UK Morden Crown Lane Hotel To Replace Shops With Luxury Accommodation In Revised Design

Published on March 31, 2025

Crown Lane Hotel in Morden, UK, has announced ambitious new expansion plans aimed at enhancing guest experience by adding more rooms and introducing larger, more spacious accommodations. This move comes as part of the hotel’s broader strategy to meet growing demand from both leisure and business travelers seeking comfort and modern amenities in South London. With construction set to begin soon, the upgrade promises to position Crown Lane Hotel as a more competitive and attractive option in the area’s hospitality market.

A new set of proposals for a hotel development in Morden could potentially see the project grow larger and more upscale than originally planned, following a shift in ownership and a rethinking of the initial design.

The site, located at 18-22 Crown Lane, was previously slated for a seven-storey budget hotel, which would have included 85 rooms. However, with the acquisition of the property by new owners, a revised vision has emerged. The updated plans now propose the construction of a “higher-end, mid-tier” hotel, signaling a significant upgrade in both size and the type of accommodation offered.

Originally approved by Merton Council in September, the earlier design faced objections from the Merton Park Residents’ Association, who expressed concerns about the scale of the proposed hotel. Despite these concerns, the project moved forward, with plans for the development to be built on the site currently occupied by a two-storey block that houses three shops, along with office or flat spaces above them. As of now, all the buildings are vacant.

The updated proposals, submitted by the applicant Ealing Grove Ltd, now seek to increase the number of guest rooms from the original 85 to 98. This increase in the number of rooms will also come with larger individual room sizes, making the accommodations more spacious and appealing for a higher-end clientele.

Additionally, the new plans suggest a change in the parking arrangements. The two on-site parking bays originally proposed for the hotel have been removed from the plan entirely. In their place, a single off-street disabled parking bay will be added, reflecting a shift towards a more pedestrian- and transport-accessible hotel. Furthermore, one of the key features initially included in the design—the incorporation of living green walls—has been dropped from the updated proposal.

The new hotel would stand in place of the existing two-storey building, which houses three vacant shops and either offices or flats above them. All of the existing structures on the property are currently unoccupied and have been vacated in anticipation of the redevelopment. The site’s transformation into a higher-end hotel is expected to add a modern and potentially upscale offering to the area, though it remains to be seen how this will be received by local residents and businesses alike.

Crown Lane Hotel in Morden, UK, is expanding with plans to add more rooms and larger accommodations to meet rising guest demand. The upgrade aims to enhance comfort and boost the hotel’s appeal in South London.

The development reflects a growing trend of upgrading hotel offerings to cater to more affluent travelers, providing a shift from the original budget-focused concept to something more tailored to a mid-tier market. With the plans now under review by Merton Council, the future of this site seems poised for a significant transformation, one that could redefine the landscape of this part of Morden.