Wetherspoon cuts ties with OTAs for hotel bookings

JD Wetherspoon is changing the way guests can book rooms at its hotels, removing to option to book via OTAs such as Booking.com

From next week (1 October) guests will only be able to book at one of the pub chain’s 53 hotels in the UK directly, through its website, app or by phone.

Wetherspoon has 1,303 hotel rooms with en suite bathrooms in towns and cities including Edinburgh, Glenrothes, Tewkesbury, Camborne, Monmouth, Brecon, Grimsby,  Barrow-in-Furness, Corby and Wigan.

Its newest hotel is to open on 12 November 2024, in Newcastle upon Tyne, with 26 rooms.

Earlier this year the pub giant revealed its staff retention was at its “highest ever level” with 11,066 staff, an average of 14 staff per pub, have worked for the company for five years or more.

According to its pre-close trading update in the summer like-for-like sales increased by 5.8% in the 10 weeks to 7 July 2024, compared to the same period last year. Year-to-date like-for-like sales have risen by 7.7%.