Travelodge have this week officially opened Ryde’s first branded budget hotel – a much welcomed boost to local employment and the local economy.
The new purpose built, 41-room property located in the heart of the town centre on Lind Hill represents an investment of £2.2 million and has created a total of 10 new jobs.
The hotel was officially opened yesterday (Thursday) by the Mayor of Ryde, Cllr Roi Milburn and the CEO of Visit Isle of Wight, David Thornton, alongside Travelodge’s Regional Director Muhammad Manan.
The hotel has been designed in the company’s new contemporary brand design which includes a new room concept which has been created by Travelodge customers. The hero of the new room is the new bespoke luxurious king-size Travelodge Dreamer bed and for the first time, the hotel chain has also introduced individual beds for children in its family rooms.
This new opening has boosted Travelodge’s portfolio to 522 hotels and has also doubled the company’s presence on the Isle of Wight to two hotels.
To mark Travelodge coming to Ryde and to also celebrate the company’s 30th anniversary, the hotel chain teamed up with Dover Park Primary School and tasked pupils to design what they think a hotel room will look like in 2045.
All pictures were exhibited during yesterday’s hotel opening and Cllr Roi Milburn selected the winning picture which was drawn by 11 year-old, Lucky Cambridge. The winning picture will be framed and hung in the hotel reception area for all visitors to admire.
Ryde Travelodge is being managed by James Gadbsy, who recruited his team locally. James started his career in the leisure industry after finishing high school and he quickly climbed the ladder and joined Travelodge in 2008 as the Hotel Manager of Newport Travelodge.
James Gadsby said:
“I am delighted to be managing Ryde’s first branded hotel. We have got off to a flying start and business is booming. We are already booked out for Christmas.
“To celebrate our new hotel opening in the company’s 30th anniversary year, we thought it was fitting to work with Dover Park Primary School and explore the local children’s vision on how they think a hotel room will look in 30 years’ time. The pictures submitted have been outstanding and we are looking forward to welcoming Lucky and her family to the hotel to unveil their framed artwork for all customers to admire”.
Muhammed Manan, Travelodge Regional Director South said:
“We are thrilled to be making history by opening not just our first hotel in Ryde but also the town’s first branded hotel. We have been looking for another site on the Isle of Wight for some time and are delighted to have built a hotel in such a prominent position, minutes away from the beach in the heart of Ryde.
“Our new hotel will help to attract new visitors, which is great news for the local economy, as our research shows annually Travelodge customers will spend nearly £1 million with local businesses during their stay”.
Ryde Travelodge offers a range of rooms which includes: family, double and accessible. A Travelodge family room caters for either two adults and two children or three adults. The room features two space saving comfy truckle beds, providing an enhanced service for families staying in the room. When the beds are in use the base can be used for storing luggage, providing extra space in the room.
Each room has en-suite facilities with eco-friendly showers, in-room toiletries including liquid soap, a flat screen TV with 18 free digital channels, free tea and coffee making facilities, and Wi-Fi for 30 minutes and then £3 for up to 24 hours.
Cllr Roi Milburn, Mayor of Ryde said:
“I am very pleased to see both quality and competitive pricing coming together in the Ryde Travelodge, and I welcome the confidence demonstrated by Travelodge in siting the new hotel in our town. It not only meets the demands of the holiday season but also the need for such accommodation the year round.
“I wish the hotel and its team all the best for the future”.
