UKseries Home       Blog Home       UK Hotels       UK B&Bs       UK Self-Catering       UK Camping       UK Tourist Attractions

Category Archives: Accommodation

Daytime romantic hotels idea comes to London, but can it work?

1
Posted by trev on January 17, 2012 – 10:19 am
Filed under Accommodation

The idea of booking hotel rooms for a few hours during the day in Britain still raises a lot of eyebrows, but could the idea of a daytime bookable posh romantic hotel room ever really take off here?

There probably are hotels in London where you can book for a couple of hours, pay cash and no questions asked, but it would be very unlikely you’d get 4 star luxuries. A new website called Dayuse-Hotels is aiming to change this and bring the Parisian model of “Romantic daytime hotels” offering high end accommodation for couples in Central London.

With the British upper-lip and instant suspicion as to who’ll be using these hotels, we Brits might take some convincing, but with prices such as £150 for 5 hours in a posh central London hotel room, it’s pretty likely this is not going to turn the West End of London into the red light district of Amsterdam!

So who are the hotels aimed at? If we believe the press releases and take the Parisian model as a guide, it would seem the organisers are expecting there to be a split between romantic meetups between couples and “other significant parties” and people simply needing a crash pad for a few hours before partying the night away in the capital.

One idea put forward by Dayuse-Hotels is that couples could use the hotels to find a little luxury and get away from the kids for a few hours, or even as a recession busting option for Valentines day. Naturally we can assume that not all the “couples” will be wanting to leave a paper trail which is why the booking by cash option seems to be highlighted on their web site.

However one thing they don’t seem to have cottoned onto is the idea of people visiting the West End and simply wanting somewhere to stay maybe for 2 – 3 hours kip before taking in the bright lights, theatre shows and restaurants. Whether couples of singles, this would seem an ideal if a little expensive way to ensure you’re well awake for the performance.

Total hotels: In London to date there are only 6 hotels available on their web site, but it seems the idea is very popular around the rest of Europe so perhaps this may expand in the future. It is likely that other hotels would be a little careful about adding themselves publicly to the list….possibly about as careful as we’ve been wording this post. :)

More London Links:
Day Use Hotels in UK
Tourist attractions to see in the morning

London self-catering on a budget with a wheelchair

0
Posted by trev on January 13, 2012 – 11:50 am
Filed under Accommodation

This is one of those tricky questions – can you do London accommodation on a budget but with wheelchair access?

Blogging about the UK travel industry we all get asked lots of fairly unanswerable questions such as does the beach at Penrhyn Bay have an ice cream stall and similar, but occasionally we do get more intriguing questions to answer.

Wheelchair in London: One of these recently was someone wanting to know if it’s possible to have a holiday in London without busting the bank, but in accommodation that could take a wheelchair or at least be usable by someone with walking difficulties?

Trying to answer this, we quickly determined that the best idea might be a studio style apartment as these tend to be quite new, usually include a lift and by definition tend to be rather spaciously laid out.

 

London = cheap? Studio + London + low-cost sounded like mission impossible as London doesn’t tend to be the cheapest city in the country.

Luckily for us however, a number of properties on Hoseasons are running special offers currently and after a little hunting around we found a handful of self-catering apartments in London with wheelchair access which are currently on offer for under £99 per night (quite a bargain for London self-catering).

 

Less budget London self-catering: Of course if you’re not on quite so much of a budget there are a few more suggestions including:

1) London City Towers Aldgate – Penthouse Apartment (around £320 per night).

2) London Bridge Penthouse Apartment (around £336 per night).

3) London City Victoria Park – part of the Ultimate Collection from £290 per night.

…but these were well outside of our remit. Of course there will be more self-catering apartments in London with wheelchair access, but finding them has proven to be rather tricky.

 

Hotels with wheelchair access: If you’re suffering from the same problems and self-catering isn’t your cup-of-tea then we would recommend looking at the chain hotels as they are generally able to offer things much easier.

For example, most Premier Inn hotels in London and London Travelodge hotels have ground floor rooms and even specially designed wheelchair compatible rooms although you may need to book quite a bit in advance to secure the adapted rooms.

 

Further research: Following on from this, we plan to see how easy it is to find wheelchair compatible restaurants and crucially visitor attractions – stay tuned.

 

Premier Inn now offering FREE Wi-Fi

0
Posted by trev on January 13, 2012 – 10:08 am
Filed under Accommodation

Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) seems to have become the new battle ground for hotel chains and Premier Inn has joined the fight with some free wireless Internet for guests.

Wider offering: Many smaller hotels and pubs have already started offering free wireless Internet as they recognise that many more people have smartphones, tablets and laptops with them on holiday and not just the business users.

Hotel chains: Until recently, the major hotel chains seemed to be resisting the change, preferring to charge on an hourly basis which might have worked for the business users but was rather alienating the leisure customers.

