BUDGET hotel chain Travelodge has announced that its Cheshire Oaks venue is one of its first to receive a big upgrade.

The brand’s new 'budget-luxe design' was completed this week at the 77-room Cheshire Oaks hotel.

In April this year, Travelodge announced a multi-million pound programme to upgrade 60 UK hotels in popular business and staycation destinations to its budget-luxe design.

The Travelodge interiors team have introduced a new signature rich navy blue brand colour which pays homage to the first iconic Travelodge blue brand colour, as well as a revamped reception area.

The design also includes a number of sustainable initiatives. This includes the new carpet being made from recycled fishing nets which are part of a project supporting clean ocean initiatives, tackling over 640k tonnes of discarded fishing nets currently impacting marine life.

The carpet backing is also made of old plastic bottles. Every 10 of these bottles which are recycled rather than being sent to landfill saves enough energy to power a laptop for 25 hours.

Other features include low energy lighting, motion sensing controls and aerated showers and taps.

Graeme Dibbert, hotel manager, Cheshire Oaks Travelodge, said: “My team and I are delighted that our hotel is one of the first Travelodges to be upgraded to the new budget-luxe premium look and feel design. This is our most radical brand transformation to date and the budget-luxe design certainly has the wow factor for our customers.

“The Travelodge budget-luxe design has been created in response to ever increasing expectations from customers. Britain is now a nation of budget travellers, with more of us choosing to stay in budget hotels than any other hotel type and thoughtful, stylish design and homely touches really matter in today’s world when staying away for business or leisure.”

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.”