Travelodge
Encyclopedia
Travelodge refers to several hotel chains around the world. Current operations include: the United States
, Canada
, the United Kingdom
, Spain
, the Republic of Ireland
, New Zealand
and Australia
. However, many of these are operated by independent companies who have no connection with the brand in other countries.
. The first Travelodge opened in San Diego
in 1940. For many years, Travelodge was headquartered in El Cajon, California
, east of San Diego. During its early years, Travelodge emphasized itself as a budget motel
chain that offered functional accommodations at rates lower than other chains by shunning fancy frills in favor of functional amenities such as comfortable beds, free TV and room phones, carpeted floors, in-room coffee pots and swimming pools. Travelodge also emphasized that its motels were centrally located in or near downtown areas in order to be convenient to local restaurants, churches, theatres, shopping areas and tourist attractions.
Recently, Travelodge has begun offering a light continental breakfast, "Bear Bites," consisting of juices, coffee and a choice of pastries.
In North America
, Travelodge is franchised by Wyndham Worldwide, the world's largest hotel chain. Targeting families with children, it is best known for its mascot Sleepy Bear, a half awake teddy bear
wearing a sleeping cap with his name, a robe with the Travelodge logo, and slippers. Some time ago, Travelodge would give a free toy plush bear to any child staying in the Sleepy Bear Den room, of which every Travelodge used to have at least one. Travelodge also has a brand of lower-price motels called Thriftlodge with another mascot named TJ, a freckle-faced bear with a baseball cap and a T-shirt with the Thriftlodge logo and the name TJ on it.
Because Thriftlodge is the lower-priced brand, the original Travelodge competes in the upper-economy segment, along with Sleep Inn, Park Inn/Suites and Red Carpet Inn/Suites. Unlike its corporate sister, Days Inn
, which also falls into the upper-economy segment, Travelodge is geared toward active, outdoor-loving or adventure-oriented families.
chain. Though operating under the Travelodge brand, Travelodge Canada administers the Master License for Travelodge and Thriftlodge in Canada. Travelodge Canada Corp. is a subsidiary of Royal Host Corp. http://www.royalhost.com based in Calgary
, Alberta.
Travelodge hotels in Canada do not participate in Wyndham's loyalty program Wyndham Rewards (offered by American hotels); rather, the Canadian properties operate a separate loyalty program called Guest Rewards. Launched in December 2003, the Guest Rewards Program is tailored to the Canadian market, including special features such as instant redemption for room credits right at the property.
Travelodge Canada also shares an exclusive partnership with HBC
, better known by its member stores the Bay, Zellers, Home Outfitters and more. This affiliation gives Travelodge guests in Canada the opportunity to participate in HBC Rewards http://www.hbc.com, a program unique to Travelodge Canada.
With over 110 properties nationwide, Travelodge is the third largest hotel chain in Canada.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. However, many of these are operated by independent companies who have no connection with the brand in other countries.
United States
The Travelodge brand was one of the first motel chains in the United States. It was established by the original Travelodge Corporation's founder, Scott King, in 1939 with the opening of the chain's first motels in Southern CaliforniaSouthern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
. The first Travelodge opened in San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
in 1940. For many years, Travelodge was headquartered in El Cajon, California
El Cajon, California
-History:El Cajon is located on the Rancho El Cajon Mexican land grant made in 1845 to María Antonia Estudillo, wife of Miguel Pedrorena. In 1876 Amaziah Lord Knox , a New Englander who had recently moved to California, established a hotel there to serve the growing number of people traveling...
, east of San Diego. During its early years, Travelodge emphasized itself as a budget motel
Motel
A motor hotel, or motel for short, is a hotel designed for motorists, and usually has a parking area for motor vehicles...
chain that offered functional accommodations at rates lower than other chains by shunning fancy frills in favor of functional amenities such as comfortable beds, free TV and room phones, carpeted floors, in-room coffee pots and swimming pools. Travelodge also emphasized that its motels were centrally located in or near downtown areas in order to be convenient to local restaurants, churches, theatres, shopping areas and tourist attractions.
