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December 14, 2007

Hotel offers room at the inn for Marys and Josephs

by Al Webb
Religion News Service

LONDON — Travelodge, determined to help make amends for that “no room at the inn” business back in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago, is offering free Christmas accommodations to married British couples named Mary and Joseph.
   
Travelodge, which owns 322 hotels in the United Kingdom, said that starting Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, and lasting to Twelfth Night, Jan. 5, couples matching its criteria will get a one-night stay on the house.
   
“The phrase ‘no room at the inn’ is something that resonates with us in the hotel business,” says Travelodge’s operations director, Jason Cotta.  “Therefore, this year we have decided to evoke the true spirit of Christmas and invite Mary and Joseph couples as our guests.”
   
Sandy Leckie, manager of Travelodge’s inn at Covent Garden in London, said there may not be any gold, frankincense or myrrh in the rooms set aside for the Marys and Josephs, but “it’s definitely more comfortable than a stable.”
   
Travelodge did add that accommodation would, if need be, “definitely have room for a baby and a manger.”