The company is looking for locations in Battersea Old Town, Clapham Common and Clapham Old Town/Lavender Hill.
Travelodge is looking to open three more hotels in the Wandsworth area due to the ‘Nappy Valley’ effect.
Its hotels in Battersea and Fulham have seen a rise in local residents with limited space in their homes booking visiting relatives into the low-budget rooms.
Over a third of customers tell hotel staff they are in London to visit their grandchildren, when the main market is usually made up of business customers and tourists.
The company is now looking for locations in Battersea Old Town, Clapham Common and Clapham Old Town/Lavender Hill.
‘Nappy Valley’ refers to an area in Battersea between Clapham Common and Wandsworth Common with middle-class, affluent families.
Tony O’Brien, Travelodge UK Development Director, said: “With so many young people in London, especially in Nappy Valley, starting their families whilst living in small flats and houses, the only option for Granny and Granddad to come and visit is to stay in a nearby hotel.
“It is a remarkable trend, but one that we are poised to capitalise on as part of our wider growth story in London.”
A £10m Travelodge has just opened at Clapham Junction and last month it unveiled a 90-room hotel in Balham.
The three new openings could affect Wandsworth’s independent hotels and guest houses.
Anthony Houss is the manager of family-run Lavender Guest House, the only guest house in the near-vicinity of Clapham Junction.
He said: “It would affect us tremendously if they were to open.
“We take bookings far in advance, so it’ll be interesting to see in the next few months whether the new Travelodge has had an effect on us.”
Mr Houss said the star-rated guest house’s prices start from £70 for a double room including breakfast while Travelodge has cheap rooms but will charge for any extras, so there isn’t much difference in price.
A receptionist at Clapham Guest House, near Wandsworth Road Station, said that guests stay to visit nearby attractions, but the new Travelodge in Balham has had an effect.
However, the potential openings might not impact all hotels in the borough.
Dora Poder, receptionist at Balham Lodge, Tooting, said the new Travelodge hasn’t impacted them in any way as many regulars come back to the hotel.
She added: “Some customers went to the Balham Travelodge when we were full, but they came back to us the next time.”
Travelodge was the UK’s first budget hotel brand to launch in 1985 and currently operates 54 hotels in London and 500 around the UK.
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