Premier Inn bids for London domination…

We’ve commented many times on the rivalry between Premier Inn and Travelodge for London domination.  But it seems Premier Inn is really throwing down the gauntlet now, announcing plans for a major expansion drive in London.  They’re looking to make a 50% growth in rooms in the next two years, and double their size in London by 2016.  Fighting talk.

The properties due to open over the next 24 months will be based all over the city, from Leicester Square to Blackfriars, Old Street and Islington.  Premier Inn’s Managing Director promised guests “a great night’s sleep in the best locations when visiting the capital”.

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Just days ago the chain opened their newest property in Stratford – another shrewdly positioned offering.  Sat in the middle of the newly-opened Westfield Shopping Centre and adjacent to the Olympic Stadium, the 267-bedroom hotel is sure to be a sell-out during the London Olympics.

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Now Travelodge has free WiFi in its Bar Cafes, Premier Inn looks a bit flat-footed with its pay as you go WiFi

The current largest provider of budget hotels within the M25 area – Travelodge – will clearly also have to step up its game.  And in fact it fired an important salvo recently by offering free WiFi in Travelodge Bar Cafes.

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A question for Premier Inn: will you step up and meet the challenge by offering free WiFi in your rooms?  This would trump Travelodge and be particularly important as our budget hotel price study showed that Travelodge currently has cheaper average London room rates than its rival.

Let battle continue!

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Photo credits: Premier Inn, Travelodge.

Tagged as: Premier Inn, Premier Inn Stratford, Travelodge