New owners to take over Best Western Plus Woodstock on Feb. 1

by | Jan 31, 2025

After 20 Years, the local Woodstock ownership group getting out of the hotel business

After almost two decades after opening, the Best Western Plus Woodstock will welcome new owners on Feb. 1. 

The local owners and operators of the Best Western Plus Woodstock Hotel & Conference Centre announced the change in a press release. 

The release explained that the hotel, which opened in June 2005, grew out of a conversation among several community investors who recognized the need for a new, branded hotel in Woodstock to support the community’s growth. 

“Although we had no background in the hotel industry when we started, the Best Western brand provided a lot of support to the ownership team and the hotel staff, which set us off in the right direction, said owner Gary Keenan. “In 20 years, we’ve done two major expansions, with multiple renovations and consistent upgrades to ensure the property was meeting the needs and expectations of the customers and community.”

Trina Jones, executive director of KJ Management Inc.’s hotel division, credited the hotel’s success to its collective staff, which runs the hotel daily.

“The current staff will remain in place with the new ownership group, and we know that they will all continue to strive to meet the standard of excellence we’ve established over the years,” she said. “We have numerous staff that have been with us since the very beginning, including general manager, Christie Kennedy, who assumed that role in 2012. Christie is a great manager and her long history with the hotel and staff will help make the transition smooth.”

After entering the hotel business in Woodstock, the ownership group expanded to add a Best Western in Liverpool, N.S., in 2009 and a Hampton Inn & Suites in Fredericton. With the Best Western Woodstock sale, the ownership group have now sold all three of their hotel operations.

Best Western Plus Woodstock management and staff accept the M.K. Guertin Award in 2024. (Submitted photo)

“We have met so many great people over the years that became trusted colleagues and friends in the hotel industry,” said Keenan. “Although we were not actively aiming to sell any of our properties, as other hoteliers looked to expand and grow their portfolios, our properties proved extremely attractive. To ensure the longevity of the property for decades to come, we agreed the timing was right to sell the Woodstock property.”

BBS Holdings Group, new Woodstock owners, previously purchased Best Western Plus Liverpool. Keenan said their continued success made the local owner’s decision to sell easier, as they knew they would be a good fit to take over the Woodstock hotel.

Jones expressed confidence the Woodstock staff, like the staff at their other hotels, will work well with the new ownership. 

“Although it is always hard to say goodbye to the staff,” she acknowledged. 

Jones expressed pride in the ownership’s investments in the property over the years, noting in the past two to three years alone, they reinvested approximately $1.5 million in upgrades. 

“That commitment has allowed us to be successful year after year,” she said.

The outgoing ownership group looks back proudly on the hotel’s success, including receiving the M.K. Guertin Award, the highest quality assurance award Best Western offers, in 2024. 

Only 111 of 2,200 qualifying properties received the award last year. The award criteria require the properties to meet numerous qualifications, be within the top 10 per cent of hotels in North America in every customer service category, and receive an outstanding score on the annual Quality Assurance inspection.

Jones noted the Woodstock hotel has welcomed almost one million guests since it opened. 

“We have valued guests that return every year, whether for business, to visit family, sporting events, conferences, meetings, weddings, funerals, or everything in between,” she said. “We appreciate everyone who has contributed to our success.”

Keenan said the outgoing owners wish the new owners the same success they enjoyed. 

“As we close this chapter, we do it with an abundance of pride in what we’ve managed to accomplish over the years, building a successful hotel business from the ground up,” he said. 

Keenan thanked the employees on behalf of the ownership team, noting that their hard work, dedication, and commitment to the owners and Best Western customers contributed to the business’s success.

 

N.B. ROAD CONDITIONS (click to view current)

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