【Spring Travel in Kansai & Base for World Heritage Sightseeing】 Comfort Hotel Himeji and Comfort Hotel Wakayama to Reopen After Renovations at the End of March; Featuring Interior Designs Inspired by Local Characteristics

Choice Hotels Japan (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Takahiko Ito; hereinafter "Choice Hotels Japan"), which operates "Comfort Hotel," "Comfort Hotel ERA," "Comfort Inn," "Comfort Suites," and "Ascend Hotel Collection(TM)" nationwide, will reopen "Comfort Hotel Wakayama" on Monday, March 30, and "Comfort Hotel Himeji" on Tuesday, March 31, with the aim of further increasing value for guests.

In this renovation, in addition to improving guest room comfort, the functionality of the "Comfort Library Cafe"—a complimentary open space for guests that can be used for various activities such as reading and desk work—has been enhanced, and designs featuring local cultural motifs have been introduced.

In preparation for the spring tourism season, we will provide a more comfortable and attractive stay experience as a base for touring the Kansai region and visiting historical and World Heritage sites.

[Image: Comfort Hotel Wakayama (top) / Comfort Hotel Himeji (bottom) *Images]

Two Well-Located Hotels Serving as "Travel Bases" for Kansai Tours and the Spring Tourism Season

In recent years, there has been an increasing need for wide-area travel in the Kansai region, including not only Kyoto and Osaka but also Wakayama Prefecture and Himeji City. Spring, in particular, is a popular season for travelers from both Japan and abroad to enjoy cherry blossoms and historical assets simultaneously.

Both "Comfort Hotel Wakayama" and "Comfort Hotel Himeji" offer excellent access to major cities in Kansai, providing high convenience as sightseeing bases.

"Comfort Hotel Wakayama" is located about 10 minutes by car from Wakayama Castle, known as a famous spot for cherry blossoms, and is also conveniently located for travel to urban areas, being just over an hour from Osaka city. It is a base where you can enjoy both sightseeing unique to Wakayama City, where nature, history, and culture fuse, and an urban stay.

Meanwhile, "Comfort Hotel Himeji" is a base for historical sightseeing centered on Himeji Castle. It is also conveniently located for touring the Kansai region, being just over an hour by train to Kobe and Osaka. Guests can enjoy a stay combined with urban sightseeing in Kobe and Osaka while feeling the atmosphere of the castle town and garden culture.

These two hotels serve as more than just accommodation; they support touring in the Kansai area by enhancing the convenience of travel and serving as bases where sightseeing can be enjoyed more comfortably.

[Image: Wakayama City's symbol, "Wakayama Castle"] [Image: World Cultural Heritage, "Himeji Castle"]

Comfort Hotel Wakayama (Renovation on March 30)

Under the theme of "MINORI" (Harvest), inspired by Wakayama's fruit culture, guest rooms have been redesigned to feel peaceful and colorful, while common areas have been refreshed into spaces that feel calm and comfortable, based on warm colors.

Guest rooms feature art panels made of cypress wood, known as Kishu timber, creating a space where guests can feel the local climate. The rooms are unified with warm coloring to create a calm atmosphere. Furthermore, functional aspects have been improved, such as the addition of USB ports by the beds, creating an environment where guests can spend time comfortably for both sightseeing and business. These guest rooms, which combine visual enjoyment and practicality, increase satisfaction as a travel base.

In the "Comfort Library Cafe," a complimentary open space for guests, new high-counter concentration booths have been installed to accommodate the diversifying work styles of business travelers. The bookshelves have been updated and lighting effects enhanced, creating a comfortable environment suitable for various stay scenes such as reading and desk work.

We provide a more attractive environment as a base for exploring Wakayama City and the Kansai region, and as a hotel that meets the needs of stays during the spring tourism season.

[Image: Comfort Hotel Wakayama Guest Room *Image]

Comfort Hotel Himeji (Renovation on March 31)

Designs featuring the World Cultural Heritage "Himeji Castle" have been incorporated into the guest room art panels and elevator hall, refreshing the space so guests can feel the charm of Himeji City. Additionally, USB ports have been newly installed in guest rooms to improve functionality.

In the "Comfort Library Cafe," the layout has been reviewed and box seats have been added to improve the space, making it easier to use and more comfortable. The walls also feature designs inspired by Himeji Castle, allowing guests to spend a comfortable and pleasant time while feeling the charm of Himeji City even within the hotel.

As a base for the spring tourism season, the hotel has been reborn as a place where you can not only enjoy the cherry blossoms of Himeji Castle and stroll through the castle town, but also feel the charm of Himeji City during your stay.

[Image: Comfort Hotel Himeji Guest Room *Image]

Future Outlook

Choice Hotels Japan is continuously working to improve facility quality and enhance brand experience at Comfort Hotels nationwide.

In addition to "Comfort Hotel Wakayama" and "Comfort Hotel Himeji," the following five hotels will also be renovated sequentially:

- "Comfort Hotel Sendai East Exit" March 31 (Tue) - "Comfort Hotel Koriyama" March 31 (Tue) - "Comfort Hotel Gifu" March 31 (Tue) - "Comfort Hotel Yokohama Kannai" March 31 (Tue) - "Comfort Hotel Sendai West Exit" April 17 (Fri)

In this renovation, we have refreshed the design and functionality of guest rooms and common spaces to provide a space where guests can spend time comfortably even when traveling. In addition, by creating a stay experience where guests can feel the local culture, we will deliver a more fulfilling time to our customers.

We will continue to promote the improvement of the value of Comfort Hotels as a hotel chosen by many travelers.