Hotel

With almost 340 days of sunshine a year, Cyprus is one of Europe’s sunniest destinations within a short-haul flight of the UK. However, it doesn’t always shine on the sunny isle

A hotel has begun offering sunshine-guaranteed stays so rained-on guests don’t miss out.

Guests at City of Dreams Mediterranean in Limassol can enjoy a complimentary return stay if they don’t have a sunny holiday this autumn and winter. With almost 340 days of sunshine a year, Cyprus is one of Europe’s sunniest destinations within a short-haul flight of the UK.

“City of Dreams Mediterranean is the only luxury five-star resort ready to put its weather where its mouth is: if the sun doesn’t shine during your stay, you’ll receive a complimentary night on your next visit for every day that doesn’t meet the Sunshine Guarantee definition,” the hotel tempts in a statement about the offer.

“Sunshine” is defined as a day with at least 70% direct sunlight between 9am and 5pm, as measured by AccuWeather.com. A weekly sunshine calendar will be shared online so guests can track it.

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Guests receive a free stay next time they visit, in the form of one complimentary night for every full day that doesn’t meet the Sunshine Guarantee during their current stay. That means if it rains all week, you can come back and get a week’s free accommodation.

The hotel is fourteen storeys and has more than 500 guest rooms and suites, as well as an outdoor amphitheatre, a family adventure park, and a variety of premium dining outlets and luxury retail.

“We want to give our guests complete confidence when booking their trip,” says Grant Johnson, Senior Vice President and Property General Manager. “With the Sunshine Guarantee, they know they’ll enjoy the famous weather here in Cyprus and if not, they’ll be rewarded. Coupled with our new excursion programme, it’s the perfect time to explore everything the island has to offer.”

Cyprus has long been a favourite getaway for British holidaymakers. A unique gem in the Mediterranean, the island lies just south of Turkey and to the southeast of Greece. Its appeal as a travel destination is immediately apparent.

It is also an increasingly popular place for British OAPS to retire to.

With fresh sea air and a wealth of five-star hotels, luxury resorts, and top-tier restaurants, it’s the ideal place to unwind under the sun. Beyond the beaches and upscale amenities, Cyprus also exudes a natural charm and deep cultural richness that adds to its allure for travellers.

Almond blossoms and roadside orange stalls colour the Cypriot countryside, where life moves at a more relaxed, peaceful rhythm. From the charming villages of the Troodos Mountains to the ancient ruins of the Paphos Archaeological Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the famed Tombs of the Kings—the island is a treasure trove for curious explorers. But what makes Cyprus especially attractive for retirees?

First and foremost, the climate is a major advantage. Although air conditioning is essential in the hotter months, the island’s long, sunny seasons mean you can enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle well into the cooler months. Compared to Spain, the cost of living in Cyprus is lower. According to Rest Less, retirees can benefit from a flexible tax system, and real estate remains relatively affordable. Healthcare standards are high, with both public and private medical options available. For those who want to stay active, there are plenty of hiking trails and even a ski resort in the Troodos Mountains.

Cyprus is also known for its safety, a comfort to both travellers and retirees. The island hosts a thriving international community and has two major airports—Larnaca and Paphos—making travel to and from the UK or elsewhere simple and convenient. The local cuisine and warm Cypriot hospitality are also major draws. Think: tender slow-cooked lamb, sweet loukoumades (deep-fried dough balls), and juicy naval oranges—all sure to keep your tastebuds happy.

Popular places to settle include Larnaca, Paphos, and the capital city, Nicosia. Still, with Cyprus’s stunning scenery and cultural depth, deciding where to put down roots might be the toughest decision of all.

When it comes to making travel plans for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, you may still be crouched at the starting blocks. But the race for flights, hotel reservations and event tickets will begin in 2026, long before the Games commence.

The Los Angeles Times is your guide to the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics. Follow us for expert coverage of every aspect of the LA28 Games.

If you’re planning to visit Southern California for LA28, preparation will be crucial. And a little positive thinking wouldn’t hurt. As Winnipeg-based sports tour operator Dave Guenther of Roadtrips says, the Olympic cycle often feels like “two or three years of cynicism followed by two weeks of unbridled joy.”

As the days tick down to the L.A. Olympics (July 14-30, 2028) and Paralympics (Aug. 15-27, 2008), we’ll be answering the most important travel questions. We’ll be adding updates as new information comes in, so be sure to bookmark this guide.

Getting tickets to the Games

The Coliseum during the opening ceremonies for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

(Los Angeles Times)

When will tickets for the Olympic Games go on sale?

Beginning in January, fans can register to enter the lottery for Olympic tickets at the organizing committee’s website, la28.org. If selected in the random draw, organizers say, fans will receive a purchase time and date for when ticket drops begin in spring 2026. Organizers say those in communities near Games venues will get early access. See a broader outline of LA28’s ticket schedule here.

Also in early 2026, LA28 will start offering hospitality packages that combine event tickets with overnight accommodations, transportation and/or special events. Tickets for the Paralympic Games will go on sale in 2027.

More details are expected later this year. Anyone interested can sign up to receive announcements through the LA28 newsletter.

What will tickets cost?

Organizers say Olympic and Paralympic competition tickets will start at $28, about $2 more than they did in Paris in 2024. We don’t know the high end yet. If Paris is a fair guide, most-coveted seats for the most popular events could be as high as $800 or more. The official vendors are also expected to manage a channel for resales of tickets, as they did in Paris.

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The two most costly events are likely to be the opening and closing ceremonies. In Paris, per-ticket prices reached more than $2,900 for the opening, and more than $1,700 for the closing. In Los Angeles — for the first time — the opening ceremonies will be split between two venues, the L.A. Coliseum and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

Some of the toughest tickets, Guenther said, are gymnastics, swimming, track and field, and beach volleyball. “If you are super keen on seeing the women’s gymnastics finals, you might be on a path to disappointment,” Guenther said. “But if you’re flexible, there are a lot of things that are going to be options.”

The finish of the 400-meter hurdles at the 1932 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

(Associated Press)

Can I volunteer at the Games?

You can try. Recent Summer Olympics have relied upon tens of thousands of volunteers, who must meet language and training requirements. (Not every aspiring volunteer in Paris got assigned.) To stay in touch with volunteer opportunities, sign up for the LA28 newsletter.

Where will the Games happen?

The 2028 festivities will include 36 Olympic sports and 23 Paralympic sports, spread over about 40 venues. The lion’s share of Olympic events will take place in downtown L.A. and Exposition Park (which together have 10 venues); Long Beach (seven venues); Carson; Inglewood; the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys.

But events are also scheduled in San Clemente, Venice, Anaheim, Pacific Palisades, Pomona and the City of Industry. The Paralympics will use many of the same venues. Indeed, this could be a learning experience for out-of-towners who don’t realize just how broadly Greater Los Angeles sprawls.

