APA Hotel and Toyoko Inn: Japan's Popular Hotel Chains in Comparison

APA Hotel and Toyoko Inn: Two Popular Hotel Chains

There are many kinds of inexpensive accommodation in Japan, including dormitory-style guesthouses where several people share the same room, capsule hotels, and business hotels.

A business hotel is an accommodation facility with reasonable prices and simple services specifically designed for overnight stays. It doesn't have banquets and entertainment facilities; instead, guests can inexpensively stay in a private room. In Japan, business hotels have become known as business hotels because travelers often use them on business trips.

Additionally, many business hotels have expanded into hotel chains in Japan. This article compares two famous hotel chains: APA Hotel and Toyoko Inn. We'll introduce both the positive features and possible shortcomings of each one.

*Note: This article includes the writer's personal impressions.

An Overview of APA Hotel

APA Hotel Asakusa Tawaramachi-Ekimae. Picture courtesy of Booking.com

The APA Group was founded in 1971 and initially involved with residential sales. After 1984, it ventured into hotel development.

Their very first APA Hotel was the APA Hotel Kanazawa Katamachi located in Ishikakwa Prefecture's Kanazawa City. From Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, they expanded into Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. As of 2023, their hotel portfolio comprises over 700 properties, even entering the American and Canadian markets.

APA Hotel's concept is "A New Urban-Style Hotel." The hotel values helping guests save time and respecting their privacy. It is also committed to responding positively to environmental issues.

So what kind of attractive features does APA Hotel offer?

Positive Features of APA Hotel

Cheaper Rates During the Off-Season

APA Hotel Asakusa Tawaramachi-Ekimae. Picture courtesy of Booking.com

The hotel is very particular about providing guests with all necessary services while cutting back on excessive services. This is what allows room rates to be reasonable.

Hotel room rates can differ depending on the day and season. However, a single or double room in Tokyo is usually about 7,000 to 13,000 yen per person. In particular, some APA Hotel locations can offer the lowest price for a private room in their area on weekdays and during the off-season.

Original Mattresses: Cloud Fit by Sealy

APA Hotel Asakusa Tawaramachi-Ekimae. Picture courtesy of Booking.com

Something the hotel tries to do without compromise is offer guests a relaxing, comfortable night's sleep.

With this in mind, they've adopted Cloud Fit, an exceptional mattress developed in collaboration with Sealy, the American luxury bed manufacturer. The mattress has a special PostureTech coil design that responds to your body's shape and pressure while supporting your body for a restful sleep.

This writer has stayed at APA hotels on several occasions. The bed had just the right amount of hardness, which helped relieve fatigue.

Big-Screen LCD TVs

APA Hotel. Picture courtesy of Booking.com

Among business hotels, APA Hotel has been quick to introduce large-screen LCD televisions as an initiative to increase customer satisfaction while keeping costs down.

In addition to being able to check for hotel and local information in English and other languages, guests can even watch the BBC News as well as Japanese programming. Furthermore, you can easily connect to streaming services such as YouTube and Amazon from your smartphone with just two touches. These TVs offer multiple functions in one.

Short Waiting Times for Check-In and Check-Out

APA Hotel Asakusa Tawaramachi-Ekimae. Picture courtesy of Booking.com

Guests can check themselves in at a special check-in kiosk, saving them valuable time. What makes this possible is also an APA Hotel feature.

This is a special service reserved for registered hotel members. Therefore, international visitors might not have a chance to use it very much. However, the fact that other guests can check-in quickly, means that hotel staff can take care of you much sooner.

If you don't have any additional charges on your hotel bill, you can easily check-out by dropping your key off in the check-out mail slot.

Large Hot Spring Baths at Some APA Hotel Locations

APA Hotel Asakusa Tawaramachi-Ekimae. Picture courtesy of Booking.com

Many look forward to the hot spring or large public bath when staying at a hotel. Some APA Hotel locations feature hot springs and large baths. This writer has actually stayed at APA Hotel for this very reason.

Possible Shortcomings of APA Hotel

Many Hotel Locations Do Not Offer Breakfast

Breakfast at Komeda Coffee, next to APA Hotel Asakusa Tawaramachi-Ekimae. Picture courtesy of Booking.com

At APA Hotel, breakfast services differ depending on the location. Some hotel locations offer a breakfast buffet. However, at other locations, guests need to step outside and have breakfast at a nearby cafe or other hotel.

Bathtubs Are on the Smaller Side

APA Hotel Asakusa Kuramae Kita. Picture courtesy of Booking.com

APA Hotel's unit bath is an original bathtub that is eco-friendly and saves about 20% more water than a conventional tub. The size of the tub depends on the hotel location. But generally speaking, it measures about 50 centimeters deep, 65 centimeters wide, and 130 centimeters long.

The tubs—with their egg-shaped, roundish design—save on water while giving guests a relaxing bath. But some people might find them to be a little on the small side.

By the way, bathtub sizes at Toyoko Inn also depend on the hotel location. According to some reviews, they appear to be slightly more spacious than a bath at your typical business hotel.

