Japan’s Hotel Yokohama To Become A Novotel

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN— The Hotel Yokohama is to be flagged a Novotel according to a management agreement signed between the owner and Accor Asia Pacific. The rebranding is reportedly scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2003. The S&E Institute of Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. and Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels jointly acted as advisers to the owner in the process of operator selection and contract negotiation. Located adjacent to Yamashita Park, the 166-room property has been self-managed since its establishment in 1979. A proposed refurbishment prompted the owner to consider rebranding the hotel to an international flag, according to Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels. The Hotel Yokohama contract follows the branding of the Novotel Koshien, Osaka West in September 2002. Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels also acted as adviser to owner K.K. Koshien Real Estate on this franchise agreement.