hotel

FOR a simple stay in the city, The Resident Victoria is the place to be, being right in the middle of London.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Where is The Resident Victoria?

The hotel is just steps from Buckingham Palace, so royal family fans can head straight to it.

Being right by Victoria Station as well, it means you can easily hop into central London or even easily get to London airports including Gatwick and Heathrow?

What is the hotel like?

Just one of four in London – with another in Liverpool and Edinburgh – the hotel itself is simply but classy.

What are the rooms like?

The 73-room hotel ranges from single person rooms to deluxe rooms with super king beds.

SEA YOU SOON

I stayed at the cosy boutique hotel in one of England’s coolest seaside towns

ROYAL WELCOME

I stayed at the cosy Cotswolds hotel right by ‘Britain’s greatest palace’

Each room is classy but simple, with everything you’d expect as well as extras that make them ideal for longer stays.

This means mini kitchenettes that have fridges and microwaves, as well as crockery, glassware and coffee machines.

Working desks make them ideal for anyone travelling for business too.

Lots of the interior is from British designers, such as fabrics from the Isle of Bute and and furniture made in West London.

I loved the bathrooms which had loads of mirrors – often forgotten about in hotels – and complimentary toiletries and towels.

Rooms start from £184 per night.

What is there to eat and drink there?

There’s no restaurant here so you’ll have to go out for dinner.

Thankfully you’re spoilt for choice, although I recommend the Market Hall with a range of food stands inside to keep even fussy eaters happy.

For breakfast, you can order delivery to your room with things like pastries on the menu from the Drinks & Snacks menu.

Or you can ask to have your fridge filled with groceries, again at an additional cost.

Make sure to stay in the evenings at the hotel – they have complimentary wine hours.

What else?

There’s not gyms or spas at the hotel, but the reception is open 24 hours.

Use the hotel as a base to explore the area as you couldn’t be bettered located.

Is it family friendly?

The hotel welcomes families with the Deluxe rooms sleeping up to four and the Superior sleeping up to three.

Is it accessible?

Yes, the hotel has a number of accessible rooms.

This deal from Wowcher means you could be enjoying the magic of Disneyland Paris, with the cost of the ferry and a two-night stay at a hotel close to the park, at under £200 per person

Nothing beats the magic of a day at Disneyland, but it can be a costly choice just for the tickets alone. That’s why it often works out cheaper to book a deal that includes extras such as accommodation.

Wowcher has just launched a 4* Disneyland Paris Break which is now available to book that includes two-nights in a hotel, transport across the channel, and a one-day Disneyland Paris park entry for each guest, with prices that start at £189 per person.

You can check the availability calendar on Wowcher’s website to see the prices for each date. At the moment, the £189 deal is available in the first week of May with a 37% discount available. However, these dates are likely to sell out quickly, so you may need to snap them up soon.

Dates are available later in the year for November and December at around £249, and this can be an excellent time to visit the parks for the festive period. If you’re looking for summer holiday dates, then the last week in August is the cheapest, with dates from £309 per person.

OPINION

Julie Delahaye

The package includes a stay at the 4* Paxton Hotel Paris MLV, just 10-minutes from the gates of Disneyland by car, which also offers a bus connection to the parks. The price also includes a return ferry crossing for a vehicle, and the drive from Calais to the hotel is just over three hours, mostly on motorways.

The one-day entry pass includes access to all attractions, shows, Character Encounters, parades, and more, so you can pack a lot into your trip.

Since the package has two nights in a hotel, you may also want to enjoy the onsite indoor pool, spa, and hammam, or even head to nearby Bussy-Saint-Georges station to get a train into Paris for some sightseeing. The city centre is about half an hour away by train.

If you’d rather stay onsite at the parks, you can book Disneyland Paris breaks via its official website, which gives you the option to stay in official Disney hotels. Staying in an official Disney property gives you perks such as early access to the parks and a quicker journey home at night, but it is a pricier option.

One night at the Disney Newport Bay Club in early May, with a two-day park pass comes in at £372.45 per person, and considerably more during peak times.

Another way to save money is to look for the deals that Disney offers throughout the year. For example, Walt Disney World in Florida has just relaunched its popular Free Dining offer, as well as offering up to £400 off breaks. This deal can be found on disneypackages.co.uk, and is available during most school holidays. This site also offers packages that include flights, making it easier to plan your trip.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

Tourists visiting this holiday hotspot may find it harder to book a hotel room in the future as local authorities are seeking to freeze new hotel licences in a bid to tackle tourist numbers

A European tourist hotspot that’s popular with Brits is eyeing plans to tackle overtourism, including potentially putting a freeze on the opening of new hotels.

The mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, is desperate for his city not to become too overcrowded and overwhelmed by tourists. Haris previously oversaw a ban on new permits for short-term rentals such as Airbnbs in three neighbourhoods in central Athens.

Now, he has told Euronews that he wants to avoid the city becoming like other crowded spots. He said: “We really need to see if and how many more hotels we need and where. We need to see and think about how much extra tourist load we can lift and where.

“We must not become Barcelona. We have to understand that there are saturated areas that cannot afford new beds: whether short-term rentals or not. Talking at events around the globe, we see that capping is not only being put on short-term rentals but also on hotels; in specific, ‘saturated’ areas.”

READ MORE: Holidaymakers urged to leave these popular items at home or risk airport delaysREAD MORE: EU gives UK holidaymakers flight cancellations update in new statement on April 22

Across the Attica region, where Athens is located, there are 68,934 rental apartments, nearly half of which are found in the city center. Across Greece, tourist demand has seen a huge increase in the amount of accommodation available, with 450 new four- and five-star hotels opening between 2019 and 2024.

Should Athens enact the ban, it would join cities including Barcelona and Amsterdam, which already have similar initiatives to tackle the issue of overtourism.

Evgenios Vassilikos, President of the Athens – Attica & Argosaronic Hotel Association – spoke at the same event. He argued that there needed to be a careful planning process when it comes to expanding the number of hotel beds and short-term rentals.

He said: “There are practices abroad which have been implemented. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. The example I gave is that in Barcelona they have completely banned short-term rentals from 2028 and from 2017 onwards no new hotel licences are being issued. So there are, therefore, these restrictions abroad. We will possibly have to see in Athens what we want in terms of where we want to be in 10 to 15 years. “

READ MORE: Ryanair warns passengers it’s changing its luggage rules in 2026READ MORE: Walt Disney World’s Free Dining offer is back – and families could save up to £400

He added: “We will definitely need hotel beds there. How many will these be? How many will be five-star, how many four-star, etc. There has to be a specific plan. And of course that drags in all kinds of beds, meaning non-primary tourist accommodation and short-term rentals.”

Athens has become the most popular tourist destination in Greece with about 12 million international arrivals in 2025. This included around 4.5 million British tourists, up from 3.5 million in 2019. The Acropolis alone receives millions of visitors a year, and at peak times can see over 17,000 visitors a day.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

THE £23million Hotel Indigo Torquay by IHG is newest hotel on the English Riviera in Devon.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Where is the Hotel Indigo Torquay by IHG?

Standing on the site of the old and once thriving Corbyn Head Hotel, Hotel Indigo Torquay by IHG is the newest kid on the block.

What is the hotel like?

The hotel looks like a sleek cruise liner docked on the English Riviera, offering front-row seats to the paddleboarding and jet skiing action of Torbay.

The hotel features a stylish interior throughout, with cool blues, silvers and golds.

The theme mimics the sea, with a touch of Art Deco luxury as well.

Read more on travel inspo

ALL IN

I found the best value all inclusive London hotel… just £55pp with free food & booze

CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

From the rooftop bar, you have the added benefit of sprawling sea views.

The hotel is a touch of luxury for less, on what has long been a rundown coastal stretch.

With £300million currently being pumped into the English Riviera (formed of Paignton, Torquay and Brixham), Hotel Indigo is leading the charge.

What are the rooms like?

The hotel boasts 153 luxury rooms.

This includes sea view suites, where you will find a stylish throw back to the 1930s – the height of Agatha Christie’s fame – with coastal blues and glimmers of Art Deco silver.

There’s lots of space too with a king size bed, a marble clad en-suite and a separate lounge area with a sofa bed that looks over the waves crashing on the shore.

Fancy a tipple?

The mini-bar in the room is a ‘best of Devon‘ showcase, with fresh orange juice, local milk and a Nespresso machine with hand-crafted mugs for morning brews by the sea.

A standard king-size room in April for two people including breakfast starts from £83 per night.

What is there to eat and drink there?

The hotel has an all-day bistro called Root and Reef with dishes full of locally sourced ingredients.

I opted for a French onion soup, followed by steak and chips and then creme brulee – all cooked to perfection.

Breakfast is a feast as well, with fresh hot and cold dishes, made to order dishes and an array of continental items.

It is a no brainer – eat at the hotel.

What else can you do there?

The hotel is just metres from the beach and moments from a variety of activities that the nearby towns of Paignton, Brixham and Torquay have to offer.

One top spot, around a 15-minute drive away is Kent’s Cavern – also known as ‘Britain’s oldest home’.