The softball and canoe slalom events will be held in Oklahoma City.

Flights, hotels and Airbnbs

The $300-million Kali Hotel across from SoFi Stadium is expected to be completed before the 2028 L.A. Games.

(William Liang / For The Times)

How far ahead can I book flights?

Most airlines usually start accepting bookings 330 days (or 11 months) before the flight date. At Southwest Airlines, lead time can be eight to 10 months.

How far ahead can I book a hotel?

Ordinarily, hotels start accepting bookings 365 days ahead, so if you’re just looking for a room (and not a ticket-and-hotel package), set a reminder for around July 2027. Many hotels in Greater Los Angeles — especially those unaffiliated with global brands — are likely to follow their usual timetables. If you’re interested in a hotel-ticket combo deal, those will be offered in early 2026, as previously mentioned.

Industry veterans say most major hotels around Los Angeles have probably already made deals allotting blocks of 2028 rooms to organizers of the Games or independent tour operators like Roadtrips. For example, the Queen Mary in Long Beach already has 300 rooms and suites under contract with LA28, according to managing director Steve Caloca.

Another opportunity may arise even later: Typically, organizers and tour operators often return unsold room-nights to hotel control 60 or 90 days ahead of the event, which may give consumers a chance to book those “leftovers” directly, perhaps at a lower cost.

What will hotel rooms cost?

Nothing boosts hotel prices like the Olympics, and experts say the most luxurious hotels tend to hike their prices the most. Analyzing figures from Paris, hotel industry consultants CoStar found that average hotel rates — $342-$393 in the summer of 2023 — more than doubled to $731-$939 for the 2024 Games.

L.A.’s starting hotel rates are lower than those in Paris were. CoStar found that average daily hotel rates for greater L.A. from July 14-30, 2024, were $193-$231.

What about short-term rentals?

Again, expect prices to soar. Airbnb reported a 40% jump in accommodations inventory and a 400% jump in Paris-area bookings during the 2024 Games. On the eve of the Games, property management website Hostify.com reported that asking prices for short-term rentals in Paris had quintupled from $154 nightly to $772.

Do note that at every Games, it seems, there are reports of astronomical prices, followed by later reports of 11th-hour discounts because some people got too greedy earlier on.

Los Angeles seems to be starting out with higher short-term rental rates than those in Paris. The vacation rental website Airroi.com estimates the average Airbnb rate in greater Los Angeles for the year ended August 2025 was $283.

But of course, you can spend plenty more. One broker told The Times he has already rented out an L.A. mansion for $300,000 a month in 2028.

How far ahead can I book a short-term rental?

Airbnb allows bookings up to two years in advance, which is also VRBO’s default setting.

Will tensions between major L.A. hotels and union workers surface during the Olympics?

Hard to say. The L.A. City Council in May approved a measure requiring many hotels to raise their minimum wage to $30 hourly by July 2028. A business group started a petition drive seeking to undo the measure but fell short earlier this month.

Could President Trump’s immigration policies affect the Games?

That’s anybody’s guess. Heads of state in host countries usually play a ceremonial role, standing mostly in the background. Trump may have other ideas. In early August, he announced that he would chair a task force in charge of Olympic safety, border security and transportation.

Some foreign sports fans might stay away to signal opposition to the Trump Administration, as many Canadian travelers have been doing this year. But domestic travelers, not foreign visitors, fill most seats at the Olympics. Paris tourism statistics show U.S. visitors to that city during the 2024 “Olympic fortnight” were up a relatively modest 13% over the previous year.

Why do people go through so much trouble to see the Games?

“There is a tremendous magic,” Guenther said. “It really is quite something how people enjoy the time together with people from all over the world. … You find yourself welling up for an athlete in a sport you’ve never thought about.”

Times staff writer Thuc Nhi Nguyen contributed to this report.

A drone crashed into a hotel in the southern Israeli city of Eilat on Thursday, causing a fire but no casualties, authorities said. Yemen’s Houthi group, who have been firing drones and missiles in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, claimed responsibility for the attack.

A TikTok travel influencer has shared her “favourite” trick for enjoying five-star accommodations and facilities around the world on a budget, with a single-purchase day pass

A budget-conscious travel influencer has shared one of her top tips for being “bougie on a budget”. This little-known hack allows travellers to enjoy luxury service without the hefty price tag.

Em, aka @emsbudgettravel on TikTok, frequently shares cost-efficient travel advice and tips with her over 100,000 followers. On a recent solo trip to Mumbai, the content creator disclosed one of her favourite hacks to indulge without breaking the bank.

At the tail end of her trip, Em booked herself into a five-star hotel—but only for a day. In her TikTok video she shares: “As my flight isn’t until this evening, I thought I’d treat myself with a day pass to a five-star hotel.”

The travel influencer shared that while “hotels rarely advertise” the day passes, but she opts for them “all the time” during her many adventures.

“It’s perfect if you have a flight home in the evening as it means you don’t have to drag your bags around the city after you’ve checked out,” Em said. She also emphasises that the often cushy accommodations are a “great way to relax after a busy trip.”

This hack is a great way to experience a hotel you may not otherwise be able to afford. “It’s usually way cheaper than actually staying the night, but you still get full use of the facilities,” she confirmed.

Em strategically booked her day pass for the Aurika by Lemon Tree Hotel, which sits conveniently close to the Mumbai airport. “Literally [the] perfect location as well,” she said, “so I can go straight there in the evening and I don’t have to worry about traffic.

But what exactly is the price for a day pass at a five-star hotel? “It cost me £36 for the day rate—and that’s per room, not per person,” Em states. “So if you’re travelling with someone else, it would be even cheaper.”

In her TikTok video, Em shared footage of her luxe single room and the pool area where she was able to relax and recharge before her evening flight. “The room was really nice and I got food delivered for lunch,” she said, which amounted to a cost of £5.

During her day, she “spent a few hours chilling by the pool and having a swim” heading back to the room to take a very long shower, wash her hair and enjoy a nap before catching an Uber to the airport.

She ended the video by saying how she felt it was an “excellent” way to spend her final day in Mumbai.

To get access to a day pass like Em, you can head to Resort Pass, DayPass and Hotel Treats—these are only some of the apps offering a day’s access to facilities for around £30.

A ROW erupted over the Tories’ record in power at a lavish event for allies of Donald Trump.

Ex-PM Boris Johnson “robustly defended” his time at No 10 during a debate on right-wing politics.

Words were exchanged after champagne and canapes at Tuesday night’s do, also attended by former PM Liz Truss and ex-ministers.

Mr Johnson came out fighting after a forceful intervention from broadcaster Andrew Neil, who questioned why the Tories did not do more to curb migration and boost defence spending.

A witness at the Peninsula Hotel in Mayfair, central London, said: “At that point Boris robustly defended his government’s record.

“Boris argued that Brexit gives us powers to reduce immigration if we wish and said he did reduce it.

