TOKYO, Japan, 25 August 2026: IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) has announced a portfolio deal 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: 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, over the next 12 months.
This signing represents one of the largest conversion portfolio deals in Japan in recent years and highlights Garner’s strong growth momentum in Japan as a midscale conversion brand within IHG’s portfolio.
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.
Following the successful Garner brand launch in Japan around 18 months ago in Osaka, this deal demonstrates owners’ growing interest in rebranding hotels and gaining quick access to IHG’s leading enterprise resources, including our marketing, technology, and distribution platforms, as well as the scale of IHG One Rewards globally.
Kyoto remains one of Japan’s most sought-after destinations, attracting strong international and domestic demand year-round. 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.
(Source: IHG)
