HAMPTON by Hilton London Waterloo hotel is a perfect accommodation for the London adventurer, with city views and plenty of experiences at the doorstep.
Here’s everything you need to know – from room rates to dining options at the hotel’s restaurant.
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Here’s everything you need to know about the Hampton by Hilton London WaterlooCredit: Booking.com
Where is the hotel?
The hotel is a five-minute walk from Waterloo train station and three minutes from the Old Vic Theatre, making it the perfect place to crash after an evening performance.
The hotel is also a 15- minute walk from some of the capital’s most well-known attractions including the London Eye, the London Dungeon and a new contender, the Paddington Bear Experience.
What is the hotel like?
The foyer/dining area and bar are clean and modern, with plenty of tables, sofas and armchairs.
There is digital check-in and digital keys for your room mean no waiting around when you arrive or depart.
I WAKE up to what sounds like thunder shaking the walls of my hotel room.
As I open a porthole-style window, a rollercoaster roars past, just yards from my face.
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Phantasialand, near Cologne, is one of Germany’s most impressive theme parksCredit: Lee Bell
Not your average wake-up call.
But nothing about this place is average – I’m in Rookburgh, a gritty, smoke-filled steampunk world inside Phantasialand, which is one of Germany‘s most impressive theme parks.
This place, in Bruhl near Cologne, is famous for its attention to detail, next-level rides and the kind of immersive lands that make you feel like you’ve stumbled into another world.
And that doesn’t stop at the rides – even the accommodation is part of the show.
I’m staying in the Charles Lindbergh Hotel, a retro-futuristic airship terminal.
Wrapped around the hotel like a giant steel snake is F.L.Y. – the world’s only launched flying rollercoaster.
What really makes it unique is the way in which you board.
You are strapped in while the track is on its side, almost like a sideways train.
Then, as you roll out of the station, the seats slowly rotate and the track shifts above you, flipping you into a face-down ‘flying’ position.
There’s no slow climb, just a powerful launch that catapults you face-first through tunnels, over rooftops and past steamy vents and water features that feel just inches away from your feet.
As you step out of Rookburgh, you’re greeted by the park’s entrance zone, named Berlin and it couldn’t feel more different, with quaint streets, fancy facades and a classic carousel.
You’ll find ice-cream parlours, food carts and flower-lined walkways, with plenty of seating if you need a breather.
Once you’re feeling ready for some more adrenaline-inducing rides, head over to the adjoining Mexico zone.
Mariachi music drifts through the air and the main attraction here is Chiapas – a log flume that is themed on a lost Mayan world.
At the Charles Lindbergh Hotel in the park, the world’s only launched flying rollercoaster wraps around the hotelCredit: Alamy
There’s a 53-degree drop, which is one of the steepest of its kind in the world and then there’s a mix of tunnels, waterfalls, twists and turns so you never know what’s coming next.
Next door is the Talocan ride, which is even more intense.
It’s a Top Spin ride set in a Mayan temple, with fire blasts and water bursts all around you.
Just a short walk from the Mexico zone is the land of Klugheim, a village carved from rock.
It’s dark and moody, and home to what is considered to be one of the world’s best rollercoasters, called Taron.
With two powerful launches, it throws me straight into high-speed twists and tight turns, hugging the ground and darting along at speeds of up to 73mph.
Just around the corner from the jagged rocks of Klugheim is the Mystery zone – a medieval fantasy world with stone towers and crumbling castle walls designed around a forest theme.
The Mexico zone is home to what is considered to be one of the world’s best rollercoasters, called TaronCredit: Alamy
The main draw here is Mystery Castle, an indoor drop-ride built into an ancient fortress.
It’s dark inside, with flickering lights and echoing sounds.
Once I’m strapped in, I’m launched upward with serious force and then suddenly dropped without warning.
It’s intense and over quickly, but terrifying while it lasts.
I jump on the neighbouring River Quest ride next, which features wild rapids with a twist.
Instead of you slowly bobbing around, an elevator platform takes your raft high up into a tower before plunging you downwards into dizzying drops gushing with water.
I dry off while exploring the nearby Wuze Town, which is part of the mystical Fantasy area and filled with rides for all ages.
The standout attractions here are Winja’s Fear and Winja’s Force, which are two spinning coasters running side by side but with different layouts.
The park’s entrance zone, called Berlin, has quaint streets, fancy facades and a classic carouselBerlin and it couldn’t feel more different, with quaint streets, fancy facades and a classic carouselCredit: Alamy
They twist, turn, tilt and spin at random with sections of the track that suddenly drop mid-ride.
Before leaving the park, swing by Deep in Africa, which has a jungle theme set to a drumming soundtrack with dusty terrains and exotic plants.
