Travelodge has opened its first two new-build “budget-luxe” hotels in the UK as part of the brand’s expansion plans.
The new properties are located in London’s Docklands area and Hexham in northern England, which are both regions where Travelodge is looking to add more hotels.
The budget hotel chain announced earlier this year that it was moving its core brand to a budget-luxe premium design, following the success of its Travelodge Plus sub-brand of properties.
London Docklands Travelodge is situated next to East India DLR station and becomes the brand’s 78th hotel in the UK capital. It features 350 rooms and is also Travelodge’s most sustainable property with solar panels on the roof, air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points.
The group has also announced that London remains a key growth area and it is “actively looking” for 127 hotel sites across the city.
Hexham Travelodge is the company’s first new-build budget-luxe hotel to open in northern England. The property offers 69 rooms and is Travelodge’s 23rd property in the north-east region with another 16 target sites on its radar.
Steve Bennett, Travelodge’s chief property and development officer, said: “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.
“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.”
Travelodge now has 597 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain after opening five new properties so far in 2022.
Design features within the new budget-luxe hotels include a redesigned reception area, LED lighting and rooms offering “multi-dimensional space” with a desk and chair. The properties also offer a new bar cafe with counter seating equipped with built-in USB and laptop power points.