Coast Hotels Purchased by APA Hotels of Japan
Coast Hotels of Vancouver has been acquired by the APA Hotel Group of Japan, the largest hotel network in the country.
The deal was done with Okabe Ltd., the holding company of Coast, and has been valued at $210 million.
Purchase of Coast by APA is regarded as the first steps of expansion into the North American market by the Japanese hotelier. APA has 373 properties in Japan, for a total of 67,000 rooms. The acquisition of Coast adds its 38 branded properties in western North America to the mix.
In 2015, APA announced its first acquisition in North America, with the purchase of a property in New Jersey. Together with the Coast properties, APA now has over 5,000 rooms on this continent. The company aims to reach 100,000 rooms in both Japan and North America by 2020.
“Coast Hotels is a recognized and respected brand. APA Group intends to position Coast as a sub-brand of APA Hotels & Resorts,” said Toshio Motoya, founder of APA, during a press conference in Vancouver.
APA expects to make Vancouver its base of operations and head office for North American development, said Motoya, noting that Vancouver is strategically located to leverage the Asia Pacific region.
New, larger TVs will be the immediate benefit to all guest rooms in the Coast group, said the APA founder. Modifications to rooms will also start at two flagship Coast properties, in Vancouver and Victoria. APA has developed an efficient Urban Style hotel concept for its hotels in Japan and that will be deployed when APA builds or renovates new properties on this continent.
Pictured, Toshio Motoya (l), founder of the APA Group, and Victor Komoda, president of Coast Hotels.