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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

Average guest rating
8.4
Hotels tracked
1,494

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

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 WesternHoward 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.

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

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