Archive for Reviews: Hotels, Places to Eat, Destinations
Personal review from
Your Travel Planner members,
Elizabeth Clark and
Martyn Calder.
Elizabeth is a wonderful Colour Psychologist from Colourworks Consulting (www.colourworksconsulting.com).
January 2010
Cuba - land of cigars, rum, sugar, and Fidel. “Go before it changes,” we thought.
Cuban Flags for Sale
Since the collapse of communism, Cuba has started to open up and receive the financial benefits available from tourists from the West - UK, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Canada. But not - of course - the United States; it is apparently still illegal in the States for US citizens to have financial dealings with Cuba, and tourism falls in this net.
It sometimes seems as if Cuba defines itself by its opposition to the United States - the victories of the Revolution and the Bay of Pigs may be well known; a celebrated baseball triumph may have passed non-baseball-loving Brits right by.
Our 1955 Bel-Air at Plaza de la Revolucion
Reminders of Cuba’s long and complicated relationship with the United States remain very visible on the streets of Havana: the Chevrolets, Oldsmobiles, Buicks, Chryslers, and Pontiacs that still form a significant proportion of the city’s automobile population. Their continued functioning is a tribute to the ingenuity of Cuban mechanics, particularly as they are apparently now often fitted with Lada or Toyota engines. Our morning’s tour of the city in a 1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air Convertible was a real high spot.
Havana
Havana - at least Havana Vieja (Old Havana) - is a beautiful city to wander around. The imposing Fort of El Morro dominates the entrance to the harbour which defines the city. The narrow streets are virtually vehicle free (not many Cubans have cars) and there has been a huge effort in recent years by the City authorities to restore the crumbling buildings. Beautiful newly-painted architectural gems juxtapose crumbling ruins which have been split into multiple occupation. Housing remains a pressing need in Cuba.
Plaza Vieja in Old Havana
Our wanderings took us, between stops in numerous street cafes, to the City Museum, the Rum Museum, the Automobile Museum, the Chocolate Museum (oh yes!), and the Museum of the Revolution. The Revolution has, of course, had a bad press in much of the West, but Batista was a desperately bad dictator, and American Mafia money was all over Havana and the then Cuban government.
The Revolution brought education and healthcare, but fifty years on the economy still struggles. Is this because of the US blockade, or is it a structural weakness of the communist system? Certainly most people are poor; a teacher may earn the equivalent of £10-15 a month, and many families struggle to augment a modest diet obtained by ration cards from sparse state-owned shops. Yet anyone in a tourist-related business might make that in tips on a good day. The divide is emphasised by there being two currencies: Cuban Pesos for most people, and Convertible Pesos for tourists and luxury shops.
Exploring Cuba
In the fields
Towards the western end of Cuba is Vinales - farming country. Here we wandered among the tobacco, pineapple, and corn fields where farmers - often with cigar in mouth - still sow by hand. Agricultural machinery is rare, and usually ancient. Tobacco leaf hangs in drying sheds, waiting to be rolled into those famous cigars.
Heading south from Havana we travelled on near-empty roads. Transport and fuel is short, and the government employs yellow-clad wardens at busy junctions to ensure that privately-owned (an ambiguous term in Cuba) cars take on less fortunate passengers - a very imaginative and eco-friendly solution.
Trinidad de Cuba is a UNESCO World Heritage site. A major centre for trade and piracy in the 1700-1800s, not much has changed in the city centre and it would make a wonderful set for Pirates of the Caribbean. We wandered around the cobbled streets and found a thriving craft market - the nearest thing to a private shopping centre we found in Cuba. Now a little way from the town, the beach was a vision of white sand and blue sea with, as is often in Cuba, very limited facilities.
Plaza Mayor in Trinidad de Cuba
Heading back north (and Cuba is much bigger than you think) we came to Santa Clara, site of one of the pivotal battles of the Revolution when Che Guevara led an attack on a government armoured train. The train’s skewed carriages now provide an imaginative museum. Also here is Che Guevara’s mausoleum - a haunting place - and museum. Che is an icon in Cuba, and his image appears everywhere, much more so than Fidel’s.
A Real Gem
Visiting Cuba is a chance to see a society which, though in many ways familiar to us with its Spanish history and art deco development, has also been isolated from mainstream western culture for half a century. There is no McDonalds, no KFC, no Starbucks, and no Coca-Cola, and that alone is worth the trip!
