Leading UK-based independent hotel management and services company, RBH, has officially opened its first hotel at Heathrow in 20 years.
The opening of Ibis Budget Heathrow T5 marks the completion of the first phase of refurbishment and rebrand of the former Travelodge on behalf of owner Sidra Capital – the Sharia compliant asset manager based in Saudi Arabia.
After carrying out the capital works and rebrand process on the first part of the 297-bed property, RBH now assumes management of ibis budget Heathrow T5 as it begins welcoming guests.
For the time being, the hotel will provide essential accommodation to key workers throughout the UK’s extended COVID lockdown.
ibis budget Heathrow T5 is perfectly placed for those travelling to and from London’s busiest airport, situated just 15 minutes from central London on the Heathrow Express, and a short drive from key tourist destinations like Windsor, LEGOLAND and Thorpe Park.
Guests will enjoy free Wi-Fi as standard and daily breakfast from 4am until 10am, including grab and go options. And, thanks to RBH’s partnership with Bizzon, food and drink can be ordered online, direct from guests’ mobile phones.
The opening is the first of many for RBH this year, as it also prepares to launch Westin London City and The Gantry (Curio by Hilton) – both making their debut in the UK as part of RBH’s growing portfolio of more than 45 branded and independent hotels.
Mark Dempsie, Director of Hotel Transitions at RBH, said, “We’re thrilled to open the doors to ibis budget Heathrow T5, which signals our return to the Heathrow market, where we opened our very first hotel in 2000.
“It also marks another successful franchise partnership with Accor, with whom we’ve worked closely over the years, as well as the completion of our fifteenth rebrand, led by our Chief Technical Officer, Gregor MacNaughton.
“We are pleased to be able to welcome guests – with key workers being provided with much-needed accommodation in the first instance – and have no doubt they’ll enjoy first-class service from an experienced team.
“With two further phases of project work to complete on the former Travelodge, we look forward to pressing on and making great progress on behalf of owners, Sidra Capital.”