Best Western Premier has made its debut in Australia and Russia, adding two key markets to the brand’s global portfolio.

The Best Western Premier Hotel 115 Kew in Melbourne and the Best Western Premier Mona Hotel, just outside Moscow, have boosted the global Best Western Premier hotel collection to 146 properties in 34 countries.

“We are thrilled to bring the Best Western Premier brand to another two global cities,” said Glenn de Souza, Best Western vice president international operations – Asia & the Middle East.

“To have built up a portfolio of close to 150 Best Western Premier hotels in less than two years is a stunning achievement, and testament to the popularity of the product.

“Customers around the world have always trusted Best Western’s core brand values of convenience, comfort and excellent service, and we are delighted to be able offer that little bit of extra luxury and pampering to our deserving guests.

“We will continue to seek opportunities to expand the brand in key cities, and look forward to announcing the launch of more Best Western Premier properties in the coming months.”

So far in Asia, there are 26 Premier properties in China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and India, with 20 more properties set to open in Asia and the Middle East by 2015.

In the second half of 2012, Best Western Premier hotels are scheduled to open in several new markets including the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Kuwait, Kenya and Oman.