Inside, visitors can explore limestone rock caves that are nearly 400million-years-old and hold evidence of Neanderthals and early humans… as well as discarded teeth of Ice Age beasts like the woolly mammoth.

Is it family friendly?

Out of the 153 rooms, there are three designated family rooms.

The hotel doesn’t have kids play facilities, so I would say that these rooms are mostly suitable for families with older children.

The hotel also has pet-friendly rooms where you beloved pooch will be more than spoilt with treats and their own bed.

Is the hotel accessible?

Eight of the rooms across the hotel are accessible, featuring lower dressing areas, adapted wardrobes and wider doors to allow for wheelchairs.

Looking for a place to stay? For more hotel inspiration click here.

A British holidaymaker has shared his experience of a trip to Benidorm, saying it was ‘everything you expect and more’ after spotting one sight out of his hotel window

Benidorm is recognised as a beloved holiday destination among Brits. In fact, roughly 800,000 to 900,000 Britons flock to the Spanish resort annually, establishing them as the largest international tourist group in the city. The coastal city on Spain’s Costa Blanca is known as the “Spanish Las Vegas” for its countless bars, clubs, and cabaret venues, especially clustered around the Levante district and Calle Gerona.

Benidorm attracts an incredibly varied clientele that changes considerably depending on the season and the particular area of the city. While it is famously a magnet for British “sun and sea” tourists, it is equally a prime destination for Spanish nationals and pensioners.

Holidaymaker Mattie Powell, from North Wales, recently detailed his experience of a Benidorm getaway, describing it as ‘everything you expect and more’ when he glanced out of his hotel window.

Mattie posted to his Instagram page a video showing a “traffic jam of mobility scooters” along a Benidorm path.

He captioned it: “Traffic jam of mobility scooters was not on my 2026 bingo card.”

Those who use mobility scooters are known to regularly head to Benidorm because the resort is remarkably flat and accessible, especially along its extensive beachfront promenades. This renders it an unusual holiday destination where people with limited mobility can move about independently for miles.

Numerous people were loving by the video, as it accumulated over 105,000 likes.

One person joked: “City’s safe in their hands.”

While another user quipped: “Might go there and do some British spotting.”

The post follows a recent visit to Benidorm by an American tourist who found himself baffled by one thing.

Travel enthusiast Kalani, from the US, revealed he was repeatedly quizzed about someone called ‘Charlie’ during his stay.

“I need someone to tell me about who Charlie is,” Kalani said, recounting how numerous people had approached him offering ‘Charlie’ after a night out on the Strip. It didn’t take long for his followers to set him straight, explaining that Charlie is a widely-used slang term for cocaine.

I KNEW Efteling theme park had a fairytale garden, but I didn’t realise a stay there would give me such a royal welcome, too.

The lobby of the newly opened Efteling Grand Hotel at this Netherlands attraction feels like its straight out of the classic storybooks my nan used to read me when I was a child.

A sweeping staircase circles an intricate, ­cascading chandelier made from tiny gold keys, candles flicker in the alcove and a 1920s bellhop — a mime-artist in full character — performs a slapstick routine pretending to dust off everyone’s suitcases.

It’s a welcome distraction for the kids, who were itching to bust through the back door and on to the rides. And even as a grown adult, I’m mesmerised.

Efteling first opened in 1952 and its mix of traditional fairground attractions, modern thrill rides and whimsical storytelling now attracts more than five million visitors every year.

Perched dominantly on the edge of the theme park, the Grand Hotel is a a castle-esque chateau that began welcoming guests last summer.

RIDE OFF

Abandoned UK theme park left rotting for 14 years with graffiti-covered walls

PAW-SOME

The UK’s first PAW Patrol land to open in just weeks with four new rides

It’s the first time in Efteling’s ­history that visitors have been able to stay the night within the park gates.

Unlike its other accommodation options — Efteling Wonder Hotel and the holiday villages Bosrijk and Loonsche Land — the Grand Hotel is slightly more premium for those who want some proper R&R — that’s rest and rollercoasters.

It doesn’t feel like a twee theme- park hotel, though.

The arty design was inspired by the park’s history and leans in to the visual style of film director Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel.

The 140 plush, modern, yet cosy rooms and suites look more like they belong in a stylish boutique hotel, although there are subtle nods to a princess theme.

Delicate vintage-style decor has been paired with ice-blue walls and brushed gold fittings. Elsewhere, there’s a great swimming pool, spa facilities and two fantastic restaurants.

Guests are also given unlimited, free access to the theme park throughout their stay, including on arrival and departure days and free private parking.