Havana is a real gem, music is everwhere, there is beautiful scenery, and the Cubans are very friendly. It is not, however, a cheap destination and quality and service are not watchwords; food can be unimaginative and mid-range hotels may offer only fading grandeur.
Cuba is now at a crossroads as Fidel hands over the reins. What will it be like in a decade or two? Who knows - best go now and beat the rush!
Thank you to Elizabeth and Martyn for sharing their fascinating travel experience in Cuba. If you have a travel experience to share with Your Travel Planner readers, please do contact me at Go2 Holiday Research. We’d love to hear from you!
Filed under: Destinations, Reviews: Hotels, Places to Eat, Destinations, South & Central America | Cuba, Havana|No Comments
Zakynthos, or Zante as it is more commonly known, is the most southerly of the Ionian Islands. Its beautiful scenery and excellent sandy beaches make it an ideal holiday destination.
But while the 18-30s brigade head to Laganas, the biggest and busiest resort, I was in search of a more natural Zakynthos, somewhere where my children could see for themselves the importance of travelling responsibly.
As one of the last nesting sites of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Carreta-carreta, the Gerakas Peninsula is the first protected Marine Park in the Mediterranean. Google ‘relaxing holidays’ and you’ll find a group of villas, cottages and studios in the peaceful, south-eastern tip of Zakynthos.
Managed by Yannis Vardakastanis, an ardent conservationist who grew up on Gerakas, Ionian Eco Villagers provides a quieter, more tranquil alternative, away from the mass tourist resorts.
The verdict: a simple and relaxing break in an enchanting part of Zakynthos.
Ionian Eco Villagers is ideal for families and couples seeking a ‘get away from it all’ holiday with a difference.
With the picture-perfect beach, a few tavernas and a mini market only a 200m stroll away from your accommodation, there’s no real need to go anywhere else if you’re after the simplest of holidays.
Accommodation: We stayed in one of the four 2-bedroom apartments in Gerakas House. Our upstairs apartment was simply, but comfortably furnished. A double bedroom, a twin bedroom, 2 shower rooms and a kitchen, it’s ideal for a family of four. Each bedroom is air conditioned and both have a balcony with table and chairs where you could sit and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The kitchen is equipped with a twin hotplate, toaster/sandwich maker, a fridge, an electric kettle and enough utensils and pans to make a simple meal. The garden with olive and citrus trees offers a relaxing alternative to the beach, with its sun-loungers, hammocks and even swings for the more energetic.
Places to Eat/Shops: The 3 tavernas/bars and mini market are a short stroll from the villas and apartments. The tavernas offer excellent, traditional Greek food and the mini market was surprisingly well stocked; as well as food provisions, it was a useful place to get ice creams and inflatables!
Leisure Activities: Gerakas Beach is a stunning, natural beach. With clear waters and soft sand, this shallow beach is ideal for young families.
Away from the beach, the spectacular scenery and rural charm makes Gerakas the perfect place for mountain biking and walking whether you are a serious walker or just fancy a relaxing stroll.
A highlight is to join one of the eco-tourism catamaran cruises (bookable though the Earth Sea & Sky Information Centre) and enjoy a day cruising in the southern waters of Zakynthos, visiting stunning snorkelling sites. There is a chance to spot the turtles, but, as a ‘sensitive’ tour, the crew makes sure that the rules of the National Marine Park are adhered to eg. stay for a maximum of 10 minutes if a turtle is spotted.
The Information Centre, set up by Yannis, was a great place for us and the children to learn about the Loggerhead Turtles and their plight to survive. Guests and tourists are encouraged to find out more about the turtles and other endangered species.
Service: Yannis is always on hand to help you with any aspect of your stay. One big plus is that your booking with Ionian Eco Villagers includes transfers on arrival/departure, so there really isn’t a need to hire a car. As the tavernas and mini market are family run, the welcome we received was wonderfully warm.
Best time to go: May, June or September, outside the turtle egg hatching months, when the weather is warm (25°C) and there are less crowds. The hottest, busy summer months of July/August are peak season for visitors and daytrippers. Although the National Marine Park limits your stay on the beach to 3 hours in Summer to protect the buried turtle eggs, it’s probably best to avoid this time altogether.
Why choosing this holiday makes a difference:
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By choosing to stay in these locally-owned, small, individual villas and apartments, you are helping local families to make a living. With mass tourism all too evident in Zakynthos, the temptation to sell their land to developers is never too far away, further endangering the survival of the Caretta-caretta.
