• 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 nearly 600 hotels and over 46,000 bedrooms across the UK, Ireland and Spain.

Welcoming over 22 million guests annually, 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 a diverse customer base a good value experience – whether travelling for business or leisure. In 2023 approximately 50% of rooms were sold for less than £60.

In 2004, Travelodge was the first UK budget hotel brand to launch in Spain when it opened its first hotel in Madrid, closely followed by its first in Barcelona. Over the following years three further hotels were opened in Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia. In October last year the sixth hotel in Spain was opened – Madrid Coslada Aeropuerto Travelodge.

Our Spanish Travelodge hotels are a great base for both business and leisure guests, offering a wide range of room types, a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu at affordable prices as well as Wifi for all guests. All hotels are also pet-friendly.

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

The Travelodge Press Office
+44 1844 35 8703
Travelodge