This area is home to Hotel Matamba.
Built more for families, this lodge has tribal decor and views over Black Mamba – an inverted coaster hidden among foliage that hugs the scenery so tightly it feels as if you might hit it.
If you’re after a more upmarket stay, consider Hotel Ling Bao – an impressive Chinese temple-styled hotel with sit-down restaurants serving authentic noodle dishes.
It borders the gorgeous China Town, my favourite area of the park.
With red temples, koi ponds and hanging lanterns, it offers a lovely, calming break away from the crowds.
Because of the amazing theming throughout Phantasialand, you don’t just travel around the world, you travel through time.
There’s also Black Mamba – an inverted coaster hidden among foliage that hugs the scenery so tightly it feels as if you might hit itCredit: Alamy
One minute I’m flying around a steampunk airfield, the next I’m spinning through a medieval fantasy world or diving into a jungle temple.
In just one day, it felt like I’d done six holidays‘ worth of exploring and all without ever leaving the park.
Ryanair has direct flights from the UK to Cologne from £19.99 one-way.
Trains run regularly to Bruhl, with a shuttle bus to the park or a taxi takes under 30 minutes from Cologne Bonn Airport.
One-day tickets start from £27 for adults, £26 for kids aged four to 11 and free for children under four.
On-site hotels include Charles Lindbergh (short-stay cabins), Matamba (family-friendly), and Ling Bao (high-end).
Rooms start from €150 (£130) per night and packages include park entry.
ONE of many Z Hotels in London, the Gloucester Place hotel is fabulously located.
Here is everything you need to know about the hotel.
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Z Hotels are known for their great locationsThe shared dining lounge even has cheese and wine hours
Where is Z Hotel Gloucester Place?
Split across six converted Georgian townhouses, Z Hotel Gloucester Place is ideally placed between Baker Street and Oxford Street with 114 bedrooms and an onsite 24/7 Z Bar.
What are the rooms like?
Calling the rooms “compact luxury,” each one comes with everything you need for a base to stay such as a hidden underbed drawer to store your suitcase.
This also means huge queen or king beds, Samsung HDTVs and tea and coffee making facilities in the room.
The small bathrooms have large, if not basic showers and come with their own toiletries too.
The historic hotel has been a well-known establishment in Northamptonshire for centuries, but will now close its doors
The historic hotel has been a well-known establishment in Northamptonshire for centuries, but will now close its doors(Image: The Hind Hotel)
The Hind Hotel in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, has confirmed it is shutting its doors, a move made with “great sadness”. The Grade II listed establishment, which dates back to the 17th century, had undergone recent renovations.
The business was forced to shut due to “rising costs, reduced town centre footfall and Government policy often seemingly targeting the hospitality industry”. The 34-room hotel has been a familiar fixture in Northamptonshire for hundreds of years, reports the Express.
In a statement, the company said: “It is with great sadness that we have had to close the Hind Hotel.
“After eight and a half years of ownership, and with £1.3million spent on a massive external refurbishment, a £600,000 refurbishment of bedrooms and circulation space, and over £300,000 spent on modernising the ground floor public areas and replacing old equipment throughout the hotel.
“The director would like to thank the team for their dedication when faced with adversity such as the main refurbishment contractor going bust three months into the 24-month refurbishment, and their resilience in the wave of shocks such as Covid and the current economic downturn.
“The company has faced serious hardship with respect to rising costs, reduced town centre footfall and government policy often seemingly targeting the hospitality industry.
“Throw in increased regulation, rising national insurance and decreasing flexibility in the labour market and a currently stressed economic environment, and the director has been forced to concede that he can no longer continue financially supporting the business.”
On Facebook, Ann Miller commented: “Sad news, I left Wellingborough in 1973, but the Hind Hotel always stood out as one of the historic buildings and a landmark in Wellingborough. Hope new owners will be found and it continues for many more years.”
Karen Henderson added: “So sorry to hear this, and I thank you most sincerely for all you have done to restore and keep The Hind going.
“You faced more challenges than was fair, and your resilience, dedication and commitment are a testament to the team.
“My parents had their wedding reception there in the 60s, and it holds a special place in my heart.”
IBIS Brighton is a modern, seaside hotel that is just a 10 minute walk from the beach.
Here’s everything you need to know – from room rates to dining options at the hotel’s restaurant.
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ibis Brighton is a great affordable stop to visit the seaside townCredit: booking.comThe rooms are simple but spaciousCredit: booking.com
Where is the Ibis Brighton?
A big selling point of this one is its location.
It’s only a two-minute walk from the railway station, so no arduous lugging of luggage or need for a cab.
