October 5th 2004 Where would you find Bentley car keys, a false leg, an Olympic Bronze medal and a pair of edible knickers? Where else but at Travelodge Lost and Found office. Travelodge, the UK’s fastest growing hotel chain, today announces the mysterious objects that have been left behind in their rooms.
Travelodge managers admit they are more baffled than ever by this year’s staggering assortment of objects left in rooms, revealed in their annual Lost and Found inventory from all 248 hotels in the UK. Nearly topping this year’s list were dentures – something you surely wouldn’t want to leave your room without! Likewise prosthetic limbs also made the top 10.
With over six million guests annually staying with Travelodge, the more unusual items left behind have included weighing scales, a harp, a cowboy hat, a toupee, a Cartier diamond watch and a rice cooker. There was also a case of a dog being left behind though the owner did return later to pick him up.
Nicole Jarvis, Manager at Travelodge London City, commented: “It’s a real insight looking at the inventory of Lost and Found items. The majority of items left behind are precious to their owners, but they do not realise they have left them at Travelodge until we contact them. One of our most unusual finds has been an Olympic bronze medal, the owner was so overwhelmed to receive a call from his us, he thought he had lost it for good”.
The location of the hotel is also a big indicator of the Lost and Found contents. The number of feather boas with complimentary L plates left behind in Brighton clearly reflects its popularity as a hen night destination; Manchester Central had the highest number of football scarves in one hotel – over 20; though it is not quite clear why the Travelodges in Leeds and Milton Keynes had the highest number of saucy bedroom accessories / underwear left behind.
Travelodge has 248 hotels across the country in most city centres. From the 3rd October till the 31st October 2004 Travelodge is running an autumn offer – Rooms for £15 per night based on a minimum 2-night stay at a range of great locations throughout the UK, which include: Edinburgh, Glasgow, York, Cotswold, Brighton and the West Country. Bookings can only be made online at www.travelodge.co.uk/save and must be made at least four full days in advance of stay. All stays must take place by 31st October 2004.
All Travelodge bedrooms offer a comfortable setting with a luxury king size bed, en-suite bathroom, colour TV and free tea and coffee making facilities. There is a choice of bedrooms – double, disabled and family, with the latter catering for 2 adults and 2 children under the age of 16. All Travelodge bedrooms are being refreshed as part of a refurbishment programme, which will be completed by the end of the year.
-ends-
Top left items this year:
§ Phone chargers (2201)
§ Mobile phones (807)
§ Shaving kits (765)
§ Bedroom accessories (594)
§ Saucy underwear (580)
§ Keys (505)
§ Pillows brought from home (322)
§ False teeth (127)
§ Electric Toothbrushes (126)
§ False limbs (80)
Notes to editors
· The lost and found numbers were calculated from items left from August 2003 – August 2004 across Travelodge hotels
· The Travelodge autumn offer is for a minimum of two consecutive nights and is available at the locations listed at travelodge.co.uk/save. Offer may not be available at every listed lodge every night and can only be booked at travelodge.co.uk/save and must be booked at least four full days in advance of stay. Bookings available now until 26th October for stays up until 31st October.
· This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount scheme. All bookings must be pre-paid and are non-transferable, non-refundable and cannot be amended. This offer cannot be booked by phone. Other non-promotional rates available online and on 08700 850 950.
· Travelodge offers double, family and disabled rooms. A family caters for two adults and two children, both under 16 years. All rooms are en-suite, with luxury king size beds, colour TV and free tea and coffee making facilities.
· Travelodge currently has 248 locations throughout the UK
· Travelodge was the first UK low-cost hotel brand to launch in the UK in 1985.
· Travelodge offers an on-line booking service at www.travelodge.co.uk and also via telephone on 08700 850950.
For more information please contact Melissa Heyn or Suzanne Price at Shine on
020 7553 3333 or Melissa@shinecom.com / Suzanne.price@Shinecom.com