Travelodge is set to give 20 per cent of its hotels a ‘Budget-Luxe’ upgrade, targeting hotels in key staycation destinations.
In a continuation to its Budget-Luxe UK hotel upgrade programme – which will see hotels sport a new design and feature sustainable initiatives - Travelodge has unveiled plans to upgrade a further 55 hotels this year, with 25 hotels in key staycation destinations fast-tracked to be completed this summer.
The sustainable initiatives will include carpet made from recycled fishing nets and plastic bottles, low energy lighting installed throughout the hotels with motion sensing controls and aerated showers and taps in the en-suite bathrooms.
The group’s two biggest hotels, the 463-room Covent Garden and the 408- room Kings Cross Royal Scot London Travelodge hotels as well as its hotels in Cheltenham, Ipswich, Oxford, Newport and Southampton are amongst those selected to be completed in time for the summer staycation season, which is Travelodge’s busiest trading period.
Why it matters
The budget segment has been performing extremely well in recent times and this move by Travelodge could signify an attempt by the chain to upgrade its offering so it also appeals to customers who may want the feel of a higher-end product at a budget price as well as to those seeking an environmentally friendly hotel at a lower price point.
Travelodge isn’t the only budget hotel chain paying more attention to sustainability as consumers continue to demand more in the way of environmental responsibility. Earlier this year, Premier Inn owner Whitbread unveiled plans to remove mains gas connection from its entire hotel estate by 2040 as part of its plan to achieve net zero by 2050.
Furthermore, Travelodge's decision to upgrade hotels in key staycation destinations indicates that they anticipate the staycation trend to continue, suggesting a shift in consumer behaviour due to factors such as pandemic-related travel restrictions and increased focus on local tourism and a cost of living crisis restricting more-expensive international travel.
What they said
Steve Bennett, Travelodge’s chief property & development officer said: “We are making good progress with our Budget-Luxe UK hotel upgrade programme and our current schedule includes upgrading a further 55 hotels this year. As we are expected to have another bumper staycation year, we have fast tracked 25 of these hotels to be upgraded for the summer season.”