Last month Best Western International, Phoenix, Arizona, appointed Michael Muir as vice president of North American development.
Muir replaces Mark Williams, who left to become director of business development for G6 Hospitality, Carrollton, Texas.
Muir has worked with such brands as IHG’s Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham and Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham. HOTELS sat down with Muir at the Hunter Hotel Conference last month to find out more about Muir’s plans to expand Best Western in North America with the extended-stay prototype announced in October.
HOTELS: What is Best Western’s expansion plan for North America?
Michael Muir: The focus is on Premier-tiered properties in major urban markets with conversion opportunities, although overall the pipeline will be primarily new construction. Best Western is a brand that has been around since 1946 and has earned the right to be in those downtown urban markets.
HOTELS: What are the plans for the extended-stay rollout?
Muir: We will not develop a solely extended-stay product. It will be a very surgical approach where we are laser-focused on the right product with the right descriptor.
HOTELS: Where is the North American hotel industry in the business cycle?
Muir: New supply has been very slow over the last six years, so we can go out and find those opportunities with a very aggressive development program. There are great opportunities in all markets, it just depends on the price point and entrance cost per key and I can tell you what is needed for rate and occupancy.
In terms of financing, it has been difficult which makes it important to do business with the right people that you can get funded. To get the deal done, you have to be able to work those local relationships and spend time with someone to help get them funded. The sale doesn’t stop when you sell someone a membership — you need to do whatever it takes to help people get of the ground, including making presentations to creditors ensure the financing comes through.