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SOMETIMES you just want a break from the hum-drum of daily life, without having to spend too much money.

After all, what’s better than a beautiful hotel room where you can wake up at your leisure, or a cosy cottage with all your family?

So as the team of travel experts at the Sun, we’ve looked at all of our favourite places across the UK where we’ve stayed which DON’T break the bank.

And you certainly don’t have to splash the cash on expensive five star stays to enjoy a luxurious and restful break.

Not only have we searched the entire UK, from Edinburgh and the Lake District to Oxford and Kent, but all of these stays are less than £100, so £50 each an night.

Some are even a bargain £3 each, per night. You’re welcome.

Searles Hunstanton, Norfolk

A cheap and cheerful holiday park break can really jazz up an otherwise boring and drizzly November.

Growing up in north Norfolk, I spent my fair share of days at Searles Leisure Resort. I even worked on the mini golf course, so I have plenty of recommendations!

Visiting in the autumn is super affordable. Use of the pool, sauna, jacuzzi and £1m kids splash zone is completely free (as long as you book direct) – so no need to buy an expensive add-on swim pass.

If visiting over a weekend, make sure to tuck into their impressive Sunday carvery. While the main restaurant can get busy, I recommend eating in the Sports Bar which overlooks the golf course.

While on-site entertainment is limited in autumn, there’s plenty of indoor, kid-friendly attractions nearby such as Farmer Fred’s soft play in Heacham and shows at Hunstanton Princess Theatre.

The site practically backs onto Hunstanton promenade, so you can be on the seafront in only a few steps. On dry days, make sure to walk all the way along to Old Hunstanton’s stripey chalk cliffs for a stunning view.

Grab a pack of hot, sugary cinnamon doughnuts from Kay’s, then head to Hunstanton Pier amusements to spend your spare 2ps. You won’t miss the massive building right on the green with a bowling alley overlooking the sea.

With a November Super Savers break, you can bag a four-night stay for £119. If you stay as a group of six, that works out to £4.96pp per night. – Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

Maldron Hotel, Newcastle

If you’re looking for a fantastically central hotel to enjoy a night out in the party city of Newcastle while still getting a good night’s sleep, you can’t go wrong with the Maldron Hotel on Newgate Street.

This modern, fresh hotel delivers 4* quality at great prices.

There’s free wifi, smart TVs, air conditioning and tea and coffee making facilities and a choice of deluxe rooms, executive suites and family rooms.

There’s hearty breakfasts and all-day dining at the Grain and Grill bar and restaurant as well as options that can be delivered to your room.

But its main attraction is its central location. Opposite the Eldon Square shopping centre and close to The Gate leisure complex, it’s just a three-minute walk from Newcastle’s Central Station and close to local metro stations.

Footie fans will love the fact they can walk to St James’ Park and the Quayside is with its famous bridges, modern art galleries, lively bars and famous Sunday market is also just a 10minute stroll away.

Rooms from from just £68 a night for a double room, or £34 each. See maldronhotels.com. – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

Cefn Nannau, Wales

An off-grid cottage staycation, deep in rural countryside just can’t be beaten – especially at this time of year when the autumn chill is finally starting to hit.

There’s room for the whole family (and more) in the gorgeous 12-person Cefn Nannau, buried among rolling fields in Corwen, North Wales.

It features two cosy living rooms with roaring log burners and board games so you can hunker down on those dark evenings, plus there’s an outdoor hot tub overlooking farming fields where sheep graze freely.

Rooms are cosy and come with glorious green views (and many feature en suite bathrooms, too) while the spacious kitchen, with a rugged Aga, is great for whipping up group feasts.

The property’s charm comes from its history as a former barn and character comes in the form of wonky beams and traditional terracotta floor tiles.

Its location is second to none, too.

Wales‘ largest freshwater lake, Bala Lake, is a short drive away,stretching 3.5miles in length. There’s also Snowdonia National Park right on your doorstep.

Cefn Nannau cottage costs from around £21 per person per night, based on full occupancy and a stay of seven nights. See sykescottages.co.uk. – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

London & Paris Hotel, Folkestone

Sea views, check. Cosy rooms, check. Fantastic pub grub, check. With all the boxes ticked, the London & Paris Hotel in Folkestone I think is one of Kent‘s best, affordable places to stay.

The seaside town is short of boutique hotels, with the majority of options being B&Bs or pub stays.

But the London & Paris reopened back in 2023 after years of renovations restoring the historic building.

Now, every room has sea views, and each is designed in elevated beach chic, so kooky patterned interiors and blue striped walls.

It no longer has its own restaurant, but the downstairs Harbour Inn pub is one of the finest in town with fantastic fresh seafood and Sunday Roasts.

