KE Hotels has secured planning permission for a major expansion and refurbishment of the Holiday Inn Luton Airport, which will include the addition of 89 new guest bedrooms and a series of external upgrades.
The approved plans include a multi-story rear extension, which will increase the hotel’s capacity significantly from 124 to 213 rooms, responding to the growing demand from both business and leisure travellers at one of the UK’s busiest regional airports.
As part of the project, the building will benefit from a refreshed and modernised exterior that will integrate the original structure with the new extension. These enhancements are designed to improve the hotel’s overall appearance, paving the way for potential rebranding and upscaling of the property in the future.
The investment comes at a pivotal time for the region. London Luton Airport has announced ambitious plans to expand passenger capacity with a new terminal and infrastructure upgrades. Meanwhile, Universal Studios has confirmed plans to develop a major new theme park, located just 30 minutes from the hotel.
In addition to enhancing guest accommodation and experience, the development is expected to deliver meaningful economic and employment benefits. The expanded hotel will generate 20 new full-time positions, bringing the total number of hotel staff to 85.
Anil Khanna, managing director of KE Hotels, said: “We are delighted to receive planning consent for our proposed development of Holiday Inn Luton Airport. With demand at Luton Airport showing sustained growth, and now the exciting Universal Studios resort on the horizon, it feels like the right time to expand and upgrade the hotel to meet current and future needs. This development represents our continued commitment to investing in high-quality assets and delivering exceptional experiences to our guests.”
The extension has been designed by ICA, with the application submitted by planning consultant Ashton Hale. Construction is expected to commence later this year, with phased completion scheduled to minimise disruption to hotel guests.
