Founded in 1946 by M. K Guertin, Best Western Hotels & Resorts is still one of the top hotels in the globe with over 4,200 hotels in almost 100 countries and other territories across the world. At present, Best Western has acquired World Hotels and is the 14th hotel brand under the hospitality magnate.
Originally founded as a referral system among the hotel members under the brand, Best Western quickly rose and became the largest hotel chain in the market by 1963. Changes continued to further expand the Best Western brand internationally. Originally established as Best Western Hotels, the company dropped the word “motel” in 1974 from its brand name to compete head to head with other full-service hotel lodging chains in the world. Properties in Australia and New Zealand were acquired in 1976 with over 400 properties and thousands of rooms added to the Best Western family.
BY 2005, Best Western averaged $1 million in online hotel reservations, everyday via its website www.bestwestern.com. By 2006, as a complimentary gift to all the years and clients that supported the hotel brand, a special one-night charge of $5.40 was offered to some few lucky guests. The value was the approximate amount charged for a night during the company’s conception.
