Photo: Best Western PREMIER C Hotel by Carmen's in Hamilton, Ont.

After coming off a record-breaking year in 2015, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, which celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2016, is looking forward to another rosy year. The Arizona-based company, which launched two new lifestyle brands in the last 18 months as well as generating US$4 billion in revenue in North America last year, has 205 projects in the works, including seven new properties in Canada.

“I am thrilled with the tremendous success we have achieved over the past four years,” said David Kong, president and CEO of Best Western Hotels & Resorts. “This is an incredible time at Best Western. We have launched a new look for our brand, two new midscale boutique concepts called Vib and GLo?, and unveiled an enhanced mobile digital platform,”

The hospitality company, which now includes seven brands under its umbrella (Best Western, Best Western PLUS, Best Western PREMIER, BW Premier Collection, Best Western Plus EXECUTIVE RESIDENCY, and the new Vib and GLo) is under development with the following projects in Canada:

Ontario
Best Western PREMIER Toronto International Airport Carlingview Hotel, Toronto
Best Western PREMIER Northwood Hotel, Timmins

British Columbia
Best Western Pacific Inn, Vernon
Best Western PLUS Fort St. John

Alberta
Best Western PLUS Chestermere
Best Western PLUS Edmonton Airport Hotel, Leduc

Saskatchewan
Best Western PLUS Kindersley

“We have set aggressive goals for developing new construction projects and with the introduction of our new refreshed, contemporary prototypes, we are seeing increased interest from developers,” said Ron Pohl, senior vice president of brand management for Best Western Hotels & Resorts.

Late last year, Best Western launched its newest brand, GLo, a boutique-style experience for travellers who looking to mix high-concept design with value and comfort. Unlike many new lifestyle brands, which are being developed to target the luxury, upper-upscale and upscale segments, Best Western Vîb is only one of two brands targeted towards the upper-midscale segment.

The company also received top billing for its guest loyalty program, Best Western Rewards, which was recognized as one of the top 3 hotel loyalty programs in the J.D. Power 2015 Hotel Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report.

Points earned through the program never expire and can be earned and redeemed at any of the brand’s 4,000-plus hotels worldwide with no blackout dates. Best Western Rewards members are also incentivized with various promotions throughout the year. Members can redeem points for dining, shopping and entertainment gift cards, gas cards and airline/partner rewards. The award-winning Status Match… No Catch program matches members’ elite status in any other hotel loyalty program for no charge, so frequent travelers can easily cash in on the program’s wide range of benefits.

For more information, visit www.bestwestern.com. 

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