Thunder Buddies - On the Road With Best Western

Thunder Buddies

Best Western and H-D’s heritage are both deeply rooted along America’s scenic highways and byways. The two companies have a multi-year agreement to best meet the needs of riders and BW is the only hotel chain to market its hotels to H-D riders and motorcycle enthusiasts. Best Western has nearly 1,200 properties within the US and Canada that identify themsevles as “Rider Friendly” establishments, providing amenities such as complimentary wipe-down towels, access to a bike cleaning station, and sometimes even reserved bike parking, bottled water, and lip balm. By joining Best Western’s Ride Rewards loyalty program online, Harley-Davidson enthusiasts automatically receive Gold Elite status, which includes 10 percent bonus points on every Best Western stay and the ability to purchase points for award redemption, along with other signature benefits. HOG members may redeem Best Western Rewards for their annual or multi-year HOG membership dues. Harley-Davidson owners or enthusiasts can register for Ride Rewards by visiting bwrider.com or calling 1-888-BW2BIKE. Once registered, members earn 10 points for every U.S. Dollar spent on qualified room rates or 250 airline miles per qualified stay at more than 4,000 Best Western hotels worldwide.

What’s it All Mean?

Best Western hotels offer guests a great value and are located everywhere—from resort destinations, to airports, through small towns and major metro areas—providing guests with a comfortable stay. These hotels are typically AAA two- or three-diamond hotels and offer free high-speed internet, breakfast, free local calls (less than 30 minutes per call), free long distance access, copy and fax services, and a free-of-charge, publicly accessible computer with internet access.

Best Western Plus hotels offer guests a more upscale experience and each Plus property hotel is different. They all feature contemporary furnishings in comfortable and spacious rooms and common areas, they offer all of the amenities of Best Western hotels and much more. The properties are all AAA three-diamond hotels or equivalent. They offer updated furnishings and guestroom amenities, high-quality bedding, upgraded bath amenities, on-site laundry and/or same-day dry cleaning services, select sundry items, and fitness rooms available in many locations.

Best Western Premier hotels offer guests real luxury without a luxurious price tag, with an atmosphere that’s refined and stylish. All furnishings, fixtures, amenities and facilities are of the highest quality in the upper-midscale category. You’ll find all the amenities of Best Western and Best Western Plus hotels as well as stylish decor and personalized guest services such as a concierge, turn-down service, pre-arrival room preferences, credit card pre-authorization, and personalized key packet at check-in. Best Western Premier properties also offer on-site dining including breakfast and dinner at a minimum (some also serve lunch), premium linens and towels, deluxe bath amenities, typically 42-inch LCD or plasma television, premium clock radio with MP3 connection, oversized fitness room with upgraded equipment, and sundry shop.

Going Mobile

Best Western is the first hotel partner to integrate TripIt into its mobile application, “Best Western to Go.” The popular mobile application for Android, iPhone, and iPad allows users to book hotels, access itineraries, and keep all their trip details in one place on their mobile device. The Best Western To Go! app features include: hotel locator, photo and description capabilities (add pictures and additional information to help remember and share details about locations you visited or plan to visit on your next trip), and mapping (input addresses of attractions and restaurants and use a GPS-enabled map to navigate through an area).

Best Western recently introduced a new booking capability that allows travelers to reserve hotel rooms on Best Western’s Facebook page. The Facebook booking platform delivers Best Western’s private and secure hotel reservation system to Facebook’s more than 800 million active users. Best Western’s 248,000-and-growing Facebook fans now can plan their next hotel stay conveniently and safety.