APA Group, owner of Japan’s largest hospitality organization – APA Hotel – has announced a new partnership with NJ-based Friendwell Group of Companies, one of the U.S. East Coast’s fastest growing real estate companies, to introduce and develop the APA (Always Pleasant Amenity) Hotel Franchise in the U.S.
The new APA Hotel Franchise LLC, based in Delaware, will open its first U.S-based property – the 200-room APA Hotel Woodbridge at Metropark, NJ – on November 13th, 2015, to be followed by additional properties throughout the U.S.
APA Hotel Woodbridge (formerly the Hilton Woodbridge Hotel), which is owned by Friendwell Group of Companies, will remain open for both leisure and business travelers during a multi-phased renovation and redesign of all guest rooms, suites, and all public areas, including the large lobby, 30,000 square feet of conference facilities, a new signature Japanese restaurant, and a full service bar. The public areas are slated to be completed by Summer 2016, followed by all guest rooms by Spring 2017.
APA Hotel Franchise combines APA Hotel’s 30-year success in Japan with 347 properties to date and Friendwell Group’s growth in diversified real estate investments and hotel management. A company originating from Taiwan, Friendwell now owns and manages retail space, office buildings and 3,000-plus hotel room in its fast-growing U.S. portfolio, spread across such three- and four-star brands as Hilton, IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
“APA set the trend in Asia and Japan for the creation of new urban style hotels with core values steeped in high quality, high functionality and environment-friendly amenities,” said Toshio Motoya, Founder of APA Group and APA Hotel. Our amenities that are usually found in five-star hotels offer excellent value at APA Hotel’s three- and four-star properties.”
“While the APA organization will introduce its Japanese culture and high-level service to the U.S. market, Friendwell’s diverse group of U.S. hotels have achieved great success in blending Asian and American cultural touchpoints, which creates a perfect synergy for our new U.S. partnership — APA Hotel Franchise,” stated Tsun-Jen Cheng, Chairman of Friendwell Group of Companies.
Paul Wen-Liang Chang, Taiwan Ambassador to New York and Director General, TECO (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office) was also present to speak at the press conference. “This is truly a ground-breaking joint venture between APA Group and Friendwell which originates from Taiwan and signals a new era of innovative hospitality in the U.S,” said Paul Wen-Liang Chang.