Hotel Interiors Are Slightly Flashy and Extravagant

APA Hotel Asakusa Tawaramachi-Ekimae. Picture courtesy of Booking.com

Because it's billed as "A New Urban-Style Hotel," reception counters and restaurants at APA Hotel tend to be a little flashy.

Hotel interiors are based on a gold color scheme and have chandeliers. Many interiors have extravagant decorations, which may make some people feel a little uneasy.

An Overview of Toyoko Inn

Toyoko Inn Ueno Tawaramachi-eki. Picture courtesy of Booking.com

Next, we'll introduce the features of Toyoko Inn.

Toyoko Inn opened its first hotel location in Tokyo's Kamata area (Ota Ward) in 1986. The hotel apparently got its name from being located exactly halfway between Tokyo and Yokohama.

In Tokyo, there's a similar-sounding private railway line, the Tokyu Toyoko Line. Like many others, this writer thought there might be a connection between the railway company and the hotel. But this appears to not be the case.

Since its inception, Toyoko Inn has set the standard for business hotels with its concept of "clean, comfortable, and affordable." While pledging to be "a base that wholeheartedly supports the start of each and every guest's journey," they endeavor to provide travelers with a relaxing place at an affordable price.

Base hotel means that the hotel is a relaxing and welcoming space just like one's own home. For this reason, the hotel's main feature is that they provide the same services throughout Japan, regardless of the hotel location.

Toyoko Inn has expanded into Korea and Southeast Asia, and even Europe. As of 2023, the company boasts over 330 hotel locations.

Positive Features of Toyoko Inn

Hotel Rates Are Basically Uniform

Toyoko Inn Haneda Airport 2. Picture courtesy of Booking.com

In recent years, many Japanese hotels have adopted "dynamic pricing," a system allowing hotel rates to vary depending on the season.

But a unique feature of Toyoko Inn is there are few price fluctuations during the busy and low season. Whether it's a weekday or weekend, guests can stay the night for about 10,000 yen. It's reassuring to know that you can stay for about the same price any time you visit.

Conversely, at APA Hotel—like most business hotels in Japan—there can be a big price difference between peak and non-peak seasons.

Complimentary Breakfast: Serving Local Specialties As Well!

Toyoko Inn Ueno Tawaramachi-eki. Picture courtesy of Booking.com

Toyoko Inn offers a complimentary breakfast service at all of its hotel locations.

Many locations have a buffet-style breakfast. Plus, each hotel offers ingredients and dishes specific to the local area. For example, at Toyoko Inn Ishigaki Island (Ishigaki-jima), they serve Goya Salad, an Okinawa specialty. Then guests at Toyoko Inn Sasebo Ekimae can enjoy Sara Udon, a Nagasaki specialty.

Some Hotel Locations Offer a Free Shuttle Bus Service

Toyoko Inn Haneda Airport 2. Picture courtesy of Booking.com

Some Toyoko Inn locations offer a free shuttle bus service from the airport and nearest station to the hotel. This handy service is not usually available at business hotels.

Many Toyoko Inn and APA Hotels are located near major stations. Guests will be happy to know they can easily return to the hotel after a long day of shopping or sightseeing.

Calm and Relaxing Interiors

In contrast to APA Hotel's lavish interior, Toyoko Inn guest rooms and premises are unified by a relaxing interior based on a white color scheme with wood accents.

It might not be very interesting from one perspective. When thinking about the hotel's concept, this simple, unified interior offers guests a relaxing place that resembles their home.

Possible Shortcomings of Toyoko Inn

Standardized Facilities and Services

Toyoko Inn Haneda Airport 2. Picture courtesy of Booking.com

Sometimes an advantage can also be a disadvantage. Toyoko Inn, regardless of location, has essentially the same interior and facilities. Some visitors might find this feature rather uninteresting.

Off-Season & Weekday Rates Can Be Higher Than APA Hotel

Toyoko Inn Haneda Airport 2. Picture courtesy of Booking.com

The rates at Toyoko Inn don't fluctuate. During the off-season and on weekdays, the rooms don't get cheaper like they often do at other hotels. On weekdays and during the slow season, there are even times when APA Hotel is cheaper than Toyoko Inn.

In recent years, hotel prices are rising throughout the country especially in Tokyo. When this writer took a look (February 2024), Toyoko Inn was often cheaper than other hotels even on weekdays.

Which Hotel Would You Choose?

Price and convenience. During a business or sightseeing trip, you'll want to choose the least expensive and most comfortable hotel.

In that regard, APA Hotel and Toyoko Inn both have their own attractive features. At one time, this writer often used APA Hotel when visiting Tokyo on business, and therefore is quite fond of this hotel.

On the other hand, it appears that Toyoko Inn is often cheaper after a little research (February 2024). Being able to enjoy a complimentary healthy breakfast is also an irresistible feature of Toyoko Inn (On hectic business trips this writer sometimes choses Toyoko Inn to eat something healthy in the morning).

At some hotels, prices can also vary greatly depending on the time of year. Taking into account your own preferences, please carefully research the best prices for the dates of your trip. Then chose which hotel you'll stay at for a reasonable price!

Main image courtesy of Booking.com (APA Hotel Asakusa Tawaramachi-Ekimae)