“He also said we shouldn’t bash the contribution migrants make to Britain.”

Last month Boris was seen sporting a new bearded look in photos shared on Instagram by wife Carrie.

The couple were seen holidaying on the Greek island of Euboea with children Wilfred, 5, Romy, 3, Frank, 2, and baby Poppy.

The heartwarming images of the family holiday were captioned: “Our favourite place GR.”

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Tyrrell Hatton has revealed how he got hopelessly drunk – and violently sick! – after qualifying for his fourth Ryder Cup.

Hatton said he went on a “bit of a tear-up” with Jon Rahm – the player he teamed up with in Rome two years ago – when European captain Luke Donald rang to confirm he was definitely on the team.

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That came as a surprise to the English ace. He feared he would be knocked out of the six automatic spots on the team by some of the European stars in action at last month’s Tour Championship.

He explained: “Luke called me to say the guys weren’t earning points in Atlanta, and I’d actually made the team automatically. That was a very nice phone call to receive, and I was over the moon.

“Jon had just won the LIV individual title, so we had a bit of a tear-up. Yeah, that was a messy night. I don’t ever want to get into that state again to be honest.

“When I actually got back into my hotel room, I fell across the bed sideways, face down and fell asleep in that position.

“Then I woke up throwing up in that same position.

“Then I fell back asleep, and when I woke up again, I had gotten sick all down my arms, both sides, all down my shirt.

“I get off the bed and walk around to the bathroom, look in the mirror, and I’ve got sick on my face, and in my beard.

“How I set an alarm to make a flight in a few hours’ time, I don’t know.

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“But yeah, waking up in a slightly more sober state was horrendous, and having to clean up that mess. I ended up calling my wife, Emily, and saying: ‘I don’t know what to do’.

“I was rushing to make the room somewhat more acceptable before leaving.

“So I ended up stripping the bed, leaving some cash and a note, saying I was really sorry, I was sick in the bed in the night, please throw it in the trash.

“I feel like I did the right thing but I was obviously in a pretty bad state. I do not ever want to feel as bad as I did that next day. Yeah, that was aggressive.”

Hatton, 33, who is one of the star attractions at this week’s BMW PGA Championship, proceeded to give details of just how much he had drunk – admitting the episode was like a remake of the hit film The Hangover.

He added: “I had like six glasses of wine at dinner, and then I had a double gin and tonic.

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“Drunk that at a very normal rate, and then Jon was deciding what he wanted and he said Disaronno Sours.

“And I was like, perfect, go on them. They go down very easily.

“Then I was starting the chant of basically getting someone to down it, and then every cocktail that then followed was a shot.

“So we then ran out of Disaronno Sour. The guy at the bar made some hazelnut sour which wasn’t great, but we still had a few of them.

“Then there was a margarita and then there was a strawberry vodka thing.

“God, it was aggressive. It was horrible. But I mean, it was funny at the time. Not so much the next day.”

Ryder Cup line ups

Here are the players who will be competing in the Ryder Cup…

Team Europe

• Luke Donald (C)
• Shane Lowry
• Jon Rahm
• Sepp Straka
• Viktor Hovland
• Ludvig Aberg
• Matt Fitzpatrick
• Rory McIlroy
• Robert MacIntyre
• Tommy Fleetwood
• Justin Rose
• Rasmus Hojgaard
• Tyrrell Hatton

Team USA

• Keegan Bradley (C)
• Justin Thomas
• Collin Morikawa
• Ben Griffin
• Cameron Young
• Patrick Cantley
• Sam Burns
• Scottie Scheffler
• JJ Spaun
• Xander Schauffele
• Russell Henley
• Harris English
• Bryson DeChambeau

This Lower East Side hotel is not only in the centre of one of the city’s most eclectic boroughs, but is home to a live music venue, a rooftop bar, and an underground nightclub.

They say New York is the city that never sleeps, and this downtown hotel proves that. I stayed at the Moxy Lower East Side hotel, a haven for eclectic travellers looking to ditch high-brow Manhattan for a taste of the urban boroughs.

Located on Bowery, the Moxy is in the centre of the Lower East Side, with SoHo and Chinatown within walking distance. However, the true draw of the area is its lively atmosphere, with crowds filling the streets in the evenings as they sit outside bars, restaurants, and music venues.

Graffiti-filled corners and event spaces pack the area, which is the birthplace of American punk rock and new wave music. Paying homage to this, the Moxy Lower East Side has so many venues that you don’t need to leave to experience some of the borough’s rich culture.

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“That’s where I go if I want a real night out with my wife,” a local tells me. “First, hitting the rooftop for a pre-drink, then dinner, before catching some live music, and then, if I’m up for it, I’ll go down to the club for a dance.”

It’s almost hard to believe all of that can be done in what’s known as Marriott’s budget-brand Moxy. But lo and behold, as you walk into the modern hotel, there is a piano lounge to the left. Silver Lining Lounge offers nightly acts, including bands, resident performers, and jazz acts in its soundproof location – where hotel guests have first dibs at reservations. BRIT Award winner Lola Young also performed at the venue earlier this year in what was her first NYC showcase, while chart topper Benson Boone has also graced the boards.

With a large stage at the front of the room, the venue – owned by Tao Group hospitality – has table service and offers specialty cocktails alongside light bites such as tacos, fries and oysters.

Across the lobby is The Fix, which is your typical hotel bar filled with families, professionals catching up on work, and friends grabbing drinks. When it hits 9pm, a DJ arrives to lift the mood of the lobby, meaning you get a lively entrance if you’ve got a late check-in time.

Because of its location and modern design, the hotel is a hotspot for Instagram events – something which is in full swing on the Friday night I’m staying. “We’ve got a pop-up jewellery making class for influencers going on,” the hotel manager tells me as we slide past glamorous social media stars on the way to the lifts.

On the top floor of the 303-room hotel is the Highlight Room rooftop bar, which is bustling as I head up for a drink around sunset. With a DJ booth in the corner, indoor and outdoor seating, and an atmosphere that screams glamorous New York City, this is clearly a popular gem for locals looking to let loose after a busy week.

While the hotel doesn’t have a typical restaurant to grab some buffet food, it does have a high-brow modern Japanese eatery, which is well-known in the area and popular amongst celebrities. From sushi platters to wagyu beef and crown melon, Sake No Hana is truly a dining experience and rivals famous friend Nobu, which is just a 30-minute walk away.

Just when I thought there couldn’t possibly be any more nightlife under one roof, I was taken down to the Moxy’s subterranean nightclub, Loosie’s. The small venue is decked out with VIP booths and a sizable dancefloor, meaning visitors can party until 4 am and not have too far to go back to their rooms.

The Highlight Room, Loosie’s, and Silver Lining lounge all have separate entrances from the main hotel, meaning they’re not just for guests to enjoy. In fact, most of the guests inside the Moxy venues were locals taking in the music, food, and cocktails.

