Best Western GB

The Belsfield in Bowness-on-Windermere

Best Western GB began in 1967 when five independent hoteliers from Cambridge, Chester, Kenilworth, Ripon and Torquay sought to work together to generate referrals, maximise their marketing budgets and increase sales. Together they formed Interchange Hotels of Great Britain. Within weeks of this formation, a further six independent hotels joined the group.

In 1978, the group elected to trade under the brand name Best Western Great Britain, effectively an affiliate of Best Western International in the US.

Interchange merged with Consort Hotels in 1999. Interchange and Consort Hotels has since diversified into Beacon and InnFutures and is now the umbrella brand for all three companies. Beacon is a purchasing consortium in the UK hospitality sector. InnFutures was launched in 2008 and introduces hotel owners, including Best Western hotels, and management contract companies to manage their hotels. The hotel owners decide InnFutures’ level of involvement.

In 2018, Peel Hotels, owner of nine establishments, became members of Best Western hotels in the UK.[4]

In 2020, Corus Hotels joined the UK's Best Western hotels group.[5] The additions include two Laura Ashley properties, The Iliffe in Coventry and The Belsfield in Bowness-on-Windermere (pictured) - a building designed by architect George Webster in 1844 and now a listed building.

Walworth Castle

Best Western Hotels GB has a wide variety of hotels ranging from castles such as the Best Western Walworth Castle Hotel in Darlington, Grade II listed buildings such as Best Western Plus Grim's Dyke Hotel in Harrow Weald[6] and White Hart Hotel, BW Premier Collection by Best Western in Harrogate to smaller hotels such as the Best Western Victoria Palace in London. They offer various lodging options located in cities and rural areas.[7][8]

Best Western Hotels GB has been an affiliate member of Best Western International in the US since 1978.

Best Western International charges an initial cost to the member hotel and an annual fee for each bedroom. Best Western International also publishes a list of quality standards that each hotel needs to maintain. On joining Best Western Hotels GB, each hotel commits to an initial three years of membership with the group, after which membership rolls over on an annual basis.

The hotels are encouraged to keep their independent identity however they must use Best Western’s branding and signage and identify themselves as a Best Western hotel. The hotels can also use their own independent name as part of their identity.