You might think you know Best Western hotels, but you don’t.
A recent three-day run with Harley-Davidson through Montana and Glacier National Park offered a chance to sample three of the newest Best Western Premier properties, demonstrating the ambitious, upscale approach applied to what remains an affordable national hotel chain. The connection is an obvious one as Best Western partners with Harley-Davidson as “Rider Friendly Hotels,” welcoming touring groups of bike enthusiasts for general stays or special events.
The Montana motorcycle journey began in Helena at the Best Western Great Northern Hotel – downtown accommodations set in the midst of the Lewis and Clark Trail. The decor honors the old Great Northern Railroad that helped to build the northern Montana town.
Related: Harley-Davidson through Glacier National Park
The property recently underwent renovation and connects to the Silver Star Steak Company next door. The entire property is built for convenience and comfort with everything from exercise facilities to a business center — all without the pretension and stuffiness of a traditional luxury property.
From Helena, the road took our motorcycles to Polson, Montana and the Best Western KwaTaqNuk Resort. Situated on the shores of beautiful Flathead Lake (above), the resort offers recreational facilities and accommodations in an environment rich in Native American tribal culture. Lake cruises and boat rentals are available directly from the hotel’s docks, while the resort’s footprint on Native American lands allow for an interconnected casino for both hotel visitors and locals.
After a ride past the Bison Range and through Glacier National Park, the final hotel visit brought us to the small, railroad town of Shelby and the Best Western Shelby Inn and Suites. It’s a very new property in a rural stretch of Northern Montana – making it a key business and home to a pile of local events.
Hotel employees and local officials were waiting for us as we arrived, offering an official reception as though we road weary journalists were visiting VIPs. The same hospitality we received is available to anyone riding along the Montana highways and looking for a clean, comfortable and friendly spot to hole up for the night.
In all three hotels, I found an ambitious atmosphere and an attention to detail that the class of common roadside hotels don’t usually demonstrate — and aren’t expected to offer. The Best Western Premier philosophy seems to focus on a commitment to offer a little more service and comfort that even the experienced traveler expects to find amongst America’s highway hotel chains.