Book it

Moxy Lower East Side has rates from $179 (£133) per night. Book at moxylowereastside.com

A recent visitor to a hotel dubbed the UK’s worst said their room was dirty, had stained walls and smelt of sewage with no ventilation – although remarkably they found one aspect of the premises ‘magnificent’

It was always going to be a bit of a risk staying at what has in recent years been labelled the worst hotel in the UK by other appalled guests. However one plucky visitor decided to see if the reviews really were justified at the Grand Hotel in Scarborough.

Sadly they claim their stay there pretty much lived up to expectations with a dusty room, dirty toilet and foul smell coming from the bathroom, which they didn’t want to get undressed in.

The restaurant was also a let down with ‘stale’ food, ‘dirty cutlery’ and staff struggling to clear up the mess left behind by other diners. However there was one part of the large Victorian building that surprised them with its beauty.

Posting under the name Angiebarbara, the appalled traveller shared their thoughts on Tripadvisor in a critique entitled ‘The not so grand!’. They had visited the beach front hotel, which overlooks Scarborough’s harbour and South bay in August this year and had clearly read the large volume of poor reviews previously written. “Unfortunately the many not so great reviews are true and I had to see it first hand to believe it,” they wrote before going into great detail about what they discovered.

“The rooms are dirty with dust, holes and spills up the walls, creaky floors and filthy windows that don’t open and have no air con or ventilation and are tiny and constricted. When you first walk in the smell really hits you and especially as you open the bathroom door. All I can describe the smell of is raw sewage and the stuffiness of the room makes it overbearing,” they said, adding that the beds were “small with sunken matresses and hard pillows”.

They were so disgusted by the “tiny” bathroom itself that they didn’t want to undress in there, preferring to keep their footwear on instead. They said it: “Had ground dirt in the walls and flooring, rusty taps and mouldy shower and brown stains on the ceiling. The toilet was stained. The shower was missing a glass panel, not that I’d have attempted to undress in there, it was bad enough walking in with my shoes on,” they fumed.

Elsewhere in the hotel, they found ‘unclean’ cutlery and glasses in the dining room at breakfast with staff unable to keep up with the clearing required, so the reviewer, “had to brush the seats before sitting down and dodge the debris on the floor”. The food itself didn’t fare any better with, “dry, stale bread and puddings” and “discoloured vegetables”.

Although the imposing building is Grade II listed, the front of the premises has little “kerb appeal”, according to the guest, who said it was littered with dustbins and “overflowing rubbish and bird excrement covering them and the paths”. The ‘unwelcoming’ seating area was also covered in bird mess too they said.

However they did flag that it was a “shame” the entrance to the building let down the south side because the views there were surprisingly “magnificent”. They concluded their scathing review by advising the management to spend a whole lot of cash to improve visitor experience. “If you’re looking for basic standard accommodation do not stay here at the not so grand hotel,” they wrote. “In my opinion this hotel needs several million pounds spent on it to restore its reputation and quality. Shame on whoever has let such a beautiful piece of Baroque style architecture turn to rubble!”

The property is owned by Britannia Hotels, which bought it in 2004. It did actually invest a whopping £7million refurbishing it and in 2017 it was named by Historic Britain as one of the top ten places, buildings and historical sites that tell the story of England and its impact on the world. When it was opened in 1867 it was the largest hotel and brick structure in Europe and was designed in a V shape to honour Queen Victoria. It was during this period that the hotel was a favourite among the elite in society.

These days though, business doesn’t seem to be quite as positive, with a poor 2.4 Tripadvisor rating and 4,325 people rating it terrible. Others that have recently stayed there have also shared their thoughts. One raged: “Avoid this vile hotel! We got put into room 1010 which is in the basement. The hotel had a vile smell, it was dirty, in need of renovation, and downright vile. The windows were full of dirt and bird muck and you couldn’t see out of them, the wardrobe had coat hangers slung on the floor with an old ironing board slung in there, there were cobwebs hanging down from the ceiling. I would not put my dog in that basement never mind human beings.”

Another advised to “avoid” it all costs: “The whole place is filthy, ignorant receptionists and terrible food,” they wrote. “Do not go here, clearly needs some new management. Credit to the lads on the bar, they were actually polite and showed some professionalism.”

However there is the occasional happy camper, with one being “pleasantly surprised” after hearing of its reputation: “After reading the reviews I wasn’t expecting much but everything was good,” they posted. “My room was spacious and clean. The bathroom looked newly fitted. I also had a sea view. The ground floor was beautifully decorated, where the reception, ballroom, bar etc are situated. The food was good. Breakfast and evening meals are self service. A spectacular building.”

Other positive reviews point to the hotel’s location near to the centre and the seafront. Some love the nostalgic charm of the building itself, while others find that aspect means it looks shabby and needs refurbishment.

The General Manager often replies to the reviews, which presumably takes up a large portion of his day. He posted a “genuinely sorry” message to Angiebarbara apologising for all the issues they encountered during their stay. “Cleanliness, comfort, and service are areas we take seriously, and it’s clear from your comments that we fell short in several respects,” they wrote addressing the complaints, adding: “Your observations regarding the condition of the room, the food quality, and the upkeep of the property have been noted and will be reviewed with our management and operational teams.”

Mirror Online has contacted Britannia Hotels for comment.

ANYONE looking for a cheap holiday with some great beach time needs to consider heading to Mamaia.

It’s one of the most popular seaside resorts in Romania and is also one of the cheapest – and has a hotel owned by a former footballer.

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Mamaia is a lively beach resort known for its nightclubs and sandy beaches that sits on a thin strip of land between the Black Sea and Lake Siutghiol.

Thanks to its location it has incredible views across the water with highs of 25C in September.

Romania itself is known for being one of the cheapest countries for a city break – you can get a local beer for just 11 lei – £1.88.

The resort is considered the ‘Blackpool‘ of Romania thanks to its affordability and party atmosphere.

In Mamaia, one hotel is even owned by a celebrated Romanian footballer who has been known to sit at the bar and chat with guests.

Gheorghe Hagi, who played for the Romania national team for 17 years, bought the IAKI Conference & Spa Hotel in 1999 and has given the hotel a big makeover since then.

Now, it has 122 spacious rooms and apartments with rates starting at €60 (£52.04).

Thanks to its location on the Mamaia strip, the hotel has either seafront or lake views.

The hotel has a first-class spa with a hot tub, yoga room, room for spin classes and a wet and dry sauna.

There are outdoor and indoor pools too and even access to a private beach.

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The IAKI beach has 220 sun loungers and umbrellas and a volleyball court.

The IAKI has three dining areas too, the Coriolis is open all-year round, has traditional Romanian food including plenty of seafood, and meat like beef tenderloin and lamb chops.

The Ballroom restaurant is where buffet meals are served for guests during the summer period.

IAKI Casino is usually reserved for special occasions, like birthdays, weddings and baptisms.