For those who don’t fancy driving, it’s incredibly easy to travel by train.
Eurostar operates direct services from London to Amsterdam, then it’s an easy change on to a local train that will have you at Efteling in less than an hour.

After a very early start, the fluffy linens in my room could have easily tempted me to have a duvet day, but the views of the park from my window were too much to resist.

Within minutes, I was out of the door and approaching my first ride of the day — the quirky and family- friendly Symbolica.

Revered as one of the best attractions at the park, it’s an absolute must-do.

The immersive experience sees visitors sit in floating cars on a modern, magnetic track, journeying through a Gothic palace that features some curious inhabitants.

It’s packed with optical illusions and special effects, perfectly pairing Efteling’s reputation for storytelling with enough excitement to appease the TikTok generation.

There’s plenty for adrenaline junkies too, and for children of all ages.

If you’re travelling with kids, keep your eyes peeled for Hooghmoed.

Set to open on May 1, it features three drop towers and is aimed at younger guests who don’t yet want to take on the white-knuckle rides.

And if you’re not a fan of rides full stop, there’s plenty more to enjoy at Efteling.

The theme park is set around stunning gardens and enchanting woodland, which is used to full effect to play out the fairytale theme.

Granted, parents don’t tend to leave a theme park feeling well rested, but somehow the Efteling Grand Hotel changes that.

The atmosphere feels serene, despite being literally next-door to six roaring rollercoasters and a donkey that poops gold coins (one of the park’s quirkier attractions).

At the end of each tiring day, I was made to feel like a sleeping beauty snuggled in that ridiculously comfy bed.

Although having endured upside-down loops, sudden drops and water rides, I’m not convinced I looked like one.

Discover L’Andana, a luxury Tuscan hotel set in a historic Medici villa in the heart of Maremma, Italy, offering Michelin-starred dining, ESPA spa treatments, pasta-making classes, and wine tastings amid stunning countryside views

When you picture Italy – undulating manicured hillsides, country lanes bordered by towering cypress trees, terracotta hamlets and sunlight glinting off church domes, it’s most likely Tuscany that springs to mind. From Florence’s misty cupolas to the wine-drenched estates of the Chianti hills, countless scenes from Tuscany align perfectly with our quintessential vision of holidays.

It would be tempting to think, given the abundance of Instagram-perfect shots of this Italian paradise, that the actual experience might fall short of expectations. Far from it – in truth, nothing matches the enchanting atmosphere when you’re witnessing its splendour first-hand. If you’re seeking a peaceful, authentic, cuisine-filled escape, this is your ideal destination, reports OK!

Why this stunning hotel is the ultimate Tuscany choice

We checked into the stunning L’Andana Hotel nestled in the heart of Maremma, a delightful, less-travelled corner of the region where Italians themselves love to holiday. We discovered that Maremma is dubbed the “wild west” of Tuscany, which became entirely understandable when we encountered cacti and herds of cattle with remarkably long horns. You’re unmistakably deep in the Italian countryside here.

L’Andana is a blissful retreat in the low hills, and arriving at the estate felt like those Tuscan roads you see in films, along a 2km-long driveway flanked by tall green trees on both sides. This former Medici villa, once the summer residence of Grand Duke Leopold II and his court, exudes a regal sense of grandeur. Decorated in warm shades of butter, mustard and ochre, with traditional Tuscan-style furnishings and sweeping windows that frame breathtaking views of the Maremma landscape, every detail delights. From the warm hospitality to the genuinely authentic atmosphere, it truly felt like a real “casa”.

Wine tasting at the hotel and local vineyards

Tuscany’s wine scene is as rich and layered as its scenery. Vineyards stretch out in virtually every direction, and it’s a real privilege to stay somewhere that cultivates its own grapes. The hotel produces its own wine on site and offers tasting sessions for guests, paired with a three-course light lunch. We also ventured beyond the resort to Petra, another winery under the same ownership as L’Andana’s, where yet more spectacular vistas — and vintages — awaited.

We dubbed the building there “the Tuscan Chichén Itzá”, owing to its remarkable architecture that bears a striking resemblance to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

What to do around the grounds and in the spa

Despite its peaceful and unhurried atmosphere, there’s no shortage of things to keep you busy, with two swimming pools, tennis courts and a vast golf course all on offer. We chose ultimate relaxation with an ESPA massage, alongside a leisurely bike ride with an expert guide beyond the resort grounds. The scenery was utterly stunning and proved to be amongst the trip’s standout moments. These represent just a fraction of the numerous activities the hotel can organise for guests – they can also arrange horse riding, yoga sessions and beach excursions.

