Best Western’s Boutique Hotel Push Faces Onslaught of New Competitors
Photo Credit: Best Western's push into the lifestyle hotel sector (pictured: Aiden by Best Western) signals an expansion of boutique-like hotels in the middle market of the industry. Best Western
Skift Take
Best Western’s expansion from economy, roadside hotels to boutique brands in recent years faces stiff competition coming out of the pandemic. The company can be a success if, and only if, more of its long-time operators upgrade to the boutique model.
If there is growth to be had coming out of the worst year on record for the hotel industry, it’s in the so-called lifestyle hotel space, leaders at just about every major hotel company would say.
Best Western parent company BWH Hotel Group is no different. BWH's boutique and lifestyle hotel growth trajectory — the company is adding five more of these hotels to its portfolio in coming weeks — shows even midscale hotel operators need to consider this sector coming out of the pandemic.
“If you are a developer looking for opportunities with the highest growth, you’re going to gravitate toward boutique and lifestyle hotels,” BWH Hotel Group CEO David Kong said.
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What is a lifestyle hotel? Depends on what company is answering. Accor defines it as hotels with smaller room counts and that garner as much as half their
