TravelodgeorTravelodge by Wyndham(formerly brandedTraveLodge) refers to several hotel chains around the world. Current operations include theUnited States,Canada,theUnited Kingdom,Spain,Ireland,New Zealand,Australiaand several countries in Asia. As of December 31, 2018, it had 435 properties with 31,005 rooms.[1]

Travelodge by Wyndham
IndustryHotels
Founded1939;85 years ago(1939)(as TraveLodge)
Headquarters,
U.S.
Number of locations
435 (December 31, 2018)[1]
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Scott King
Revenue6 billion (2012)
Number of employees
1,254 (2012)
ParentWyndham Hotels and Resorts
Websitewyndhamhotels /travelodge

United States

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Travelodge inRaton, New Mexico

The Travelodge brand was one of the first motel chains in the United States. Travelodge Corporation, was incorporated by founder Scott King inSouthern Californiain 1939. The first TraveLodge opened inSan Diegoin 1940. For many years, Travelodge was headquartered inEl Cajon, California,east of San Diego. During its early years, TraveLodge emphasized itself as a budgetmotelchain that offered functional accommodations at rates lower than other chains. 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. Today, however, there are many different hotel "tiers" that Travelodge offers, from budget-priced properties to full-service high-rise hotels. Travelodge purchased the Skylight Inn of America Inn in 1988, which was founded only six years prior inCleveland, Ohio,[2][3][4]

In 1996, theForte Groupsold the Travelodge operation in North America. The trademark rights and franchise system were acquired for $39 million byHFS Inc.,owner of other hotel brands such asDays InnandRamada.[5][6]HFS was later merged into Cendant Corporation,[7]and Cendant's hotel services, including Travelodge, were spun off asWyndham Hotels and Resortsin 2006.[8]

Targeting families with children, Travelodge is well-known for its mascot Sleepy Bear, a smiling, sleep-walkingteddy bearwearing anightcapwith his name, anightshirtwith the Travelodge logo, and slippers. The logo was created in 1954 by Robert Hale, while employed by Dan Lawrence Advertising agency of San Diego. Years ago, Travelodge would give a free toy plush bear to any child staying in the Sleepy Bear Den room, of which every Travelodge had at least one. The Sleepy Bear mascot has largely been retired, but can still be seen on some older Travelodge signs and is still used on some advertising. Travelodge also has a brand of lower-price motels calledThriftlodgewith 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.[9]

Travelodge in other countries

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Travelodge inSydney
Travelodge inNewquay

Asia / Australia

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Headquartered in Australia and Singapore,Travelodge Hotels Asiais responsible for the development, management and franchise of all Travelodge hotels in 22 key markets throughout Asia. The launch of Travelodge Kowloon in Hong Kong in January 2017 marks the first strategic step and key milestone for Travelodge Hotels Asia. The company, owned by Singapore-listed ICP, has expanded in other Asian countries including Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan.[10]Throughout 2024, Travelodge has launched several new hotels in Seoul and Busan, South Korea.[11]Travelodge Hotels Asiahas also recently opened their 20th hotel in Kyoto, Japan.[12]

Canada

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The Canadian Travelodge hotels are unusual for aWyndhamchain. Though operating under the Travelodge brand, Travelodge Canada administers the Master Licence for Travelodge andThriftlodgein Canada. Travelodge Canada Corp. is owned by Superior Lodging Development TL Corporation based inCalgary,Alberta.[citation needed]With over 95 properties nationwide, Travelodge is the third-largest hotel chain in Canada.[citation needed]

United Kingdom

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Travelodge has been running in the UK since the first hotel opened atBurton Upon Trentin 1985. The company has been through several changes of ownership and reached £1bn in debts by 2008. The chain is currently being financed byGoldman Sachsand the hedge fund groupsGoldenTree Asset ManagementandAvenue Capital Group.[13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ab"FORM 10-K - Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc"(PDF).Retrieved2024-07-26.
  2. ^"Three Cleveland area firms have begun a joint venture".United Press International.September 2, 1982.Retrieved20 July2018.
  3. ^"Skylight Inns is New Hotel Chain".Youngstown Vindicator.2 September 1982. p. 70.
  4. ^Jakle, John A.; Sculle, Keith A.; Rogers, Jefferson S. (1996).The Motel in America.Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 156–160.ISBN978-0801869181.
  5. ^Carrier, Lynne (21 December 1995)."East Coast consortium purchases Travelodge U.S. for $167 million".San Diego Daily Transcript– via Factiva.
  6. ^"Natl Lodging, HFS buy Forte's North Amer Travelodge opers".Dow Jones News Service. 23 January 1996.– via Factiva(subscription required)
  7. ^"Merged HFS, CUC begin trading under new name".The Wall Street Journal.19 December 1997 – via Factiva.
  8. ^Perone, Joseph R. (1 August 2006)."Cendant's split into 4 firms effective today".The Star-Ledger.Newark, New Jersey – via NewsBank.
  9. ^"About Travelodge".Travelodge.Retrieved20 July2018.
  10. ^Min, Chia Yan (23 June 2014)."ICP acquires Asia Pacific rights to Travelodge brand".The Straits Times.Singapore.Retrieved20 July2018.
  11. ^Nath, Kanchan (2024-04-18)."Travelodge Myeongdong Namsan: The latest addition to Seoul's hospitality scene".Travel Daily Media.Retrieved2024-10-31.
  12. ^"Omiya Hotel Japan Launches Travelodge Kyoto Shijo, Promising Unmatched Affordable Comfort as 2025 Tourism Booms - Travel And Tour World".2024-10-08.Retrieved2024-10-31.
  13. ^Cave, Andrew (15 February 2015)."Travelodge has 'complete makeover' as it focuses on families and business".The Daily Telegraph.London.Retrieved30 March2015.
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