Hyatt announces plans for Hyatt House Niseko, Japan

CHICAGO (November 26, 2018) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Hokkaido Alpine Resort Management GK, an affiliate of LimeTree Capital, for a 91-room Hyatt House hotel in Niseko, Japan. The upscale, extended stay hotel will be rebranded as Hyatt House Niseko on December 16, 2018. Situated in the very heart of Hirafu Village and within a short distance to Hirafu’s main ski lifts, Hyatt House Niseko will allow guests to easily access the area’s world-class powder snow and village attractions.

The Hyatt House brand is rooted in extensive consumer insights indicating that guests seek stylish, comfortable, seamless experiences that accommodate their lifestyles and familiar routines. To embody this, the brand offers casual hospitality and purposeful service in a smartly designed, high-tech and contemporary environment.

“We are excited to introduce the Hyatt House brand to Niseko, which will become another quality addition to our growing Hyatt House hotel portfolio in Japan. It has been a remarkable journey for the Hyatt House brand, which announced its entry into the country last year with plans for Hyatt House Kanazawa. Niseko boasts exceptional skiing conditions with an average snowfall of 15 meters over a long 100 days per season,” said Asia Pacific Group President David Udell, Hyatt Hotels Corporation. “The Hyatt House brand will nicely align with the hotel accommodation travelers are looking for when they visit Niseko. Hyatt House Niseko will offer guests upscale, apartment-style accommodation in a comfortable setting tailored to their lifestyles and has all the conveniences of a home.”

Ewan Munro, Senior Partner at LimeTree Capital commented: “Niseko has witnessed healthy development over the past ten years and is firmly established as Asia’s leading branded ski resort destination. We are strong believers that the growth in Niseko will continue, becoming a year-round destination driven by strong Asian demand. Improved access, investment in infrastructure, international standards and additional branded developments will further strengthen the destination. Shiki Niseko building was our first acquisition in Niseko and we have invested significant funds and efforts towards the transformation of the building into a modern and vibrant mountain lifestyle destination with a unique mix of hospitality, exciting F&B and entertainment which includes some of Niseko’s favorite venues.”

New Chitose Airport, Japan’s fifth busiest airport, serves Niseko and accommodates international flights from 14 major Asian cities, including Seoul, Hong Kong, Taipei, Bangkok, Singapore, Shanghai, and Beijing. In 2015, international visitor arrivals increased from 800,000 in 2009 to more than 2.1 million, a compound annual growth rate of 17.7 percent over a seven-year period.

The new Hyatt House Niseko will be comprised of 91 rooms, lobby lounge and bar, restaurant, and a fitness center. Situated at the center of Hirafu Village, guests will have easy access to a number of traditional Japanese dining outlets, boutique shops and Hirafu’s main ski lifts.

About Hyatt House

Hyatt House, a brand of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, launched in 2012 and offers more than 85 locations throughout the United States, China, Germany, Mexico, Turkey, and Puerto Rico. Inspired by extensive research into guest experiences, Hyatt House hotels offer services, amenities, upscale spaces and a casual, comfortable environment that reminds guests of home. For more information, please visit hyatthouse.com. Join the conversation on Facebook and tag photos with #HyattHouse.

About LimeTree Capital

LimeTree Capital is a leading private equity investment manager with a focus on under-researched real estate asset classes that are driven by the growing affluence of the middle-class in Asia.  It currently has approximately US$1 billion of assets under management across several investment strategies in Asia’s leading branded resort destinations, car parking assets in China and broader asset re-positioning and enhancement opportunities across Asia.  It has offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Bangkok.