IHG Hotels & Resorts has revealed its first triple-branded hotel development in Japan near Universal Studios Japan (USJ) in Osaka.
The scheme represents the company’s largest new-build project in the country and is a partnership with the Sakurajima Kaihatsu consortium, which comprises Japan Post Real Estate, Kajima, Keihanshin Building and SMFL MIRAI Partners.
The site will bring together three IHG brands, InterContinental, Kimpton and Holiday Inn Resort, at a riverside location in Konohana-ku near USJ.
Scheduled for completion in 2029, the adjoining properties will collectively provide 817 guest rooms and will operate as official hotels for USJ.
These properties will be the only internationally branded hotels directly serving the theme park area, said IHG.
The location offers access to central Osaka and is positioned approximately ten minutes by boat or car from Yumeshima’s Integrated Resort.
Local infrastructure upgrades include the ongoing extension of the JR Sakurajima Line and the construction of new ferry terminals. Kansai International Airport has also increased its capacity following the renovation of Terminal 1.
The InterContinental, Kimpton, and Holiday Inn Resort will offer 244, 246, and 327 rooms, respectively.
Each hotel will include facilities tailored to its brand positioning, such as dining outlets, meeting spaces, pools, fitness centres and family amenities.
The three properties are expected to complement IHG’s existing Osaka portfolio, which includes InterContinental Osaka, RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka, and voco Osaka Central.
IHG Hotels & Resorts Japan and Micronesia managing director Abhijay Sandilya said: “IHG is honoured to extend our relationship with our valued partners – a consortium of four companies behind Sakurajima Kaihatsu– and expand IHG’s footprint as an official hotel partner to Universal Studios Japan, Asia’s leading theme park.
“IHG’s growth continues apace in Japan, where we have 57 open hotels across ten brands and 20 pipeline properties. This trio of exceptional new-build hotels will expand our current portfolio of ten properties in Osaka and 12 in the wider Kansai region.”
Kajima senior executive officer and real estate development division general manager Katsunori Ichihashi said: “We chose IHG and three of its differentiated brands to ensure we provide a wide selection of choices for visitors – from the world-famous luxury of InterContinental to the awe-inspiring experiences of Kimpton, through to the family-friendly resort experience of Holiday Inn.”