As for where to get a drink, guests can check out the Piano Bar, Sunrise Bar as well as the bar on the beach.

As the hotel is owned by a former footballer, there is of course a football pitch where both staff and guests can play.

On Tripadvisor, the hotel is rated number one in Mamaia.

One guest wrote: “It has been our 4th visit here and, as usual, the view towards the sea was magnificent, the room was prepared in advance with a baby cot for our daughter, food was excellent.

“I had the chance to see the owner in person again: Gheorghe Hagi, the best Romanian footballer of all time!”

Another added: “Our best memory represents the fact that we met “the king”- Gheorghe Hagi at the front desk and at the hotel’s bar. We took a photo with him and he gave us an autograph.”

It’s easy to get there too, with Wizz Air, you can fly direct from London Luton to Constanta Kogalniceanu from £23.

From there, Mamaia is a 30 minute drive away.

Romania is so affordable that one woman even flew to there for a spa holiday with her mum because it was cheaper than the UK – even with return flights.

And here’s another pretty European city most Brits won’t have heard of gets new cheap flights from the UK.

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Hotel irons are often used for more than just smoothing out wrinkles, and travellers are being warned to avoid using them

When it comes to packing for a holiday, no matter how meticulously we fold our clothes, they always seem creased on the other side of the journey. But before you reach for your hotel’s iron to smooth out those wrinkles, you might want to think twice as it may have been used in ways you’d never imagine.

In this era of viral TikTok hacks and unconventional uses for everyday appliances, the humble hotel iron has often found itself under scrutiny – and frequently for all the wrong reasons. Oddly enough, it’s not just being used for smoothing out wrinkles anymore.

TikTok content creators promoting alternative uses for regular household appliances are, in many instances, creating these ‘hack’ videos not at home, but in hotel rooms, reports the Express.

So when you’re stepping into a freshly-booked hotel room, you’ve no idea what the provided appliances might have been used for by previous guests.

However, clothing experts Stock have unveiled information about why you should steer clear of hotel irons.

Why should you avoid hotel irons?

Hotel irons get passed around by countless guests, and not everyone uses them solely for clothes.

Some guests have resorted to using them to heat food items like pizza and sandwiches, and one TikTok user even attempted cooking a steak with one.

A swift Google search also uncovers several travel blogs advocating for this hack. It’s a startling and cautionary revelation about the potential misuse of these appliances.

A travel website even suggested using an “ironing board as a hot plate” and the iron itself as a heat source.

Beyond their unintended culinary adventures, hotel irons pose several risks.

One Stock expert explained: “They may not always be as clean as you’d hope, potentially transferring residues from previous uses onto your clothes.

“Using them for non-ironing purposes can damage the appliance and leave unsavoury smells on your garments.

“Moreover, irons can be old and rusty, risking stains that are tough to remove.”

What to do instead

Stock offers the following unconventional yet practical alternatives to hotel irons.

Steam it out

Forget the iron in the wardrobe and harness the steam from your hotel bathroom. Suspend your garments near the shower and allow the steam to work its magic in releasing creases.

Quick steam with water

Fill a spray bottle with fresh water and lightly spritz your clothing. Your body heat will help dry them swiftly, naturally smoothing out wrinkles.

Inspect before you iron

Always examine the iron’s state before using it. Check for any visible grime or corrosion.

Test it on a concealed section of your garment to ensure it’s clean and won’t harm your outfit. If the iron leaves any unpleasant marks or odours, it’s best to steer clear of using it.

Aug. 29 (UPI) — A hotel in Epping Forest, England, can keep housing asylum seekers, an appeals court said Friday, overturning a lower court’s injunction.

The Bell Hotel in Epping Forest is housing about 140 migrants who seek asylum in the country, and the local council sought an injunction against them staying there after a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted and a man living in the hotel was accused of the attack.

Protests near the hotel turned violent in July when they were hijacked by supporters of the far-right after asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a resident of the hotel, was charged in July with sexual assault against a 14-year-old girl.

Riot police, with helicopter backup, clashed with protesters in residential neighborhoods and at least 34 people were arrested, police officers injured and vehicles damaged.

On Aug. 20, Justice Stephen Eyre granted an injunction that would force the men out of the hotel, which is being funded by the British government. The injunction would have taken effect on Sept. 12.

Justices David Bean, Nicola Davies and Stephen Cobb said, “If an outbreak of protests enhances the case for a planning injunction, this runs the risk of acting as an impetus or incentive for further protests — some of which may be disorderly — around asylum accommodation. At its worst, if even unlawful protests are to be treated as relevant, there is a risk of encouraging further lawlessness. The [lower court] judge’s approach ignores the obvious consequence that the closure of one site means capacity needs to be identified elsewhere in the system.”

After the decision, the Home Office Minister Angela Eagle said the housing of asylum-seekers in hotels will end.

“We inherited a chaotic asylum accommodation system costing billions,” The Guardian reported Eagle said. “This government will close all hotels by the end of this parliament, and we appealed this judgment so hotels like the Bell can be exited in a controlled and orderly way that avoids the chaos of recent years that saw 400 hotels open at a cost of [$12 million] a day.”

Kebatu is on remand [in pre-trial detention]. He denies the offenses he is charged with, which were alleged to have taken place just eight days after his arrival in the country, from Ethiopia via France, on a small boat. His trial is set to begin in the coming days.

Mohammed Sharwarq, a Syrian asylum seeker also living at the hotel, is facing seven unrelated charges and authorities have charged several other men over alleged involvement in unrest outside the Bell Hotel.

Lisa Foster, a lawyer representing Somani Hotels, which owns the Bell Hotel, said they are “pleased” with the ruling.

She added that the owners ask the public to “understand that the Bell Hotel has simply been providing a contracted service that the government requires.”

Some councils say they are still pursuing legal action to stop asylum seekers from being housed in hotels in their areas, despite a Court of Appeal ruling.

The court on Friday overturned a temporary injunction which would have prevented asylum seekers from being housed at The Bell Hotel in Epping, which was seen as a possible precedent for legal challenges elsewhere.

Two councils told the BBC they will keep pursuing legal action. Epping Forest District Council, which had obtained the injunction, said it is looking at options, including appealing to the Supreme Court.

Reform UK said all 12 councils it controls should be exploring legal options to stop asylum seekers being housed in local hotels.

Kemi Badenoch urged Conservative-run councils pursuing legal action to “keep going,” and said advice would be issued to all Conservative councillors following the ruling.

The party leader said in a statement on Friday: “Every case has different circumstances, and I know good Conservative councils will keep fighting for residents, so we will keep working with them every step of the way.”

The government has committed to end the use of hotels to hold asylum seekers by 2029.

The leader of Reform-controlled West Northamptonshire Council said Friday’s ruling did not change its plans to take legal action regarding hotels in the area, which he said were “already under way”.