Premier Inn: However, Premier Inn have now announced that they are offering free Wi-Fi (where available) to all their customers for 30 minutes a day and then a fixed fee of £3 per 24 hours with other tariffs available for longer usage.

 

We compared Premier Inn Wi-Fi with Travelodge
(Prices taken from company web sites – 12th Jan 2012)

Premier Inn Wi-Fi:
30 minutes – FREE
24 hours – £3
1 week – £10
1 month – £20
1 year – £125

Travelodge Wi-Fi:
1 hour – £5
24 hours – £10
1 week – £20
1 month – £30
1 year – N/A

 

Other chains: Best Western recently announced that all their member hotels would be offering free Wi-Fi (where available) for the length of a guests’ stay and many Holiday Inn hotels also offer this facility, but neither are in the budget hotel market.

 

Click here for Premier Inn hotels details.

Click here for Travelodge hotels details.

 

Travelodge £19 room sale now on!

0
Posted by trev on January 12, 2012 – 3:20 pm
Filed under Accommodation

Budget hotel chain Travelodge have just announced a £19 per room sale for bookings between 1st February and 30th April 2012 including February Half Term!

With over 450 hotels dotted around the UK from inner city pads to countryside views and seaside holidays with the kids, there’s sure to be a Travelodge where you want to go.

Why not get ready to pack your bags and give yourself a Winter & Spring booster, even if it’s just to go see Great Aunt Margarette in Margate?

Remember, these offers are popular so you’ll need to book early.

More details at the Travelodge £19 room sale

Alternatively, if you prefer Premier Inn they are offering special £29 rooms throughout January and February with FREE 30 minutes of Wi-Fi Internet and just £3 for 24 hours after that – click for details.

5 of the best London theatre & hotel packages

1
Posted by trev on January 4, 2012 – 10:02 am
Filed under Accommodation, Events

With all the fuss about the Olympics really getting into gear now, it is easy to remember London has shown some of the best running, jumping and skating around in strange costumes for many years.

We are of course talking about London’s famous West End Theatres, home to some of the best cultural entertainment in the world, plus you don’t need to spend weeks waiting to see if you got a ticket….ohhh no you don’t!

 

So what is worth watching in the London’s Theatre Land?

Naturally this is a little subjective, but after many hours of deliberation and argument around UKSeries Towers we think we’ve found something for everyone, and we promise no more Christmas panto lines for the rest of this article.

 

1) The Lion King Musical, based on the smash hit animated film with music from Sir Elton John and Tim Rice no less, the musical opened to massive acclaim and really hasn’t looked back since.

The story of young Simba who will one day become The Lion King will make you laugh, cry and laugh again, while the stage is filled with some of the best musical theatre since Starlight Express. With a global audience of over 60 million people this is an absolute must-see musical for all the family!

If you don’t believe us, see some of the reviews of The Lion King Musical.

Here’s a little taster (although this is from the Broadway production):

For special discounted hotel, theatre tickets and optional discount train
travel to see the Lion King Musical, click here.

 

2) Mamma Mia was a major film hit, but prior to that it was a surprising hit in London’s West End theatres too proving that Abba’s musical genius will never fade away.

Created by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, the musical wraps the story of Sophie and her mother Donna who live on the beautiful Greek island of Calicos. Sophie is about to get married, but has one final wish – that her father will walk her down the isle. So she secretly invites the 3 most likely people who could be her dad to the island in the hope that she get her wish.

All this melted around the music of Abba and you have quite a show on your hands, plus of course this cast can actually sing!

Will Sophie find her real father in time? There’s only one way to find out – book yourself a theatre ticket for Mamma Mia in London.

 

3) Rock of Ages is a production you may never have heard of, but we highly recommend you go see this musical soon as it’s about to become very popular with a major film version in production.

The musical takes you through some of the best classic hits of the 1980s with big hair, leg warmers and ghetto blasters were all the rage….and when people knew how to write good music.

Set in 1987 on the Sunset Strip, the story is essentially that a small town girl travels to the big city and falls in love with a big city rocker to the tune of the 80s classics such as Dead or Alive, We Built This City, I Wanna Know What Love Is and Don’t Stop Believin – 30 hits in total!

Oh and the film, that stars Tom Cruise and Catherine Zeta-Jones which is why we recommend getting your London Rock of Ages tickets pronto.

 

4) Matilda The Musical takes on the much loved Roald Dahl story of a young girl who’s family are somewhat dysfunctional to say the least.

However Matilda soon discovers that she might not be any ordinary girl when by accident she realises that she has the power to move objects with her mind which comes in rather handy especially at school.

Suitable for 6 years and upwards, Matilda will keep kids and adults entertained which has been awarded the Peter Heppie Award for Best Musical.