Even better, Folkestone is less than an hour from London so makes for a great weekend trip from the capital.

Rooms start from £90 a night, so £45 each – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Butlins, UK locations

Earlier this year, I made my first pilgrimage to Butlin’s at their Skegness resort, and was so overwhelmed that I drew up an hour-by-hour activities spreadsheet to make sure that we made the most of every opportunity.

In just three days, we saw six shows, swam in the pool, played mini golf and laser quest, explored the soft play, spent far too many pound coins in the arcade, enjoyed arts and crafts and went to the fun fair.

We didn’t have time for the bowling, go-karting, pottery, climbing and aerial adventure courses.

What’s particularly incredible is that so many of these activities are included in the price of your stay, even if you go for the cheapest accommodation.

Their base rates start from £49 for four nights for a family of four during school holidays, which is an astonishing £12.25pp per holiday (working out to around £3 each a night).

It doesn’t matter where you book – the cheapest or priciest rooms – the activities included in the price are the same.

The quality of the entertainment is top notch too – and much cheaper when you could easily be spending £40 each for tickets to the West End, while Butlin’s shows are included and the same standard.

If we’re conservative, that’s £120pp for three nights of quality shows already. – Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)

Pinewoods Holiday Park, Norfolk

In my mind, holiday parks are rowdy places filled with screeching children and soft play fun barns, so imagine my surprise when I pulled up to the peaceful Pinewoods Holiday Park in Norfolk.

Saltmash Lodge in Wells-next-the-Sea has ample room for six people – and a dog too. 

Inside, the master bedroom is impressively large with a kingsize bed, spacious en-suite and plush dressing area. The other two had twin beds and a separate bathroom.

My favourite part though, is the open-plan dining, kitchen and living area surrounded by large windows and a skylight.

Outside there’s a wraparound deck with a barbecue. But during the autumn, evenings are best spent settled on the sofas in front of the coal-effect fire.

Pinewoods is in a top location too, an equal walk into the town of Wells which has pretty quayside pubs and boutiques. Walk the other way to get to Wells beach with lots of golden sand and backed with brightly decorated beach huts and, beyond that, a pine forest.

Lodge prices start from £747 for a three-night stay, sleeping six people in three bedrooms which works out to £41.50pp per night.– Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

Mollies Motel, Oxford

Mollie’s opened its first ever motel in Oxfordshire in 2019 – a quirky concept inspired by roadside stays in the US, except more lavish.

And best of all, it’s super cheap.

In fact, I challenge you to find a more chic and handsomely-decorated bedroom for the same low price as this (less than £40pp a night).

The hotel started as the budget-friendly little sister to swanky members club Soho House and although it is now a separate entity, it still maintains a close relationship with the brand.

That means uber stylish furniture from Soho Home and Scandi-style decor. Think wooden panelling, earthy tones and funky lighting.

If you love American grub, then you’ll love the hotel’s diner which sticks to the American theme with huge burgers, dirty fries and hard shakes loaded with whipped cream.

Rooms cost from £37per person per night, on a room-only basis, with other hotels including Mollies Bristol and Mollies Manchester. – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Kickass Grassmarket, Edinburgh

Now hear me out: don’t knock a hostel until you try it. 

Kick Ass Grassmarket sits in the centre of Edinburgh, just a few minutes’ walk from all the major attractions and is a welcoming and secure hostel. 

Now, when you think of a hostel you probably picture dorms full of bunk beds and strangers, but at Kick Ass you can actually get a private room making it a great budget option. 

Plus you’ll get the benefit of social spaces and a fully-equipped kitchen. 

A double or twin room costs from just £70 per night, and has enough space for your luggage. 

Rooms have plenty of sockets, a full-length mirror and reading lights by the bed. And if you are lucky, you might even get a castle view – not bad for £35pp, eh?

Edinburgh is stunning all year and you don’t have to spend much to have a good time in the city, with hiking the famous Arthur‘s Seat is a top free activity. 

The National Museum of Scotland is also well worth exploring; its airy central atrium lets light flood the museum.– Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

The Alan, Manchester

One of my favourite cities in the UK is Manchester, as it has all the elements of London – fantastic food scene, beautiful architecture and history – just with friendlier locals.

Oh and much cheaper hotels that are just as beautiful.

I love The Alan, built into the a former Victorian cotton warehouse.

The rooms feel elevated, so pink plaster rooms, marble tables and orange glass mugs, as well as brass bathroom fittings and fancy toiletries.

They have all the modcons, from flat screen TVs to Bluetooth speakers as well while the bar below is where you should be meeting your mates for a glass of wine and some nibbles.

Rooms start from £62 a night, or £31 each. – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor