Couple who met in Travelodge shun five-star honeymoon for £53-a-night stay at …

  • Mike Sampson and Michelle Green met in a Travelodge in Birmingham
  • They married at Falmouth Register Office before driving to budget hotel
  • Opted for £53 sea-view room and an all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast
  • Favourite Travelodge is at Exeter services because it has ‘small family feel’

By
Travelmail Reporter

Most newlyweds dream of a honeymoon in the Seychelles or a five-star trip to Paris.

But, for one couple who met in a Travelodge, a stay in a £53 a night room at the budget hotel chain was the perfect romantic getaway.

Not that they had to travel far though – the hotel was just 25 miles from their home.

Budget celebration: Mike and Michelle - who met at a Travelodge in 2011 - got married last Thursday

Budget celebration: Mike and Michelle – who met at a Travelodge in 2011 – got married last Thursday

Mike Sampson, 50, and Michelle Green, 47, have stayed at 14 different lodges around Britain on romantic weekends away.

And they are such huge fans, they decided to shun a five-star trip abroad in favour of a stay at the Travelodge Newquay Seafront hotel, in Cornwall.

The couple married at Falmouth Register Office on Thursday before making the 40-minute drive to their £53 a night room.

They stayed for one night in a sea-view room, and treated themselves to the hotel’s all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast.

Room with a view: The £53-a-night Travelodge is located on the seafront in Newquay

Room with a view: The £53-a-night Travelodge is located on the seafront in Newquay

Builder Mike met hospital secretary Michelle at a Travelodge in Birmingham in February 2011, when they were both away on business.

Both have been married before and Michelle has three children from her previous relationship.

They exchanged numbers while chatting over breakfast and remained in contact when they both left.

Mike, who has two children from a previous marriage, said: ‘Michelle and I always stay at a Travelodge when we go away on short breaks.

‘We know what to expect from one of their hotels and have become quite comfortable staying there.

‘When we decided to marry there was no way we were going to book anywhere else for our honeymoon.’

Newlyweds: The couple married at Falmouth Register Office on Thursday

Newlyweds: The couple married at Falmouth Register Office on Thursday

‘We could have afforded to go to the Seychelles or Paris if we wanted to but it didn’t appeal to us.

‘In fact, Michelle could think of nothing worse than Paris.

‘I appreciate a Travelodge may not seem like the most romantic place for a honeymoon, but it is perfect for us.”

He said their favourite Travelodge is at Exeter services on the M5 because it has a ‘small family feel to it’.

Mike added: ‘It is beside a motorway, so we certainly weren’t attracted to the view.’

The couple – who both spent their first honeymoons in Majorca – now live together in Mawnan Smith, near Falmouth, Cornwall.

Favourite spot: The couple said they realised a Travelodge may not seem like the most romantic place for a honeymoon, but it was the perfect choice for them

Favourite spot: The couple said they realised a Travelodge may not seem like the most romantic place for a honeymoon, but it was the perfect choice for them

Shakila Ahmed, from Travelodge, said: ‘We would like to congratulate Mr and Mrs Sampson on their wedding and to wish them the very best of luck for the future.

‘We were delighted to hear that Travelodge has played such an instrumental part in bringing this couple together and has remained a key element throughout their courtship, even including the honeymoon.

‘Our hotel team were very excited that the Sampsons choose their hotel for their honeymoon and added some extra touches to the couple’s room to make their romantic stay extra special.’


Comments (24)

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ipswichgirl,

ipswich, United Kingdom,

9 minutes ago

Good on you. You don’t have to spend a fortune to be happy. I met my other half at South Mimms services, 13 years and 3 beautiful daughters later we are still as happy

andre,

bexley, United Kingdom,

58 minutes ago

Cheapskates

Snake Plissken,

escaping from new york city, United Kingdom,

1 hour ago

surely if they are happy then that is all that matters? – not everybody is obsessed with materialistic things

Ted,

Wrexham, United Kingdom,

2 hours ago

Well done to them for not falling for the spend spend wedding hype encouraged by the wedding industry.

gavin-19sevenseven,

somewhere, United Kingdom,

2 hours ago

“They have stayed at 14 different lodges around Britain…” I’ve stayed in more than that unintentionally – when is my DM story going to be published?

MrsBird,

Devon,

2 hours ago

Well I think they’re quids in – I can think of a lot worse places as a honeymoon destination than beautiful Cornwall in this weather – good for them!

Jon Sims,

Ningbo, China,

7 hours ago

Wonder how much the divorce will cost.

Mariana,

Madrid,

1 hour ago

What is that supposed to mean, meany?

Sleuth,

East of Eden, United Kingdom,

7 hours ago

They met in a Travel Lodge and then had their honeymoon in a Travel Lodge? Some people have no class …..

Laura1,

Manchester,

1 hour ago

Some people are just romantic. Clearly you are not.

Capt Dan,

jupiter,

8 hours ago

So, what does qualify as a special occasion to splurge a little on in their book?

roco,

Dublin, Ireland,

10 hours ago

Foolishly I read this story thinking someone bought them a 5*bla bla but obviously not.

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