Travelodge to profit from £223m investment in 2013
“Now that we have a solid financial foundation in place, this year, the Travelodge brand will benefit from a £223 million investment,” said Grant Hearn, Travelodge CEO. “This capital expenditure will help us to grow our business, strengthen our product offering and make Travelodge the best value hotel chain in the UK.”
In total 1,742 rooms will be added to the brand’s portfolio, with new UK locations including London, Liverpool, Cambridge, Aylesbury, Southport, Kings Lynn, Sittingbourne, Manchester and Chertsey. Two Spanish properties in Barcelona and Madrid will bring the firm’s portfolio in the country to a total of six properties.
“The UK at less than 20% remains a growing market for branded budget accommodation, as it is still well behind matured markets such as the USA and France,” said Hearn. “In response to this growing opportunity, our growth strategy remains in the forefront of our new business plan.”
The hotel chain is using the openings to unveil its new room design, created in response to customer feedback. Overseen by Travelodge’s in-house Interior Designer, Frances Whitley, the new guestroom features a luxurious king size Sleepeeze bed with an 800 pocket sprung mattress and the capacity to accommodate two truckle beds within its base.
“It has been great working with our customers to design a purpose built room for them,” said Whitley. “Interestingly key learning we learnt were customers now want a high level of coordination between colours, shades, patterns and features. They are no longer happy with everything being the same colour.”
A sleep-inducing colour palette of tranquil blue has also been incorporated into the design. Other additions to the room include a stylish white contemporary en-suite bathroom with a power shower, stain and water resistant carpet in a dark shade of blue, a larger desk area, new reading lights and a phone charging socket built into the bed frame.
All new hotels being opened this year will incorporate this new room design, with over 80% of the brand’s global portfolio featuring the room by autumn 2014.
