• The bespoke headboard artwork has been created to celebrate Travelodge's 35th birthday & 30 years of trading in Edinburgh
  • Britons choose their favourite Edinburgh landmarks to help create 'Sleeping in Edinburgh'
  • It is the perfect picture perfect selfie backdrop - bringing Edinburgh into the room

Travelodge the UK's first budget hotel chain has gone artistic and created 'headboard art', a headboard that is a piece of art - titled 'Sleeping in Edinburgh'. It's the first of its kind within the UK branded hotel sector and has been commissioned to celebrate a double celebration, the company's 35th birthday and 30 years of trading in Edinburgh.

The bespoke artwork is a picture perfect selfie backdrop bringing Edinburgh directly into the room. The headboard measures 2.16 metres wide by 2.28 metres high.

'Sleeping in Edinburgh' has been created by internationally renowned artist, Luke McDonnell. 

Travelodge is Edinburgh's largest hotel chain, currently operating 12 hotels across the city. 'The Sleeping in Edinburgh' artwork is currently being exhibited in a premium economy SuperRoom in the company's latest hotel opening in the city - Edinburgh Park Travelodge Plus

The artist, Luke McDonnell took inspiration to create 'Sleeping in Edinburgh' from a study Travelodge undertook with 2,000 British adults to identify the nation's favourite Edinburgh landmarks.

The world famous Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the city's skyline, took first place in the nation's favourite Edinburgh landmark poll.

In second place was The Royal Mile, which runs through the heart of Edinburgh's old town. The Mile is lined with charming townhouses, churches and historic landmarks.

Arthur's Seat, the extinct volcano which is the main peak of the group of hills in Edinburgh took third place in the nation's favourite Edinburgh landmarks survey.

Greyfriars Bobby stole the nation's hearts and took fourth place in the poll. Greufriars Bobby is Edinburgh's most loyal dog and proves that dogs really are man's best friend. Bobby famously guarded his master's grave for 14 years until his own death in 1872. The little Skye terrier has been immortalised as a life-size statue and is one of Edinburgh's top landmarks and attracts visitors from all corners of the globe.

Calton Hill and the Scottish National Monument came in fifth place in the poll. Calton Hill is famous for providing breath-taking panoramic views of Edinburgh. The Scottish National Monument is one of Edinburgh's most famous memorials - erected to remember the dead from the Napoleonic Wars.

Detailed below are the top ten landmarks Britons voted to be included e in the 'Sleeping in Edinburgh' headboard artwork:

  1. Edinburgh Castle
  2. Royal Mile
  3. Arthur's Seat
  4. Greyfriars Bobby
  5. Calton Hill
  6. Dean Village
  7. The Ross Fountain
  8. The Royal Botanic Garden
  9. The Tron Kirk
  10. Royal Britannia

Shakila Ahmed, Travelodge Spokeswoman said: "This year, Travelodge celebrates its 35th birthday and 30 years of being the low cost hotel choice in Edinburgh. To mark this double celebration we thought it would fun to create headboard art. Our Travelodge Dreamer bed is the focal point of our rooms and we have utilised the space around the bed to create a unique piece of artwork that not only pays homage to one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It also brings Edinburgh directly into the room for that essential selfie postcard shot."

Luke McDonnell, the artist who created the 'Sleeping in Edinburgh' headboard artwork said: "I was thrilled to be commissioned to create the UK's first hotel headboard art. To help bring Edinburgh into the room, I personally visited the nation's top ten favourite city landmarks to attain a first-hand feel, as they are all so different and magnificent. I also spoke with locals and tourists and discovered so many incredible facts. I was touched by some of the stories, especially of Greyfriars Bobby, and the project came together very organically. I arranged the composition in pencil and used paints to create the collage, all betwixt a frame of flora and fauna inherent to the area."

For a selection of images of the headboard artwork, please contact the Travelodge Press Office on 01844 35 8703.

— Source: Travelodge— Source: Travelodge
— Source: Travelodge

About Travelodge

Founded in 1985, Travelodge is Britain's very first budget hotel chain and today is one of the largest budget hotel chains in the UK, with a portfolio of over 600 hotels and over 47,000 bedrooms across the UK, Ireland and Spain.

In Spain, Travelodge has an established profitable presence and as of April 2024, its portfolio doubled to 12 hotels, having recently acquired a further six properties. Travelodge has ambitious growth plans within this market and has identified the top 20 key locations where it would like to open additional hotels in Spain.

Welcoming over 22 million guests annually across the UK, Ireland and Spain, the majority of Travelodge hotels are located in major cities, towns and holiday hotspots as well as by airports and key business hubs. With 90% of its hotels rated 4* or above on TripAdvisor, Travelodge is proud to offer guests across its diverse customer base a good value experience – whether they are travelling for business or leisure. In 2023, approximately 50% of rooms were sold for less than £60.

Whether out celebrating a birthday, going to a concert or sporting event, visiting friends and family, taking a business trip, working away from home, or taking a short break, we help people to go and do their thing by Being the Brilliant Base.

Travelodge continues to invest in its ongoing hotel refit programme which is expected to see 50% of the Travelodge room estate upgraded to its new design by the end of 2024. The brand is also continually evolving its quality offering to deliver a better experience for its diverse mix of business and leisure guests such as its new look Bar Cafe design, 85 Bar Café, which has been rolled out to selected UK hotels as part of the refit programme.

Travelodge is focussing on its environmental and social impact, with sustainability integral to its business strategy. It's Better Future sustainability plan aims to build a more sustainable future for its customers, colleagues and the planet, and it is underpinned by three core pillars: Inclusive – ensuring we are accessible, inclusive and well-priced to our customers and colleagues; Caring – creating a caring and healthy environment for our colleagues and customers and ensuring their wellbeing; and Conscious – Travelodge is conscious of its impact on the planet, taking into account the waste it produces, the energy and other resources it consumes and the carbon emissions it generates.

For further information visit travelodge.co.uk or the Travelodge Hotels Limited LinkedIn page.

The Travelodge Press Office
+44 1844 35 8703
Travelodge