--- title: "Best Western vs Howard Johnson: which hotel brand is better?" description: "On the numbers: Best Western. Best Western vs Howard Johnson, compared across 1,494 and 355 hotels: guest and Google ratings, hotel age, amenities and who…" url: https://stayversus.com/en/brands/best-western-vs-howard-johnson/ language: en source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com) retrieved: 2026-10-12 --- # Best Western vs Howard Johnson Averages across 1,494 Best Western and 355 Howard Johnson hotels, and a head-to-head in the 67 cities where both brands have a hotel. Best Western Hotels & Resorts ## [Best Western](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/best-western/) - **Average guest rating:** 8.4 · - **Hotels tracked:** 1,494 Wyndham Hotels & Resorts ## [Howard Johnson](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/howard-johnson/) - **Average guest rating:** 7.8 · - **Hotels tracked:** 355 The short answer ## On the numbers: Best Western Best Western leads on 5 of 7 measures. Average guest rating differs by 0.55 points. ## Every measured fact Averages over each brand's hotels. A dot marks the better figure. | | Best Western | Howard Johnson | | --- | --- | --- | | Guest ratings | | Average guest rating | 8.35 (+0.55) | 7.80 | | Rated 8 or more | 77% (+27%) | 50% | | Rated below 7 | 2% | 18% | | Average Google rating | 4.09/5 (+0.68) | 3.41/5 | | Guest reviews behind the average | 156,862 | 43,486 | | Same city, head to head (cities where both are rated: 58) | | Cities where it is rated higher | 36 | 19 | | The hotels | | Hotels tracked | 1,494 | 355 | | Countries | 56 | 19 | | Typical opening year | 1998 | 2012 | | Built or renovated in the last 10 years | 56% | 62% | | Usual check-in | 15:00 | 15:00 | | Usual check-out | 11:00 | 11:00 | | Hotels that list it | | Free breakfast | 43% | 50% | | Swimming pool | 51% | 62% | | Gym | 56% | 61% | | Free parking | 71% | 91% | | Pets allowed | 13% | 2% | | Shuttle | 21% | 37% | | Laundry | 51% | 89% | | Hot tub | 24% | 33% | | Restaurant | 7% | 2% | | Bar | 73% | 75% | | Kitchen | 9% | 1% | ## Both brands, same city The best-rated hotel of each brand in cities where both have one. Open a match-up for the full hotel comparison. - ### [Los Angeles (CA)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/los-angeles-ca/) United States [Best Western Norwalk Inn](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/best-western-norwalk-inn-los-angeles-ca/) 8.6 · Brand average here: 8.1 [Howard Johnson by Wyndham Torrance](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/howard-johnson-by-wyndham-torrance-los-angeles-ca/) 8.2 · Brand average here: 8.1 [Compare these two](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/best-western-norwalk-inn-los-angeles-ca-vs-howard-johnson-by-wyndham-torrance-los-angeles-ca/) - ### [Phoenix (AZ)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/phoenix-az/) United States [Best Western Downtown Phoenix](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/best-western-downtown-phoenix-phoenix-az/) 8.7 · Brand average here: 8.2 [Howard Johnson by Wyndham Phoenix Airport/Downtown Area](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/howard-johnson-by-wyndham-phoenix-airport-downtown-area-phoenix-az/) 5.4 · Brand average here: 6.9 [Compare these two](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/best-western-downtown-phoenix-phoenix-az-vs-howard-johnson-by-wyndham-phoenix-airport-downtown-area-phoenix-az/) - ### [San Diego (CA)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/san-diego-ca/) United States [Best Western Americana Inn](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/best-western-americana-inn-san-diego-ca/) 8.6 · Brand average here: 8.1 [Howard Johnson by Wyndham San Diego Sea World](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/howard-johnson-by-wyndham-san-diego-sea-world-san-diego-ca/) 8.0 · Brand average here: 7.4 [Compare these two](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/best-western-americana-inn-san-diego-ca-vs-howard-johnson-by-wyndham-san-diego-sea-world-san-diego-ca/) - ### [New York (NY)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/new-york-ny/) United States [Best Western Brooklyn-Coney Island Inn](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/best-western-brooklyn-coney-island-inn-new-york-ny/) 8.5 · Brand average here: 7.8 [Howard Johnson by Wyndham Long Island City](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/howard-johnson-by-wyndham-long-island-city-new-york-ny/) 6.8 · Brand average here: 6.8 [Compare these two](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/best-western-brooklyn-coney-island-inn-new-york-ny-vs-howard-johnson-by-wyndham-long-island-city-new-york-ny/) - ### [Houston (TX)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/houston-tx/) United States [Best Western Sugarland Inn](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/best-western-sugarland-inn-houston-tx/) 8.2 · Brand average here: 8.0 [Howard Johnson by Wyndham Houston Heights/Downtown](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/howard-johnson-by-wyndham-houston-heights-downtown-houston-tx/) 8.2 · Brand average here: 7.5 [Compare these two](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/best-western-sugarland-inn-houston-tx-vs-howard-johnson-by-wyndham-houston-heights-downtown-houston-tx/) - ### [Columbus (OH)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/columbus-oh/) United States [Best Western Suites](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/best-western-suites-columbus-oh/) 8.8 · Brand average here: 8.6 [Howard Johnson by Wyndham Columbus State Fairgrounds I-71](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/howard-johnson-by-wyndham-columbus-state-fairgrounds-i-71-columbus-oh/) 5.9 · Brand average here: 5.9 [Compare these two](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/best-western-suites-columbus-oh-vs-howard-johnson-by-wyndham-columbus-state-fairgrounds-i-71-columbus-oh/) - ### [Dallas (TX)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/dallas-tx/) United States [Best Western Northwest Inn](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/best-western-northwest-inn-dallas-tx/) 8.3 · Brand average