THE BHW HOTELS board of directors elected Steve Wahrlich as board chairman for 2025. In addition, the board elected Viral “Victor” Patel as vice- chairman and Rajesh “Raj” Patel as secretary-treasurer.
Wahrlich, a former vice-chairman, brings decades of hospitality experience and over 40 years as a BWH Hotels owner to his role as chairman, BWH said in a statement.
“I am pleased to announce Steve Wahrlich as our new Board Chairperson,” said Larry Cuculic, BWH Hotels’ president and CEO. “Steve has been a valued and trusted hotelier for many years. His deep understanding of BWH Hotels, combined with his extensive industry experience, makes him the ideal leader to help direct our board and broader organization. His leadership will be instrumental in advancing our strategic vision, strengthening our market position, and creating lasting value for our hoteliers and guests.”
Wahrlich has owned and operated BWH Hotels properties since 1977, the statement said. His portfolio includes the Best Western Plus Clocktower Inn in Billings, Montana, part of the brand since 1966, which has received the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for seven consecutive years. He also owns the Best Western Plus Hilltop in Redding, California, a BWH Hotels property since 1977.
Wahrlich called it a tremendous honor to be selected as chairman.
“Having been part of this extraordinary company for many years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing our evolution into a global hospitality powerhouse. BWH Hotels has an incredibly rich legacy, and I am looking forward to working alongside our dedicated leadership team and fellow directors to continue advancing our portfolio with an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences.”
In addition to his work with BWH Hotels, Wahrlich is vice-chair of RiverStone Health, Montana’s largest community health center and serves on the board of the Montana Lodging & Hospitality Association. He has also contributed to local initiatives as a board member for the City of Billings Tourism Improvement District, the Downtown Billings Tax Improvement District and other regional organizations.
New vice-chairperson Viral Patel, previously secretary-treasurer, joined the BWH board of directors in 2021, representing hotel owners in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada. He currently owns and operates the Best Western Corbin Inn in Kentucky.
Rajesh Patel joined the BWH board of directors in 2022, representing hotel owners in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Puerto Rico. He is the owner, president, and CEO of Apsilon Hotels, which owns two BWH properties: Best Western Plus Atlanta Airport-East and Best Western Plus Fairburn-Atlanta Southwest.
In December 2023, the BWH Hotels board appointed Phil Payne as chairman and elected Wahrlich as vice-chairperson.
BWH Hotels oversees three hotel brands: WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay Hotels. The company includes about 4,300 hotels in more than 100 countries and territories, with 19 brands spanning economy to luxury segments.
In October, BWH Hotels held its annual convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, featuring a racing-themed “Accelerate” motif. Nearly 3,000 members, operators, and partners attended, with a welcome reception at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Museum.
