IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, today announced a landmark portfolio deal growing with long-term partner, GCP Hospitality, the hospitality arm of Gaw Capital Group.
The milestone portfolio deal, totalling 1,063 rooms, includes 14 hotels in Kyoto, comprising 12 Garner hotels, one Holiday Inn Express and one unbranded hotel. All these hotels will be converted, with phased openings after renovations and rebranding to embed the Garner and Holiday Inn Express hallmarks, across the next 12 months.
This signing demonstrates one of the largest conversion portfolio deals in Japan in recent years and exemplifies the strong growth momentum of Garner, a midscale conversion brand within IHG’s portfolio, in Japan. 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.
The expansion of IHG’s portfolio in Kyoto further strengthens its presence in the city, complementing its existing portfolio that spans Luxury & Lifestyle, Premium and Essentials brands, including Six Senses Kyoto, ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto, Holiday Inn Kyoto Gojo and Garner Hotel Kyoto Shijo Karasuma – and positions IHG as one of the largest international hotel companies in Kyoto.
Abhijay Sandilya, Managing Director, Japan & Micronesia, IHG Hotels & Resorts and CEO of IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan, said: “This is a true milestone signing for IHG in Japan with one of our long-term partners, GCP Hospitality. 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.
Following the successful Garner brand launch in Japan around 18 months ago in Osaka, this deal demonstrates the growing interest from owners to rebrand hotels and benefit from quick access to IHG’s leading enterprise, including our marketing, technology and distribution platforms, and the scale of IHG One Rewards globally.
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.”
Erwann Mahé, CEO of GCP Hospitality, commented: “Building on GCP Hospitality’s successful track record in Japan, we are pleased to expand our partnership with IHG through this historic portfolio agreement. 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.”
Kyoto remains one of Japan’s most sought-after destinations, attracting strong international and domestic demand throughout the year. All hotels in the portfolio are located across key districts in Kyoto, including areas around Kyoto Station, Shijo and Gojo, ensuring guests are close to major transport hubs and some of the city’s most popular cultural and tourism attractions.
IHG debuted Garner in Japan in 2025 with the opening of three Garner hotels in Osaka. The brand plays a distinctive role in the country’s hotel landscape, offering an affordable, high-quality option for both business and leisure travellers. Japan’s well-established business hotel segment is known for efficient, functional properties that maintain consistently high standards and has traditionally been dominated by domestic operators – making IHG’s growing portfolio in this space distinctive for an international hospitality company.
