Travelodge struggling

I think Travelodge are ok to stay at. Have done a few times. It is basic but what would you expect. The think I hate the most about hotel chains is inconsistancy. You go to one and its perfect, the next total oppersite. Ok, so their staff don't get a huge amount of recognition for what they do. Not saying thats the right way to do it but many big firms are the same.

If you want somewhere cheap to stay Travelodge are a good choice, and there are no hidden surprises (in my expirence anyway).

Not that big of suprise sadly in the industry, whilst the "cheap and cheerful" idea of Travelodge has worked over the years. The lack of customer service, or a quality sales force pushing their brand has cost them.

Whereas Premier Inn invested in their hotels and ensured that it could provide the customer service we all expect, the price of a night went up accordingly. Travelodge decided to go the other way and stripped back its customer service to try and cut the costs as low as possible. Given a choice we'd probably be all happier to stay in a better quality of hotel for an extra £10.

Recently Travelodge also went back on a lot of deals in the industry, cutting its affiliates and agents out of the picture with little warning. Whilst this helped them claw back some commission its also cost them some massive sales and what was a strong pipeline for their hotels.

I wish Travelodge all the best, but a new strategy is sorely needed.

James

My friend works in one and it's so badly managed I'm not surprised by this news.  Seems it's the Peter Principle, at least in his.

We had a long weekend at a Travelodge in London a few months back and everything was fine. One of their vending machines swallowed a quid of mine and one morning our beds werent made, neither of which were big deals however I did note them on the comments form they leave in the room.

3 Weeks later I get an email to say they were refunding me half the cost of my stay (a refund of about £90). Totally out of proportion to the problems, I wasnt even expecting an appology letter. Still seems strange that any company would rush to give away money in that fashion

The struggle of travel lodge companies is just aresult of todays economic turmoil. We cannot blame them to increase their lodgging fees with the current situation we are facing today in the business market. I agree with you that somehow /a> can help them to get out of this financial trouble.

I swear on my life that I have not looked at that 'payday loan' link and don't intend to, but I bet it's got 'spam' written all over it. 

We use Premier Inns in preference to Travelodge because they are more consistent, the breakfast facilities are superior and you dont have to ask for a hairdryer!.
We choose this type of hotel when travelling with our daughter who is too young to have a room of her own in a hotel.  it is difficult to find a hotel at a reasonable price where there is enough room for three.

Stayed in the Travellodge Kings Cross last week for the Business Show at Excel.   It was the worst room I have ever stayed in plus the croissants had mould on them!

Prior to this I thought they were ok, but I find premier inn far better these days.

...stayed in one on the south coast somewhere a few years ago. Asked to be moved to another room within 2 mins. (window wouldn't shut and we were facing the motorway). The whole place was very tired and basic... torn curtains, black sealant around the bath, stained carpets etc etc. The manager said it was one of the oldest travelodges and shortly due for a refurb - fair enough,  but impressions count and I haven't stayed in one since due to that. When I think of travelodge now, I think basic and c**p , rather than basic and value for money. 

Paul 

Stayed in Travelodge in Cardiff once. Never again. Much prefer Premier Inn. Consistently good.

I have to say I've normally stayed in Etap for the past couple of years and always found them clean with room serviced everyday.  It's clean and cheap and the only time I've ever had a problem has been due to the "neighbours" in an adjacent room.  When I'm away all I usually worry about is a clean (and preferably comfortable) bed and a shower/bath so with those boxes ticked I'm happy :)