renovations and rebranding before joining IHG’s system in phases over the next 12 months. The portfolio will include 12 Garner hotels, one Holiday Inn Express and one unbranded property.
The agreement represents one of Japan’s largest hotel conversion portfolio deals in recent years and significantly expands IHG’s presence in Kyoto.
Garner expands rapidly in Japan
The deal will substantially increase the footprint of Garner, IHG’s midscale conversion brand, which was launched globally in August 2023.
Garner made its Japanese debut in 2025 with three hotels in Osaka. Since then, the brand has become an increasingly important part of IHG’s strategy for Japan’s business hotel sector, a segment traditionally dominated by domestic operators.
Globally, Garner recently passed the milestone of 100 open hotels, making it IHG’s fastest brand to reach that level of growth.
The Kyoto agreement will also add Japan’s third Holiday Inn Express, following Holiday Inn Express Osaka City Centre – Midosuji and Holiday Inn Express Sapporo Susukino.
“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.”
Sandilya said the company sees further potential for Garner in Japan, particularly as international hotel brands remain relatively underrepresented in the country’s large business hotel market.
“We are just starting to tap into Garner’s full growth potential in Japan as the business hotel segment is underpenetrated by international brands,” he added. “There is an opportunity to grow across the country in this space, and we are ready to work on more portfolios.”
IHG strengthens its position in Kyoto
The 14 properties are located across key areas of Kyoto, including districts around Kyoto Station, Shijo and Gojo, providing access to major transport links as well as the city’s cultural and tourism attractions.
Once the conversions are completed, the new properties will join an existing IHG portfolio in Kyoto spanning several market segments.
The group currently operates properties including Six Senses Kyoto, ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto, Holiday Inn Kyoto Gojo and Garner Hotel Kyoto Shijo Karasuma. The latest expansion is expected to position IHG among the largest international hotel operators in the city.
Kyoto continues to attract strong domestic and international tourism demand throughout the year, making it an important market for global hotel groups seeking to expand their presence in Japan.
IHG and GCP Hospitality expand partnership
The portfolio agreement also deepens IHG’s existing relationship with GCP Hospitality, the hospitality arm of Gaw Capital Group.
GCP Hospitality has been appointed to lead the management team across the 14 hotels as the properties undergo their repositioning.
“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 Mahé, 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.”
For IHG, the agreement provides a rapid route to expanding its Japanese network through conversions rather than new-build developments. It also highlights the group’s broader push into Japan’s mainstream hotel sector, alongside its existing Luxury & Lifestyle and Premium properties.
