Travelers looking to make the most of limited vacation time are being offered a new option by BWH Hotels, the parent company behind Best Western, WorldHotels and SureStay. The hospitality group says it is leaning into a trend it calls “trip stacking,” where vacationers layer several destinations into one itinerary instead of staying in a single city for the entire trip.
From Roadside Motels to Boutique Luxury
Best Western has been a familiar sight on American highways since 1946, known for affordable, no‑frills lodging. Over the past decade the brand’s parent, BWH Hotels, has quietly broadened its reach. After rebranding the parent company and launching design‑forward concepts such as Aiden and Vib, BWH made a decisive move in 2019 by acquiring WorldHotels, a collection of independent luxury properties with more than 50 years of heritage.
WorldHotels retained its boutique identity while gaining access to BWH’s global distribution, loyalty program and booking infrastructure. The collection added nearly 100 new hotels in 2025, expanding into Europe, Asia and the Americas. Today BWH’s portfolio spans more than 4,300 properties in 100 countries, ranging from budget‑friendly SureStay locations to five‑star WorldHotels Elite resorts.
Trip Stacking: A Strategic Advantage
According to Larry Cuculic, president and CEO of BWH Hotels, “Travelers are being more thoughtful about how they plan their journeys and how they use their time. With a portfolio that spans over 4,000 hotels and destinations in over 100 countries and territories globally, BWH Hotels is uniquely equipped to support the different ways travelers are structuring their trips.”
The company’s February 2026 research shows that limited vacation days and rising expectations are driving guests to combine urban experiences, cultural detours and restorative retreats in a single trip. By offering budget, mid‑scale and luxury options under one loyalty program, BWH can accompany a traveler from a splurge night at a WorldHotels Elite property in Bangkok to a mid‑range Best Western Premier stay, and finish with a budget‑friendly SureStay near an airport.
Illustrative Destination Pairings
Examples highlighted by BWH include:
- Bangkok, Thailand – The Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit, a WorldHotels Elite property, serves as a polished base for Southeast Asian itineraries.
- Kortrijk, Belgium – Hotel Damier, a WorldHotels Crafted property on the historic Grote Markt, offers a compact European hub within easy reach of Brussels, France and the Netherlands.
- Mexico City & Cuernavaca – After the bustle of Mexico City, the Soul Spring Sanctuary Cuernavaca provides a wellness‑focused contrast.
- Milan & the Italian Lakes – WorldHotel Casati 18 and Matilde Boutique Hotel give design‑forward stays before travelers head to Lake Como or the Dolomites.
- Northern California – Aiden by Best Western in Berkeley, Best Western Plus Inn at the Vines in Napa Valley, and the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno (WorldHotels Elite) illustrate the full BWH spectrum on a single road trip.
Why It Matters for Travelers
The trip‑stacking model also simplifies loyalty rewards. Points earned at a budget SureStay in Sacramento can be applied toward a night at a luxury independent hotel in Bangkok, thanks to the shared Best Western Rewards and WorldHotels Rewards programs.
Industry analysts note that BWH’s approach mirrors moves by larger chains such as Marriott and Hilton, which have built extensive brand portfolios. However, BWH’s strategy starts with a mid‑market brand that discovered an aspirational luxury tier within its own family, rather than a luxury brand adding budget tiers.
For travelers who have never considered Best Western for an upscale international stay, the expanded portfolio offers a new level of flexibility and value, while still preserving the familiar loyalty program that many American families rely on.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