Cllr Mark Arnull said: “It also doesn’t change our view that the use and locations of the three hotels have never been suitable for asylum accommodation and place unreasonable and unsustainable strain on local services.”

He added: “We will continue to do everything we can within our powers to address our residents’ concerns over these hotels and keep them safe.”

Hertfordshire’s Conservative-run Broxbourne Council also said it would press on with pursuing legal action.

Cllr Jim Clune told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We have grave concerns that from a planning perspective, the hotel or the premises is not being used as set out when planning permission was given.”

In its original case, Epping Forest had argued that The Bell Hotel had become a public safety risk as well as an alleged planning law breach, arguing it had stopped functioning as a true hotel.

The leader of Epping Forest District Council told the BBC on Saturday it was “looking at all options, including appealing to the Supreme Court”.

A full High Court hearing to decide on a permanent injunction for The Bell Hotel is expected in mid-October, but Cllr Chris Whitbread said the Conservative-run council would meet on Monday to plan its next steps.

Barrister Chris Daw KC told BBC 5 Live Breakfast that Epping Forest was “not going to succeed in the Supreme Court,” should it take its case there.

Responding, Cllr Whitbread said he took his remarks “on board”.

He later told BBC Breakfast that “people are very disappointed” by the judgement and that he expected protests near the hotel to continue.

“I don’t think it will change, people want that hotel closed” he said, urging people to demonstrate peacefully.

Three arrests were made at a protest outside the hotel on Friday after the Court of Appeal ruling. Thousands had attended protests against the hotel and counter-demonstrations there over the summer.

Meanwhile, the Times reported that it understood at least 13 councils planned on pressing ahead with legal action.

In his ruling on Friday, Lord Justice Bean said the High Court’s decision to award the injunction was “seriously flawed in principle” and had failed to consider the consequence of relocating 138 asylum seekers who would have been forced to leave The Bell Hotel by 12 September.

He also said it was “worrying” that the council’s legal team cited protests outside the hotel as a reason it was seeking the original injunction.

Lord Justice Bean said in his ruling: “If an outbreak of protest enhances a case, this runs the risk of acting as an impetus for further protests – some of which may be disorderly – around asylum accommodation.”

“There is a risk of encouraging further lawlessness.”

The protests began after an asylum seeker housed at the hotel was arrested and subsequently charged with several offences, including the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. Hadush Kebatu denies the offences and has been on trial.

Border Security and Asylum Minister Dame Angela Eagle said after the ruling that the government would “stop using hotels, which aren’t a sustainable solution, by the end of this Parliament”.

“This judgement assists us by allowing us to do that in a planned and orderly fashion”.

The chief executive of the Refugee Council said the Court of Appeal’s ruling did not “solve the problems we’re facing”.

Enver Solomon told BBC Breakfast on Saturday: “It doesn’t address the fact that the taxpayer is having to pay millions of pounds a day for hotels, and those that are in the hotels feel they’ve got a target on their back.”

He said the government had to “move much faster” to end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers and suggested it put a plan in place “to close hotels in the coming months”.

He added: “Our view is that we shouldn’t be using hotels. They have become a flashpoint for community concern, but also for far-right targeting as well.”

DEAR DEIDRE: WHENEVER I check into a hotel with my lover for sex, I feel judged by the staff and guilty about cheating on my husband.

I can see them glancing at each other, whispering that I’m a cheat, and laughing at me when they think I’m not looking at them.

But I’m not a bad person. I just want to be loved and wanted, and my husband doesn’t appreciate me.

I’m in my mid-thirties and have been married for five years. My husband is ten years older. He is a nice guy and I love him, but our sex life is rubbish and he bores me.

Last year, I was so frustrated and unhappy that I started browsing hook-up sites. I didn’t want a relationship, just sex and excitement.

I found a guy there who, like me, was unhappily married.

We agreed to meet in a seedy hotel on the outskirts of town for sex. The first time, it was thrilling. I felt like I was playing a role in a film. The sex was rough and energetic, and I really enjoyed it.

But afterwards, my lover — who is my age — cuddled me for about 30 seconds. Then he jumped up to shower, as he had to go back to his wife.

I felt grubby. But the feeling soon passed, and it wasn’t long before we then repeated the experience.

Now we meet whenever it’s convenient. We don’t have meals out or dates — it’s purely sex.

But I’ve started feeling increasingly used and guilty.

When you walk into a hotel in the middle of the day and check out an hour or so later, everyone knows why you’re there. It’s humiliating.

I’ve realised cheating isn’t making me any happier. But I also need to feel wanted.

What should I do?

DEIDRE SAYS: You’ve tried to fill the big void in your marriage with no-strings sex.

But sex with your lover is empty, and so it can’t fill anything. Instead, it’s making you feel more unhappy, and worse about yourself.

Perhaps it’s time to put an end to your affair before you and your lover get discovered by one of your spouses.

If you love your husband, it’s worth putting your energies into improving your relationship. My support pack, Looking After Your Relationship, should help.

Seeing a couple therapist will give you a safe space to talk about the problems in your marriage and sex life.

You can set up an appointment with Tavistock Relationships (tavistockrelationships.org, 020 7380 1975).

If this doesn’t work, or isn’t an option, perhaps you need to think about ending your marriage.

THANK YOU FOR HELP ESCAPING MY ABUSIVE MALE PAL

DEAR DEIDRE: WHEN I found myself in a toxic situation with a male friend who had sexually assaulted me several times, I didn’t know what to do.

I was confused because we’d stayed close after he did it the first time, and I felt I’d encouraged him by getting drunk, dancing and flirting.

He’d touch my breasts and private parts, force me to kiss him and take his clothes off uninvited. We’d been pals since we were students. I’m 32, he’s 33.

After the assaults, he’d always apologise and promise it wouldn’t happen again. You were so understanding and made me see it wasn’t my fault.

You advised me to contact Rape Crisis (rapecrisis.org.uk, 0808 500 2222) for support and to think about reporting him to the police.

You also acknowledged how ending my friendship would be hard, and helped me think about how I could make my life better, improve my self-esteem so I was less vulnerable and stop feeling lonely.

And you followed up to see if I was OK. I did go to the police and learned I wasn’t the only woman he’d assaulted.

Although I’m still struggling, I am now getting help.

I know it will take a long time to deal with what I’ve been through.

Thank you for being there, Deidre.

DEIDRE SAYS: Hopefully he won’t now be able to do this to another woman. It will take time for the pain to ease, but you are brave and strong.

ONLINE BOYFRIEND WILL NOT SHOW ME HIS FACE

DEAR DEIDRE: MY relationship is in trouble – although so far we have only chatted online, and he is too shy to even show his face.

He is an influencer and I’ve become super-jealous of all his female fans.

We connected on Instagram six months ago. We’re both in our late twenties and live hundreds of miles apart.

We soon moved on from DMs to WhatsApp and quickly realised we were falling for each other.