Plus, Brighton‘s famous Lanes, Royal Pavilion and Churchill Square shopping centre are just five minutes’ walk away, and it is a ten-minute stroll to the seafront.
What is the hotel like?
You know what you’re getting with Ibis – a clean, minimalist, modern and affordable hotel, all decorated in its trademark red and black.
Free croissants at reception were a nice touch and the staff were helpful and welcoming.
Parking is not provided but there is an NCP car park nearby.
What are the rooms like?
At this 140-room, tenfloor hotel, there is a simple choice of single or double/twin rooms.
We stayed in a top-floor double, which had a great view of the city.
It came with a very generously sized bathroom, with walk-in shower and complimentary toiletries.
Our room also had a flatscreen TV, coffee and tea-making facilities, and free wifi.
Double rooms start from £64.
What is there to eat or drink there?
The restaurant offers classic fare including chicken and chips, pizzas and curries, which were very tasty.
But if you want something more elaborate, you are spoilt for choice in Brighton – from modern Mediterranean eatery Burnt Orange and top gastropub The Ginger Pig, to champagne-and-oysters bar Riddle & Finns.
Plus, the city is a great place for vegans and vegetarians, with Terre A Terre and Food For Friends delivering imaginative and beautifully presented dishes.
What else is there to do at the hotel?
This Ibis branch has a funky and colourful modern reception area, which was designed with the help of a local artist and showcases images created by emerging Brighton talent.
Definitely a place to go back to – it was perfect for a budget city break.
A host of pubs, bars and restaurants are within easy reach, too, so you are right in the heart of the action from the moment you leave the hotel.
Is the hotel family friendly?
Yes, there are plenty of family rooms available.
Is the hotel accessible?
Yes, there are some accessible and wheelchair rooms available.
Looking for a place to stay? For more hotel inspiration click here.
Breakfast is limited but a great affordable optionCredit: booking.com
THE Hilton Manchester Deansgate is the height of convenience for your next stay in Manchester, as well as providing guests with a seamless blend of comfort and sophistication.
Here’s everything you need to know about the hotel, from how much rooms cost to what to eat at the restaurant.
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Here’s everything to know about Hilton Manchester DeansgateThe hotel has some great views of the cityCredit: booking.comIt id also right by the train stationCredit: booking.com
Where is the Hilton Manchester Deansgate?
The unmissable 23-storey building is just a 3 minute walk from Deansgate Station, providing an easy transport link to Manchester Piccadilly Station.
The hotel is also just a mile from the Manchester arena.
What is the hotel like?
The buzz and noise of Manchester are instantly left behind in the hotel lobby.
The foyer is sleek and modern, with an elegant spiral staircase at its far end. This atmosphere of class and sophistication is reflected throughout the hotel.
Yes, they are rather spacious, with huge, comfy beds, free wifi and a large TV.
My room had an armchair and a desk with a vanity mirror that was ideal for getting ready for a night out.
The ensuite bathroom had a large walk-in shower.
But the best feature of the room by far was the grand floor-to-ceiling windows, offering amazing views of the Manchester skyline.
Double rooms starting from £117 per night. For more information, click here.
What is there to eat and drink there?
Make sure to book a table at the 2 AA Rosette Podium Restaurant, which offers relaxed fine dining.
My starter, the cured salmon, didn’t disappoint. I opted for the potato fried in peanut oil as a main.
The spiralised spud was soaked in a mushroom sauce and topped with nuts. It was totally hearty.
I tried to resist dessert but ordered a lychee sorbet wrapped in a thin layer of chocolate. To this day, I still think about all three dishes.
What else is there to do at the hotel?
Head to Cloud 23 on the hotel’s 23rd floor for a drink with a view. The spicy margarita packs a real punch.
If drinking is less your thing, opt for an afternoon tea at Cloud 23.
You can enjoy a Traditional afternoon tea, a champagne afternoon tea, or even a mocktail afternoon tea, all with a stunning view of the Manchester skyline.
Additionally, why not indulge in the hotel’s health club facilities, featuring a steam room, sauna, indoor pool and fitness centre.
Is the hotel family-friendly?
Yes, the hotel is family friendly, offering amenities such as interconnecting rooms to provide more space for families to allow for the most comfort during their stay.
Is there access for guests with disabilities?
Yes, the hotel is accessible, providing accessible rooms and facilities to its guests.
Looking for a place to stay? For more hotel inspiration click here.
The hotel spa and pool are a must visit tooCredit: booking.com
Feb. 1 (UPI) — One police officer was killed and another wounded in a shooting Sunday at a suburban Atlanta hotel, according to authorities, who said the gunman has been arrested.
The shooting occurred Sunday morning in Stone Mountain, located northeast of Atlanta, the Gwinnett County Police Department said in a statement.
