Best Western is celebrating its 55th anniversary in Australia this October with a host of surprises and celebrations planned at Best Western properties in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

From now until 24 November, five lucky guests will check in to their rooms to find a special emerald ring on their pillow, a unique turn-down service that celebrates the emerald anniversary of Best Western.

Online, guests can win one of fifty-five nights away, while Facebook fans have the chance to win a $55 Travel Card every day for 55 days, as Best Western gives away birthday presents to fans.

Rob Anderson, Chief Executive of Best Western Australasia said, “Since our beginnings in 1957 as the Motel Federation, to part of The World’s Biggest Hotel Family in 2012, we have come a long way. The most significant change in the past decade has been the influence of technology, both for our hoteliers, and our guests. Word of mouth has always been our best marketing tool, and it’s become even more important as social media influences where guests stay, who they’re telling about their experience, and providing feedback and reviews through social media sites”.

“Some things have not changed – all Best Western properties are still independently owned and operated, and all of our hoteliers still share the same dedication to providing a quality accommodation experience for all our guests” he said. 

Best Western Australasia truly is the essence of Australian hospitality, with the concept of the Motel Federation of Australia (MFA) brought to life in 1957 when a group of moteliers got together and spoke of the need for a motel federation, which would lay down regulations regarding the standard a motel must attain before being allowed to put up a sign. A referral network was created and the group knew, after their very first meeting, that it was only the forerunner of very big things in motels.

In 1975 the MFA re-structured and began trading as the well-recognised Homestead Motor Inns brand, and in the same year was targeted by Best Western International as a focal point for its international expansion. In 1981, Motel Federation of Australia affiliated with Best Western International and began trading as Best Western Homestead, thus becoming part of the largest hotel chain in the world. The full potential of this partnership was realised in March 1989 when Best Western Homestead became Best Western Australia. In March 2007, Best Western Australia was awarded the region of New Zealand to manage, and in 2011, also took on the region of Fiji. 

Best Western Australasia now offers over 180 hotels in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, and will soon expand to other countries and territories in the South Pacific.

Facts from 1957:

• The average nightly room rate in 1957 was 39 shillings and six pence, the equivalent of $3.95*
• The requirements of being a MFA member motel included: “the Motel must be of at least 10 units, must have car parking space on the Motel site for a vehicle for every unit, and must have a self-contained shower and toilet for every unit, and the furniture and furnishings must be of a high standard”.

Facts from 2012:

• The average room rate in 2012 is approximately $130.00
• The globally-recognised Quality Assurance program is a rigorous 200-point checklist that all Best Western hotels must pass
• Every night approximately 400,000 guests sleep in a Best Western hotel, equating to over 145 million guests annually.
• The Best Western brand split its hotels into three categories last year, introducing Best Western Plus, and Best Western Premier hotels.

*Tariff taken from 1961 directory.