Ritz-Carlton Signs Two Hotels in Japan

Ritz-Carlton has signed two new hotel agreements in Japan, doubling the brand’s presence in the country from two to four hotels.

The agreements were signed with Kanehide, a prominent conglomerate in Okinawa, for the development of The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa, as well as with Sekisui House, Ltd., one of Japan's leading home builders, for the development of The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto.

The two new hotels are in addition to the company’s existing hotels in Osaka and Tokyo.

Herve Humler, president and COO of The Ritz-Carlton, said, “We are delighted to have signed not just our first resort in Japan with The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa, but also our first hotel in the culturally rich city of Kyoto. We have waited a long time to develop our brand in Japan and it is wonderful to be able to double our presence in this great country from two to four hotels. The Ritz-Carlton hotels in Tokyo and Osaka have proved the Japanese love affair with the brand and we are excited to be committing to Japan’s future as a luxury destination for both business and leisure travelers.”

The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa, which will open in April 2012, will also see the brand appoint its first Japanese General Manager to lead the hotel. Jun Yoshie, who previously worked as the Executive Assistant Manager (EAM) Sales and Marketing at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo will lead an experienced team at the resort property.

The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa will offer 97 guest rooms with views over a golf course down to the East China Sea, the Motobu Peninsula and beyond to Ie Island. The hotel will be situated within the premises of the Kise Country Club and surrounded on three sides by its 18-hole Championship course overlooking the ocean. The Kise Country Club is bordered by undeveloped wooded land adding to the beautiful setting and location of the resort.

The hotel will replace the existing Kise Bettei Hotel & Spa after an extensive renovation of more than 1 billion yen. The existing property will reopen as The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa in April 2012. The new look interiors will be created by ILYA Corporation. The newly renovated hotel will feature three destination dining outlets, as well as a lounge and bar, an ESPA spa and full leisure facilities including a pool and gym.

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto will offer 136 guest rooms with an average size of 50 square meters for standard rooms. The hotel will also feature two dining options, banquet and meeting rooms, as well as a spa.

The hotel will be located on the Kamogawa River, Nijho Ohashi, close to Kyoto’s popular downtown areas including Gion and Kawaramachi-dori, the city’s retail and entertainment district. The hotel’s guestrooms will offer views of the river and the Higashiyama Mountains.

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