Simplicity of approach is determined by the need to keep capital costs down, but the designs used are no less effective for this. As with the earlier Review in this budget category the design is effective. However here the design is not altered to suit the hotel or location but is implemented as a standard set of specifications applied within the space. This is unlike the previous review, where the involvement of a designer has resulted in subtle but effective design solutions that made a more interesting hotel at, I suspect, minimal difference in cost.

In both cases furniture is simple but effective. In both cases for example the wardrobe is a simple construction without doors and a rear made by the room wall. Both made good use of space and provided adequate working space. The difference is in the warmth and flair of the one against the other. However competition at this level rarely is decided by design, but by budget. Where the effect of the designer is noticeable is in the corridors and public areas, particularly in the café-bar. Here the team must have used in house expertise to design the bar fitting which effectively doubles as a breakfast bar, but manages to look good in both incarnations. However design seems to have stopped there, with the remainder of the room just being fitted out with loose furniture. This is an opportunity missed to create an new standard for design as the café-bar, which is not included in most Travelodge facilities (they are usually built adjacent to independent restaurant operations) could itself be a style statement for the chain – or is this facilities creep?