 

5) Phantom of the Opera brings us to the end of this countdown with one of the most famous and classical of all theatre productions. A real gem in the world of the West End, the Phantom has enriched the lives of millions who have seen it over the past 25 years.

With cast members such as Earl Carpenter, Peter Jöback and Katy Treharne taking major roles in this production, it is one theatre experience everyone needs in their lives.

For more details and to book hotel & ticket packages click here for Phantom of the Opera.

Here’s a little taster:

For even more discount London West End tickets and hotel packages, click here.

New for 2012: the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London and The Making of Harry Potter

0
Posted by admin on January 2, 2012 – 4:15 pm
Filed under Accommodation, Attractions, Events

We mentioned this last year but with the opening of the the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London now only just around the corner (Spring 2012), we thought it warranted a reminder. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London will be a behind-the-scenes walking tour which immerses Harry Potter fans into the world of film-making. The tour features authentic sets, costumes and props that showcase the British artistry, technology and talent that went into producing world famous and successful movies, created at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden. The Studio Tour will initially focus on the Harry Potter film series which has made the Studios its home for over 10 years. Book early to avoid disappointment as this is sure to be very popular. Ticket and 3-star hotel rates start from £57 per person, or £162 per family of 4.

Useful links:
Hotels in London
B&Bs in London
Self-catering in London
Tourist attractions in London

Thomas the Tank Engine steams into Drayton Manor Hotel

0
Posted by trev on December 25, 2011 – 1:30 pm
Filed under Accommodation

A couple of years ago, fans of Thomas the Tank Engine were delighted when the world’s first Thomas Land opened at Drayton Manor Theme Park.

Now the kids (young and old) can extend their adventures with Thomas and Friends by staying in the new Thomas themed rooms within the Drayton Manor Hotel which even have a Thomas the Tank Engine frontage in the rooms! For any kid who is into Thomas and Friends, this has to be an absolute dream come true – 24 hours a day you can eat, play and sleep Thomas.

Of course any Thomas themed rooms wouldn’t be complete without the famous Fat Controller, and at Drayton you can not only meet the man himself but twice a day he’ll even read stories in the hotel’s lounge to the gathered, possibly slightly obsessed, fans.

Those visiting Drayton Manor who aren’t quite this obsessed will be pleased to know the majority of the hotel is simply luxury accommodation without a Thomas in sight (at least in the rooms), though you might have to walk past a few reminders on the walls around the themed rooms.

If your kids are looking for a short break and they are as obsessed with Thomas as all the kids I know are, why not treat them to a weekend away that they’ll never forget.

Useful links around Drayton Manor Theme Park:

More information on the Drayton Manor Hotel
Visitor attractions in and around Tamworth
Hotels in Tamworth

Special offer – Premier Inn £19 room sale!

0
Posted by trev on December 23, 2011 – 12:20 pm
Filed under Accommodation

There’s no need to queue up for our fantastic January Sale -starting today we have rooms right around the country from ana amazing £19 per room!

But remember, like all sales, the best reductions won’t hang around for long, so why not give yourself a little Christmas present and book your January escape rooms now?

The Premier Inn January SALE runs from 23rd December 2011 to the 30th December 2011, and applies to bookings from 1 January to 10th February 2012.

To book your Premier Inn break for just £19 per room click here!

For full terms & conditions – click here

Branching out: England’s top treetop escapes

0
Posted by admin on December 12, 2011 – 7:30 pm
Filed under Accommodation, Eating & Drinking

Experience the height of luxury in the most natural surroundings! Once solely a province of young boys and Ewoks, treehouses suddenly seem to be en vogue, offering adventurous travellers a unique travel experience. In recognition, Sky1 launches The Great Tree House Challenge tonight – a three-part documentary charting the efforts of three communities as they attempt to create the ultimate treehouse. Here, VisitEngland rounds up some of the country’s finest treetop accommodation that will have you swinging from the canopies.

Chewton Glen Tree House Suites, Hampshire
Coming July 2012

New for 2012, the award-winning five-star Chewton Glen has recently announced the development of six Tree House Suites within the grounds of the hotel. The Tree House Suites will appear to float across a wooded valley and will offer impeccable eco credentials along with Chewton Glen’s world-renowned service and attention to detail. Each tree house will be on stilts, like floating lily pads balancing between the valley and tree canopy. Floor-to-ceiling glass will provide panoramic views of the New Forest. They will provide a feeling of showering under the stars, with a spa bath and fire pit on the deck and a covered outdoors. The six Tree House Suites will comprise of 12 suites (4 junior suites and 8 master suites). A maximum of six people can stay in each tree house. Prices TBA.

