IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Hotel Indigo Karuizawa, the region’s first globally-branded lifestyle boutique hotel, and the second property in Japan under the Hotel Indigo brand.

Inspired by the town’s sophisticated sensibility and abundance of nature, Hotel Indigo Karuizawa is an example of how the brand captures the true spirit of a neighbourhood through its design, amenities, F&B and service.

The 155-room hotel sits across in three design-buildings, and features the wood-fired Italian restaurant Kagaribi, an all-day dining restaurant that serves dishes that incorporate local ingredients, and The Spa by Harnn, which offers three treatment rooms and fitness facilities.

“Japan is famous for its rich history, culture, architecture and food, so we think there is great opportunity across Japan for a brand that embraces these elements,” says Abhijay Sandilya, CEO, IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan. “It will offer Japanese travellers a premium, boutique experience when exploring their own communities, as well as giving international travellers a truly local experience with the comfort and amenity of a global brand.”

“In the development of this hotel, the common area buildings, such as the lobby and restaurants, were constructed using Nagano-grown karamatsu pine, and efforts were made to reduce CO2 emissions and promote a business that contributes to the local economy,” explains Yoichiro Nakai, Executive Vice President, Tokyo Century Corporation. “In the management of this hotel, we would like to contribute to the further development of the Karuizawa area by creating jobs and using fresh local ingredients in the restaurant. We hope to continue our corporate efforts to satisfy the local residents of Karuizawa, hotel employees, and hotel guests.”