The group is the UK's third largest hotel operator and operates hotels in the UK, Ireland and Spain under its economy brand Travelodge. After a period of cleaning up its network following a financial restructuring programme, the channel is now developing at a rapid pace.
Key figures
41,085 rooms
worldwide 2017
544 hotels
worldwide 2017
Formerly known as Forte Travelodge, the hotel division of Forte Hotels, the group was formed in the United Kingdom in 1985 following the acquisition of the American hotel chain Travelodge by the Scottish caterer and hotelier Lord Forte. He opened the first British Travelodge hotel in the village of Barton-under-Needwood.
The company was taken over several times by various British companies, including Granada (1995), Compass Group (2001) and Permira (2003) before passing into the hands of the UAE-based Dubai International Capital in 2006. In 2010, Travelodge acquired 52 Innkeeper's Lodge locations from the Mitchells & Butlers pub chain, strengthening its footprint in the UK. Present in the main cities of the United Kingdom (London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Manchester, Birmingham, Belfast), the chain also run hotels in Ireland - notably Dublin - and in Spain (Barcelona, Madrid).
Over-indebted following its previous buyout, the group had to carry out financial restructuring and was taken over in 2012 by the US funds GoldenTree, Avenue Capital and Goldman Sachs. The operation involved the implementation of a major investment program to renovate its facilities and the opening of new hotels. Meanwhile, some 50 hotels exited its portfolio, which would lead to a decline in its supply for several consecutive years. In 2017, however, Travelodge's portfolio recorded a significant rebound, with the chain posting double-digit growth in its supply.
Travelodge (UK) now operates more than 540 hotels and more than 40,000 rooms. It ranks 30th largest hotel group in the world and 12th in Europe.
