Travelodge, has recently announced the agreement of acquisition of 11 hotels across the UK as part of its ongoing development strategy. With a portfolio of over 600 hotels in the UK, Ireland, and Spain, Travelodge is continuing to focus on growth through rebranding opportunities, particularly in the UK and Spain.
Strategic Acquisitions and Rebranding
On the agreement are included nine former Hotel Campanile properties, adding a total of 951 rooms to Travelodge’s UK portfolio. These properties are spread across key locations including Birmingham, Bradford, Dartford, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Northampton, Milton Keynes, and Swindon. Of these, five hotels are being acquired on a freehold basis, while the remaining four will be secured as long-leasehold properties. This strategic acquisition reflects Travelodge’s ongoing effort to diversify its property portfolio by expanding the freehold/leasehold split.
In addition to the Hotel Campanile acquisitions, Travelodge has also exchanged contracts on two other UK properties in Bromsgrove and Wakefield. The Bromsgrove hotel, a former Ibis property, will reopen in May following a refurbishment to meet Travelodge’s brand standards, while Travelodge has taken a new, 25-year lease. The Wakefield property, a former independent hotel (CitiLodge), will also undergo rebranding and is scheduled to open in August under a new also 25-year lease agreement.
“The acquisition of these hotels marks another positive step in our UK development strategy, as we seek to grow and optimise our estate of hotels and enhance value by diversifying our freehold and leasehold split. There are still many locations throughout the UK and Spain where we can open a new Travelodge hotel, to provide great value and quality accommodation. “Acquisitions of properties which can be rebranded to Travelodge are a key part of our development strategy, as we look to continue to grow our footprint. We have a requirement to open over a further 300 hotels across the UK, and are seeking prime opportunities when they become available”. – Steve Bennett, Chief Property and Development Officer at Travelodge
Growth through refurbishments and new openings
As part of its commitment to rebranding, Travelodge is actively refitting these newly acquired hotels to reflect the brand’s design and standards. The company’s acquisition and refurbishment plans aim to ensure consistency and high-quality experiences for guests across its UK properties.
Moreover, Travelodge has recently opened a fully refitted hotel in Bromley Town Centre. This former Ibis hotel, which was acquired earlier this year, marks another successful addition to the brand’s growing presence in key urban areas.
Continued focus on expanding UK and Spanish presence
The new acquisitions are an important step in Travelodge’s broader growth strategy, which focuses on expanding its footprint in the UK and Spain. By targeting rebrand opportunities, the company is enhancing its portfolio and ensuring that each property aligns with its brand standards and customer expectations.
