World's largest hotel chain adds another

Best Western International, already the world's largest hotel chain operating under a single brand name, announced its 4,200th property: a 50-room Best Western Chester inn & Suites in Richmond, Va. Said David Kong, president and CEO: "As we prepare our 60th anniversary in 2006, we continue to look ahead with an eye toward innovation and a commitment to customer care, led by the entrepreneurial spirit of our membership." Best Western is located in 80 countries and territories. It has more than 300,000 rooms. The company says its varied properties include "the world's only movie motel ," the Best Western Movie Manor in Monte Vista, CA, where guest can view films on a large drive-in screen from the comfort of their own rooms. Last year, the company says it became the first hotel chain to offer free high speed internet at all of its 2,400 North American properties. Source: LeisureGrouptravel