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Monthly Archives: January 2009

UK hotel price comparison

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Posted by Paul on January 16, 2009 – 4:41 pm
Filed under Accommodation

I’m pleased to be able to confirm that a hotel price comparison facility is now available on UKhotel.com.  This means that you can enter your requirements (dates, room type(s), number in party, etc.) and perform a search of multiple different providers, including the likes of  Active Hotels, LateRooms and Superbreak, all at once.  After completing an availability search with each, the best price is returned.

It is perhaps best illustrated by way of an example: let’s suppose I was going to York for Valentines weekend. I go to the York page on the site and enter that I’d like a double room for the nights of 13th and 14th February 2009 – and hit ‘Click here to request availability’. It currently searches 86 hotels and tells me that 18 have availability.

If I was going on price only, I’d select the first result – Brentwood Guest House – at a total cost of £140. However, digging deeper, shows some interesting differences. The Grange Hotel will set you back a total of £376 if booked via Superbreak, yet only £250 if going via LateRooms, both on a B&B basis.  That’s a difference not to be sniffed at, and just shows it pays – quite literally - to compare.

Darwin – big idea, big exhibition

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Posted by Paul on January 16, 2009 – 10:08 am
Filed under Attractions, Events

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth, the Natural History Museum is running a new exhibition, ‘Darwin‘, 150 years on from the publication of his infamous The Origin of Species.  A celebration of the life, ideas and achievements of this eminent scientist, the exhibition features a reconstruction of his famous study at Down House.

Another runway at Heathrow

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Posted by Paul on January 16, 2009 – 9:54 am
Filed under Transport

Yesterday’s confirmation by Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon that there will be a third runway and sixth terminal at Heathrow has been met with a mixed response. Whilst some are arguing that it will make for a better experience for incoming tourists (who to date have often voted Heathrow as their least favourite airport), others are objecting on environmental grounds.  What’s your take on it all?

Get outdoors in Scotland this winter

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Posted by Paul on January 16, 2009 – 9:36 am
Filed under Miscellaneous

Amanda HamiltonAmanda Hamilton, GMTV Nutritionist and star of the BBC’s Something for the Weekend is encouraging holiday-makers throughout the UK to discover all the winter white ways they can get fit and healthy on a holiday in Scotland in 2009.

As people everywhere struggle to find ways of sticking to their New Year’s resolutions, the celebrity nutritionist has shared her top ten tips on how to beat those January blues and make the most of Scotland’s great outdoors with www.visitscotland.com/white

Amanda’s winter white top 10 is as follows:

Winter white skiing in Scotland
I love skiing in Scotland and take the opportunity to tackle the slopes whenever I can. Cairngorm Mountain and Nevis Range offer fantastic opportunities for families and couples to learn to ski.

Scotland’s winter white wildlife
Winter is a brilliant time to spot white wildlife in Scotland. Species that are around on the hills include, the magical mountain hare, the ptarmigan, snow bunting and barnacle geese. Living close to the Scottish Seabird Centre I regularly see gannets flying overhead.

White candlelit dinner
Scotland’s larder has always overflowed with some of the finest produce to be found anywhere in the British Isles. I always feel spoiled for choice, quality and service here in Scotland, from Michelin star quality to more intimate, traditional Scottish fare. My favourite restaurant is Martin Wishart’s at Loch Lomond in Cameron House Hotel.

Relax on a gentle white pony trek
My daughter loves pony trekking so any chance we have to go we take. She particularly loves the Highland Pony which is native to the Highlands and Islands. This horse has adapted over the centuries to the Scottish climate and is known as one of the worlds most versatile breeds.

White diamonds
I am on the lookout for some white diamond earrings to match my engagement ring. Orro in Glasgow is a must for dazzling diamond-set contemporary jewellery where quality counts. Don’t forget the four Cs – Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat!

Scottish knitwear
I love to indulge in luxury and wrap up in Scottish woollens whilst taking in some fresh winter air. Hawick in the Borders is internationally renowned for its cashmere and Ragamuffin on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile sells the very best designer knitwear, original clothes and fantastic accessories.

East Lothian’s white beaches
All around Scotland’s glorious coastline you will find many miles of powdery white sandy beaches. Scotland’s beaches are something special whether it’s for a romantic stroll, or to try some water activities. A particular favourite of mine is Yellowcraigs which has magnificent views towards Fife and Fidra Lighthouse.

Crisp white linen
There’s nothing better on holiday than sinking into crisp white linen after a long walk on the Scottish hills. One place I like to do this is the Macdonald Marine and Spa in North Berwick.

White flowers
I love white flowers and in winter the only flower that matters is the snowdrop. Scottish snowdrops are enchanting as they cover vast areas with their beauty and I love to wander through woodlands of white snowdrop carpets during the Scottish Snowdrop Festival.

Winter detox
The purity of white snow is one thing but unless the body is pure on the inside it starts to tell its tale on the outside! A winter detox is all about rejuvenating rather than hibernating. My five day detox and wellbeing retreats combine pure food, luxury therapies and a purifying health programme under the guidance of world leading experts in the comfort of two of Scotland’s leading spa hotels.

