Royal Holdings in tie-up to open 21 luxury hotels in Japan by 2035

Asahi Shimbun

2 days ago

An architectural rendering of a high-end hotel and resort facility under Minor Hotels' Anantara brand, slated to open in 2030 in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. The facility overlooking Mount Asamayama will boast a 100-meter-long roof. (Provided by Royal Holdings Co.)
Restaurant operator Royal Holdings Co. is teaming up with Minor Hotels, the largest hotel group in Southeast Asia, to develop luxury hotel accommodation in the Japanese market.
The company plans to open 21 hotels across Japan by 2035, targeting wealthy foreign tourists from the more than 36 million people who visit each year.
Based in Thailand, Minor Hotels operates more than 560 luxury hotels and resort facilities in 57 countries.
It is also a member of the Global Hotel Alliance, the world's largest alliance of independent hotel brands, serving 30 million members.
It will be Minor Hotels' first foray into Japan.
Royal Holdings and Minor Hotels established a joint venture earlier this year.
On July 10, they unveiled plans to open Anantara Karuizawa Retreat, a hotel and resort facility, in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, in 2030, partnering with general real estate firm List Group.
Anantara is Minor Hotels' flagship brand.
Situated on a 42,000-square-meter plot overlooking Mount Asamayama, the facility will have 51 guest rooms, of which 23 are suites, It will also boast a spa, swimming pool and restaurants.
The companies are preparing to apply for confirmation for construction.
Accommodation fees and other details have yet to be determined.
William Heinecke, founder and chairman of Minor International, which operates Minor Hotels under its umbrella, told a news conference in Tokyo that Japan is the first choice of overseas destination for Thai people.
He expressed gratitude that the globally recognized hotel brand of Anantara had been accepted in the Japanese market.
Royal Holdings started in-flight catering services and operating a cafe at Fukuoka Airport in 1951.
The company has operated the Royal Host family restaurant chain as well as the Shakey's pizza chain since the 1970s.
In addition, it operates restaurants at airports, expressway facilities and hospitals, and runs Tenya, a restaurant chain specializing in tempura rice bowls.
As for its hotel business, the company opened its first Roynet Hotel (present-day Richmond Hotel) in 1995. It currently manages 43 Richmond Hotels, which target business travelers.
'We want to operate hotels aimed at wealthy visitors from abroad in tourism destinations and cities around the country as a way to expand the scope of our business,' said Royal Holdings President Masataka Abe.