A Two-Year Consecutive “President” Member’s Complete Guide to What It Actually Feels Like

APA Hotel is not just a convenient or affordable business hotel chain.
After staying enough times to achieve the President rank for two consecutive years, you start to notice:

Why a compact room doesn’t feel compact
Why every property looks slightly different yet unmistakably “APA”
What has quietly improved over the years
Where APA shines—and where it still has quirks

This article follows the actual timeline of an APA stay,
highlighting both benefits and drawbacks, grounded in real experience.

## 0. Before Booking: Why Choose APA?

✔ Benefits

The app is clean, simple, and convenient
Membership rank is based solely on number of stays
Rates are stable and predictable
Reservations and receipts sync seamlessly in the app

⚠ Drawbacks

Some properties have strict cancellation policies
OTA sites (Rakuten, Jalan, etc.) can be cheaper on certain days
Event weeks can cause unpredictable price jumps

## 1. Before Arrival: Using the App (Preparing for “1-Second Check-in”)

APA’s 1-Second Check-in is often misunderstood.
It does not mean check-in is completed inside the app.

✔ The correct flow

Enter guest information in the app beforehand
Upon arrival, go to the self check-in kiosk in the lobby
Scan the QR code from the app
The kiosk automatically prints your key card and receipt
No need to line up at the front desk

✔ Benefits

No queue at the front desk
The fastest check-in among major hotel chains
Receipt is ready instantly

⚠ Drawbacks

First-time users may hesitate at the kiosk
During peak times, kiosks can form short lines

## 2. Arrival at the Building & Entrance

✔ Benefits

APA’s signature black-and-gold exterior feels theatrical
Lighting creates a subtle sense of “arrival”
Each property has its own personality

⚠ Drawbacks

Some entrances are hard to locate
Strong lighting may feel flashy to certain guests

## 3. Check-In Area to Elevator

✔ Benefits

1-Second Check-in eliminates queues
Elevator halls are intuitively structured
Key card authentication is fast

⚠ Drawbacks

5–7 PM can create elevator congestion
QR scanner placement differs by property and may be confusing

## 4. Entering the Room: Why It Doesn’t Feel Small

APA rooms are objectively compact—yet rarely feel cramped.
This is due to APA’s distinctive approach to visual psychology and room design.

✔ Benefits

Four walls with different wallpaper patterns reduce the “boxy” feeling
Geometric headboard pattern + indirect lighting provides visual depth
Curtains and sheer curtains use horizontal patterns → perceived width
Large wall mirror visually doubles the space
Furniture is slightly more compact to keep walkways open

⚠ Drawbacks

The entrance area can feel tight with large luggage
Bold wallpaper patterns may divide opinion

## 5. Inside the Room: The Quiet Evolution of APA

APA continuously improves small details—changes you notice only if you stay often.

✔ Recent upgrades

Bathroom step is lower than before
Additional safety handrails
Razors upgraded to Schick (3-blade standard / 4-blade in resort types)
Both paper cup + glass cup provided
Two separate bins (burnable / bottles & cans)
Hanger clips removed
Two types of pillows (high / low)
Origami crane in some rooms
Unified black-orange cup design

⚠ Drawbacks

Desk is not ideal for spreading large documents
Lightweight chairs can become uncomfortable during long tasks

## 6. Lying on the Bed: The “APA Comfort Formula”

✔ Benefits

Firm mattress makes it easy to fall asleep
Geometric pattern + warm lighting creates calmness
TV is intentionally not centered → visual flow spreads, reducing compression

⚠ Drawbacks

Pillow firmness varies widely by preference
Air conditioning may blow directly toward the bed in some rooms

## 7. Bathroom: Practical and Safety-Focused

✔ Benefits

Low bathroom threshold
Extra handrails for safety
Toiletries placed in reachable positions
Short bathtub but stable body posture

⚠ Drawbacks

Shallow tub may disappoint those who want a long soak
Shower curtains may brush against the body

## 8. Going Out & Returning: Smooth Movement

✔ Benefits

Simple corridor layout
Easy to navigate even when tired
Quick key card authentication

⚠ Drawbacks

Corridors can be narrow in certain properties, making passing difficult

## 9. Check-Out: No App, Just Insert the Card

APA’s check-out method is very straightforward.

✔ Correct method

No app operation needed
Simply drop your key card into
- the return box,
- the check-out post, or
- the dedicated kiosk

✔ Benefits

Zero waiting
Avoid morning congestion
Receipts stored securely inside the app

⚠ Drawbacks

Card-return boxes may be easy to miss in some properties

## 10. After Check-Out: App Games (Points = Real Money)

✔ The standard roulette

Available after every stay
Occasionally awards points

✔ PK (Penalty Kick) & Shogi Events — High Value

Held irregularly
High probability of winning points
Larger point awards compared with roulette
Frequent guests benefit the most

✔ Understanding APA points correctly

Points have zero influence on membership rank
- Rank = stays only
Points can be used for
- cashback, or
- discounting up to 1,000 points per night

→ Essentially, points function as ¥1,000 coupons for future stays.

## 11. Final Thoughts (President Member Perspective)

APA’s true strengths lie not in luxury or grand amenities, but in:

Thought-out visual design
Efficient movement paths
Lighting and pattern psychology
Continuous small improvements
A simple, predictable membership system

It’s a hotel that rewards repeat guests.
The more you stay, the more you understand its logic, its quirks, and its charm.

## What Is Your Favorite Part of APA Hotel?

Next time you stay,
try noticing the subtle design choices—the wallpapers, lighting, bathroom upgrades,
and the little improvements that make APA uniquely APA.