Two officers with the Gwinnett County Police Department were responding to a fraud call at the Holiday Inn Express on 1790 E. Park Place Boulevard shortly before 8 a.m. EST. After the officers made contact, the subject opened fire, striking both Gwinnett County officers.
The suspect, who has since been identified as 35-year-old Kevin Andrews of Decatur, Ga., was struck by return fire, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries.
Officer Pradeep Tamang died from injuries sustained in the shooting, the Gwinnett County Police Department said, adding that the other officer, David M. Reed, underwent surgery at a hospital where he remains in critical but stable condition.
“Our hearts are with the families of Officer Pradeep Tamang and with MPO David Reed, their loved ones and the entire Gwinnett County Police Department during this incredibly difficult time,” Nicole Love Hendrickson, chair of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, said in a statement.
“We are deeply grateful for their continued dedication, and we stand united with our officers, their families and all of you as we navigate this challenging time together.”
Tamang joined the Gwinnett County Police Department in July 2024. Reed, a master police officer, has been with the force since September 2015.
Andrews, the suspect, will be transported to Gwinnett County Jail once he is released from the hospital, authorities said.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is investigating the shooting, said in a statement that the officers were called to the hotel in response to a South Carolina individual stating their credit card had been fraudulently used there.
The hotel desk manager advised Tamang and Reed that the room in question was being rented to Andrews, whom they spoke to about the alleged fraudulent use of the credit card.
After learning Andrews had an active warrant for failure to appear in DeKalb County, Tamang and Reed attempted to arrest the man, who allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired on the officers.
Andrews has been charged with one count each of malice murder, felony murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and two counts of aggravated assault upon a public safety officer.
“Today, we join @GwinnettPD in mourning the loss of a brave officer and are praying for the swift recovery of another,” Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement on X.
“This is the latest reminder of the dangers law enforcement face on a daily basis, and we are grateful for every one that puts themselves in harm’s way to protect their fellow Georgians.”
Milo Boyd explored M De Megève, a luxury hotel in the French Alps beloved by the mega-rich that rivals any White Lotus setting
Milo Boyd takes a ski trip to the ski resort of Megeve
White Lotus is making a comeback for a fourth season, this time heading to the Château de La Messardière – a genuine palace-turned-hotel nestled on 32 verdant acres of jasmine, cypress trees and parasol pines in France’s Saint-Tropez.
Whilst there’s no question that the programme will continue to captivate, excite and astonish on the Mediterranean, the show’s brilliant creator Mike White has overlooked a golden opportunity.
There exists a resort 300km to the north that presents a far more abundant tapestry of historical glamour and nouveau riche intrigue that forms the backbone of the HBO sensation, whilst also providing grounds for introducing a yodelling theme tune.
That destination is Megève and the particular hotel, the M De Megève. The compact ski resort is nestled 1,400 metres up the French Alps, beneath the shadow of Mont Blanc.
Milo Boyd
Milo Boyd
Although the village of 3,000 might be less renowned than Tignes or Val d’Isère, it remains cherished by the ultra-wealthy and French nobility.
Indeed, Megève’s exceptionally affluent origins trace back to the late 1910s when Noémie de Rothschild – weary of encountering German arms dealers in Switzerland’s Saint Moritz – resolved to place the tiny and rural settlement on the map.
In the 100 years since, dozens of ski lifts have emerged across 400 km of interconnected pistes; several Michelin-starred chefs have established themselves in Alpine life there; and luxury hotels matching those showcased in White Lotus have welcomed the global elite. This January, I managed to slip in amongst the international elite for a weekend at M De Megève, a five-star establishment that belongs to the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World club.
It is a truly enchanting destination.
Upon arrival, a porter swiftly collects your luggage and a beverage is offered as you’re escorted to the crackling fire in the entrance hall. A welcome pairing after travelling from London on Eurostar’s Snowtrain, despite the smooth and agreeable nature of the trip.
Drink finished and cases transported upstairs, it’s time to begin discovering.
The M De Megève comprises 42 rooms arranged around a lengthy reception space that opens into a bar area by the entrance, a bistro at the rear and a fondue restaurant to the side. Friendly staff, many of whom spend their winters grafting in the Alps before heading back to Cannes or Marseille for the summer season, are available to help, converse or simply beam a greeting.
In the intimate Grand Crus de Fondue, they’re prepared to provide some more particular guidance. “How do you like your cheese,” the hotel’s sommelier-style Cheese Chef enquired of my partner and I, before conjuring up a pot of bubbling, stomach-fillingly potent fondue that nearly floored us there at the table.