VisitScotland’s Group Product Manager, Suzanne Casey said:

Scotland is famed for the great outdoors, from walking and mountain biking to skiing and sea kayaking- all of which have tremendous health benefits and are incredible to experience over the winter months.

A more gentle activity to try over winter is to visit one of the many gardens that are open specifically for the Scottish Snowdrop Festival. All over Scotland you will find blankets of white flowers that are a sight to behold.

Stay for £1 at The Place at the Beach, Camber Sands

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Posted by Paul on January 15, 2009 – 2:16 pm
Filed under Accommodation, Eating & Drinking

It’s a Tuesday night in January and there’s nothing on the TV. Pack an overnight bag and head over to The Place at the Beach for fantastic locally sourced food in the new-look brasserie.

It is superbly placed in a prime location for wonderful Camber Sands, just outside the beautiful medieval town of Rye. Blow away the cobwebs with a walk on the dunes then drop down to Rye for a visit to one of the many antique shops and art galleries, pubs, tea shops and quality restaurants.

Later on sit back, relax and enjoy a drink or two with your partner or an old friend. At the end of the night all you will need to do is walk to your room which will cost just £1. The perfect break!

There is of course a slight catch… diners must choose a minimum of 2 courses from the a la carte menu. Regardless, it’s still a great deal and the offer is valid from Sunday-Thursday throughout January and February (based on two sharing a double or twin room).

Wentworth Castle Gardens 300th anniversary

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Posted by Paul on January 15, 2009 – 1:24 pm
Filed under Attractions, Events

2009 will see Wentworth Castle Gardens celebrate the 300th anniversary of the estate. As part of the anniversary celebrations a series of themed events will be taking place. Events and activities will include monthly talks on the history and development of the site, stories about the personalities linked to Wentworth and special guided tours of the house and garden.

Girlie weekend pamper breaks in Surrey

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Posted by Paul on January 15, 2009 – 12:45 pm
Filed under Accommodation

Frimley HallBook a ‘Girlie Weekend’ pamper dinner, B&B break at the stylish Macdonald Frimley Hall Hotel & Spa, near Camberley, Surrey and have a great time away with the girls from just £139 per person per night. Sure to refresh and invigorate, the self-indulgent breaks include two relaxing Decleor spa treatments and complimentary use of the VITAL Spa facilities.

Check into your room from 2pm where you will find a white towelling robe and slippers, which are yours for the duration of your stay. Head down to the spa for a tour of the facilities and chill out in the relaxation suite before your treatments – a back, neck and shoulder massage and an express facial. And at any time throughout you are welcome to make use of the 17 metre heated indoor pool, rock sauna and aromatic steam room, or if you feel energetic, have a work out in the split level Technogym.

After an afternoon of pampering, ease yourself into the evening with a complimentary glass of wine in a comfy sofa before enjoying a delicious four-course dinner in the hotel’s two AA Rosette Linden Restaurant.

Extra nights B&B start from £45 per person based on two sharing and if you would like a fun night out with the girls, book a taxi into Royal Windsor where you can experience the town’s clubs and bars until the early hours.

Treasures from the V&A… in Sheffield

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Posted by Paul on January 15, 2009 – 12:38 pm
Filed under Attractions, Events

Sheffield is to become the only city outside London to display an exhibition of works from one of the world’s finest collections of decorative arts – Treasures from the V&A. Museums Sheffield: Millennium Gallery will be the final stop on a major international tour when the exhibition comes to an end in Sheffield.

Treasures from the V&A will feature unparalleled examples of European decorative arts featuring sculpture, metalwork and ceramics dating from around 400 to 1600AD. The exhibition offers a rare opportunity for the Millennium Gallery to present the highlights from the V&A’s collections together outside of London. After their term in Sheffield the exhibits in Treasures from the V&A will return to the capital ready to go on display as part of the V&A’s newly refurbished Medieval and Renaissance galleries opening in November 2009.

Bristol – one of the top 10 cities in the world?

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Posted by Paul on January 15, 2009 – 12:07 pm
Filed under Miscellaneous

Bristol has been selected as one of the world’s ‘Top 10 Cities for 2009’ by DK Eyewitness, a leading guidebook publisher.

As the only UK city to be named within the list, Bristol will now feature in the DK Top 10 guidebook series. The other nine selected cities are: Buenos Aires, Gdansk, Washington DC, Vienna, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Fes, Seattle (USA) and Vilnius.

Bristol was praised for its strong shopping offer, following the opening of the £500 million Cabot Circus city centre shopping and leisure quarter and for its growing status as a ‘green’ destination, after it was named the ‘most sustainable city in Britain’ and selected as the only UK nominee for the title of ‘European Green Capital’.

Premier Inn launches its first fully self check-in hotel

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Posted by Paul on January 15, 2009 – 10:20 am
Filed under Accommodation

Premier InnThe UK’s largest hotel chain, Premier Inn, has announced that they are launching their first fully self check-in hotel at St Mary’s Gate, Sheffield, reducing check-in time to under a minute for guests.  The self check-in automated pods have already been successfully trialled at the London King’s Cross Premier Inn; they allow guests to take complete control of their own booking when they arrive at the hotel. The check-in process currently takes an average of 8-10 minutes, but the new technology employed by Premier Inn will dramatically cut this time down.

Is self check-in for you or would you prefer a more personal welcome?