A RIBBON cutting was held to mark the official opening of Rhyl's new Travelodge.

Rhyl Seafront Travelodge is the town's first branded hotel to open on the beach.

It represents an investment of £5million for its landlord Denbighshire County Council and has created 25 new jobs within the community.

This is the company's 576th Travelodge and the budget chain's 27th hotel in Wales.

The hotel was opened by cllr Peter Scott, chair of Denbighshire County Council, Chris Ruane, MP for the Vale of Clwyd, the mayor of Rhyl, councillor Win Mullen-James and David Handyside-Cook, Travelodge district manager for Wales.

Rhyl Journal:

Rhyl Seafront Travelodge

Sophie Owen, hotel manager at Rhyl Seafront Travelodge, said: “I am very proud to be managing Rhyl’s first Travelodge hotel and it is always a good day at work when you have a picturesque sea view to look at.

"We have had a great opening and we were sold out for the half term holidays plus rooms are selling like hot Welsh cakes for the Easter and summer holidays."

Mr Ruane said: "I am delighted that Travelodge is part of the regeneration of Rhyl seaside and is opening a new hotel on the seafront, bringing new jobs and encouraging more visitors to the area.

"I hope this will inspire more people to come and enjoy what this traditional seaside town has to offer and the great attractions, old and new, that we have in the area. I wish Travelodge a successful future."

The new hotel was built in 21 months. It features 69 family and four accessible rooms as well as an onsite restaurant called the Bar Café.

Cllr Hugh Evans, leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “Residents and visitors can see the regeneration in Rhyl and the real difference it is making to the town.

"Along with SC2, which opens in April, and work on the Rhyl Masterplan, there is more investment ongoing in Rhyl."

Travelodge is looking to develop a further seven hotels in Wales. Locations include: Aberystwyth, Penarth, Pwllheli, Swansea, Tenby, Torfaen/Blaenau and Wrexham.