Who knows what would’ve occurred if we’d chosen the Champagne or pear cider base, rather than playing it safe with a classic white wine blend. Equally scrumptious and more traditional cuisine is offered at the bistro, where we feasted on extraordinary plates of French onion soup, mushroom risotto and sea bream, accompanied by a glass or two of Pommery Champagne.
M De Megève enjoys a special partnership with the Reims château, as it does with Clarins. Visitors are showered with complimentary face creams and balms from the premium French skincare brand, and pampered with its complete range down in the spa.
I genuinely question whether my masseuse, who left me floating on clouds and resolved a weeks-long bout of troublesome skin, was practising sorcery.
The enchantment persisted in the timber alpine lodge-style quarters, where drapes are controlled by a bedside button and the lavatories are delightfully interactive.
“Our Asian and Middle Eastern guests insist on it,” a staff member informed me.
White Lotus producer David Bernad recently dashed hopes of a ski season when he declared, “Mike does not like the cold”.
Fortunately for him, the M De Megève’s sauna, hammam and hot tub are sufficiently steamy to warm his joints and, naturally, provide enough ‘actors in swimsuits’ screen time to satisfy the fans.
Yet it is in a different type of suit that Megève’s visitors are at their finest.
Venture out onto the cobblestones of the village and you’ll discover high-fashion brands aplenty. We’re talking Dior, Hermès, Rolex. We’re talking an average month’s wage to kit out each of the piste posers in a white ski-suit, designer label of choice adorned in diamanté on the back. “Megève is a place to be seen,” a Canadian heir explained in the queue for a drag lift.
And he’s right. What’s so intriguing about the hotel is that, despite sitting just 100m from the Chamois lifts, many guests do not ski. Instead, they come to shop, to parade through the village on horse-drawn carriages, and to telecabin up in platform Uggs to a hillside grill flogging £200 steaks and £9 bottles of Evian.
I adore skiing. For the unmatched physical excitement it provides on days brimming with powder-fresh thrills and stunning panoramas.
And for the opportunity to glimpse into a contrasting realm. A realm of Brits debating whether they’d manage to expense a €5,000 club table whilst tucking into the previously mentioned steak; of an Alpine settlement that hosted Emily in Paris; of sharing ski lifts with multilingual families switching between Italian, French and English.
It represents a realm of sophistication and fascination, practically begging to be White Lotused.
Eurostar Snow train tickets for the 2025/26 season start at £99 each way (£198 return) in Standard class, running weekly from Dec 20, 2025, to Apr 5, 2026, from London St Pancras to the French Alps via Lille. Visit eurostar.com/uk-en/train/ski-train.
In “Vanished,” premiering Friday on MGM+, Kaley Cuoco plays Alice, an archaeologist, a fact she repeats whenever she’s asked about herself, without particularly seeming like one, apart from passing mentions of Byzantine caves and “one of the earliest examples of Christian worship” to make her sound professional. Sam Claflin plays Tom, who works for a charity organization dealing with Syrian refugees in Jordan; in a flashback we get to see them meet cute on a dusty Jordanian road, where he has a flat tire and no spare. Alice gives him a lift to camp; they banter and flirt after a fashion. He does something heroic within her sight.
They have been long-distance dating for four years, meeting up, as Alice describes it, “in hotels all over the world” where they “actually want to have sex with each other all the time.” Currently they are in Paris (in a $500-a-night joint — I looked it up). But Alice, now working in Albania, has been offered a job as an assistant professor of archaeology at Princeton, which would allow her to settle down with Tom in a school-provided apartment and “build a life that’s mine, not just uncovering other people’s.” After an uncomfortable moment, he signs on, saying, “I love you, Alice Monroe.”
Would you trust him? Despite the script’s insistence otherwise, Cuoco and Claflin have no more chemistry than figures on facing pages in a clothing catalog. Fortunately for the viewer, Tom disappears early from the action — ergo “Vanished.” The couple are traveling by train down to Arles, where another hotel awaits them, when Tom leaves the car to take a call and never returns; nor can he be found anywhere on the train.
This happily makes room for the more interesting Helene (multiple César Award winner Karin Viard), a helpful Frenchwoman who steps in as a translator when Alice attempts to get an officious conductor to open a door to a room he insists is for employees only, and rules are rules. (Is he just being, you know, French, or is something up?)
They meet again when Alice gets off the train not in Arles but Marseilles; after she has no more luck with police inspector Drax (Simon Abkarian), who insists a person isn’t missing until 48 hours have elapsed, than with the conductor, she’ll turn to Helene again, who has the advantage of being an investigative reporter. (She’s also been made diabetic, which has no effect on the action other than halting it now and again so she can give herself, rather dramatically, a quick shot of insulin. Like Drax begging off because he’s late meeting his wife for an Alain Delon double feature, it’s a tacked on bit of business meant to suggest character.) Together they’ll ferret out and follow clues, as Alice comes to realize that it takes more than the occasional gauzy romantic getaway to really know a person, and Helene gets closer to nailing a big story.
