American Chain hotels in Europe
 

Are Best Western hotels better in Europe than US? I have seen some BW hotels in European cities that I am interested in for a future trip. I have found many to be rather dumpy here in the US.

Looking for some feedback on chain hotels in general.
Thanks

Best Western is not a chain -- either in the US or in Europe. They are marketing coop of individually owned properties. So they run the gamut from so so to terrific - each one is independent.

I had no idea that BW was not a chain. Well that makes sense now why some look great and some look awful.
thanks

Your best bet is to search for reviews on the individual hotel. I know of one hotel in Venice that is in the BW coop, but it's sister hotel owned by the same owners, is not.

The BW label confuses a lot of people. But it isn't a chain, just as Janisj says.

In general (!), we find the BW hotels in Europe to be a step above most of those in the U.S. There are many very nice 4-star hotels in Europe that are under the BW umbrella. For example, the BW in Detmold, Germany, is a modern, stylish 4-star hotel with its own mini-spa (yet it charges as little as 60€ per night). The BW Zum Hirschen in Salzburg is 4-star full service hotel with a very good restaurant serving organic food. One of the BWs in Paris has won several awards from associations representing French independent hoteliers.

Something you may find interesting is that not all "American" Chain hotels are American. While Holiday Inns may have been founded in Tennessee in the 1950's, it has been UK-owned since 1990, when it was acquired by the Bass Brewing company, now operating as InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

Yes, and now America's Motel 6 will leave "une lumière" on for you (since it is now owned by French chain Accor).

I doubt there's anyone here who likes to stay in a M**el6!!! However the Accor hotels/motels in Europe are a lot better.

I have never stayed in a BW here in the US. We did stay in a BW "family room" in Salzburg and it was very nice.
The bedding was so exquisite. It was a large room and very updated. I would reccomend.

"However the Accor hotels/motels in Europe are a lot better."

Have you stayed at the Sofitels in downtown Chicago or Center City Philadelphia? The Sofitels in Europe are NOT "a lot better" than those Accor properties in the U.S.

Sofiwhat...

Thanks for the info. The family room sleeps 4? (two doubles?) I am finding that most of the hotels are twin bedded or just one double bed per room. Just curious if the family rooms are set up like american rooms.

I did not know that Holiday Inn went British :) ?
Thanks again

I stayed in the BW Regina in Barcelona in 2004. It was upscale and in a good location--not like BW's that I've seen in the States.

Best Western name manages lots of hotels of all different sorts, old ones, new ones, etc. It's not like in the U.S. where you see one Motel 6 you seen 'em all.

Just a word to say that we don't avoid the BW in the States. We stayed at a BW in Scottsdale, AZ, recommended on the US board and it was great. One of the best values we had on our trip to AZ.

We have stayed in BW in the States. Not exclusivly, but when they suit the purpose. A few have been almost like truck stops, & some have been very good in the rooms & amenities. On 1 trip to Paris, we were taking our then 12 yr old son. I got a bit lazy & just called Best Western reservations to see if they could find us a triple room. They did, at a very good price & good location, & with AC. It was the Folkstone Opera, near la Madeleine. We were very happy with that. It still was a European type hotel but with the BW assoc. Worked for us on that trip.

Accor hotels also owns Red Roof Inn. their Formule 1 hotels in Europe are a step below their US Motel 6's in my experience - showers 'down the hall' . Motel 6 has actually been revamping their hotels recently so that it may not be your father's Motel 6.

We use BW all the time in Europe. Most of their properties are unique, are in good locations & fairly inexpensive. I highly recommend them, in Europe.

The Mot*l6's in and around FL is Jan. were a nightmare. (Been to quite a few because of the price!) The smell, the beds, the trucks, no more M6. There are so many nice and inexpensive places in other parts of the world. Why do I got such a low quality for my money there. Won't be returning to FL in this life...

Logos, you are welcome to return to Florida anytime... but I agree that you might need to 'upgrade' to a lower*mid*price hotel such as HI Express, Comfort Suites, etc. On weekends, you can get nicer hotels in business-oriented areas for much less than normal.