here: 7.5 [Howard Johnson by Wyndham Arlington Ballpark / Six Flags](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/howard-johnson-by-wyndham-arlington-ballpark-six-flags-dallas-tx/) 8.4 · Brand average here: 7.2 [Compare these two](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/best-western-northwest-inn-dallas-tx-vs-howard-johnson-by-wyndham-arlington-ballpark-six-flags-dallas-tx/) - ### [Savannah (GA)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/savannah-ga/) United States [Best Western Central Inn](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/best-western-central-inn-savannah-ga/) 8.8 · Brand average here: 8.0 [Howard Johnson by Wyndham Savannah GA](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/howard-johnson-by-wyndham-savannah-ga-savannah-ga/) 8.0 · Brand average here: 8.0 [Compare these two](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/best-western-central-inn-savannah-ga-vs-howard-johnson-by-wyndham-savannah-ga-savannah-ga/) - ### [Fort Myers (FL)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/fort-myers-fl/) United States [Best Western Fort Myers Inn & Suites](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/best-western-fort-myers-inn-suites-fort-myers-fl/) 8.6 · Brand average here: 7.8 [Howard Johnson by Wyndham Ft. Myers FL](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/howard-johnson-by-wyndham-ft-myers-fl-fort-myers-fl/) 7.8 · Brand average here: 7.8 [Compare these two](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/best-western-fort-myers-inn-suites-fort-myers-fl-vs-howard-johnson-by-wyndham-ft-myers-fl-fort-myers-fl/) - ### [Phuket](https://stayversus.com/en/thailand/phuket/) Thailand [Best Western Phuket Ocean Resort](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/best-western-phuket-ocean-resort-phuket/) 8.5 · Brand average here: 8.4 [Howard Johnson by Wyndham Phuket Naiyang](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/howard-johnson-by-wyndham-phuket-naiyang-phuket/) 8.9 · Brand average here: 8.9 [Compare these two](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/best-western-phuket-ocean-resort-phuket-vs-howard-johnson-by-wyndham-phuket-naiyang-phuket/) - ### [Orlando (FL)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/orlando-fl/) United States [Best Western Orlando Gateway Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/best-western-orlando-gateway-hotel-orlando-fl/) 8.1 · Brand average here: 8.1 [Howard Johnson by Wyndham Orlando Lake Buena Vista South](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/howard-johnson-by-wyndham-orlando-lake-buena-vista-south-orlando-fl/) 7.7 · Brand average here: 7.6 [Compare these two](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/best-western-orlando-gateway-hotel-orlando-fl-vs-howard-johnson-by-wyndham-orlando-lake-buena-vista-south-orlando-fl/) - ### [Detroit (MI)](https://stayversus.com/en/united-states/detroit-mi/) United States [Best Western Greenfield Inn](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/best-western-greenfield-inn-detroit-mi/) 8.9 · Brand average here: 8.4 [Howard Johnson by Wyndham Romulus Detroit Metro Airport](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/howard-johnson-by-wyndham-romulus-detroit-metro-airport-detroit-mi/) 7.4 · Brand average here: 7.4 [Compare these two](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/best-western-greenfield-inn-detroit-mi-vs-howard-johnson-by-wyndham-romulus-detroit-metro-airport-detroit-mi/) ## Best Western or Howard Johnson: common questions ### Is Best Western or Howard Johnson better? On average, Best Western hotels score 8.35/10 from guests and Howard Johnson hotels 7.80/10. Best Western leads on 5 of the 7 measures we compare. Average guest rating differs by 0.55 points. ### When both are in the same city, which is rated higher? In the 58 cities where both have rated hotels, Best Western has the higher average in 36 and Howard Johnson in 19. ### Which brand has newer hotels? The typical Howard Johnson hotel opened in 2012, the typical Best Western hotel in 1998. ### Do Best Western and Howard Johnson hotels include free breakfast? 43% of Best Western hotels and 50% of Howard Johnson hotels list free breakfast, counting hotels with a complete amenity list. Check the page of the hotel you book. ### Which brand has more hotels? StayVersus tracks 1,494 Best Western hotels in 56 countries and 355 Howard Johnson hotels in 19 countries. ### Do Best Western and Howard Johnson belong to the same company? No. Best Western belongs to Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Howard Johnson to Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. ## More brand match-ups - [Best Western vs Holiday Inn Express](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/best-western-vs-holiday-inn-express/) - [Best Western vs Hampton Inn](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/best-western-vs-hampton-inn/) - [Best Western vs Quality Inn](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/best-western-vs-quality-inn/) - [Best Western vs Super 8](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/best-western-vs-super-8/) - [Best Western vs Days Inn](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/best-western-vs-days-inn/) - [Best Western vs Comfort Inn](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/best-western-vs-comfort-inn/) - [Best Western vs Motel 6](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/best-western-vs-motel-6/) - [Holiday Inn Express vs Howard Johnson](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/holiday-inn-express-vs-howard-johnson/) - [Hampton Inn vs Howard Johnson](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/hampton-inn-vs-howard-johnson/) - [Howard Johnson vs Super 8](https://stayversus.com/en/brands/howard-johnson-vs-super-8/) Updated 12 Oct 2026. Averages over the hotels StayVersus tracks: guest ratings from Agoda (hotels with 5+ reviews), Google ratings from public Google Maps listings (hotels with 20+ reviews). A hotel counts for a brand only when its name confirms it. [How we score](https://stayversus.com/en/about/) --- Source: https://stayversus.com/en/brands/best-western-vs-howard-johnson/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/