Divorce papers among unusual things left behind at Devon's Travelodge hotels in 2022
The UK budget hotel chain has revealed some of the interesting lost and found items from the last 12 months
Last updated 6th Jan 2023
Where would you find keys to a Sunseeker Hawk 38 Power Boat, a Jack Russell called Jude, a set of divorce papers and a toupee? Where else but the Travelodge’s Lost & Found offices in Devon?
The UK’s first budget hotel chain, Travelodge, has revealed some of the interesting items left behind in its 582 hotels - including its ten hotels in Devon - over the last 12 months.
Detailed below are some of the unusual treasures that have been left behind at the company’s hotels in Devon:
- Keys to a Sunseeker Hawk 38 Power Boat - Torquay Travelodge
- A picnic hamper containing a Devon cream tea - Paignton Seafront Travelodge
- A commercial licence for a kebab shop - Tiverton Travelodge
- A remote control stunt car - Okehampton Sourton Cross Travelodge
- A toupee - Barnstaple Travelodge
- A Jack Russell called Jude - Tiverton Travelodge
- A spell book for new witches - Okehampton Whiddon Down Travelodge
- A large gold star foil pinata - Exeter M5 Travelodge
- A handmade patchwork quilt - Paignton Seafront Travelodge
- A set of divorce papers - Torquay Seafront Travelodge
The 2022 lost and found inventory report revealed a high volume of royal and patriotic memorabilia being left behind at Travelodge hotels, especially across the group’s London, Edinburgh and Cardiff hotels. There were enough Union Jack flags left behind to run across the breadth of London.
During the last 12 months, Travelodge hotel staff have also seen an increasing number of wedding items and gifts being left behind at Travelodge hotels. The hotel team at Liverpool Central Strand Travelodge received plenty of cheers when they crossed the city to save a bride’s day, when the Best Man forgot to take the five tier LFC (Liverpool Football Club) themed wedding cake to the wedding reception.
Other interesting items that made the Travelodge 2022 Lost & Found inventory report include a ball gown belonging to a well-known Instagrammer made out of the 54 Commonwealth countries at Birmingham Bullring Travelodge. A car from London was sent to pick up the dress a few days later.
Shakila Ahmed, Travelodge Spokeswoman said: "With nearly 19 million customers annually staying at our 580 UK Travelodge hotels, including our ten hotels in Devon, for thousands of different reasons, we do get a range of interesting items left behind. During 2022, this included keys to a Sunseeker Hawk 38 Power Boat, a Jack Russell called Jude, a set of divorce papers and a toupee.
"Interestingly the 2022 lost and found audit also revealed that we are a nation striving for a healthy lifestyle as we have seen a significant rise in smart watches being left behind in our Travelodge hotels during the last 12 months.
"When it comes to why so many of our customers forget their treasured items, it’s basically due to us all being time poor, juggling multiple tasks and being in a hurry to get from A to B. In the rush, valuable possessions are easily forgotten."