We gotta hand it to the folks at Travelodge, (the people behind the naked sleepwalking study we wrote about in October, and who now offer a "Cuddillow" pillow to solitary travelers). To get into the holiday spirit, they're offering free rooms at their properties to UK couples who are named Mary and Joseph. We have to appreciate their tongue-in-cheek appraisal of the hotel industry:
The 'gift' of a free night's stay is to make up for the hotel industry not having any rooms left on Christmas Eve over 2000 years ago when the original 'Mary and Joseph' had to settle for the night in a stable.
Today's Mary and Joseph will stay in a spacious Travelodge family room which can also cater for a baby and a manger. A free car-parking space will be provided for the donkey and there are plenty of £29 rooms available for the Shepherds and Wise Men to book. The couple can stay anytime from Christmas Eve to the Twelfth Night.
Travelodge says the promotion applies to all 322 hotels, but be wary, as it is currently up for debate in Ireland, where it has upset people in the past. Rules specify that couples must be UK residents and show valid marriage licenses. Registration for rooms ends December 17.
Photo: Donkey Parking Available; moschos via Flickr
What a great blog! Glad I stumbled onto it! Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Don | December 15, 2007 at 07:02 PM
Hmm, I feel like it might turn more people off of the brand that it could attract? At the very least, the bit about not having any rooms left 2000 yrs ago is great!
Posted by: Naa Travel Guy | December 21, 2007 at 02:06 AM