Recently, Travelodge has begun offering a light continental breakfast, "Bear Bites," consisting of juices, coffee and a choice of pastries.
In North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, Travelodge is franchised by Wyndham Worldwide, the world's largest hotel chain. Targeting families with children, it is best known for its mascot Sleepy Bear, a half awake teddy bear
Teddy bear
The teddy bear is a stuffed toy bear. They are usually stuffed with soft, white cotton and have smooth and soft fur. It is an enduring form of a stuffed animal in many countries, often serving the purpose of entertaining children. In recent times, some teddy bears have become collector's items...
wearing a sleeping cap with his name, a robe with the Travelodge logo, and slippers. Some time ago, Travelodge would give a free toy plush bear to any child staying in the Sleepy Bear Den room, of which every Travelodge used to have at least one. Travelodge also has a brand of lower-price motels called Thriftlodge with another mascot named TJ, a freckle-faced bear with a baseball cap and a T-shirt with the Thriftlodge logo and the name TJ on it.
Because Thriftlodge is the lower-priced brand, the original Travelodge competes in the upper-economy segment, along with Sleep Inn, Park Inn/Suites and Red Carpet Inn/Suites. Unlike its corporate sister, Days Inn
Days Inn
Days Inn is a motel chain headquartered in the United States. Founded in 1970, it is now a part of the Wyndham Hotel Group, based in Parsippany, New Jersey, which was formerly a part of Cendant...
, which also falls into the upper-economy segment, Travelodge is geared toward active, outdoor-loving or adventure-oriented families.
Sleepy Bear Den
The Sleepy Bear Den is a room decorated in Sleepy Bear material. Each room has lampshades, comforters, curtains, and posters themed after Sleepy Bear. Travelodge used to give out free toy plush "sleepy bears" to any guest staying in the Sleepy Bear Den. Extras included a VCR in which children's films could be rented in the lobby. Several Travelodge properties are doing away with the Sleepy Bear den, citing high costs in maintaining a single type of room that is not consistent with the others. Remaining Sleepy Bear Dens are disappearing during renovations, and are being converted to standard rooms.Travelodge Lodgers
In an effort to refresh its brand and further solidify its reputation as being the place to stay for travelers who love going on adventures, Travelodge recently introduced a collection of animated families called “Lodgers” loosely based on seasons of the year. The adventure-loving families are presented in a colorful two-dimensional style in a series of 15 second television commercials which began airing in the summer of 2010. They are also present on Travelodge’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/travelodge.Canada
The Canadian Travelodge hotels are unusual for a WyndhamWyndham
-Localities:*City of Wyndham, an LGA in Victoria, Australia*Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley, a LGA in Western Australia, Australia*Wyndham Hills, Pennsylvania, an opulent community in York County, Pennsylvania, United States*Wyndham, New South Wales...
chain. Though operating under the Travelodge brand, Travelodge Canada administers the Master License for Travelodge and Thriftlodge in Canada. Travelodge Canada Corp. is a subsidiary of Royal Host Corp. http://www.royalhost.com based in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Alberta.
Travelodge hotels in Canada do not participate in Wyndham's loyalty program Wyndham Rewards (offered by American hotels); rather, the Canadian properties operate a separate loyalty program called Guest Rewards. Launched in December 2003, the Guest Rewards Program is tailored to the Canadian market, including special features such as instant redemption for room credits right at the property.
Travelodge Canada also shares an exclusive partnership with HBC
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
, better known by its member stores the Bay, Zellers, Home Outfitters and more. This affiliation gives Travelodge guests in Canada the opportunity to participate in HBC Rewards http://www.hbc.com, a program unique to Travelodge Canada.
With over 110 properties nationwide, Travelodge is the third largest hotel chain in Canada.
External links
- Travelodge Ireland
- Travelodge United States
- Travelodge Canada
- Travelodge Australia and New Zealand (unrelated to the U.S. or British chains)
- Travelodge Spain
- Travelodge Facebook Fan Page
- Travelodge YouTube Channel