Treehouses at Centre Parcs, Longleat Forest
Coming January 2012

Following the success of the Treehouses at Centre Parcs’ Sherwood Forest property, three Treehouses will be available at Longleat Forest from January 2012. The luxury two-storey Treehouses will be set among the trees in a quiet corner of the 400 acres of woodland at Longleat Forest in Wiltshire and feature 4 en-suite bedrooms, an open plan kitchen, dining and living area, a separate games den (accessed along a timber walkway) and a private hot tub. With family time at the heart of all lodge designs at Center Parcs, this brand new style of accommodation is no exception, with beautifully styled open plan living area, family dining area and snug area perfect for storytelling and relaxation. The Treehouses are part of an on-going accommodation restyling programme including New Style Exclusive Lodges at Longleat Forest. Prices from £199.

Fair Oak Farm, East Sussex

Two new luxury eco-lodge treehouses are now available to book for self-catering breaks at Fair Oak Farm, Mayfield, for grown-ups that want to fulfil their childhood dreams. Set amidst an ancient treeline and mature trees, both lodges provide couples with complete privacy and uninterrupted valley views across the stunning Sussex countryside. Built almost entirely of sustainable timber and fully insulated, the treehouses have sheltered balconies and are connected to a dedicated parking area by a winding path. 2 nights from £150 (two sharing)

The Treehouse, Somerset

The Treehouse has a stunning treetop location with an idyllic outlook and beautiful garden. If you are holidaying with children, they are happy to provide toys, games, books and DVDs. The Treehouse is always supplied with Egyptian cotton linen; fluffy towels, flowers, cosy bathrobes, toiletries and a complimentary basket of seasonal local produce. The wood burning stove is always set ready to light during winter months. From dining out in style to sleeping in the stars, the Treehouse provides high-life living. 4 nights from £495 (two sharing).

Castle Cottage Treehouse, Sussex

Built into a huge sweet chestnut tree on the edge of a wood, a substantial staircase leads you up to a thatched room with a double bed set between the tree branches, looking out through large glass doors to the tree tops. It has an en-suite shower room bathed in light from the glass roof and covered with handmade mosaic tiles. A large balcony with swing seats sets the scene to the perfect romantic break. From £145 per night (two sharing).

Alnwick Treehouse, Northumberland – a restaurant with a difference

Enter this wooden turreted eatery via a wobbly, candle-lit suspension bridge to see trees actually growing out of the dining room floor. Once inside, nature really is all around you, with creepers clinging onto the walls and wood just about everywhere you look – including on the tables – which are formed from tree slices. The focus on what’s natural continues with the menu, which features local sea crab, organic sausages from nearby Northumberland farmlands and whole roasted wood pigeon. Three-course Sunday Lunch menu from £19.95 (per person).

Stunning new properties in time for Christmas and the New Year

0
Posted by admin on December 10, 2011 – 7:36 am
Filed under Accommodation

Award-winning Sheepskin has added two new properties to its portfolio. The first is the luxurious Chescombe Lodge in the Cotswolds. The second is the cosy bolthole for two called Nantwen, situated in Pembrokeshire.

Chescombe Lodge is a lavish country lodge for four in a peaceful valley. The grand Lodge is a truly unique and sumptuous retreat for two couples or a family to spend some quality time together. The property is tucked away in a corner of the Great Tew estate on the edge of the Cotswolds. It is for the first time that this historic estate has made one of its exclusive properties available for holiday rental.

The property has been beautifully furnished to the highest standard to enhance the rustic features. The owner has focused on creating a luxurious space both inside and out. The property has two impressive double bedrooms with two en-suite bathrooms which include claw foot baths and twin sinks. The grand open-plan living space has large impressive windows which look out onto the impressive views of the valley. The open fire in the stone fireplace begs for you to relax and unwind from your day of walking amongst the Cotswolds fields.

The Great Tew Estate is only a little over an hour from London, which is a perfect place for a weekend getaway. It encapsulates much of what might be considered the archetypal English Country Estate. Chescombe Lodge sleeps 4 and is £1600 for 7 nights throughout 2012.

Nantwen is beautifully converted barn with a luxurious finish throughout. Located in Pembrokeshire the barn is perfect for a just the two of you. The cottage has a contemporary style but still using local craftsmen to restore in with natural materials. The cottage has beautiful special touches, making sure that every detail as been given dear attention. It makes a wonderful home away from home for a romantic break. Nantwen has an open plan living space. The beautifully equipped kitchen has everything you need, along with a cosy sofa in front of a log burning stove to retire to after your romantic meal for two.

Located in private grounds, a few miles from the Pembrokeshire coast, the cottage has much to explore nearby. The beach is within a 5 minute drive and the coast path or the open country side of the National park to walk. This property is a luxurious space for a couple, and it is eco-friendly as well. The power for the cottage is generated from renewable energy. Nantwen sleeps 2 and for a week’s stay is £710 throughout 2012.