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Many of the villas and apartments are solar- or wind- powered and use energy-efficient lightbulbs.
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£10 from your booking is donated to Earth Sea & Sky to support their impressive work in protecting the nesting beaches of the Loggerhead turtles.
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Your further donations will also help the current development of a Sea Turtle Hospital in Zakynthos, which will drastically cut the transport time for injured turtles.
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The Earth Sea & Sky Information Centre is a great education for visitors, adults and children alike, on why we should think more responsibly when making travel choices.
Gerakas was week 1 of a two week trip in Summer 2009, part holiday, part research, to explore how feasible and enjoyable a green family summer holiday could be. More on the rest of this trip, including how to get to and from Zakynthos, to follow.
Filed under: Destinations, Europe, Reviews: Hotels, Places to Eat, Destinations, Uncategorized | Apartments, Beach holiday, Green Places|No Comments
According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, there are more than 11,000 restaurants in Hong Kong. Locals and visitors alike have a fantastic choice of Cantonese and other regional Chinese food, cuisines from the rest of Asia as well as Western fare.
So after Hong Kong Highlights: Things to Do (28 April 2009), I thought I would share some of the eateries sampled on my recent trip:
Tasty Congee & Noodle Wantun Shop
The Tasty Congee & Noodle Wantun Shop in the impressive International Finance Centre is a far cry from the ‘dai pai dongs’ (open-air food stalls) that traditionally serve congee and noodles.
These days, dai pai dongs are in rapid decline as they are moved into more ‘hygienic’ cooked food centres. They still offer cheap, delicious food, though, and are definitely worth trying.
However, if you find yourself with weary feet in Central’s waterfront and have an urge for wanton noodle soup, the Tasty Congee & Noodle Wantun Shop on Level 3 of IFC Mall could be just the place. As you’d expect being in the IFC, this place is a restful, more refined, but pricier version of the beloved dai pai dong. The food’s still good though; I can recommend the dried fried beef ho fun, wanton noodles soup and red bean soup.
Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine
Another shopping centre, another restaurant. Hong Kong’s famous Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui has around 700 shops, including 50 places to eat. Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine offers just that - Thai food in a traditional setting. Prices are above average, but where else could you eat Thai and watch the big cruise ships dock right by your window?
Sham Tseng Chan Kee Roasted Goose Restaurant
Sham Tseng in Tseun Wan district is famous for its roast goose and there are several restaurants in the area serving this speciality, including the excellent Chan Kee Roasted Goose Restaurant. Our half roast goose was roasted to perfection, with crispy skin on the outside and juicy meat on the inside. The other dishes of fish steamed with ginger and spring onion and a marrow soup (served in the marrow!) were equally delicious. Sham Tseng is in the New Territories and so a little way out from central Hong Kong. However, if you have the time, it definitely is worth taking the trip.
Filed under: Asia Pacific, Destinations, Reviews: Hotels, Places to Eat, Destinations | Hong Kong, Hong Kong Places to Eat, Hong Kong Restaurant Reviews|No Comments
I recently came back from another memorable trip to Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a dazzling, vibrant place to visit. The pace of development means there’s always something new to see and yet, comfortingly, the old attractions still endear.
Lamma Island
The Outlying Islands provide a wonderful getaway from the hustle and bustle of downtown Hong Kong. Lamma Island is popular as a weekend getaway as it’s less than half an hour by ferry Central. It’s also one of the places to go to for delicious seafood.
I’m not usually one for tours, especially in a place that I regard as my second home, but the Lamma Island Romance Tour turned out to be a fantastic way to experience 3 ‘must-dos’, especially if you’re travelling with children or older relatives (as I was).
The tour, organised by Able & Promotion Tours Ltd, included a mouth-watering seafood banquet at the Rainbow Seafood Restaurant on Lamma Island, a harbour cruise to see the Symphony of Lights show in Victoria Harbour and a trip to Victoria Peak via the Peak Tram (see more on this in a previous post: My Personal Top Five Things to Do in Hong Kong).
Ocean Park
Ocean Park is one of Southeast Asia’s largest aquariums and theme parks and is home to two pairs of giant panda cubs.
On a previous trip, the crowds were such that I vowed never to visit Ocean Park again. Well, I’m pleased to report that the crowds were not as bad as before and have to admit that Ocean Park is actually a rather spectacular theme park.
Perched on a hillside on the southern side of Hong Kong Island, you need a whole day to get around the park. The two sites are linked by a jaw-dropping cable car ride, or you can opt for the free shuttle bus.