A pasta-making masterclass with an Italian chef

Food enthusiasts will thrive here, particularly with the gourmet offerings at L’Andana’s Michelin-starred La Trattoria Enrico Bartolini. To truly embrace the culinary culture, however, book a pasta making class with an Italian chef. We mastered the proper techniques and savoured our own freshly-made pasta with bolognese. There’s surely no finer location to learn the art of pasta making.

Discovering Castiglione della Pescaia: a coastal hidden gem

Each evening at the resort we’d spot twinkling lights in the distance; this, we learnt, was a charming little seaside town called Castiglione della Pescaia, merely a 15-minute drive from the hotel. We called in here while returning from the Petra winery, and it felt as though we’d stumbled upon a hidden treasure. It resembles one of those charming European towns featured in romantic comedies, brimming with winding, cobblestone lanes, pastel-painted houses with vibrant shutters, and lively eateries. We discovered one meandering pathway that guided us all the way down to a breathtaking view of the sea at sunset, with the entire landscape before us bathed in gold. It was the most spectacular conclusion to the day – and to this remarkable stay.

Planning a trip to Tuscany? Here’s how to book this hotel

Double rooms at L’Andana start from around £382 per night based on two sharing, including breakfast. Book at andana.it

One man who knows the ins and outs of finding the ideal hotel is travel expert Mark Wolters, who outlined how you can spot top quality accommodation in 60 seconds

A seasoned traveller who has visited more than 80 countries has revealed how you can identify a quality hotel in just 60 seconds. As we’re all aware, a decent hotel can determine whether a holiday succeeds or fails; be it the standards of cleanliness, the facilities, the swimming pool, or any other factor, having a solid place to retreat to after an exhausting day helps you properly relax.

Not every hotel measures up – the web is awash with stories of dreadful experiences, ranging from the merely disappointing to the absolutely horrendous. So, as we begin mapping out our spring and summer escapes, any guidance on securing a good one will surely prove invaluable.

One person who knows the tricks of finding an ideal hotel is Mark Wolters, the instantly familiar face behind the Wolters World YouTube channel, which boasts 1.17 million subscribers.

As an experienced world traveller, Mark has journeyed everywhere from Uruguay to Albania. Now he’s revealing his top hotel tips to help others steer clear of a disastrous booking.

Check the most recent reviews

His first suggestion was examining online reviews of the accommodation. Importantly, you should focus on the latest reviews, since a hotel that enjoyed five-star status a decade ago might have deteriorated – or improved considerably.

Mark explained: “Are they still getting that nine out of 10 or eight out of 10? Or have they fallen to a six or a seven? Because you want to look for that consistency.

“Because if they’re consistently getting nines and tens today and five years ago, that shows that that hotel continuously cares about their guests and their hotel, which means boom, probably going to be a good hotel.”

Actually read the reviews

Mark advised people to scrutinise the reviews and look out for specific keywords and phrases, such as “clean”, “safe”, “comfortable, “, “good location” or “attentive staff”, for example.

He added that you should, for the same reason as above, remember to sort these reviews by date and check whether the hotel has responded to guests online, paying close attention to whether their replies were courteous and professional.

Check that the price makes sense

Mark said: “I know we all want to find that great hotel for a super low price, but a lot of times, (if) they have to have heavy discounts, it’s for a reason.

“So, what you want to see is if you’re looking in an area like here in Lille, you’ll see that, oh, similar hotels have similar prices, and does that hotel fit in that same similar price range. That makes sense.

“I mean, they can have a deal every so often, but a good hotel doesn’t have to have a deal because they’re a good hotel.”

Check photos posted by guests

Mark highlighted the importance of not only looking at the photos posted by the hotel, which could be old, but also at those shared by guests online. Check if these line up with the originals.

Cancellation policy

He went on to advise that you should review your hotel’s cancellation policy because good hotels “know that life happens”, and that our plans can change. Mark noted that desirable hotels “don’t punish guests”.

Location, location, location

It’s well worth pinpointing the exact location of the hotel on a map to establish whether it’s within easy reach of local amenities or attractions. Crucially, Mark also highlighted that you can check whether the hotel is situated in a safe neighbourhood.

Check the description

Mark said: “Is it a realistic description of the hotel, of the rooms, or is it something like a ‘tranquil oasis away from the problems of your life in the outskirts of the world?'”

If it’s packed with “marketing jargon”, as Mark puts it, he suggested you should avoid it, adding that good hotels will be “realistic”.

Trust your gut

Finally, Mark said that when you check out hotels online, much of the time, you will get a “gut feeling” and advised people to trust it.