A couple, who have lived in Travelodge hotel for more than 20 years, are to have a room named after them.
Comic Steve Coogan’s creation Alan Partridge may have had to live in a “Linton Travel Tavern” after the breakdown of his marriage, but for David Davidson, 79, and his wife, Jean, 70, a roadside-hotel has become their home.
The couple, who own a flat in Sheffield, have lived in the hotels near Newark, Nottinghamshire and then Grantham, Lincolnshire, since 1985, and estimate to have spent about £100,000 on the rooms over the years.
But Mr. Davidson said it is money well spent as they do not have to worry about bills, cooking or making the bed, and it is cheaper and safer than living in their own home.
Room 1 of the Gonerby Moor Travelodge near the A1, will now be called The Davidson Suite, complete with a plaque.
The couple stayed at the first ever Travelodge in Barton-under-Needwood, Staffordshire and liked it so much they began to stay more and more often, finally choosing the hotel in Newark.
By booking 12 months in advance, they pay £90 a week and have all housework done by maids while often eating at the nearby Little Chef restaurant.
World War II veteran Mr. Davidson said: “We get great rates because we book well in advance and we even have our own personal housekeeper. It doesn’t get much better than that, does it?
“We do have to be a bit choosy about what we keep in our room as it can fill up easily - but our must-have item is our framed personal photograph.”
He continued: “The Travelodge room suits us so much better than our first-floor flat in Sheffield, which has no disabled access for Jean. It’s important as she now suffers from a bone disease and uses a wheelchair.”
“There is no reason why we’d want to go home. Even when we go on holiday we like to stay in Travelodges.”
Paul Anstey, Travelodge director of operations for the North, said: “We know Travelodge has really loyal customers throughout the UK but the Davidsons are unique - they’ve literally made a Travelodge into their home.”
By Andrew Burgess
