Westshore lodge joins world's largest chain

The largest hotel chain in the world has come to Hawke's Bay. What was the Fairley Motor Lodge in Westshore is now the Best Western Fairley Motor Lodge.
At the official launch on Friday, Grant Batty, who oversees Best Western's Queensland, Fiji and New Zealand operations, said he had visited Hawke's Bay looking for a local accommodation provider to join the chain.
First he drove past the Bay View Van Park, which he once owned.
"I just wanted to see if it was still standing," he said.
Next he pulled into the Fairley Motor Lodge at random and said he was immediately impressed - it was the only Hawke's Bay motel he visited.
"I liked the property and the quality of the owners."
At first, owners Hugh and Jane Gordon were not interested.
"It has been a lengthy process - Hugh wouldn't make a decision," Mr Batty said
Chiming in Mr Gordon said: "I wasn't convinced at the time.
"We turned them down, about two years ago, mainly because of the loss of our identity.
"There were elements I thought I wanted and there were some elements unwanted. In the end, the benefits outweighed the negatives."
Their business had suffered a blow when the Open Polytechnic's real estate course was cancelled because of a slump in the real estate market.
"That was a very significant loss of business - 118 days at two or three rooms at a time."
They were glad they had joined, because business had picked up immediately. "Our first Best Western guests were German and had a great regard for the organisation."
Mr Batty said that, in Europe, most Best Westerns had a five-star rating.
"Best Western is like the Automobile Association. It is the world's largest hotel chain and is effectively members owned," he said.
Members were loyal to the chain when they travelled because they picked up credits in a rewards system, Mr Batty said.
Best Western New Zealand sales manager Anne Due said marketing was also a benefit of joining the chain.
"We participate in trade shows, we have print publications and sponsorship programmes," she said.
Regular checks were carried out to ensure Best Western standards were maintained.
"At Best Western we have an international quality assurance programme," she said. "A person comes into New Zealand from Australia and every single one of our properties gets inspected at least once a year."
Mr Gordon said the days of the independent motel operator were numbered.
"You have to be an expert at so many things, it's just so damn difficult."
He said they welcomed local competition. "It's all good, it will bring more people into the Bay. If they are successful then you'll be successful."