Recommended Stays
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Review: The Malvern Hills Hotel, Worcestershire
Location: The Malvern Hills Hotel is situated on the A449 midway between Malvern and Ledbury and commands a spectacular location next to the Malvern Hills British Camp hillside. A hostelry has occupied the same spot for over 500 years and this charming old building holds a special place within the landscape and local heritage. Arrival…
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Review: Stanbrook Abbey Hotel, Malvern
Dating back to the early 16th century, Stanbrook Abbey Hotel was the former home of a closed order of Benedictine Nuns from 1838-2009. With dwindling numbers, the 26 acre estate became too difficult for the nuns to manage so they moved to a new, purpose built convent in North Yorkshire which retains the same name.…
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Review: H15 Boutique Hotel, Warsaw
Hotel Review Location: H15 Boutique Hotel is located on one of the oldest streets in central Warsaw. The 19th century building has served as a grand private residence, a Soviet embassy, a headquarters for the Nazi party, and a prize possession of the People’s Republic of Poland. More recently this impressive building has been transformed…
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Review: Martin’s Dream Hotel, Mons, Belgium
Hotel Review Martin’s Dream Hotel is located in a 19th century Neo-Gothic building that was the home of the Sisters of the Belgian Abbey before being converted into a church. Now a four star hotel, it retains many of the building’s original features which add to its charm. Location: The hotel is located in the…
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Holiday Extras: Park, Stay & Fly – Sofitel London Gatwick
We’d arranged morning flights from Gatwick airport and rather than making an early start from home we opted to book a package with Holiday Extras offering parking and overnight accommodation. It was easy to locate the Cophall Parking which was just six miles from the airport. As instructed, we parked in the reception area, unloaded…
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Review: Loch Tay Highland Lodges, Scotland
Location: The award winning Loch Tay Highland Lodges are located four miles from Killin in Perthshire, occupying an enviable position on the edge of Scotland’s sixth largest loch. Getting there: By car: From Glasgow, there are two routes to reach Killin. Follow the A82 north for 56 miles, by way of Loch Lomond and Crianlarich then…
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Review: Hotel Indigo Dundee
Hotel Review Hotel Indigo Dundee is a four star boutique hotel set on the site of a former textile mill built in 1822, which still retains its Italianate bell tower. Location: Dundee is Scotland’s fourth largest city and is situated on the north coast of the mouth of the Tay Estuary. Edinburgh lies 60 miles…
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Review: Wotton House Hotel, Dorking, Surrey
Hotel Review Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Surrey Hills countryside, Wotton House Hotel is a historic 17th century country house hotel set within 13 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. The hotel was originally the centre of the Wotton Estate and the birthplace of the diarist and landscape gardener John Evelyn, who constructed the first Italian garden in England…
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Review: The Crown Hotel, Harrogate
Hotel Review Harrogate is a spa town in North Yorkshire noted for its beautiful parks, gardens, elegant buildings, Turkish baths, high class shops and tearooms. I recently had the pleasure of visiting the town and staying at the beautiful The Crown Hotel. Location: The Crown Hotel sits in the heart of the beautiful town of…
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Review: The Milner Hotel, York
Hotel Review The Milner Hotel started life in 1853 during the early days of the the British railway era under the ownership of the North Eastern Railway Company. This grand old station hotel was sold off from the railways in 1982 and after varied ownership its latest rebrand as The Milner took place in October…
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Review: Weetwood Hall Estate, Leeds
Hotel Review Location: Weetwood Hall Estate is a luxurious four star country house hotel set within nine acres of parkland on the outskirts of Leeds, West Yorkshire. The estate has been built around a 17th century Jacobean Manor House and is steeped in history, with parts of the property dating back as far as 1540.…
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Review: voco Winchester Hotel and Spa
Hotel Review The former Holiday Inn Winchester was rebranded to voco Winchester Hotel & Spa in October 2024 following a complete refurbishment programme which took 8 months and a cost of £2 million. Voco Hotels is IHG’s fastest-growing premium brand and as we hadn’t stayed in one previously we looked forward to the opportunity of being invited to review a stay.…
