IHG accelerates growth in Hokkaido as iconic The Windsor Hotel TOYA Resort & Spa joins Vignette Collection

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, is proud to announce the signing of the iconic The Windsor Hotel TOYA Resort & Spa to its Vignette Collection brand – the second property in Japan for IHG’s newest luxury & lifestyle brand and first collection brand.

This strategic partnership with The Windsor Hotels International Co., Ltd., signals IHG’s entry into the renowned Lake Toya region of Hokkaido, the country’s second largest island – a prime destination for domestic and international travellers.

A traditional and prestigious landmark, the picturesque 386-key property – owned by the Meiji Shipping Group – will join as “The Windsor Hotel TOYA, Vignette Collection” in the coming months.

IHG’s Vignette Collection brand, known for its distinctive hotels that celebrate local culture and offer unique experiences, aligns perfectly with the property’s legacy and commitment to providing exceptional hospitality. Guests will enjoy its stunning location overlooking Lake Toya and range of world-class facilities, while appreciating its rich and storied history that dates back to 1993 and includes hosting the 34th G8 Summit.

Abhijay Sandilya, CEO, IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan, and Managing Director, IHG Hotels & Resorts Japan & Micronesia, said: "We are delighted to welcome The Windsor Hotel TOYA Resort & Spa to the IHG estate. This strengthens our presence in Hokkaido and further enhances the reputation of Vignette Collection, which features a set of proudly independent hotels with distinct outlooks and unique stories to tell that embody luxury in a different way. We are confident that the Windsor Hotel TOYA, Vignette Collection will deliver an even stronger performance and attract new guests through IHG’s powerful global enterprise systems, including our loyalty programme, IHG One Rewards.

“The transformation of The Windsor Hotel TOYA Resort & Spa is part of IHG's ongoing strategy to expand our portfolio of Luxury & Lifestyle hotels in key markets around the world. The Windsor Hotel TOYA, Vignette Collection will be the fifth IHG hotel in Hokkaido after three ANA Crowne Plaza properties in Sapporo, Kushiro and Chitose, and one ANA Holiday Inn hotel in Susukino. We’re also opening the first internationally branded luxury hotel in Sapporo, InterContinental Sapporo, in 2025. By partnering with highly respected owners, we continue to offer guests a diverse range of exceptional experiences in this wonderful country.”

The island of Hokkaido is an idyllic location renowned for its scenic beauty, hot springs and nature-focused activities such as fishing, hiking, and camping. Enjoying a unique mountaintop vantage point, The Windsor Hotel TOYA, Vignette Collection will be the only hotel to offer guests views of the Pacific Ocean and Lake Toya – a volcanic caldera lake located within Shikotsu-Toya National Park.

Featuring eight conference and meeting rooms, nine food and beverage outlets, three retail concessions, a wedding chapel, and health and recreation facilities comprising a gymnasium, salon and hot spring bath, the hotel will attract a diverse range of visitors, including leisure guests, business travellers, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) groups. IHG's global reach and IHG One Rewards loyalty programme will further enhance its appeal in domestic and international markets.

There are 13 Vignette Collection hotels (2,452 rooms) open around the world and 34 properties in the brand’s pipeline. The Windsor Hotel TOYA, Vignette Collection, will be IHG’s second Vignette Collection in Japan joining RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka which is already in IHG’s system.

Vignette Collection offers guests an inspiring new choice. A family of one-off hotels where visitors can indulge a growing passion for stays that are authentic, experiential and considerate. They share a commitment to a succinct set of standards that discerning guests seek out and love. Weaving responsibility, community and locality together, the collection exists to make a positive impact in every way.

Novotel Nara Opens in Japan, Bringing Modern Comfort to the Ancient Capital

Novotel, a leading global brand within the Accor portfolio, proudly announces the opening of Novotel Nara. Situated along the Saho River, known for its stunning cherry blossom trees, the hotel is strategically located an eight-minute walk from Shin-Omiya Station and a five-minute cab ride from Nara Station, offering a tranquil base for exploring Nara's rich cultural heritage.

With 264 guest rooms, including executive suites, Novotel Nara presents a unique blend of European modernity and traditional Japanese aesthetics, providing a welcoming retreat for both business and leisure travellers. The hotel is designed to offer guests a serene environment to rejuvenate and connect with Nara's rich cultural and historical legacy 

Novotel Nara is more than just a place to stay; it serves as a bridge between tourists and the local community, promoting the hidden charms of Nara. Guests can easily access the city's UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, while also enjoying the tranquillity away from the city's hustle and bustle. The hotel’s prime location allows for an immersive experience of Nara’s history and culture, making it an ideal location for those seeking both relaxation and exploration.

