As seen in The Caterer: Celebrating 80 years with BWH Hotels - InDepth
As Best Western marks its 80‑year anniversary in 2026, it arrives at a moment when the value of independence, supported by the right partner, has never been clearer.
Eight decades on from its founding, the group, known as BWH Hotels, the global hospitality network comprising the Best Western and WorldHotels brands, continues to champion the individuality of its independent hotels while providing the scale, systems and commercial strength needed to thrive.
In light of this milestone year, it feels fitting to spotlight the hotels across Great Britain that embody the spirit of the brand: longstanding partnerships built on trust, new collaborations driven by purpose, and independent businesses that have grown stronger through “The Power of Two”.
Not every hotel begins with a business plan. For farmers Peter and Zan Clifford, Blunsdon House Hotel, BW Premier Collection, began quite literally by accident – a chicken and pig farm that started offering spare rooms to visitors from a local agricultural show.
Sixty‑five years later, Blunsdon House is a thriving, four‑star, third‑generation family business. And for 50 of those years, it has partnered with BWH Hotels GB. Across five decades of industry disruption, from the rise of online travel to economic downturns and a global pandemic, the hotel has remained agile without giving up control.
General manager Peter Johnson credits that resilience to the combination of family ownership and BWH’s support: “When our founder first looked for a partnership, the aim was to connect with a network of like‑minded hoteliers,” he says. “Now, after half a century, our partnership with BWH Hotels has delivered strong commercial outcomes but also real relationships. It works because we engage and see clear results year after year. Year-on-year revenue growth has enabled continuous reinvestment, from new bedrooms and event spaces to solar panels, enhancing the guest experience.”
For Tim Rumney, chief executive of BWH Hotels GB, Blunsdon represents the heart of the brand: “The story of Blunsdon House is exactly why we exist. It shows how an independent, family‑run hotel can grow and thrive across generations with the right brand partner, without losing what makes it special.”
From a group perspective, Vine Hotels is a UK-based hotel management, development and consultancy company that operates, owns and advises hotels and venues across the country. Focused on performance, guest experience and sustainable long‑term results, its long-running relationship with BWH Hotels reflects a broader trend: independent operators choosing BWH Hotels for its ability to combine autonomy with global reach.
Across the group’s portfolio, BWH Hotels provides the commercial engine, national sales, global distribution, 64 million BW Rewards members and expert revenue expertise, while allowing operators to maintain their own identity and operational style.
For multi‑property groups like Vine Hotels, this model supports both consistency and individuality across their estate.
‘’We are incredibly proud of our long standing partnership, which continues to deliver real value through collaboration, shared ambition and a genuine understanding of the evolving needs of our industry,” says Garin Davies, chief executive of Vine Hotels.
“What matters most to us is building relationships that allow each hotel to thrive in its own right. Our role is to bring the commercial expertise, structure and strategy that unlock a property’s full potential, while keeping its identity and team at the heart of the operation.”
At the other end of the journey is the Royal Maritime Hotel, BW Signature Collection by Best Western, a new addition to the BWH Hotels GB family and one with a deeply rooted purpose.
Founded on the principle “Where Service Matters”, the hotel operates as a charitable organisation supporting seafarers, veterans and their families. For chief executive David Knight, joining BWH Hotels was about amplifying that mission: “Partnering with BWH Hotels allows our service to reach further and resonate louder. We’re not changing our mission, we’re simply opening our doors wider so we can do even more good.”
After a detailed review of potential partners, the Royal Maritime team saw a clear alignment: “BWH Hotels GB was the perfect partner. Its global reputation and respect for each property’s individuality aligns perfectly with our values. As a membership organisation with retained profit itself, its ethos of reinvestment mirrors our own mission to give back."
For BWH Hotels, the Royal Maritime Hotel represents the future of the brand: purpose‑driven, community‑centred and proudly independent.
From a 65‑year family legacy to a mission‑led newcomer, these hotels show the breadth of what BWH Hotels GB enables:
For hotels looking to grow without giving up who they are, the message is clear: with the right partner, independence becomes a competitive advantage.