Marriott Bonvoy adds seven hotels in Japan

We wouldn’t normally cover the addition of seven hotels in Japan, but it is an interesting follow-up to the piece we ran yesterday about IHG’s acquisition of 100 hotels in Germany.

In that article I said that I expected more independent hotel operators to throw in the towel and sacrifice their own brands in favour of a franchise deal with a global operator. With Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors now having over 200 million members each, and the major online travel agents lifting their commissions to over 20%, the chunky franchise fees begin to look more palatable.

Lo and behold, Marriott announced yesterday that it is rebranding seven hotels in Japan owned by HMI Hotel Group.

These are:

• Grand Hotel Hamamastu to Hamamastu Marriott in Naka-ku, Hamamatsu
• Hotel Heian no Mori Kyoto to Kyoto Marriott in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
• Hotel Crown Palais Kobe to Kobe Marriott in Chuo-ku, Kobe
• Rizzan Seapark Hotel Tancha Bay to Okinawa Marriott Rizzan Resort & Spa in Onna Village, Kunigami-gun
• Hotel Pearl City Kobe to Courtyard by Marriott Kobe in Chuo-ku, Kobe
• Hotel Crown Palais Kokura to Courtyard by Marriott Kokura in Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu-shi
• Hotel Crown Palais Kitakyushu to Courtyard by Marriott Kitakyushu in Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu

Unlike the IHG / Novum deal, HMI is only handing over hotels in key business and tourist centres. It will retain 40+ properties aimed primarily at the Japanese domestic market.

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How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (April 2025)

There are various ways of earning Marriott Bonvoy points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

The official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card comes with 20,000 points for signing up, 2 points for every £1 you spend and 15 elite night credits per year.

You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express

20,000 points for signing up and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points by converting American Express Membership Rewards points at the rate of 2:3.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Marriott Bonvoy Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:

• American Express Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

and for small business owners:

• American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Business Platinum (50,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Marriott Bonvoy points is 2:3.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Marriott Bonvoy points.