Travelodge

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Travelodge is a brand of economy hotels in North America franchised by Cendant, the world's largest hotel chain. Targeting families with children, it is best known for its mascot Sleepy Bear, a half awake teddy bear wearing a sleeping cap with his name, a robe with the Travelodge logo, and slippers. Travelodge also has a brand of lower-price motels called Thriftlodge with 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.

The Canadian Travelodge hotels are unusual for a Cendant chain, for they do not participate in Cendant's TripRewards loyalty program (which American hotels do); they rather operate a separate loyalty program called Guest Rewards.

The Travelodge brand was established by the original Travelodge Corporation's founder, Scott King, in 1939 with the opening of the chain's first motels in Southern California. For many years, Travelodge was headquartered in El Cajon, California, which is located east of San Diego. During its early years, Travelodge emphasized itself as a budget motel chain that offered functional accommodations at rates lower than other chains by shunning fancy frills in favor of functional amenities such as comfortable beds, free TV and room phones, carpeted floors, in-room coffee pots and swimming pools. Travelodge also emphasized that its motels were centrally located in or near downtown areas in order to be convenient to local restaurants, churches, theaters, shopping areas and tourist attractions.

The Travelodge brand also exists in the United Kingdom, however it is a completely separate company, the only connection to the US brand being the name. Travelodge which was formerly a division of the former Forté Hotels empire (and was known as Forté Travelodge) had since became a company in its own right and it has over 250 Travelodge hotels, mainly located beside motorways and major roads with many located next door to Little Chef restaurants or Moto service areas. Increasingly UK Travelodges can also be found in the centres of major towns and cities.

Travelodges in the UK specialise in rooms at £45-55 per night but if booked in advance for £15 or £26.

Travelodge also operate 7 hotels in the Republic of Ireland, these are owned and operated by the same company as the UK chain.

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