Directed by Barnaby Thompson, whose credits are mostly in producing (“Wayne’s World,”“Spice World”), and written by his son, Preston — together they made the 2020 film “Pixie” — the series begins with a flash forward in which Alice flees for her life out an upper-story window, signifying action ahead. And indeed, there will be, leading to a climactic scene I don’t suppose was meant to make me laugh, but did, magnifying as it does one of the confrontational cliches of modern cinema. Many of the series’ notions and plot points (though not that particular one) may be found in the works of Alfred Hitchcock — who, you may remember, made a film called “The Lady Vanishes,” from a train yet — though they have been given new clothes to wear. But where Hitchcock never waited long to show you when a character wasn’t what they seemed, that information is held on here nearly to the end, with some added twists along the way to keep you confused.
Cuoco (unusually brunet here), has been good in many things, most notably her funny, winning turn as Penny across 12 seasons of “The Big Bang Theory” and more recently as the hallucinating alcoholic heroine of the “The Flight Attendant,” but she feels out of joint here. She’s not well served by the pedestrian direction and dialogue, but comes across as a person playing a person, rather than as the person she’s playing. Perhaps by virtue of their accents, the French actors feel more real; France, as usual, looks great.
Stacey Hamilton has stayed in hundreds of hotels and says a simple visual reminder has saved her from costly mistakes when checking out
Your shoes can be a huge help(Image: Getty)
If you’re a seasoned jet-setter, you’ll be all too familiar with the minor irritations that come with hotel stays. From inconveniently placed plug sockets to baffling air conditioning controls and light switches that seem to operate something in another postcode.
Stacey Hamilton, a travel guru from Private Tours England, who has clocked up hundreds of hotel stays both in the UK and abroad, has revealed her go-to trick for hassle-free hotel living. From securing valuables to smarter packing and ensuring a good night’s sleep, she claims these simple hotel hacks have saved her time, money and a fair few early morning scrambles.
One particular technique she swears by might sound a bit odd, but it’s come to her rescue on numerous occasions.
Stacey admitted: “For years, I avoided using hotel safes because I was convinced I’d forget what I’d put in there. It sounds silly, but when you’re rushing to catch a train or heading out early with guests, it’s very easy to walk out and leave valuables behind.”
To combat this, she now always stashes one of her shoes in the safe along with her passport and jewellery, reports the Express.
She explained: “I physically cannot leave the room without realising something is missing,” she says. “It’s usually a heel for me because I need them for work, but the principle works with anything you wouldn’t dream of leaving behind.”
“If you travel with trainers, pop one trainer in there. If it’s winter, your coat works just as well. The idea is to create a visual reminder you can’t overlook.”
Before checking out of the hotel, after retrieving her shoe and other valuables from the safe, Stacey always makes sure to take one item with her. She never departs a hotel without pocketing one of the complimentary shower caps.
She explained: “They’re perfect for covering shoes when you’re packing to come home.”
If your shoes have become dirty from extensive walking or hiking, it’s not ideal to pack them directly against your clothes in your suitcase. That’s where the shower cap comes in handy.
She said: “Instead of wrapping shoes in plastic bags or hoping for the best, I slip a shower cap over the sole. It keeps everything else clean, and it packs neatly.”
Stacey also revealed another clever use for the shower cap.
She shared: “I also use shower caps on TV remotes. Let’s be honest, those things are filthy. It’s a simple barrier that makes me feel a lot better, especially if I’m staying somewhere for a few nights.”.
On the approach to Arosa in the Graubünden Alps, the road is lined with mountain chapels, their stark spires soaring heavenwards; a portent, perhaps, of the ominous route ahead. The sheer-sided valley is skirted with rugged farmhouses and the road twists, over ravines and round hairpin curves, to a holiday destination that feels like a well-kept secret.
On the village’s frozen lake, young families ice skate, hand in hand. A little farther along, on the snow-covered main street, children sled rapidly downhill, overtaking cars. The resort’s mascots are a happy gang of brown bears. And there are Narnia lamp-posts, which turn the falling snow almost gold every evening. Switzerland is replete with ski towns but none feel quite this innocent and childlike, like stepping into a fairytale.
I am here for a week in an apartment with my wife and two kids, as it’s a place my Swiss partner’s parents and grandparents have been returning to for more than a century. What first drew them here? All say the same thing: Arosa is the Swiss mountain village most Swiss don’t even think to visit; a low-key alternative to the box office of St Moritz, Verbier and Zermatt.
