Travelodge, the UK’s first budget hotel chain, has opened its first hotel in Gravesend, and is the first of two hotels to open in Kent this year.
Gravesend Travelodge is the company’s 13th hotel in Kent and represents an investment of £5.5m for third party investors and has created 15 new jobs within the community.
The other hotel is the company’s first hotel in Dover. The 108-room hotel with Bar Café is located in the new St James' development. Collectively these two hotels represent an investment of £14.5 million for third party investors and 45 new jobs.
Gravesend Travelodge, a purpose built, 61-room hotel with on-site car-parking has been designed in Travelodge’s new contemporary brand design and offers the new upgraded room concept - which has been designed by the company’s business and leisure customers.
Gravesend Travelodge is being managed by Eric Dagrou, who joined Travelodge four years ago as assistant manager at Croydon Central Travelodge. During his time with the company he has managed Dartford and London Sidcup Travelodge hotels.
Eric Dagrou, Hotel Manager of Gravesend Travelodge, said, “I am thrilled to have made history by managing the first Travelodge hotel in Gravesend. We have been looking for some time to open a hotel in the town, especially as there is a desperate need for good quality accommodation at a great value price. Our new hotel is ideally located for business and leisure travellers visiting the area.
“I have built a great team and together we have got the hotel off to a flying start. Business on the books is looking good for the year ahead with business customers staying with us during the week and leisure customers during the weekend. This is great news for the local community as our research shows our customers will collectively spend, over £2million annually with local businesses during their stay.”