A HOTEL in Christchurch has unveiled its new ‘premium’ look following a refit.

Christchurch Travelodge has been upgraded to the budget-luxe design hotel, seeing it welcome a new reception, a ‘next generation’ room and a contemporary restaurant and bar.

The 68-room hotel in Saxon Square is one of 65 Travelodge hotels to undergo a refit in the last 36 weeks as part of the hotel’s upgrade programme.

Travelodge say it is their ‘most radical transformation to date’.

Lynn Bradley, hotel manager at Christchurch Travelodge, said: “My team and I are delighted that our hotel is one of 65 Travelodge hotels within the group’s portfolio to be upgraded to the new budget-luxe design.

"This refit is extra special as our hotel completes the first phase of the multi-million budget-luxe hotel upgrade programme.”

“This refurbishment is our most radical transformation to date and is a complete overhaul of our existing design. It certainly has the wow factor for our business and leisure customers.”

The new Travelodge budget-luxe design features a number of sustainable initiatives, including carpet made from recycled fishing nets and plastic bottles, low energy lighting installed throughout the hotel with motion sensing controls and aerated showers and taps in the en-suite bathrooms.

The hotel has also seen the addition of an elegant new reception area, a next generation room which has been devised to create a multi-dimensional space, and a contemporary designed restaurant called the Bar Café.

The budget-luxe design is believed to help guests feel ‘psychologically refreshed’. Psychologist Corinne Sweet said: “Recent psychological research shows people’s tastes are changing and incorporating homely touches into décor and design are becoming essential to create a calming environment for wellbeing.

“The new Travelodge budget-luxe design fits the bill as the premium look and feel is a good mixture of high functionality, comfort and calmness which helps guests feel psychologically refreshed.”