The village sits on a high, terraced plateau one hour south of Chur, Switzerland’s oldest city, and is surrounded by dense fir forests, above which rises an amphitheatre of saw-cut summits. The sense is that the out-of-sight village has been secretly occupied – the pretty-as-pie peaks standing sentry – as if the first farmers here back in the 14th century feared the Habsburgs might return at any moment to take back their territories.
This is also storybook Switzerland to a T. To the north is Heidiland, the farm holiday region where Johanna Spyri set her children’s novels. Also one hour away is Liechtenstein, the pipsqueak principality, which brings to my mind the land of Vulgaria in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Two hours to the north is Zurich where we arrived, before borrowing my in-laws’ car. If you fancy taking the train, there are options to do the trip from the UK to Zurich in as little as seven hours, with a change in Paris. Arosa can then be reached on the memorably scenic Rhaetian Railway, a journey with some of the Alps’ most glorious in-seat entertainment. Outside, all the drama is provided by a script of high-definition gorges and glaciers.
The Arosa Bear Sanctuary, at the middle station of the Weisshorn cable car, is a good place to start exploring. Even during the residents’ winter deep sleep, the 2.8 hectare den offers a walk-through education in animal welfare in an unlikely setting, and its wooden platforms offer memorable views of the snow-fuzzed summits and pistes that lead off in every direction like a spreadeagled skier.
The refuge is run in cooperation with global animal charity Four Paws and it provides four rescued European brown bears a species-appropriate home. Once held in appalling conditions, including a private mini zoo in Albania, the bears’ compound is now a place to readjust, to feel safe again. For the full Yogi and Boo-Boo experience, I’d suggest visiting in summer.
Rhaetian railway passing through snow in Arosa. Photograph: Alamy
It’s fair to say my six-year-old daughter fizzes with enthusiasm when the bears are mentioned, but also when we snowshoe later that week into pine forest along the resort’s themed Squirrel Trail. The trail is printed with fresh squirrel tracks and we add our own, feather-pressing our boots into the crisp snow. The flakes fall heavily, as if we’re inside an ornamental snow globe. Then, two red squirrels scurry past with dark-furred yet sparkling tails.
Most days we ski until lunch. All children enjoy one free half-day group lesson for each night’s stay in Arosa with ABC Snowsports School or the Swiss Ski and Snowboard School, but we prefer to explore the mountains as a family. Since 2014, the resort has been connected across the gaping Urden valley with the larger town of Lenzerheide, and like other popular Alpine ski areas, the combined piste map is now a profusion of primary colour squiggles.
But there the similarity ends. British accents are absent. The pistes are largely empty. Strict building regulations, upholding traditional timber aesthetics, mean the village is largely the same now as it was when my relatives first visited. It is Switzerland, but from a half-century ago. At the barn-like Tschuggenstübli, once a cheese dairy on the slopes, everyone crams on to tables to order bündnerfleisch (air-dried beef) and käseschnitte, an upgraded welsh rarebit with melted raclette cheese, pickles and onions.
Afterwards, it’s toboggan time. It strikes me there are almost as many traditional wooden sledges for hire in Arosa as there are pairs of skis, and, from the top of the Kulm Gondola, the only way is down. And at speed. My kids are barely ruffled by the tight, bobsleigh chicanes and, one afternoon, we all howl with laughter as my eight-year-old son hurtles off the track into a marshmallowy drift. He pops back up, grinning, but polar bear white. We repeat the sledge run another half-dozen times.
The Grand Arosa Pop-up Hotel uses a vacant resort hotel. Photograph: Studio Filipa Peixeiro/Le Terrier Studio
Another reason for visiting this winter is to stay at the Grand Arosa Pop-Up Hotel, a one-year experiment inside a vacant resort hotel which is open to the end of this season – the concept will continue next year, though details are yet to be confirmed (they also operate another pop-up hotel in Fribourg and a pop-up hostel in Zurich). Clues as to its aesthetic are in the name – this is not a ski hotel in the traditional sense, and certainly not a vintage chalet brimming with geranium window boxes and mounted antlers. More than that, it is probably the Alps’ largest ever pop-up hotel and its interiors are bathed in pastel pink. If you can find me cooler ski accommodation this year, I’m happy to wait.
With a tech-first approach, there is no reception, but self-check in instructions imposed on a poster of a purple bellboy. What might have once been a telephone operator’s room is reimagined as a walk-in guest book, its fan-print wallpaper covered with whimsical, hand-written comments. Velvet curtains drape two symmetrical elevators, then a cloaked red corridor suggests you are somehow walking backstage at a theatre, before revealing a piano observatory and a vintage design cinema. A Wes Anderson film set has been conjured before you. We only drop in for coffee, but I wish we’d stayed.