Lantau Island
Lantau Island is the largest island in Hong Kong. Originally the site of traditional fishing villages, the island has, in recent years, been transformed and is now home to Hong Kong’s new international airport, Hong Kong Disneyland and Ngong Ping 360.
Ngong Ping 360
Ngong Ping is a breathtaking cable car experience that offers stunning views of North Lantau and the South China Sea. To enhance your experience, you can opt to wait for one of the Crystal Cabins - a glass-bottomed cable car! The cable car takes you to the themed Ngong Ping Village (with obligatory shops and places to eat), from where you can walk to the Big Buddha. At 34m tall, it’s one of the world’s tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha.
Of course, Hong Kong wouldn’t be Hong Kong without the food and the shopping and I will be sharing food and shopping highlights with Your Travel Planner readers in my next posts.
If you’re thinking about visiting Hong Kong and need help planning your trip, please feel free to contact me, Ching Lee, at Go2 Holiday Research, www.go2research.com.
Filed under: Asia Pacific, Destinations, Reviews: Hotels, Places to Eat, Destinations | Hong Kong, Hong Kong Things to Do|1 Comment
As well as sending Your Travel Planner a review of Helpful Holidays, Elaine Swift (who provides excellent copywriting, writing and editing services) also sent us a review of this delightful cottage:
I almost don’t want to write this review of beautiful Cot Manor in the delightful Cot Valley, near St Just, West Cornwall. We’ve just got back from a wonderfully relaxing week there and I’m tempted to keep it as my secret.
However, that wouldn’t be fair to Cot Manor’s lovely, generous owners, Helen and Mike Jay. Nor would it be fair to Helpful Holidays who we made the booking through. So I’ve decided to share my secret.
A special place
Standing in five acres, Cot Manor was originally two cottages and was converted into one large house in the early 1800s.
It sleeps nine, and unlike a lot of holiday cottages, it does so comfortably. There are three good sized double rooms, and a room that sleeps three - great if there are children, but it would be fine for a couple. There were four of us so we had plenty of room.
There are two bathrooms, each with a shower, and one en-suite shower room. The downstairs bathroom is glorious!
Downstairs is a very large room that we dubbed the entertainment room. It has a flat-screen TV with Sky, a DVD player and for extra entertainment, there are pool and table tennis tables. There’s even a priest hole by the main door if you feel like playing extreme hide and seek.
When Helen (who is delightful) showed us around she took us into what she called the G&T room. So that’s exactly what it became for the rest of the week. It’s also where a couple of us battled with two of the many jigsaws supplied along with other games.
The kitchen is very well equipped with pans, utensils, cutlery, crockery as well as dishwasher, washing machine and microwave. There’s a separate tumble dryer in the downstairs loo.
Flowers in every room
But it’s the little touches and its owners that make Cot Manor so special. There were camellias and other flowers from the garden in every room. A fire had been laid for us in the G&T room. In the luxurious downstairs bathroom there was an array of different types of Radox - great if you’ve been out walking the coast path all day.
There were towels (nice ones) in every bathroom, and the bed-linen and other furnishings are all of a high standard - not always the case in holiday cottages. Also unlike other places - everything worked!
From the moment we arrived we were encouraged to treat the house as our own. Helen and Mike were on hand if we needed anything. As was Bumble their very sweet sheep dog.
It’s so peaceful - we woke up every morning to birdsong and even heard an owl on a couple of afternoons.
The area
St Just, the local (very small) town is a ten minute walk away through the back gate and across the fields. Bizarrely, it’s also a ten minute drive away. It’s not a quaint or picturesque Cornish town but we really love it. There’s something very honest about it.
A visit to the Cook Book shop for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea, (or all three) and a leisurely browse of the second-hand books, is a must. St Just has several galleries, the best of which are the Great Atlantic and the Windswept.
Cot Manor sits in Cot Valley which leads down to Porthnaven beach and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s not a sandy beach but it’s full of fascinating boulders which are protected so put any thoughts of garden decoration out of your mind!
If you fancy a bit of a challenge, you can take the coastal path from here to spectacular Cape Cornwall. It’s not too difficult a walk, just a bit steep in places. It takes you past Ballowall Burrow - an ancient burial chamber at Carn Gloose.
You can turn this into a circular walk by walking up a road from the Cape into St Just, stop for tea at Cooks, then carry on across the fields to home at Cot Manor. Ah bliss. I wish we were still there.
