Branded residences — apartments operated under a global hotel name — have moved from a Niseko niche to a nationwide trend, and foreign buyers are the core market.
The appeal
- Hands-off ownership: the operator handles letting, maintenance, and guests.
- Rental pooling: income is often shared across units to smooth vacancy.
- Brand trust: easier to buy sight-unseen from overseas.
The trade-offs are higher fees and less control over usage. Scrutinise the management agreement closely — the operator’s track record, not the logo, determines your real return.
