APA Hotel has evolved dramatically over the past decade—yet most of its improvements are subtle, quiet, and often go unnoticed unless you stay frequently.
As someone who has stayed enough to achieve APA’s President rank for two consecutive years, I’ve experienced these small but meaningful changes firsthand.
One day you realize: “APA is a completely different hotel compared to a few years ago.”
This article summarizes APA Hotel’s progress from its founding in 1984 to 2025, presented in an easy-to-read timeline format.
- Chapter 1: 1984–2000s｜The Foundation Era
- Chapter 2: 2010–2019｜Large-Scale Growth & Visual Identity
- Chapter 3: 2020–2025｜Non-Contact & Technological Evolution
- Chapter 4: 2021–2024｜The Subtle Room Design Upgrades (Experience-Based)
- Chapter 5: 2022–2024｜Bathroom Improvements
- Chapter 6: 2020–2025｜App & Points Evolution
- Chapter 7: Summary｜APA’s “Quiet Evolution” in One View
- Chapter 8: Suggestions & Hopes for the Future (President Member Perspective)
- Conclusion｜APA Evolves Every Time You Stay
Chapter 1: 1984–2000s｜The Foundation Era
1984
- The first APA Hotel opens in Ishikawa Prefecture.
1990s
- Expansion from Hokuriku to major cities nationwide
- The core concept is established:
“High quality, high functionality, eco-consciousness.”
2000s
- APA Card introduced
- Membership program becomes widely adopted
- Early forms of APA Hotel & Resort (large-scale hotels with public baths)
This era built the framework of what APA would later become.
Chapter 2: 2010–2019｜Large-Scale Growth & Visual Identity
2010–2015
- Rapid increase in large APA Hotels in major cities
- Urban hotels with large baths become common
2016
- Strengthening of “APA Direct” (App + Website)
- Focus shifts toward self-operated reservation channels
2017–2019
- Black × Gold design concept becomes standardized
- Unified design for bed runners, wallpaper, and lighting
- Consistent atmosphere across properties while keeping unique touches
This period shaped APA’s iconic “look and feel.”
Chapter 3: 2020–2025｜Non-Contact & Technological Evolution
2020 (Pandemic)
- Major push toward non-contact check-in
- Amenities and workflow refined for efficiency
2021
- Introduction of 1-Second Check-In
(App pre-check-in + lobby kiosk system)
2022–2023
- Water servers replace bottled “APA President Water”
- Paper cup + glass cup become standard
- Trash bins split into “Burnable” / “Bottles & Cans”
- Two pillows provided (high / low)
2023
- Razors upgraded to Schick (3-blade standard / 4-blade in resort types)
- Removal of skirt/pants hanger clips in many properties
This era focused on comfort, hygiene, and unified amenities.
Chapter 4: 2021–2024｜The Subtle Room Design Upgrades (Experience-Based)
Frequent guests begin to notice a series of small but smart refinements.
2021–
- Four walls with different wallpaper patterns
- Horizontal-pattern curtains and sheers for wider visual feel
- Geometric headboard + indirect lighting
- Large mirrors arranged to visually expand the room
2022–2023
- Furniture dimensions optimized by a few centimeters
- TV placement adjusted for more spacious perception
- Hallway lighting and color temperature refined per property
This is where APA mastered the art of
“small room, big comfort.”
Chapter 5: 2022–2024｜Bathroom Improvements
APA’s bathrooms have quietly undergone major improvements.
2022
- Lower step into the bathroom
- Additional safety handrails
- Amenity placement redesigned for easy reach
2023–2024：The Quietly Introduced “Water Volume Memory” Feature
A unique upgrade you rarely see in business hotels.
✔ What is the Water Volume Memory?
A faucet with a built-in volume meter that
automatically stops the water once the set liter amount is reached.
✔ Benefits
- Prevents overflow
- Saves hot water
- Makes bath preparation easy and consistent
- Eco-friendly without sacrificing comfort
This is a perfect example of APA’s “small improvements done seriously.”
Chapter 6: 2020–2025｜App & Points Evolution
Roulette (Always Available)
- Play after check-out; sometimes win points
PK Soccer & Shogi Games (Irregular Events)
- Higher probability of earning points
- Often more rewarding than roulette
- Frequent guests benefit the most
How APA Points Actually Work
- Points do NOT affect membership rank
(Rank = number of stays only) - Points can be used for
- Cashback
- Discounting up to 1,000 points per night
In other words:
APA points = actual ¥1,000 coupons.
Chapter 7: Summary｜APA’s “Quiet Evolution” in One View
APA Hotel improves not through flashy renovations but through
small, thoughtful updates made year after year.
- Wallpaper
- Lighting
- Furniture
- Pillows & amenities
- Bathroom layout
- Check-in tech
- App-based games
- Water server
- Water volume memory faucet
Individually小さい。
でも積み重なると “快適さの正体” になる。
APA is a hotel chain that evolves quietly yet continuously.
Chapter 8: Suggestions & Hopes for the Future (President Member Perspective)
As a heavy user, here are improvements I personally hope to see someday.
- Faster 1-Second Check-In (NFC-based)
- Adjustable room themes (lighting & wallpaper preferences)
- Full zero-step bathrooms
- Water volume memory in every property
- Ability to donate APA points
- Pillow/lighting/room preference synced to the app
- Publish APA’s interior design philosophy
- Smart lock entry across all properties
APA shines brightest when it pursues APA-like innovations,
not when it imitates other hotels.
Conclusion｜APA Evolves Every Time You Stay
The more you stay, the more you notice APA’s quiet improvements.
Behind every stay, there’s a small upgrade you may not have seen before.
Next time you stay at APA,
try looking for those subtle improvements—
you might discover a new favorite detail.
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