Certified Bed Bug-Safe: How Japanese Hotel Group Kabin Converts Trust into Bookings
“Valpas adds an extra layer of confidence. It reduces human error, makes guest safety effortless, and ensures nothing is missed so we can guarantee great stays in our hotels.” — Lans Koide, COO, Kabin Hotel Group
Pioneering a new standard in Japanese hospitality
Hotel group Kabin, headquartered in Tokyo, is a pioneer of bed bug-safe hospitality in Japan. The group has deployed Valpas across all their properties, from Kabin and Wayfarer branded hotels to ORI apartment hotels as well as economy and lifestyle brands, setting a new benchmark for safe, sustainable, worry free stays.
Today, Kabin operates thirteen properties across the Kansai region, with new openings planned in Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo. With a largely international guest mix, the group’s proprietary DX platforms Materia and Kabin power seamless self check in, dynamic pricing, and personalized local experiences. Valpas certification now complements this tech forward approach with permanent, pesticide free protection and visible proof of safety.
(Photo: Hotel ORI KYOTO)
What makes Kabin hotel group stand out
“At Kabin, comfort is intelligent by design. We pair calming minimalism with smart controls so every square meter works harder for rest. Our buildings are engineered for efficiency and circularity, and safety stays front and centre with secure access, privacy standards, and Valpas bed bug-safe certification so guests can simply exhale.” — Winston Chu, Co-founder & CEO
“Smart comfort, sustainable by design, and certified bed bug-safe.”
The context: inbound growth and rising expectations
From Paris to Tokyo, the world’s most visited destinations face the same challenge: as inbound tourism accelerates, bed bug incidents are rising. Traditional countermeasures such as heat or chemical treatments bring heavy costs, lost room nights, and reputational risk, and growing pesticide resistance makes the problem harder. Travelers, meanwhile, have no transparent way to know if a room is safe at check in. Kabin resolved to set a higher standard with built in, non toxic safety.
"Traditional countermeasures such as heat or chemical treatments bring heavy costs, lost room nights, and reputational risk"
“Over the past few years, travellers have become far more alert to bed bugs. We started with proactive room checks and training, but of course that’s not enough. That’s why we added Valpas certification — to guarantee a safe room at check-in and throughout the stay.” — Winston Chu, Co-founder & CEO
(Photo: Winston Chu, Co-founder & CEO of Kabin hotel group)
Why Kabin hotel group chose Valpas ?
- Unlock higher ADR and grow direct bookings. With Valpas certification visible online and on OTAs, hotels attracts safety-conscious travellers and converts them at a premium.
- Boost guest satisfaction. Guests check in with confidence knowing their room is permanently safe and pesticide-free, reinforcing loyalty and positive reviews.
- Avoid revenue losses from infestations. Built-in Valpas technology stops the first bugs before they spread — protecting our hotels from costly treatments, lost room nights, and reputational risk.
- Increase asset valuation and align with sustainability. By eliminating pesticides, hotels not only safeguards its brand and operations but also strengthens ESG credentials, supporting long-term value creation.
(Image: Screenshot of the Kabin hotel group website with mention of Valpas bed bug-safety)
“In a market where trust drives every booking, Valpas strengthens our positioning. The certification is visible proof that we go further on safety which translates into higher confidence, more bookings, better reviews, and fewer emergency costs. It’s a smart, low upkeep investment in our guest promise.” — Winston Chu, Co-founder & CEO
(Image: Screenshot of OTA Trip.com where the bed bug-safe certification is presented to travellers)
Rollout: easy to implement, easy to use for our staff
At the core of the bed bug-safe certification, there is a unique proprietary technology, Valpas patented smart bed legs for bed frames and compact standalone units for futon style rooms. These discreetly intercept the first bugs before they can establish themselves and start an infestation. The digital platform provides around the clock proof of safety, streamlining front office reassurance and back office consistency across properties.
“With Valpas, there’s no need for pre-emptive spraying or unnecessary action. You’re only notified when something is prevented. There’s no waste, just precision.” — Lans Koide, COO
(Photo: Lans Koide, COO of Kabin hotel group)
Results: it’s easy, it works, it brings more business
“Pests can decimate both operations and a traveller's stay. Valpas is live across all Kabin operated properties. With Valpas, we safeguard long-term property value by preventing costly incidents that lead to downtime or infestations.” — Winston Chu, Co-founder & CEO
“Valpas was the only solution that gave us permanent, chemical free protection plus digital proof we can share with guests and partners. It supports transparent communication and strengthens trust.” — Winston Chu, Co-founder & CEO
Sustainability, without compromise
“Sustainability isn’t a claim for us it’s built into Wayfarer’s architecture and operations. By eliminating pesticides with Valpas, we cut environmental impact while delivering clean, conscious hospitality at scale.” — Winston Chu, Co-founder & CEO
Eliminating pesticides supports both people and biodiversity, aligning with the industry shift toward eco conscious travel and Valpas’ brand promise of Safe, sustainable stays guaranteed.
(Photo: Lans Koide, COO and Winston Chu, Co-founder & CEO)
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