hotel August 24, 2026

IHG Expands Kyoto Presence with 14-Hotel Conversion Deal

IHG Hotels & Resorts is adding 14 properties to its portfolio in Kyoto, Japan. Learn how this expansion impacts your next trip and IHG One Rewards strategy.

IHG Hotels & Resorts is adding 14 properties to its Kyoto, Japan, portfolio over the next 12 months. This conversion deal includes 12 Garner hotels and one Holiday Inn Express. The agreement expands IHG’s long-term partnership with GCP and positions the company as a major international hotel operator in the city.

Expanding IHG’s Midscale Footprint in Kyoto

This deal involves 14 properties joining the IHG system. The portfolio consists of 12 Garner hotels and one Holiday Inn Express. According to IHG, these additions are part of a strategy to increase the company’s presence in one of Japan’s most visited cities. All properties are expected to join the IHG system within one year.

“This expansion strengthens our position in the Kyoto market,” an IHG spokesperson stated. The move focuses on the midscale segment, a tier of the market that offers more amenities than budget hotels but remains more affordable than luxury collections.

Garner vs. Japan’s Budget Hotel Staples

The addition of 12 Garner hotels introduces a specific type of accommodation to the Kyoto market. To understand where Garner fits, it is helpful to compare it to existing Japanese budget players like APA Hotels and Toyoko Inn.

APA Hotels are a staple of Japanese urban travel. They focus on ultra-compact, highly efficient rooms designed for solo travelers or short stays. While they are affordable and ubiquitous, the room sizes are often much smaller than international midscale standards. Toyoko Inn follows a similar business-travel model, offering standardized rooms and often including a basic breakfast to appeal to frequent commuters and budget-conscious travelers.

Garner differs from these models by targeting the midscale market with more personality. It provides more space and a more lifestyle-oriented design than an APA, but it stays below the price point of full-service brands. This allows Garner to compete with international midscale options like Hilton’s Tru or Marriott’s Aloft. For travelers who want more than a tiny sleeping pod but do not need a concierge and fine dining, Garner provides a middle ground.

Kyoto Neighborhood Impact: Where to Stay

The location of these new properties will influence how travelers experience the city. Kyoto is divided into several distinct districts, each serving different needs.

Many travelers arrive via Kansai International Airport (KIX) and use the rail network to reach the city center. Hotels located in Shimogyo-ku, near Kyoto Station, are ideal for these visitors. Properties in this area offer easy access to trains, buses, and the Shinkansen. This is a practical choice for travelers on tight schedules or those planning day trips to nearby Osaka or Nara.

Other travelers prefer to stay in Higashiyama to be near major temples and shrines. This area is a high-demand district, and hotel availability often becomes a problem during the cherry blossom (Sakura) season and the autumn foliage season. While Higashiyama is known for luxury stays, the new midscale properties may provide more accessible options if they are located in adjacent neighborhoods like Nakagyo-ku. Nakagyo-ku serves as a central hub, offering a balance between historical sites and modern shopping districts.

Optimizing IHG One Rewards for Kyoto Stays

These new properties offer new ways to use IHG One Rewards points. While Hyatt has a deep footprint in Japan and high point value, IHG is increasing its availability through this volume of new rooms.

When planning a redemption, note that IHG One Rewards points typically have a value between 0.5 and 0.6 cents per point. While this is lower than the value found in some Hyatt redemptions, the quantity of rooms in Kyoto makes IHG a practical option for many travelers.

A key advantage of the IHG program is how it handles Free Night Certificates. Unlike Marriott, which limits point top-offs to 25,000 points to cover a price difference, IHG allows unlimited point top-offs on its certificates. If you have a certificate from a Chase co-branded credit card or a milestone reward, you can add as many points as necessary to stay at a higher-priced property.

Another benefit is the 4th night free reward on award stays. This is a better value than Hilton’s standard 5th night free benefit. If you plan a multi-day trip through Japan, booking a four-night stay using points reduces your average nightly cost. For travelers looking to build a balance, Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer to IHG One Rewards at a 1:1 ratio.

Strategic Value for IHG One Rewards Members

Travelers should plan their Kyoto visits around the peak seasons to avoid limited availability. If you have existing reservations at properties undergoing conversion, contact the hotel management to discuss your booking status or potential alternatives.

For those focused on loyalty, these 14 hotels provide more opportunities to earn milestone rewards. These rewards are available at specific spending thresholds and can help travelers reach elite tiers, from Club to Diamond Elite. The first of these properties will join the IHG system within the next 12 months.

Learn more in our Guide to IHG One Rewards.