A new 80-room GLō Best Western has opened in Olive Branch, Mississippi, marking BWH Hotels' latest push into high-growth suburban markets near major U.S. logistics corridors. The property, located at 8853 Midsouth Drive in DeSoto County, targets both corporate and leisure travelers drawn to the greater Memphis metropolitan area.
The Property
The hotel's design leans into regional identity, with curated artwork referencing local cultural destinations and a layout built to serve extended-stay business travelers and weekend visitors alike. Outdoor amenities set it apart from standard suburban select-service offerings: guests have access to a pergola-shaded lounge area, outdoor grilling stations, and a fire pit — social infrastructure that increasingly defines the GLō brand's positioning. A fitness center overlooking the outdoor pool rounds out the wellness component.
The property is owned and operated by Yogi DeSoto Corporation and built by Patel Construction. Managing Partner Chintu Patel cited the market's business growth and rising demand from travelers visiting the Memphis region as key drivers for the investment. "GLō's modern design, guest-focused amenities, and inviting social layout make it the perfect fit for guests looking for a fresh and elevated stay experience," Patel said.
Why Operators Should Watch This Market
Olive Branch represents a strategic archetype for hospitality developers right now: a suburban community experiencing rapid population and commercial growth without the room-rate compression and saturation typical of urban cores. DeSoto County sits inside the Memphis logistics ecosystem — one of the nation's busiest distribution networks — which generates consistent corporate demand from manufacturing, healthcare, and warehousing sectors. Youth sports tourism adds a meaningful leisure layer, with regional tournament facilities drawing families throughout the year.
Amy Hulbert, Vice President of Boutique and Upscale Brands at BWH Hotels, framed the opening as consistent with the brand's broader growth thesis. "Olive Branch is a dynamic hub for logistics, healthcare and manufacturing, and this new property provides the perfect blend of contemporary design and character for those visiting the Memphis area," Hulbert said.
For foodservice and hospitality operators evaluating secondary and tertiary markets, Olive Branch illustrates how suburban demand drivers — corporate travel, sports tourism, and proximity to cultural attractions like Clarksdale's blues music scene and Ole Miss athletics — can justify upscale product in communities that previously lacked it. Hotels serving these dual demand streams are increasingly seen as anchors for broader mixed-use and dining development in fast-growing suburbs.
Guests earn and redeem points through Best Western Rewards®, BWH Hotels' loyalty program, which offers free night redemptions, airline miles, and gift cards with no point expiration. BWH Hotels operates approximately 4,300 hotels across more than 100 countries under 18 brands spanning economy to luxury segments — a scale that gives franchisees significant distribution and loyalty infrastructure.
For more on how hospitality brands are expanding into secondary markets and what that means for food and beverage operators in those corridors, and for broader restaurant and hotel development trends shaping the industry, RHFNews continues to track deal activity across the Mid-South and beyond.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