The property offers a variety of dining options, including Trattoria Ponte Nara, an all-day dining restaurant embracing the "slow food" philosophy. Here, guests can savour authentic Italian cuisine crafted with locally sourced ingredients from Nara, while enjoying the open-air setting with a beautiful view of cherry blossoms in full bloom during spring. Committed to sustainability, the restaurant is features organic and locally sourced dishes, including pizzas made with spelt flour produced by the Katsuragi Shuroku Council in Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture.

Japan’s First Caption by Hyatt Hotel Opens in Osaka

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) announced the opening of Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka, a dynamic, community-minded hotel in the heart of Osaka, Japan. The 167-room lifestyle hotel features self-activated touchpoints, vibrant social spaces, and a trendy design aesthetic with an unmistakable neighborhood feel.

Caption by Hyatt hotels offer a seamless and efficient guest experience that allows guests to customize interactions on their own terms. DIY touchpoints include self-service check-in, digital keys, Staycast streaming technology, hydration stations on every level, flexible co-working space, and lively social and food and beverage concepts.

In June 2022, the brand made its global debut with Caption by Hyatt Beale Street Memphis in the US. Most recently, Caption by Hyatt Zhongshan Park Shanghai opened its doors in China during April 2024 as the brand’s first introduction to the Asia Pacific region. Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka is expected to be followed by highly anticipated new Caption by Hyatt hotels in Ho Chi Minh City, Sydney and Tokyo in the coming years.

“We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Caption by Hyatt brand hotel in Japan in the heart of Osaka, bringing a brand that combines the design and comfort of a lifestyle hotel with the flexibility of a select-service property,” said Sam Sakamura, vice president, Japan and Micronesia, Hyatt. “Fostering community is a vital part of the Caption by Hyatt ethos and Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka will certainly play a key role in delivering on that within the vibrant Namba neighborhood. This debut will contribute to the growth of Japan’s tourism sector, while leading the way in facilitating stronger, more authentic social connections for all travelers.”

Ideally Located in the Heart of Osaka

Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka is situated in one of Osaka’s leading entertainment districts. Ideally located for exploration, the hotel is easily accessed from Kansai and Osaka International Airports and within walking distance of Nippombashi and Namba Metro stations, as well as two major railway stations.

Only a short walk to the world-famous canal-side entertainment district Dōtonbori—characterized by giant illuminated and mechanical signboards including the legendary Glico running man—and the more than 650-yard-long Kuromon Market dating back to the Edo era (1603–1868). Culture vultures will be enthused at their ability to walk to the National Bunraku Theatre—Japan’s headquarters for bunraku puppetry cited on Unesco’s ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ list—as well as Osaka Shochikuza Theatre, and Namba Grand Kagez, the hub of comedy culture.

Talk Shop: Intentional Social Space that Encourages Connection

As guests arrive at Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka, they will enter ‘Talk Shop’, a reimagined arrival experience unique to the brand. Talk Shop is a lively area with an all-day lounge, workspace, coffee shop, eatery, grab-and-go artisanal market, and cocktail bar all rolled into one. Locals and hotel guests alike are invited to dine, work, socialize, and curate their own experiences.

Hosting creative workshops, open mic music nights, pop-up installations, and book clubs, Talk Shop will be the heart of the hotel, and exude the energy of Namba’s community.

Talk Shop events include:

• Japanese Kitchen Knives History and Production: Osaka is known as the 'kitchen of the nation'. Learn about the production process and history of traditional Japanese kitchen knives from the craftsmen of a 70 years-old knife shop in the Sennichimae Doguya-suji shopping arcade.

• Food Sample Making Workshop: Originated in Osaka, food sample making goes back 100 years. The food sample making workshop will consist of learning the traditional techniques from craftsmen from the Sennichimae Doguya-suji shopping arcade.

Locally Inspired Design

On arrival, guests are greeted with a welcome drink with soy milk from a 100-year-old tofu shop in Kuromon Market. A knowledgeable Caption by Hyatt emcee is on hand to support guests with self-service check-in, directions, or recommending local must-sees and dos.

Guests can check-in via the World of Hyatt app and head straight up to one of the hotel’s 167 rooms using a digital key. Inside, guests will discover a playful, thoughtfully designed 215–322-square-foot space curated with form, function, and fun top of mind.

The bold colors and locally inspired art running throughout the hotel creates an environment that is vibrant, unexpected, and has plenty of personality. Large picture windows frame views of the city’s most dynamic district, while hardware inspired by samurai swords, kikkō (tortoiseshell) and yagasuri (arrow feather) patterns, and graphic illustrations of Japanese kimonos, emakimono (handscrolls), and kinchaku (drawstring pouches) are subtle nods to traditional Japanese artwork. Above the beds, guests will encounter energetic murals by Osakan artist ZAnPon, inspired by Kuromon Market and its lively scene attracting customers. In the colorful, utilitarian-style bathrooms, clued-up guests will delight in the mural spelling out “nandeyanen”—an iconic Osakan retort meaning "What the heck?” or “You’re kidding.”