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Review: The Gomerino Hotel, Valletta, Malta
Hotel Review Malta is a small Mediterranean island that’s popular for its pristine beaches and guaranteed sunny weather between Easter and October. It’s also perfect for a winter break with temperatures averaging 18 degrees. In December, Malta transforms into a wonderland full of festive events, dazzling Christmas lights and plenty of seasonal cheer for all…
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Review: Motel One, Hamburg Airport
Hotel Review Motel One is a design hotel chain, founded in Germany and to be found throughout Europe with one hotel in New York City. Don’t let the name ‘motel’ put you off as the chain is far removed from the motel concept offering affordable, stylish hotel accommodation. Location: Motel One Hamburg Airport is situated…
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Review: The Old Police Station at Montgomery House, Leeds
Hotel Review The Old Police Station at Montgomery House has just opened its doors in the vibrant suburb of Headingley, a ten minute drive from Leeds city centre. The former police station had been abandoned for almost twenty years and was in a poor state of repair until Alex Ball, his partner and a couple…
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Review: Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Hotel Review Location: Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is linked via a covered walkway to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and with the city centre being only 20 minutes away by train, the hotel is ideally located for a city break or overnight layover. Arrival and check in: After arriving into Schiphol Airport on board a KLM flight…
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Review: Dinner at Hotel du Vin, Harrogate
We were recently invited to experience the Hotel du Vin’s taster menu with wine pairings at its stylish hotel in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The hotel is located on an elegant Regency terrace in the centre of the spa town and overlooks the Stray which is one of Harrogate’s best known landmarks. The Stray covers 200…
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Exploring Pellinge Marina: A Hidden Gem Near Porvoo, Finland
Resort Review Pellinge Marina is located on the idyllic island of Pellinge in the Porvoo archipelago of eastern Finland. The historic fishing farm has been transformed into a luxurious resort with the dark wooden cluster of buildings forming the marina complex blending in beautifully with the natural environment. Getting there: The resort is accessible both…
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Review: RUNO Hotel, Porvoo, Finland
Hotel Review Whilst visiting the Finnish capital of Helsinki it’s also a perfect opportunity to spend a couple of days exploring Porvoo. Located 50 km east of Helsinki, it’s Finland’s second oldest city and its best preserved. The small city is noted for its old wooden town, charming cobblestone streets and ochre painted riverside warehouses. …
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Review: Moxy, The Hague
Hotel Review: The Hague is The Netherlands’ third largest city after Amsterdam and Rotterdam and the administrative capital of the country. It’s the home of the Dutch royal family, the government and the base for numerous international organisations. Rich in history, art and architecture this compact city is the perfect location for a weekend city…
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Review: School Lane Hotel, Liverpool
Hotel Review: Location: School Lane Hotel is a stylish boutique hotel housed in an 1850’s building located along a quiet lane just steps away from the heart of the Liverpool One shopping district with its many high end shops, bars and restaurants. Getting there: Liverpool is well connected by road via the M6, M62, M58…
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Review: Twr y Felin Hotel, St. Davids, Wales
Hotel Review Twr y Felin Hotel (translated from Welsh to mean Mill Tower) started life as a windmill built in 1806 and is perfectly positioned on the Pembrokeshire peninsula to harvest the ever-blowing winds. It operated for 100 years before the sails fell off and then became a temperance hotel. Today it is Wales’ first…
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Review: The Falcondale Hotel, Lampeter, Wales
Hotel Review The Falcondale Hotel is a 150 year old Italianate style villa situated just outside the university town of Lampeter in mid-Wales. Being only 30 minutes drive from the coastal villages of Cardigan Bay and the Cambrian Mountains the hotel is an ideal base for exploring the area. Location Take the M4 and follow…
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Review: Bodysgallen Hall & Spa, Llandudno
Hotel Review Location: Bodysgallen Hall is a Grade 1 17th century manor house that has been sympathetically restored by Historic House Hotels Limited since 1980 and was given to the National Trust in 2008. It is one of the three Historic House Hotels of the National Trust and is located in over 200 acres of parkland two miles…