What are the requirements for stairways, walkways, and elevators at a Best Western property?
Best_Western Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 700.35 Every Best Western Property shall provide repair and maintenance of all facilities, equipment, machinery, paving, lighting, electrical systems, plumbing, heating, airconditioning, guest room interior, bathrooms, exterior walls, stairways, swimming pools and equipment, keys and locks, roofs and guttering.
- 700.42 A. All Properties that have three (3) stories or more are required to provide an elevator.
- B. All Properties that use the Best Western Plus or Best Western Premier descriptor are required, by June 30, 2015:
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- To provide an elevator at all Properties of two (2) stories or more. It is recommended that the elevator be located near the lobby.
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- B. All Properties that use the Best Western Plus or Best Western Premier descriptor are required, by June 30, 2015:
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- The following minimum number of elevators are required at all Properties with two (2) stories or more:
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- In Properties with four (4) stories or more, even with less than 100 guest rooms, at least two (2) elevators shall be provided.
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- If the Property has multiple buildings with guest rooms, at least eighty percent (80%) of all guest rooms must be either: (i) on the first (ground-level) floor; or (ii) serviced by an elevator.
- C. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to grant waivers and extensions based upon good cause shown. The Property shall have the burden of establishing the reasonableness of the waiver or the extension.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 108–413)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Best Western's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must maintain stairways. Specifically, Best Western requires every property to provide repair and maintenance to stairways.
Additionally, Best Western mandates elevators in certain properties. All properties with three or more stories must have an elevator. For Best Western Plus or Best Western Premier properties, an elevator is required for properties with two or more stories, with a recommendation that the elevator be located near the lobby.
For properties with multiple buildings, at least 80% of all guest rooms must be either on the ground floor or serviced by an elevator. Properties with four or more stories must have at least two elevators, even if they have fewer than 100 guest rooms. The Board of Directors has the authority to grant waivers and extensions for these requirements based on good cause.