Dive Brief:

• Best Western Hotels & Resorts recently expanded its national portfolio with the opening of four hotels in Kentucky, Louisiana, Arizona and California, according to releases obtained by Hotel Dive. 
• The hotels include the 60-room SureStay by Best Western Grayson in Grayson, Kentucky; the 49-room Best Western Acadia Hotel in Crowley, Louisiana; the 44-room Best Western San Bernardino Hotel in San Bernardino, California; and the 49-key Best Western Bellemont Shadow Mountain Inn in Bellemont, Arizona. 
• The openings come on the heels of a larger expansion announced at the end of June, when the company unveiled several new hotels set to open in global markets spanning its 19 brands.

Dive Insight:

Best Western’s recent hotel openings expand its U.S. reach and cater to both leisure and business traveler demand in the properties’ respective markets. 

“We remain focused on evolving our offerings to resonate with modern travelers and developers and delivering the authentic experiences that make BWH Hotels stand out as a global hospitality company,” Brad LeBlanc, senior vice president and chief development officer at Best Western, said in a June statement. 

The company’s most recent U.S. expansion includes in Kentucky with its budget-friendly SureStay brand. This comes after Best Western announced in June a similar SureStay property in Hopkinsville, on the other side of the state. 

The SureStay by Best Western Grayson features a heated indoor pool, a business center and free wireless internet and laundry facilities. The property is proximal to several state parks and local schools, including Kentucky Christian University and Ashland Community and Technical College. 

Best Western also expanded in Louisiana with a property located just off a major highway in Crowley. The Best Western Acadia Hotel similarly offers close proximity to nearby leisure attractions, including Ace's Place Amusement Park, Crystal Rice Heritage Farm, Rice Theatre, Crowley Cinema IV, Crowley City Recreation Department and various dining options and shopping centers. 

The new-construction Best Western San Bernardino Hotel, the company’s newest opening in California, is also near dining and shopping amenities, in addition to several business destinations like the National Orange Show Event Center, Arrowhead Medical Center, Cal State University San Bernardino and the Inland Center. 

As for Best Western’s newly opened Arizona hotel, the Best Western Bellemont Shadow Mountain Inn, the property underwent a $2.5 million renovation and now features enhanced on-site amenities, including an outdoor patio with barbecues.

The property caters to both business and leisure travelers with proximity to the Arizona National Guard Camp Navajo, Walgreens Distribution Center and Nestle Purina Manufacturing, as well as the Lowell Observatory, Coconino National Forest and Canyon Coaster Adventure Park.