Other facilities include 24-hour Fitness Center and Coin Laundry located on the 2F, open around the clock.

Striving to Be a Good Neighbor: Community and Sustainability

The Caption by Hyatt brand aims to expand the definition of wellness to include a sense of belonging, providing a platform for community, and reflecting the neighborhood in which its hotels are situated. Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka endeavors to be a part of the Namba community by hiring locally and partnering with local vendors and organizations.

Sustainability is a focus in the hotel’s operating model. Fridges are stocked with locally sourced ingredients, and initiatives like not using single-use plastics, the use of bulk amenities in the bathrooms, and hydration stations on every floor and in public spaces — all have been implemented with sustainability in mind.

“We are excited to introduce the Caption by Hyatt brand and its belief in caring for people and community to one of Japan’s most dynamic locations,” said Shintaro Fukuda, general manager, Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka. “Our vibrant walls reflect the variety of perspectives and experiences our guests will bring to Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka, and our hope is for them to make the hotel their own.”

IHG Hotels & Resorts debuts its voco brand in Japan with the opening of voco Osaka Central

 IHG Hotels & Resorts – one of the world’s leading hotel companies with over 6,000 hotels across 18 distinct brands – has debuted its premium voco hotels brand in Japan with the opening of voco Osaka Central. Opened in partnership with UD Hospitality Management, voco Osaka Central offers a refreshingly different accommodation experience in Japan, bringing to life the brand’s charming personality, warm hosted service, bright yellow accents, and step-by-step approach to sustainability.

First launched in 2018, voco hotels is one of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ fastest-growing brands with 46 open hotels and 50 exciting destinations in the pipeline. The brand’s debut in Japan was celebrated with an opening ceremony at voco Osaka Central, attended by guests of honour including NTT Urban Development Corporation, The Zenitaka Corporation and the Osaka Convention and Tourism Bureau. To signify the brand’s commitment to the local community, a spin on the traditional ribbon cutting saw guests simultaneously untie knots in turmeric-dyed furoshiki cloth to emulate the steps voco is taking to help guests tread lightly when they travel.

Abhijay Sandilya, CEO of IHG ANA Hotels Group, and Managing Director – Japan & Micronesia said: “The opening of voco Osaka Central marks a bold new era of premium hotel experiences in Japan. We are delighted to work in strong partnership with UD Hospitality Management and NTT to bring the global appeal of voco to life through considered, local touches – from preserving the site’s heritage to delivering on voco’s ethos of providing steps for a more sustainable future. The debut builds on IHG’s continued momentum opening new brands in Japan, including the launch and growth of Hotel Indigo and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants over the past three years, and the upcoming launch of Regent Hotels & Resorts and Six Senses opening soon.”

Accor Opens 6th Mercure Hotel in Japan

Accor has expanded its portfolio of hotels in Japan with the opening of the Mercure Kyoto Station hotel, the first Mercure branded hotel in the Kansai region and the sixth in the country.

Situated just minutes from JR Kyoto Station, the hotel boasts 225 guestrooms ranging in size from 23 to 34 square meters.

Rooms feature design elements that include motifs from the Heian period - a nod to the ancient history for which Kyoto is renowned.

Mercure Kyoto Station is 500 metres from JR Kyoto Station and 47km from Osaka International Airport. Notable buildings such as Kyoto Tower and Shimabara Omolon are located within walking distance from the hotel while the World Heritage sites of Nishi Honganji and Toji are located within close proximity.

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Royal Park Hotel Iconic Osaka Midosuji Opens in Japan

On March 16th, 2020, Royal Park Hotels and Resorts Company, Ltd.  opened The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Osaka Midosuji, its second hotel in Osaka. Over the next 5 years, RPHS plans to open six more hotels in Kyoto, Kobe, Nagoya, and Tokyo.

The new hotel forms part of the ICONIC brand, the flagship line of RPHS’ “THE” series for premium limited service hotels. It is located in the brand-new OBIC Midosuji building in the city’s business district alongside the busy Midosuji street, one of Osaka’s main streets.

It is a city full of life and in 2019 Rough Guides named it one of the eight best places to visit. It is also known as the gourmet city of Japan, often sparking new trends.

It is one of Japan’s most vibrant cities with a unique mix of business and tourism and in 2025 will host the World Expo for the second time. It is the fastest-growing inbound tourism destination in Japan with more than 11 million foreign visitors in 2017, a five-fold increase from 2012