The 350-room London Docklands Travelodge is located next to East India DLR station, and is the group’s 78th property in the capital. The hotel features a number of sustainable elements, including solar panels, air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points.
Meanwhile the 69-room Hexham Travelodge is situated around 20 miles west of Newcastle, close to Hadrian’s Wall, and is the second Travelodge property to open in the North East in the last seven months, joining Newcastle Cobalt Business Park Travelodge.
The two new hotels bring Travelodge’s UK, Ireland and Spain portfolio to 595 properties.
The group unveiled plans for its “budget luxe” revamp in April this year, with features including a new “timeless classic style” reception with leather bench seating and wooden style flooring, as well as a contemporary Bar Cafe concept.
Bedrooms have been redesigned with a new signature navy blue colour for the R&R (Resting and Relaxation) section of the room, and “a serene colour palette for the functional and energising side of the room where you need to work and get ready”.
Travelodge said that it was “actively looking” for 127 hotel sites across London, and 16 in the North East, including potential new destinations for the brand in Beverley, Bridlington, Headingley, Grimsby/Cleethorpes, Knaresborough/Wetherby, Northallerton, Ripon, South Shields and Thirsk.
Commenting on the news Steve Bennett, Travelodge’s chief property and development officer, said:
“We are delighted to have boosted our hotel network to 595 Travelodge’s by opening five new hotels so far this year. This includes our first new-build premium look and feel budget luxe hotels in London Docklands and in the north of England in Hexham.
“Both of these regions are growing at pace especially as they are top staycation destinations, attracting millions of visitors from all corners of the UK.
“However with more Britons choosing to stay in a budget hotel than any other hotel type there is a shortage of good quality and low cost accommodation across London and the North East.”
by Mark Caswell