For more information on Cot Manor, see the Helpful Holidays website.
Filed under: Cottages, Destinations, Reviews: Hotels, Places to Eat, Destinations, UK & Ireland | holiday cottages in cornwall, review|No Comments
Helpful Holidays, a company who specialises in self catering holiday cottages in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset, were mentioned in Your Travel Planner’s ‘Things to Do for Families at Easter’. So I was very pleased to receive this review of Helpful Holidays from brilliant copywriter, Elaine Swift.
We’ve just got back from a wonderfully relaxing week at the beautiful Cot Manor in the delightful Cot Valley, near St Just, West Cornwall.
We made the booking through Helpful Holidays and the service we received was excellent. We’ve used them lots of times before and they’ve never let us down. The descriptions on their website and in their brochure are very accurate and we haven’t been disappointed.
The staff are helpful and courteous and the follow-up service is great. When I phoned to book they asked for debit or credit card details to take a deposit and the balance at a later date. I got a text a couple of days before the balance was due to remind me they would be collecting it.
I got booking confirmation in the post with good directions and information about Cornwall. There was also a cheque for the £100 damages deposit to be cashed on our return - provided we didn’t break anything of course!
When we returned home, I got a welcome home email with a survey to check that everything had been up to standard.
Overall Verdict: Great service from a company that lives up to its name.
What a great review! Visit www.helpfulholidays.com to find a cottage for you and remember to visit their Special Offers page which has upto 25% selected properties during April - June. If you don’t have time to search, contact Go2 Holiday Research; I’d be happy to help.
Filed under: Cottages, Reviews: Hotels, Places to Eat, Destinations | holiday cottages devon, holiday cottages dorset, holiday cottages in cornwall|1 Comment
With Mother’s Day only 5 days away (22nd March this year for the UK), this review from Alison Carter, from Optimum Vitality came just in time. Alison is a Personal Trainer and Massage Therapist, so she knows a thing or two about spas…
My husband and I discovered Lythe Hill Hotel and Spa when he whisked me away for a ‘de-stress’, 5 weeks before our wedding in 2007; we have been back 5 times since then! Why? You can relax in the intimate & beautiful surroundings of the spa, indulge in a sensational 3 course dinner in their Tudor restaurant with excellent service, take a walk by the lake as you watch the bunny rabbits hopping about on the lawn…all for the incredible price of £114* per couple for dinner bed and breakfast on a Sunday evening. You can also get an excellent and reasonably priced massage in the spa. Other facilities include a 16m swimming pool, gym and outdoor tennis.
Situated in Surrey, on the borders of Hampshire and West Sussex, Lythe Hill Hotel and Spa is only 50 minutes by train from London Waterloo and 45-50 mins from London Heathrow or London Gatwick airports.
Overall Verdict: A fantastic getaway spa at a fantastic price.
*£114 per room per night is a special Sunday promotion that gives 50% of the Leisure Break rate. The offer includes Dinner, Bed and Breakfast and is valid until 30 December 2009. Sounds like a perfect gift for Mother’s Day or a great treat for yourself!
For more treats, check out a previous post from Your Travel Planner: Mother’s Day Short Break Ideas
Filed under: Reviews: Hotels, Places to Eat, Destinations, UK & Ireland, Uncategorized | hotel and spa in Surrey, leisure hotel break in the UK, Your Travel Planner|No Comments
Crete, the largest island in Greece, is one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations. Soft, sandy beaches, mountain ranges, dramatic gorges and archaeological sites make this a fascinating and diverse island to visit.
I met Annette Kirkley, a therapeutic, sports and remedial masseuse, at one of my regular networking meetings. She described her stay at Viglatoras, an agrotourism farm with traditional apartments, so enthusiastically that I asked her to send Your Travel Planner a review:
Viglatoras is situated on the edge of the small village of Sarchos, half an hour’s drive south from the centre of Heraklion, in a beautiful valley, and so within easy reach of sites such as Knossos. Surrounded by their olive grove, and vineyards, the house, is beautifully rustic, but with good amenities, and a second building houses 4 or 5 rooms for guests.
Anastasia, who speaks good English, does all the admin, her mother is a fabulous cook, and provides huge meals (dinner can be ordered) and I think runs cookery classes in the summer. They overwhelmed us with their hospitality, and the locals also went to extraordinary lengths to help us.
You do need a hire car and a bit of courage to navigate the local small roads which tend to lack signposting, but it’s worth the effort. Visit www.viglatoras.gr for more information.
