It was during a recent trip to Oxfordshire that I discovered an intriguing new offering – Travelodge 'SuperRooms'. While searching for an affordable place to stay for the night, I came across the out-of-town Travelodge Faringdon, where these upgraded rooms were available for just £39.99. Surprised by the great value, I didn’t hesitate to book immediately!
What's a Travelodge SuperRoom?
In short, it's Travelodge's answer to the growing 'Budget-Luxe' sector, as well as their attempt to capture the hearts of disillusioned Premier Inn customers who have grown tired of high pricing and a lowering of standards, as I wrote about here.
The SuperRoom boasts spookily similar facilities to the Premier Inn Plus room, which itself was partially developed in response to the burgeoning market of middle income earners being squeezed by eye wateringly high taxes / cost of living in the UK ie the ones who simply can't afford to stay at places like Hilton and Marriott anymore and looking to cheapen their lifestyle in order to pay taxes.
The SuperRoom, according to Travelodge, has been developed following extensive customer research. Customers said they wanted a more homely feel that the usual budget hotel chains like Travelodge and Campanile have traditionally offered. Travelodge has so far bought nine former Campanile hotels as part of its rapid expansion plans in the UK - all of the former Campanile sites will be converted to the new design Travelodge featuring the SuperRoom concept.
If you're interested, the SuperRoom features:
- Lavazza coffee machine with complimentary coffee pods and KitKats☕
- Blackout curtains for a restful sleep 💤
- Choice of firm or soft pillows for personalized comfort 🛏️
- Samsung 32" Freeview TV for entertainment 📺
- Hairdryer and iron & ironing board for convenience 💇♂️👔
- Comfortable chair for relaxation 🪑
- Adjustable 3-jet shower for a refreshing experience
..and just like Premier Inn Plus rooms, many feature air conditioning but it isn't guaranteed
The Welcome
When it comes to hospitality, the one thing that costs nothing to provide yet seems to difficult to achieve at times, is a smile and a warm welcome. At the Travelodge here, in fact in both of my recent stays, I got a very warm welcome and was checked in within seconds. Simplicity is key of course when margins are tight, but the smile costs nothing.
So what was my SuperRoom like at Travelodge Faringdon, Oxfordshire..
First impressions were amazing. Unlike my recent Premier Inn stays, there were no missing chunks out of the walls and, unlike some earlier Travelodge stays, there were no dubious stains on the chairs of which you get two in the SuperRoom..one to sit and watch TV, the other to sit at the desk with and write blog posts.
I also liked the lighter, less brutal dark shades of blue that Travelodge has traditionally aligned itself with. Blue is my favourite colour, but sometimes it's just nice to have a lighter nicer version of it.
In addition to the listed benefits, the SuperRoom also offers dimmable lighting and, much to my surprise, it worked fine. Hotels install these features and just like British Airways, then fail to fix them when they go wrong. But, I'm pleased to report everything was working just fine with my room tonight.
The bed was huge and unlike other hotels, wasn't just two single's pushed together - it was a bona fide double bed. I slept very well.
One of the things that really winds me up about hotel bathrooms is that some hoteliers, particularly in older hotels, think that squirting endless amounts of silicon spray will simply remove the problem of mould and other nasties. In reality it just looks cheap and ages terribly.
In the new Travelodge SuperRoom, bathrooms have been completely renovated with brand new fittings, including Hansgrohe showers which not only look high end, more importantly, wash your bits to a very high standard. I felt invigorated after luxuriating in such an expensive shower - I smelled great, looked great and looked ten years younger - it's amazing what an expensive shower can do for one's complexion!
Not only that, but as you can see, the bathroom was really easy on the eye, modern and very well it. This is a Travelodge remember.
An actual coffee machine and digital climate control you say?
Oh yes. Though not quite up there with the offering at Premier Inn Plus, the Travelodge SuperRoom offers not only a Lavazza coffee machine with a choice of coffee pods, you also get two complimentary fun size Kit Kat's - Premier Inn Plus offers organic chocolates, but to be honest you can't really beat a Kit Kat.
As if the Lavazza and KitKat's aren't enough to blow your mind, many SuperRooms are also fitted out with state of the art air conditioned climate control. You know what? I stay in hotels costing five times as much as this and the 70s air con is usually broken or so weak you end up opening the window anyway. Pleased to say, this room was kept so cold during the night, even penguin's would have had to wear a blanket.
You even had a two course meal here - for £14.75?
Sure did.
Let's not get carried away here. This isn't eating at Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant. But the latter would no doubt charge more than £15 for two courses.
The food was tasty, and in the case of the curry, was piping hot and both courses were served quickly. Travelodge's newer larger hotels have restaurants and I have added the menu below to give you an idea of what you can get.
Verdict
No matter how hard I try to find flaws, or how selective I can be, the new Travelodge 'Budget-Luxe' concept is impressively difficult to critique. Under the leadership of Jo Boydell, who took over as CEO in 2022, the company has undergone a remarkable transformation. You can see it. You can feel it.
As someone who used to rely on Premier Inn—once a dependable choice for affordable quality—I’ve grown disheartened by the chain’s recent decline. That’s why I didn’t have to look far to find a worthy alternative in Travelodge, my new go-to for mid-range hotel stays.
Don’t get me wrong—Travelodge isn't without its challenges. With 590 hotels spread across the UK, they cater to all kinds of travellers: from weary motorway drivers in need of a quick rest to couples planning a weekend city escape. But naturally, managing such a vast portfolio comes with its share of ageing properties. Some older Travelodge locations are undeniably dated, and a few could even be described as unpleasant. I wouldn’t be surprised if Travelodge decides to shut down or sell off these low-performing properties, a strategy they’ve employed in the past. As the brand refines its focus, it’s likely these out-of-date lodges will either be retired or rebranded—perhaps ending up under a different name like Comfort Inn.
One thing that sets Travelodge apart is its operational model. Instead of owning or franchising, the company runs on a leasehold system, leasing most of its hotels from property owners. This approach enables Travelodge to expand without the heavy investment of purchasing properties outright. Unlike some franchise-based chains, Travelodge directly manages its hotels, ensuring consistency in service and experience across all locations.
With its revitalised strategy and laser focus on competing with Premier Inn (and, from what I’ve experienced, surpassing it), Travelodge is in a strong position to capture more of the mid-market segment in the coming years.
During my recent stay in Oxfordshire, I was thoroughly impressed. From the friendly staff to the reasonably priced food and the modern SuperRoom, everything was spot on. If you’re planning a trip, I’d highly recommend giving Travelodge a try. Or, of course, you could pay over double the price to stay at the Premier Inn down the road—if throwing away money is your thing.
Here’s the bottom line: for just £54.74, I enjoyed a stylish SuperRoom and a delicious two-course meal. Let me know when you find a deal that beats that.
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