New ANA Holiday Inn Iwate Kitakami Launching in Japan by Q3

Holiday Inn's Japanese Expansion

IHG Hotels & Resorts is partnering with Odate Royal Hotel Inc., part of FET SYSTEM INC., to launch the ANA Holiday Inn Iwate Kitakami, slated for Q3 2025. This follows their successful collaboration on the ANA Crowne Plaza Kumamoto New Sky.

Renovations Coming to Kitakami

Formerly the Hotel City Plaza Kitakami, the ANA Holiday Inn Iwate Kitakami will be renovated to incorporate Holiday Inn's signature Open Lobby concept. The result will be 114 refreshed guest rooms.

Holiday Inn's Growth

This hotel will be one of 12 Holiday Inn properties either open or under development in Japan. Globally, Holiday Inn has 1,249 operational hotels with 266 more in the pipeline.

What to Expect at the New Holiday Inn

The hotel is designed to appeal to both Japanese and international tourists, particularly members of IHG's loyalty program, IHG One Rewards. It will include:

• On-site restaurants
• A café and bar
• Banquet facilities
• Traditional Japanese baths

IHG's View on the Expansion

Abhijay Sandilya, Managing Director for Japan & Micronesia at IHG Hotels & Resorts, is enthusiastic about the strengthened relationship with FET SYSTEM INC. He said the company is committed to growing the Holiday Inn brand across Japan and sees this as a prime example of conversion opportunities for hotel owners looking to use IHG’s global infrastructure.

FET SYSTEM INC.'s Perspective

Hiroshi Nakamura, President & CEO of FET SYSTEM INC., is pleased to work with IHG Hotels & Resorts again to introduce the Holiday Inn brand to Kitakami. He emphasized the hotel's central location and enhanced facilities, making it a great base for exploring the region.

Location, Location, Location

The Holiday Inn Iwate Kitakami offers convenient access to the Tohoku region. It's a seven-minute walk from JR Kitakami Station, providing direct Shinkansen access to Tokyo in about 2.5 hours.

Nearby attractions include Tenshochi Park, famous for its cherry blossoms along the Kitakami River, and various historical and cultural sites.

Tohoku's Hotel Scene

IHG currently operates five hotels across three brands in Tohoku, including ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort and ANA Crowne Plaza Resort Appi Kogen. The ANA Holiday Inn Iwate Kitakami will be their sixth hotel and third Holiday Inn in the region.

Final Thoughts

The ANA Holiday Inn Iwate Kitakami highlights IHG's dedication to expanding its presence in Japan. With its amenities and location, it aims to be a popular choice for families and business travelers. When visiting, remember that the hotel is only a short walk from the train station, making day trips easy.