So, we agreed to be in an exclusive long-distance relationship.

We message back and forth all day, every day and talk about everything. I feel like we know each other inside out – he’s my soulmate.

But even though I’d quite like to do a video call some time, he says he’s too shy, and he always chickens out at the last minute.

That really bugs me because he’s not too shy to make content for his fans – most of whom are other girls.

We argue about it a lot and I can’t help feeling jealous. He says he doesn’t know them, and that I’m the one he loves.

He talks a lot about the future and how we’re going to get married – even though we haven’t set a date to meet.

But I worry he’s going to fall for one of his thousands of fans.

What can I do to cope with this better?

DEIDRE SAYS: It’s strange that your boyfriend is confident enough to make video content for his fans, but too shy to show his face to the woman he professes to love.

I’m afraid to say, that’s ringing alarm bells for me. I wonder if he’s not the person you think he is and doesn’t want you to find out.

Long-distance relationships can work, but you do need to meet up at some point, or there’s no future.

Perhaps you need to ask him to be really honest with you about why he refuses to show you his face.

My support pack, Love Online, has more information about this which may be of help to you.

The Court of Appeal ruling that will allow asylum seekers to stay at the Bell Hotel, in Epping, is a technical victory for the government.

But for many Labour strategists, whichever way the ruling had gone, today was a case of “heads they win, tails we lose”.

Let’s begin with the good news for ministers.

They will be breathing a sigh of relief having feared that, had they lost this appeal, other local councils could bring legal challenges against the use of hotels to house asylum seekers in their area.

That would have risked throwing the whole system into chaos because there are thousands of asylum seekers awaiting decisions on their cases and limited accommodation options.

But the government has a legal duty to keep them off the streets.

This court ruling effectively resets the situation.

It gives ministers the time to fulfil their promise of removing all asylum seekers from hotels in “a controlled and orderly way” by 2029.

But there will not be any champagne corks popping in the Home Office.

That’s because in order to uphold their legal responsibility to protect asylum seekers, they have had to argue in favour of using hotels to house them.

That is already being seized on by Labour’s political opponents.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage claimed the government had used European human rights legislation “against the people of Epping” and that migrants had “more rights than the British people under Starmer”.

The government had tried to make the case that it needed to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights but, in fact, the duty to house asylum seekers so they don’t sleep rough is a piece of British law, passed by MPs in 1999.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “Keir Starmer has shown that he puts the rights of illegal immigrants above the rights of the British people who just want to feel safe in their towns and communities.”

She urged Tory councils to continue to bring legal cases against asylum hotels.

For a government under pressure after a summer of small boat crossings, this is a difficult position to be in.

As one Labour adviser told me, there will now be pressure on ministers to take more radical action to counter the kind of accusations they are facing.

That could include swapping some hotels for former military barracks or disused warehouses, as the health minister Stephen Kinnock suggested earlier on Sky News.

But such a move could further antagonise those voters on the left who believe the UK should be offering more support to asylum seekers.

The Green Party said the case was “a distraction” from “Labour’s failure to come up with workable, humane solutions”.

Former Labour leader and independent MP Jeremy Corbyn said asylum seekers “should be supported so they can live in a more humane, sustainable, community-based form of accommodation”.

He added: “Both Reform and Labour want you to think that the problems in our society are caused by these minorities. They’re not.”

This court ruling might have been the climax to a difficult summer for the government. But it also marks the start of an autumn that doesn’t look much easier.

A travel expert has opened up about the hotel rooms he always avoids – and it might surprise you

A hotel expert has revealed why he never books a room ending in the number 01. Javier Sobrino, founder of Descubriendo Viajes, a Spanish travel platform specialising in handpicked accommodations, warns that all rooms ending in 01 – such as 101, 201, 301 etc, should be given a wide berth if you are after a peaceful stay.

Picking a room at your holiday destination might seem like a minor detail, but factors like the room number can actually make a big difference – and it is not just down to superstition. In the United States, the number 13 is considered unlucky, making it the most commonly dodged number when it comes to room and floor numbers, according to Javier.

Another somewhat mysterious number is 237, due to its link with Stanley Kubrick’s film The Shining, which made it synonymous with eeriness and mystery. There is also 622, which is often avoided thanks to the renowned mystery novel “Room 622 by Joel Dicker.

But leaving aside these numbers associated with legends or fictional stories, there are others that should be avoided for more well-founded reasons. During his appearance on Cadena COPE radio, Javier stated that all numbers ending in 01 should be avoided as much as possible if you want a more peaceful stay.

But, putting aside these numbers linked with legends or fictional tales, there are others that should be sidestepped for more concrete reasons. During his chat on Cadena COPE radio, Javier advised that all numbers ending in 01 should be avoided as much as possible for a quieter stay.

“Those rooms are typically situated in the corner – that is, near the lift and also close to the exit to the hotel stairs,” he clarified. While this may not always hold true, based on his own experiences, he’s found this to be the case in many hotels.

“Every time a guest passes by or someone comes down the stairs, you’ll hear it. I’ve even heard, staying in rooms on this corner, that you can hear the lift,” he said. “So, if you’re planning on getting some rest, try to avoid that room.”

Most hotels don’t let you pick your room, so Javier suggests that if reception has allocated you a room with that number ending, ‘you should immediately ask if they can give you the one at the end of the hall, for example, or one that’s quieter’.

MILLWALL were given a rude awakening ahead of their Championship clash with Sheffield United as their hotel was evacuated in the middle of the night.

The Lions’ squad piled onto the streets of Sheffield at 3:55am on Saturday morning when the siren started blaring out.

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It is not clear what set the alarm off, though players were left huddled outside both entrances to the Radisson Blu hotel for approximately 20 minutes while fire crew investigated the cause of the alarm.

A few players appeared bleary-eyed and fed up, while one player was overheard describing the situation as a ‘farce’.

Another FaceTimed his partner to show her his discontent at being sat on the pavement in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Millwall had made the 144-mile from south London by coach on Friday ahead of their trip to Bramall Lane.

The Lions started the season with a victory over Norwich City before being hammered by Middlesbrough 3-0 last time out.

Between those results, they did progress in the League Cup by beating Newport County 1-0 at Rodney Parade.

They will face a Sheffield United side who have endured a nightmare start to their Championship campaign, propping up the bottom of the table with bitter rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

Manager Ruben Selles confessed last week that he is already fearing for his future just three games into the job.

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His team have started the campaign with three successive defeats – including a 4-1 thrashing at home to Bristol City.

Selles said: “We know when you work and you play for Sheffield United, you know that you need to win every match.

“Then if not, and especially if it’s consecutive, then you’re going to be under massive pressure.”

Meanwhile, Millwall captain Jake Cooper is eyeing up promotion to the Premier League.

The defender has been at The Den since his move from Reading in 2017.

He said: “It would be a dream to be a Premier League player with Millwall and everything at the club is geared to get there.

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“There’s more expectation on us now because we finished well last season and the recruitment we’ve done.

“So you can see why people are getting excited.

“It’s important to have lads like Massimo (Luongo) and Alfie (Doughty), who have experience of securing promotion to the Premier League and understand what a winning culture feels like.

“Our new lads have integrated well.

“Alfie knew a few of the guys already while Massimo is very experienced and has been around the Championship for a long time.”

According to Andrea Platania of Transfeero, while most guests assume everything is spotless when you enter a hotel room, kettles are rarely checked thoroughly by housekeeping

When you arrive at a hotel, the last thing you want to do is think about germs, creepy crawlies or unhygienic habits left behind by past guests.

Most of us throw our bags on the bed and head out to enjoy the holiday. But, according to the germ-conscious travel professionals at Transfeero, skipping a couple of quick checks could be a mistake.

Andrea Platania says hotel staff often see things that most guests never suspect. After speaking to waiters, receptionists, cleaners and even chefs, he shared the top things you should always do as soon as you step into your hotel room.

“People book holidays to make memories, not to deal with unpleasant surprises. That’s why it’s worth taking two minutes to check your room properly before settling in. Trust me, hotel staff see far more than you’d imagine,” Andrea said.

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One of the less glamorous tips is to open the kettle before you use it. According to Andrea, while most guests assume everything is spotless, kettles are rarely checked thoroughly by housekeeping.

“There have been cases where guests have put things inside kettles that should never be there,” he said. “I’ve heard of everything from socks to much worse. Unless you want your morning tea tasting like regret, always check before boiling.”

And it’s not just the kettle that needs a second look. Platania warns that minibars can also hide unpleasant surprises.

“A hotel worker once told me a guest urinated into a minibar bottle, screwed the cap back on, and left it there. The next person opened it thinking they’d found a refreshing drink,” he revealed.

For that reason, the expert recommends making sure the seals on all minibar bottles are intact before taking a sip. “If the seal looks tampered with, avoid it. It’s not worth the risk. Buy your drinks at the bar instead, so that at least you know what you’re getting.”

If your trip takes you somewhere hot, another unexpected danger could be hiding in the toilet. Andrea explained that the porcelain bowl and the underside of the seat are ideal hiding spots for insects.

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“In warmer climates, it’s not unusual to find spiders or cockroaches setting up camp in the toilet bowl,” he said. “The safest thing to do is flush before you use it, especially if you’ve just checked in or returned after a day out.”

It may sound like an overreaction, but those who’ve had an unexpected encounter with a spider on the loo seat will know it’s advice worth taking.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is encouraging Tory-controlled councils to consider launching legal challenges against the use of hotels to house asylum seekers in their areas.

Badenoch said Epping Forest District Council had achieved “a victory for local people”, after a High Court ruling blocked a hotel from housing asylum seekers.

In a letter to Conservative council leaders, Badenoch wrote “we back you to take similar action to protect your community… if your legal advice supports it”.

A Labour spokesperson said Badenoch’s letter was “desperate and hypocritical nonsense from the architects of the broken asylum system”.

The Labour spokesperson said under the Tories, “the number of asylum hotels in use rose as high as 400”.

“There are now half that and there are now 20,000 fewer asylum seekers in hotels than at their peak under the Tories,” the spokesperson added.

It comes after the High Court on Monday granted the Conservative-controlled Epping council a temporary injunction to stop migrants from being accommodated at The Bell Hotel in Essex.

The court ruled that about 140 asylum seekers must be moved out of the hotel by 12 September, giving the government limited time to find alternative housing.

Councils across England are considering similar legal challenges as ministers to draw up contingency plans for housing asylum seekers set to be removed from the Bell Hotel.

Historically, hotels have only been used to house asylum seekers in short-term emergency situations when other accommodation was unavailable.

But hotel use rose sharply during the Covid-19 pandemic, hitting a peak of 56,042 in 2023 when the Conservatives were in government.

The Labour government has pledged to end the use of migrant hotels by 2029, by cutting small-boat crossings and speeding up decisions on asylum claims.

There were 32,345 asylum seekers being housed in hotels at the end of March, down 15% from the end of December, according to Home Office figures.

In recent years, other councils have taken legal action in an attempt to close asylum hotels in their areas but in previous cases judges have refused to intervene.

Conservative-run Epping Forest District Council successfully argued its case was different as the hotel had become a safety risk, as well as a breach of planning law by ceasing to be a normal hotel.

The judge ruled in favour of the council, which made the case there had been “evidenced harms” related to protests around the hotel, which had led to violence and arrests.

For other councils to follow suit they would have to show the High Court evidence of local harm.

On Wednesday, a number of councils, including some run by Labour, said they were assessing their legal options.

In her letter, Badenoch told Tory council leaders they may “wish to take formal advice from planning officers on the other planning enforcement options available to your council in relation to unauthorised development or change of use”.

The Conservative leader of Broxbourne Council, Corina Gander, said she was “expecting to go down the same path” as Epping Forest District Council when filing a legal challenge to an asylum hotel in her area.

“We do not know who is in that hotel and it has brought an unease to the community,” Gander told BBC Newsnight.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said all 10 councils controlled by his party will “do everything in their power to follow Epping’s lead”.

“Several of them are already examining the legal transcript from that case,” Reform’s head of Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) Zia Yusuf said, adding “only a minority of our ten councils have planning control.”

The leader of Reform UK-led West Northamptonshire Council said he was “considering the implications of this judgment to understand any similarities and differences and actively looking at the options now available to us”.

Carol Dean, leader of Labour-controlled Tamworth Council, said her authority had previously decided against legal action but was now “carefully assessing” what the decision might mean for the area.

She said it was a “potentially important legal precedent”.

Wirral Council said it was also “considering the detail of the judgement and how it might impact on planning consent for the proposed use of the former hotel in Hoylake”.

Last week, the Labour-run council asked the Home Office to review its decision to house single male asylum seekers rather than families in the former Holiday Inn Express.

If successful, further legal challenges have the potential to pile more pressure on the government to find alternative housing options for migrants.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said asylum seekers moved out of the hotel in Epping should not be put in other hotels, flats or house-shares.

In a letter to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, he called for alternative accommodation such as former military sites or barges to be used.

Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Conservative former leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt said “Kemi is right to back local councils” but warned the consequence of stopping asylum hotels would be more people put into local accommodation and family housing stock converted into HMOs [houses of multiple occupation].

“That is going to be so much worse than hotels. It will alter the housing stock in particular,” she added, suggesting the availability of housing in the area would slim.

Home Office Minister Dan Jarvis told the BBC the government was “looking at contingency options” for housing those being moved out of the Bell Hotel but gave no specific examples.

“There’s likely to be a range of different arrangements in different parts of the country,” Jarvis said.

In June, ministers said the government was looking at buying tower blocks and former student accommodation, external to house migrants.

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‘Sidestepped scrutiny’