Surrey — Woking

Hotel Supply

Woking has 8 hotels with a total of 314 bedrooms. 5 of these hotels, representing 88% of the supply, are in the town itself, the rest elsewhere in the Borough. The Holiday Inn, which opened in 2001, dominates the supply, offering over 50% of the rooms in this one 4 star hotel. There are no 2 or 3 star hotels, and two small budgets (a Premier Travel Inn and an Innkeepers Lodge).

Woking Hotel Supply — by Standard — 2004
Standard Estabs Rooms % of Rooms Av. Size of Hotel (Rooms)
4 star 1 161 51 167
3 star - - - -
2 star - - - -
Budget 2 68 22 34
Non-inspected — 2/3 star/ Budget equivalent 1 26 8 26
Diamond Rated/ Lower Grade Non-inspected 4 59 19 15
Total Supply 8 314 100.0 39
Woking Hotels — 2004
Hotel Location Rooms Grading
Holiday Inn Woking 161 4 Star
Innkeepers Lodge (Wheatsheaf) Woking 34 Budget
Premier Travel Inn Woking 34 Budget
Metro Woking 26 2/3 Star equivalent
Maybury Lodge Woking 21 Lower grade
Bisley Pavilion Brookwood 15 Lower grade
Blue Anchor Byfleet 14 Lower grade
Talbot Ripley 9 Lower grade

Hotel Demand

The performance of the Holiday Inn is very much in line with that of other large 4 star hotels in North Surrey, which average 70-75% occupancy, and achieved room rates in the region of £85-£90. Business demand is the key market, though other 4 star hotels in the area secure leisure break, residential conference and weddings and functions business that the Holiday Inn cannot currently cater for due to the nature of its facilities.

Woking budget hotels have occupancies in the range of 83%-95%, which have steadily increased over the past 3 years. Weekday occupancies are very high — 95-100%; Friday and Saturday occupancies are also high, with Sundays at 50-70%. Achieved room rates range from £47-£60 and have also increased steadily over the past 3 years. Business demand dominates the market mix, though some demand is generated from visits to friends and relatives, weddings/family functions, and families visiting local theme parks. Woking budget hotels regularly deny business, at least 15 rooms per night Monday to Thursday, plus central reservation and Internet denials.

Hotel Development Opportunities

The performance of existing hotels, the levels of denied business at Woking hotels, and the anticipated economic growth of the town as a regional investment hub, all point towards the potential for new hotel development in Woking.

In terms of the type and standard, there is potential for the development of: