London Raynes Park Travelodge completes the group’s multi-million budget-luxe, phase one hotel upgrade programme

Travelodge, the pioneers of the UK budget hotel sector are delighted to announce that they have upgraded London Raynes Park Travelodge to the group’s new premium look and feel, budget luxe design. The 86-room hotel with on-site restaurant, called The Bar Café, which is located at Durham House, Amity Grove, London is one of 65, UK based Travelodge hotels to be upgraded first within the group’s hotel portfolio. 

During the last 36 weeks, Travelodge’s dedicated in-house Refit team have been working around the clock to refit these 65 busy Travelodge hotels. London Raynes Park Travelodge is the latest addition and also completes the group’s multi-million phase one, upgrade programme.       

Travelodge has opened three new build budget-luxe hotels during the last six months. Two of these hotels are located in London, at Docklands and Wimbledon, both within walking distance to the DLR and tube/ train station with great transport links. The third hotel is situated in Hexham, the getaway to Hadrian’s Wall. Travelodge’s dedicated in-house Refit team have been working around the clock to refit these 65 busy Travelodge hotels. In addition three new-build budget-luxe Travelodge hotels were also opened in the last six months. The new Travelodge budget-luxe design features a number of sustainable initiatives, including carpet made from recycled fishing nets and plastic bottles, low energy lighting installed throughout the hotel with motion sensing controls and aerated showers and taps in the en-suite bathrooms. 

Last year, Travelodge announced it was evolving its core brand product to a new budget-luxe premium look and feel design – whilst maintaining its great value price proposition. This is Travelodge’s largest brand transformation to date and the group intends to roll out this new design across its estate in a phased roll-out programme.    

The new budget-luxe design includes a timeless classic, elegant style reception which is the hub of the hotel. A next generation room which has been smartly devised to create a multi-dimensional space by utilising the new luxurious signature Travelodge navy blue colour for the R&R (resting and relaxing) section of the room and a serene colour palette for the functional and energising side of the room to work and get ready. Plus a contemporary designed restaurant called the Bar Café – that features spaces for guests to work, relax and socialise.  

Elena Postolache, Hotel Manager, London Raynes Park Travelodge, said: “My team and I are delighted that our hotel is one of 65 Travelodge hotels within the group’s portfolio to be upgraded to the new budget-luxe design. This refit is extra special as our hotel completes the first phase of the multi-million budget-luxe hotel upgrade programme.” 

“This refurbishment is our most radical transformation to date and is a complete overhaul of our existing design. It certainly has the wow factor for our business and leisure customers.”  

“The Travelodge budget-luxe design 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.”

Psychologist Corinne Sweet said: Recent psychological research shows people’s tastes are changing and incorporating homely touches into décor and design are becoming essential to create a calming environment for wellbeing.  The new Travelodge budget-luxe design fits the bill as the premium look and feel is a good mixture of high functionality, comfort and calmness which helps guests feel psychologically refreshed.”

The new Travelodge budget-luxe design features  

A new hub of the hotel – a redesigned elegant reception 

The new reception area has been designed in a warm timeless classic style featuring a decorative panel design, soft low LED lighting, stylish leather bench seating and wooden style flooring. The new colour palette includes the new warm Travelodge signature navy blue shade complemented against a palette of fresh tranquil neutral shades – creating a big warm welcome from Travelodge. 

The next generation multi-dimensional Travelodge room  

The new chic Travelodge room offers everything a business or leisure guest needs for a comfortable, relaxing stay and most importantly a good night’s sleep. The room has been smartly decorated to create a multi-dimensional space by utilising the new luxurious signature Travelodge navy blue colour for the R&R (Resting and Relaxing) 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. 

The bespoke luxurious king-size Travelodge Dreamer bed remains the king of the room and is dressed with crisp white bed linen which includes a cosy 10.5 tog duvet and comfy pillows. The bed sits within a light box bed frame that emanates a soft, warm glow to aid relaxation and features bedside reading lights and USB charging points.  Located above the bed is a bespoke piece of artwork commissioned by Travelodge which has been inspired by classic lullabies, with clever use of playful and discoverable elements to help you drift off to sleep.  

The en-suite bathroom also features a new brilliant white complementary design and décor with complimentary hand, hair and body wash. 

Other key features of the new room include: 

  • A spacious desk and a stylish desk chair
  • A cosy statement armchair where you can kick back and curl up to read your book or watch TV  
  • Blackout curtains to create a dark space for a good night’s sleep
  • Complimentary tea & coffee making facilities 
  • A TV with Freeview 
  • LED lighting in the room and bathroom 

● Complimentary WIFI for 30 mins £3 for 24 hours                             

A stylish on-site restaurant with a statement bar called the ‘Bar Café’  

The stylish Bar Café features a well-designed space for guests to work, relax and socialise. The restaurant features a contemporary design, with key statement features and a warm relaxing ambiance.  The restaurant offers distinctive zones designed to suit the needs of business and leisure travellers. These include counter seating with built-in USB and laptop power for those working outside the room, dining zones with intimate booths and dining benches for groups.  Situated in the heart of the Bar Café is a stylish statement bar which offers a selection of wines, popular spirits and a range of ales.  

Travelodge appoints new Construction Project Manager

We are delighted to announce that we have appointed our long-standing Travelodge colleague Niki Brightman to join our construction team as a Project Manager. 

Niki has worked at Travelodge for over 16 years, having first started out working in the database team in the Revenue department. Niki then moved into the IT department as a Business Support Analyst, where he was involved with supporting the installation of IT equipment for new hotels. This led Niki to becoming New Hotel Openings Manager for four years, followed by Lead New Openings and Acquisitions Manager for a further six years in which during this time he opened over 120 Travelodge hotels in the UK, as well as three hotels in Spain. 

When the pandemic hit, Niki supported the Central Operations team and was heavily involved with the opening/closure of hotels when adhering to Government guidelines and this resulted with Niki joining the Central Operations team as Senior Change and Implementation Manager. His biggest project within this role was supporting the refit of 65 Travelodge hotels in 2022 to our new, premium look and feel design. 

Niki has always had an interest in the construction of our new-build hotels, having closely worked with the construction team during his time spent on New Openings, as well as the Refit team more recently. His wide range of experience across the Travelodge business is invaluable and is well equipped to face the challenges and opportunities that come hand in hand with his new Project Management role. 

During his time at Travelodge, Niki has not only played an integral role in major projects, but has also contributed his own time to support charities and company initiatives. Last year, Niki ran the London Marathon for Travelodge’s charity partner of choice, British Heart Foundation, and raised over £2,600. Niki also met his wife, Sophie, at Travelodge who works in the IT team and together they have a son. In his spare time, Niki enjoys binge-watching Netflix, going on holidays and adding to his impressive Lego collection! 

We are thrilled to welcome Niki to his new role, and look forward to his continued success in his new construction role within the Travelodge Property and Development team.