If you have a review of your favourite place, why not share it with Your Travel Planner. Please contact me at www.go2research.com/contact_Go2.php.
Filed under: Destinations, Europe, Reviews: Hotels, Places to Eat, Destinations | Agritourism, Apartments, Crete, Heraklion, Your Travel Planner|No Comments
Popular with the celebrities and renowned for its glorious sandy beaches and yacht-filled marinas, St Tropez enjoys a spectacular setting on the French Riviera.
The fantastically organised Rona Wheeldon (The Organised PA) sent this review of Villa La Begude, a gorgeous B&B in St Tropez, to share with Your Travel Planner readers.
Villa La Begude (www.villalabegude.com) is a beautiful Bed & Breakfast guesthouse, situated on the outskirts of St Tropez.
There are four rooms in total, all of which are very tastefully decorated. We stayed in a room on the ground floor, which had French doors opening on to a decked area. It was here that we enjoyed our delicious breakfast of fruit, yoghurt, croissants and coffee every morning. The room itself had air conditioning, a modern bathroom and was always kept immaculately clean.
The guest house is surrounded by beautiful gardens and has a lovely pool, which is lit at night in rainbow colours. Whilst enjoying the poolside area, drinks for guests are available from a well-stocked fridge….for which a tab is kept.
St Tropez is either a five minute drive or a fifteen minute walk away. Villa La Begude is on the outskirts of the town so it’s very peaceful.
Daniela and her husband Harold, who own the guesthouse, were such friendly and welcoming hosts. Nothing was too much trouble!
So, if you’re thinking of travelling on holiday to the south of France, I would thoroughly recommend Villa La Begude as a charming and perfect place to stay for a relaxing holiday.
If you have a review of your favourite place, why not share it with Your Travel Planner. Please contact me at www.go2research.com/contact_Go2.php.
Filed under: Destinations, Europe, Reviews: Hotels, Places to Eat, Destinations, Uncategorized | B&B, France, South of France, St Tropez|No Comments
Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year and if your budget can stretch to more than chocolates and flowers, how about looking at these last minute gems? They still have availability (at time of posting) and they are either personally recommended or have great online reviews:
Dylan Hotel, Dublin
A gorgeous 5 star Boutique Hotel located in a quiet, residential area of the city, the Dylan hotel is 10-15 minutes walk from the city centre (or a few minutes by bus). I was shown around the Dylan last December and loved the fact that each one of the 44 rooms is different. All are luxurious and stylish, complete with iPod docking stations and plasma TVs with movies on demand.
A luxury double room is still available at €269 EUR per room per night. Return flights from Ryanair from London Gatwick to Dublin are still available at £248 for two.
Guest House Salsalito, Algarve
The Guest House Salsalito in the fishing village of Burgau really is a hidden gem. A mixture of Moroccan and Portuguese décor, it’s been lovingly, designed and built by owners, Ralph and Sally Eveleigh. Private and secluded, breakfast is served on the terrace every morning overlooking the wonderful pool and tropical gardens.
Prices are around £50 B&B per night for 2 people during Jan-Mar. Flights however this weekend cost a little more (!) at £476 for two, return from London Gatwick to Faro. The weather forecast for the Algarve this weekend is SUNNY with temperatures of 15°C…
The Pelham Hotel, London
For something a bit closer to home, how about a night at The Pelham Hotel in South Kensington, London? An elegant and luxurious townhouse, the Pelham Hotel is close to the Victoria & Albert and Natural History Museums, Harrods, Hyde Park, the shops of Knightsbridge and the new Westfield Shopping Centre.
They have a special Valentine’s Day offer of £250 plus VAT per room, per night for a Queen Double room, which includes a bottle of champagne in-room on arrival, rose petals, chocolates, candles in the evening and champagne breakfast in bed.
Spa Finder Gift Vouchers
If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to a weekend away, but could stretch to more than chocolates or flowers, how about some Spa Finder Gift Vouchers? They can be used locally at more than 250 spas in UK or at more than 5,000 spas worldwide. At the moment, buy over £75 of spa vouchers and you’ll receive a box of luxurious chocolates!
See the Plan Your Travel page for more information on Spa Finder. The Plan Your Travel page also has useful websites for car hire and airport parking, if you do decide to go away.
Filed under: Destinations, Europe, Hotels, Reviews: Hotels, Places to Eat, Destinations, UK & Ireland | B&B, luxury hotel|1 Comment
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