At the end of our week, my wife mentions to me how sad she is to be leaving. The kids aren’t too happy about it either. Neither am I. It crosses my mind that Arosa, with its sleepy bears, squirrels and surreal pop-up hotel, isn’t what most people come to Switzerland for. Rather, it’s what we’ve been looking for all along.
No thought has been spared in the bathrooms, which have double sinks, huge showers and deep baths.
Some of the suites even have multiple outdoor pools with bright blue waters underneath wooden walkways and swings – very much like what the Maldives is known for.
Others have secret cinema rooms, heart-shaped pools and romantic outdoor swing beds.
Each has different views; some look out to sea and the hillside or the gardens.
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Rooms vary from one to up to three bedrooms.
The resort looks out onto Paralia Papa, which is a very secluded bay – so apart from hotel guests, there is little to no footfall.
On the sand are large complimentary cabanas and shaded beach beds.
Calilo has its own restaurants and one fine dining spot called CHES.
The main restaurant overlooks the vast main pool area and is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
There’s also a spa hotel with a gym that has over 40 machines for cardio and strength use.
Some rooms even have outdoor cinemas with cosy outdoor bedsCredit: UnknownEven the spa has over the water massage tablesThe hotel took 20 years to build and each room is completely privateCredit: TripAdvisor
It has one indoor and two outdoor pools, as well as a dedicated relaxation space – as if you couldn’t be more relaxed here.
Some treatment rooms have mini waterfalls and beds that are suspended above the water for a calming experience.
Unsurprisingly the resort is a hit with visitors, one traveller who stayed at Calilo said: “This place is stunning.
“From the moment you walk in, you’re surrounded by crystal-clear water, golden sand, and these incredible cliffs — it’s like a dream, the hotel is simply out of this world.”
Another wrote in their review: “I cannot even begin to explain how incredible my visit to Calilo was. I was absolutely blown away and I truly believe it was a once in a lifetime experience (unless I return, which I really hope to)!
“The most luxurious bathroom I think I’ve ever seen and the rest of the hotel was also gorgeous.”
Another holidaymaker who made a social media post about their stay captioned it “the most beautiful hotel on earth“.
It’s even had some celebrity guests including singer Jason Derulo, who showed off his stay at the hotel in June 2025 – a post that got 188k likes on TikTok.
The hotel is pretty pricey as you can imagine with the cost in June when the weather is pleasant starting from £340 per night (based on a seven night stay) on Trivago.
That price is for a suite double or twin bed garden view room with its own pool on a room basis only.
To get to Ios, guests can reach the island by high-speed ferry from neighbouring islands Santorini or Mykonos.
From Athens it’s three hours and from Crete it’s two and a half hours – plus another 40 minute transfer.
FORGET everything you know about holiday parks – as a new age of caravans could change them entirely.
Caravan holidays have been a popular, and low cost, alternative to holidays abroad, for the last 100 years.
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The new caravan designs last decades longer than standard designsCredit: WNSHe said they feel more like luxury hotel roomsCredit: WNSThey are also more insulated so can be stayed in all year roundCredit: WNS
Yet new designs could change the design of them, with many having not changed in decades.
Welsh designer Craig Ledwards has revealed his own creations, likening to them a luxury hotel room instead.
He told local media: “Caravans haven’t changed over the past 70 years.
“They’re exactly the same style as they’ve always been – no insulation so there’s always condensation in it, smell damp, and the layout is the same.
“But this is totally different, it’s open-plan living. It feels like you’re entering a luxury hotel room.”
Like hotels, guests can access them using key cards which are then slotted in for the electricity.
Inside are marble bathrooms and projectors in the ceiling, as well as full glass walls.
Small balconies are also part of the outdoor space, as well as a rooftop window for stargazing while inside.
He has already introduced them to north Wales last year.
He added: “It’s as far away from a static caravan as you can get – the only thing that’s the same is the size, we’ve designed it to be the same size so it can replace an old one without having to change the footprint or service connections.”
Each one, costing around £35,000 to build, is fully insulated so they can be stayed in all year round.
Not only that, but he says they have a lifespan of 50 years – much longer than standard caravans which is between 15 and 20 years.
They have been met with some skepticism, however.
Some have said that the all-glass models may not retain heat during the colder months, even if well insulated.
And a National Caravan Council spokesperson said: “New designs such as ones imported from China may appeal to a niche audience, drawn to contemporary styling and different layouts,” they said.
“But widespread appeal will depend on how well they meet the expectations of the UK holiday park market, the access to spare parts, the availability of reliable and timely after-sales service and those who are responsible for licensing their use.”
