We've lived in a Travelodge for 20 years

Sep 11 2007 By Gary Marks, Birmingham Mail

A COUPLE have lived in a budget hotel for more than 20 years because it is cheaper and safer than living in their home.

David Davidson, 79, and his wife, Jean, 70, have spent around £100,000 on their room with a view of a car park since they moved in in 1985.

The pensioners, who own a flat in Sheffield, loved the ease of staying at a Travelodge when they first tried one in Barton-under-Needwood.

They sampled another on the A1 at Newark, Nottinghamshire, and gradually found themselves moving in.

In July 1997, the pair moved permanently into Room 1 of the new Travelodge at the Gonerby Moor service area on the A1.

For an average £90 a week, they get their laundry done, their bed made and never have to pay household bills.

The couple, who have been married for 54 years, book 12 months ahead to get cut-price rates.

Now their room is going to be renamed The Davidsons' Suite in their honour.

Mrs Davidson suffers from a bone disease and uses a wheelchair -something their large, ground-floor room, with specially adapted en suite bathroom caters for perfectly.

And the pensioners just need to cross the car park to take their dinnerat the Little Chef or other local restaurants.

Former Second World War Royal Navy sailor 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?

"There's a Little Chef here so we only have to walk across the car park for meals, or we'll go to one of the other local eateries nearby."

He added: "We were one of the first couples ever to stay in a Travelodge in the UK when we booked into the Burton-under-Needwood hotel in 1985. I was instantly impressed by the convenience of the hotel while I visited my aunt.

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."