Best Western history

In 1948, more than 5 million copies of the Best Western Motels guide were distributed, listing all affiliated hotels.

1951 In a guest editorial published in American Motel Magazine, Guertin speaks of the importance of advertising properties to the general traveling public.

By 1963, Best Western was the largest chain in the industry with 699 member hotels and 35,201 rooms.

1964 The group of motels east of the Mississippi River was incorporated as Best Eastern, Inc.

1966 The organization moves it’s headquarters from Long Beach, CA, to Phoenix, AZ. The Board decides to relocate because of savings involved in centralizing operations and the potential for further expanding membership services.

1974 Best Western Hotels decided to drop its referral organization image, eliminated the word "motel" from its name and began competing directly with other full-service hotel lodging chains.

1975 Best Western begins to expand overseas, entering Australia and New Zealand.

1976 Best Western began its push for foreign expansion.

1977 The phrase, "world's largest lodging chain" became a part of Best Western's corporate identification and advertising theme.

1978 Best Western welcomes Great Britain and Ireland into the family.

1979 Best Western was accommodating 15 million guests and generating $1 billion in hotel room sales.

1980 Best Western membership rises to 2,654 hoteliers worldwide.

1981 In August, a satellite reservations center is established inside the Arizona Center for Women (ACW), a minimum-security correctional facility in Phoenix.

1982 Best Western welcomes Denmark and Italy into the family.

Best Western Int'l, Inc., 354 N.W.2d 656 (N.D. 1984), in which the North Dakota Supreme Court decided that Best Western was a franchisor and had to comply with the appropriate laws and regulations.

1985 Best Western welcomes Spain into the family.

1986 Best Western welcomes Portugal into the family.

1987 Best Western welcomes Norway into the family.

1988 The Gold Crown Club® International Program for frequent travelers was launched in September.

1990 Best Western welcomes Greece into the family.

1992 Best Western expands into South America with its first property in Brazil.

In 1993, a study commissioned by the brand recommends changing its visual identity and logo.

1994 Best Western establishes its presence in India.

2001 Best Western Asia head office opens in Bangkok, Thailand, covering most of the continent and the Middle East.

2002 Best Western members implemented BestRequests®, a uniform worldwide package of amenities and services.

2003 Best Western introduces the Best Western Premier® descriptor in Europe and Asia.

2004 Best Western launched the hotel industry’s largest High-Speed Internet Access (HSIA) initiative with the fastest implementation.

2005 Best Western began averaging $1 million in online hotel reservations per day through www.bestwestern.com.

In 2006, Best Western celebrated its 60th anniversary, in that year their financial and operational standpoint.

2007 The hotel chain was named a Preferred Lodging Partner of AAA/CAA, and began a multi-year partnership with Harley-Davidson.®

2008 Best Western launched new Atrea prototype.

2009 First Best Western Atrea prototype opens.

2010 Best Western introduces three descriptors - BEST WESTERN®, BEST WESTERN PLUS® and BEST WESTERN PREMIER®.

In 2011, Best Western embarked on a mission to help customers better navigate its large and diverse portfolio.

On May 21, 2013, Best Western International announced that it will take over management of the Green Hill Hotel in Yangon, Myanmar.

In 2015, Best Western introduced a new family of logos, replacing the core logo and adding signage for Best Western Plus and Best Western Premier.

Ventes en flèche, gamme relancée, l’année record de Best Western France Sans doute la plus belle entrée de l'année 2018 pour la coopérative.

Best Western purchased WorldHotels in February 2019 adding approximately 360 additional hotels and 81,248 more rooms to its brand.

Best Western President & CEO David Kong sets to retire at the end of 2021