Best Western recruits Green Tourism Business Scheme

The largest group of independently owned and managed hotels in Great Britain is to become more environmentally friendly after joining forces with the world's leading green business accreditation scheme.

Best Western, which boasts over 280 hotels, has given its commitment to endorse the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) in a bid to encourage member hotels to improve carbon footprints, cut energy waste and promote sustainability.

The scheme helps members identify financial savings through minimising waste, buying local produce, and using both water and energy more efficiently with a total of 150 rigorous measures.

The GTBS which gives Bronze, Silver and Gold awards with points awarded for a raft of measures such as installing efficient lighting and heating, nature conservation, use of renewable energy, buying local produce and community involvement.

In fact, the partnership has only just started and so far two of Best Western's hotels have achieved gold awards!

Two new hotels boost Best Western portfolio

Best Western Hotels are pleased to announce two new members to the largest group of independently owned and managed hotels.

• Best Western The Wiltshire, Wootton Bassett, Swindon

The Best Western The Wiltshire hotel is a modern, New England Lodge style three-star property boasting a total of 58 spacious bedrooms, an indoor pool, gym, restaurant, beauty spa, wedding garden, as well as the original and meticulously maintained 27-hole golf course from which the hotel was started from.

With all this and great views from the hotel it is obvious why it appeals to so many leisure guests, especially as the property is close to the Cotswolds, Avebury stones and major shopping centres in Bristol and Swindon as well as key tourist pilgrimages such as Stonehenge, Wiltshire white horses and the Ridgeway Walk.

Great travel links also make this an ideal location for business and conference guests with the M4 motorway just moments away. It is also close to Bristol city centre and its airport, only 25 minutes from the Bath centre and 1 hour 10 minutes from Heathrow. The facilities at the Best Western The Wiltshire Hotel make it a perfect choice for conferences with a 280 seater function room, three meeting rooms, a large conference suite and free WiFi.

• Best Western Studley Castle, Studley, Warwickshire

The Best Western Studley Castle sits in the heart of Warwickshire, nestled in the middle of Birmingham and Stratford Upon Avon and is set in 28 acres of beautiful gardens.

This three-star hotel benefits from 57 beautiful ensuite, spacious bedrooms, a fitness room and sauna and has its own 'Oakroom' restaurant. With a royal indulgent feel and look it is easy to see why leisure guests find this hotel the perfect place for an indulgent retreat. And, being close to Stratford-upon Avon, Warwick Castle, Drayton Manor theme park, West Midlands Safari Park and Birmingham city centre you can spend the day fully entertained and arrive back ready to be treat like a Prince or Princess.

It is also ideal for the conference goer who fancies changing their usual corporate surroundings for something a little different. With an extensive choice of 10 conference rooms, all with historical fixtures and fittings and fantastic views across the grounds it is perfectly equipped to create the right ambience for any corporate occasion.