Japan: SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia, a hotel management company owned by SONO International, has signed a midscale boutique hotel in Nagoya, its first in Japan.
Now operated by SONO, the former Compass Hotel Nagoya is owned by investment firm ESCON JAPAN REIT Investment Corporation with Polaris Holdings as the master lessee.
SONO Moon Nagoya will join 16 hotels in Thailand and Indonesia managed by SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia. The group has more than 12 properties in its pipeline across Asia by 2029.
“Japan is a strategic growth market for SONO, and this signing represents an important first step in building a long-term presence here,” Jihong An said, senior vice president for Sono Hotels & Resorts Asia. “SONO Moon Nagoya reflects our approach to combining strong locations, flexible operating models, and brands that resonate with today’s travellers. With major demand drivers ahead, including the Asian Games in September, we see strong potential for Nagoya as a gateway city.”
Wataru Orii, president and representative director of ES-CON ASSET MANAGEMENT, the asset manager of ESCON REIT, added: “We are thrilled to have added this hotel, located in an excellent position close to Nagoya Station, to our portfolio. As we aim to further grow the hotel’s performance, we are delighted to have established a collaborative framework with SONO Group, which brings global expertise, and Polaris, which has a proven track record in Japan. Through the collaboration of our three companies, we strongly hope that SONO Group, which is opening its first hotel in Japan, will leverage its strong network to attract robust tourist demand from South Korea and drive significant growth for the hotel.”
SONO International’s portfolio comprises more than 14,500 operating rooms across seven countries worldwide. The group operates across South Korea, the United States, France, and Asia markets including Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Highlights:
- SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia signed its first hotel in Japan, the 130-room midscale boutique SONO Moon Nagoya located near Nagoya Station.
- The property, formerly the Compass Hotel Nagoya, is owned by ESCON JAPAN REIT with Polaris Holdings as master lessee.
- SONO Moon Nagoya adds to 16 hotels in Thailand and Indonesia managed by SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia.
