Travelodge unveils plans for “budget-luxe” revamp

The redesign includes a new “timeless classic style” reception with leather bench seating and wooden style flooring, as well as a contemporary Bar Cafe concept featuring counter seating with built-in USB and laptop power, as well as dining zones offering “intimate booths” and dining benches for groups.

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”.

Rooms also feature king-sized beds, USB charging points, artwork above the beds, a desk chair and “cosy statement armchair”.

Regular readers will recognise some of the above features – including the Bar Cafe concept – as already being offered within the group’s Travelodge Plus product, which launched in 2018 and is described as a “budget-chic” concept.

When asked if the new redesign would affect the rollout of the Travelodge Plus offering, Business Traveller was told that “At present the rollout focus is for budget-luxe across the estate”, although the group will continue to roll out its Super Rooms product.

A total of 60 hotels will take on the new design this year, with work set to be completed on properties in Southwark, Vauxhall, Wembley, Southampton and Thame this month.

Travelodge also highlighted several sustainable elements of the new design, including low energy lighting, motion sensing controls, aerated showers and taps, and carpets and carpet backings made from recycled fishing nets and old plastic bottles.

Commenting on the news Craig Bonnar, Travelodge’s chief executive, said:

“Travelodge has been a trailblazer within the UK hotel sector since it opened the UK’s first budget hotel in 1985. Today we are once again evolving by launching a new budget-luxe premium look and feel hotel design whilst maintaining our great value price proposition.

“This is our most radical transformation to date and has been created in response to ever increasing expectations from customers.

“Britain is now a nation of budget travellers, with more of us choosing to stay in budget hotels than any other hotel type and thoughtful, stylish design and homely touches really matter in today’s world when staying away for business or leisure.”

Travelodge entered into voluntary insolvency proceedings in 2020 shortly after the onset of Covid-19, which included a break clause for landlords wishing to change brands.

Later that year confirmed that it had retained 578 of its properties.

by Mark Caswell