IHG welcomes famous Osaka hotel to portfolio and shares a taster of its new look

IHG Hotels and Resorts has welcomed RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka to its portfolio in recent weeks and has begun plans for its transformation into a Vignette Collection hotel.

This week, IHG revealed that an extensive JPY13.5 billion refurbishment will commence later this year, before repositioning the hotel as RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka, Vignette Collection in 2025.

Room renderings, released this week, show how the hotel will come to life as Japan’s first Vignette Collection, while retaining all elements of the treasured RIHGA Royal brand.

“It’s an exciting time for everyone at RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka as we become part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts family and booking system for the first time, and I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who has made this happen.” said RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka Chief Operations Officer, Mitsuaki Jyuso.

“With the World Expo and other key tourism events approaching, Osaka continues to grow and evolve as a destination so we’re proud to be refurbishing this iconic hotel and relaunching under the Vignette Collection brand in 2025. For now, we look forward to welcoming new and returning guests from Japan and around the world.”

Throughout its more than 87-year history, RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka has become known as one of Osaka’s most sought-after hotels for royalty, foreign dignitaries, celebrities and VIP guests. It features 1,039 guest rooms, 18 restaurants and bars, 56 ballrooms, banquet halls and meeting spaces, wedding facilities, pools, fitness centres and retail outlets.

“It is arguably the most famous hotel in Osaka, as well as being IHG’s seventh hotel in the city and our largest hotel in Japan,” said IHG Hotels and Resorts Managing Director – Japan and Micronesia, Abhijay Sandilya.

“We are extremely grateful to The Royal Hotel Limited and BGO for putting their faith in IHG and providing this wonderful platform to launch Vignette Collection in Japan in the coming years. We are excited to start providing IHG’s famous True Hospitality to guests from today.”

IHG reports an unprecedented period of growth in Japan that has seen the launch of Voco, Kimpton, Regent and Holiday Express brands into the market.

Part of its Luxury and Lifestyle portfolio, Vignette Collection includes 21 properties worldwide and is on track to deliver more than 100 properties in 10 years.