Hotel

British holidaymakers Mark and Karen Gregory, both 50, are frequent Benidorm-goers and usually opt to stay at apartments – but their accommodation often overlooks major hotel pools

Holidaymakers at a Benidorm hotel have been filmed participating in a frantic “sunbed dash”, where every available lounger is claimed within a staggering three minutes.

Frequent Spain holidaymakers Mark and Karen Gregory, both 50, typically opt for apartment accommodations that often overlook major hotel pools, giving them a front-row seat to the morning mayhem.

During their May trip, the couple from Swansea, Wales, captured multiple instances of sun-hungry Brits racing to secure the best sunbeds. Mark, who runs an online sales business, recounted: “We saw people queuing from first thing – the queues were horrendous! People were properly running in.

“One hotel we did stay in, the pool opened at 8.30am and by 8.33am every bed had a towel on. I think it happens everywhere – just because hotels don’t have as many beds as they do guests.”

Have you witnessed any hotel shenanigans? Email [email protected]

READ MORE: Livid Brits take ‘sunbed wars to a whole new level’ with sneaky 2am tactics

The pair prefer to observe the chaos rather than participate. Mark added: “We don’t partake at all, we just observe. I know it’s a bugbear for a lot of tourists – but we just find it funny.”

Making sure you have a good spot by the pool or beach is serious business. And the stakes are high.

Brits who lay out their towels to reserve a sunbed for hours at a time have been warned they could face hefty fines of up to €250 (approximately £210).

The team at travel insurance comparison site Tiger.co.uk have warned Brits heading on Spain holidays to think twice before laying out a towel on the beach, as it could actually land you facing some hefty extra charges.

They explained: “In popular areas of Spain like Barcelona and Costa Blanca, tourists can now be fined €250 for reserving sunbeds, meaning waking up early to bag a spot for you and the family is no longer allowed. This rule was introduced following numerous complaints about sunbeds being reserved for hours with no one in sight.”

The rules were brought into force last year, in a bid to stop tourists from reserving spots on public beaches with towels and sunbeds, despite then not returning for hours a time – meaning other visitors had to make do with leftover space, causing issues such as fights breaking out, or crowding.

The fines don’t always stop poor behaviour, however.

While having a late-night chinwag on their balcony in Magaluf, Spain, Mandy Boyd spotted some lads she thought were having a cheeky swim in the pool. But upon closer inspection, the 34-year-old realised the young men were trying to nab the best beds at 2am, despite the fact that the pool wasn’t due to open until 9am the next day.

The quartet of girls watched as the lads dragged out their sunloungers to try and secure prime spots. Mandy and her mates patiently waited on the balcony for the perfect moment to dash down and swipe the towels.

Becca Farley was on holiday with her partner and two young children in Benidorm, Spain, when she caught two teenagers in her room on the last night of their break

A mum-of-two has sounded the alarm for holidaymakers after a distressing incident at a Spanish hotel where her room was unexpectedly invaded.

Becca Farley, 27, from Eastleigh, Hampshire, was enjoying a getaway in Benidorm with her family when she encountered intruders in their accommodation. The family had shelled out £2,500 for their week-long retreat.

On their final evening, amidst hotel notices about an impending power outage, Becca headed to their room to charge mobile phones ahead of their journey back. She recounted the unsettling moment: “As I got in the lift these two teenagers got in the lift with me and just pressed my floor level. I honestly didn’t think anything of it because there’s five rooms per floor, so I just assumed they were going to one of them.”

Have you had a holiday go wrong? Email [email protected]

READ MORE: easyJet tried to charge woman £70 for bag, so she put on seven pairs of trousers

However, the situation took a turn when the youths exited the lift before her and made a beeline for her room, which was propped open with a shoe. Initially confused, Becca thought she had got off on the wrong floor, but she quickly realised that wasn’t the case.

“It happened all quite quickly and they just strolled straight into my room,” she said. Becca decided to follow them inside and confront them.

“But I just didn’t really think and went straight into the room and shouted ‘What are you doing in my room? Get the f*ck out, get the f*ck out, get the f*ck out’.” Thankfully, the teenagers did.

Yet, the ordeal hadn’t ended—the youth hammered on the door shortly after while Becca remained barricaded inside. “I was absolutely petrified,” she confessed.

“I know it sounds silly and people have said you should have done this, you should have locked them in the room, you should have decked them but at that moment I think it was just that invasion of privacy. This is supposed to be your safe place when you are away, you’re away from home, we don’t travel all that often so we were really shaken.”

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That night was sleepless for Becca; every sound made her jolt with anxiety. “If it had happened earlier on in the week we would have flown home.”

Despite being accused of scaremongering by some, she insists it’s not about deterring travel or singling out a particularly destination as being dangerous.

“A lot of people have said we were scaremongering people not to go away, not at all. We will certainly go on holiday again, it’s not a case of us never going abroad again but I think it’s just having that awareness that if you are a lone woman, please be careful,” she added.

“I’m very lucky that I’m OK but I think it’s just a case of having your wits about you a bit more. When you go on holiday you tend to relax and become a little bit naive to these situations.

“Obviously keep your valuables safe. I know some people say don’t use the safes, we personally lock all of ours and padlock them in our suitcases. I think it’s just a case of having your wits about you and knowing not to get comfortable in somewhere you’ve never been before.”

Despite her intention to continue her travels, Becca admitted she will adopt more stringent security measures.

“I’m considering getting a webcam that you can put in your room next time we go away. I will carry on locking my stuff away. I would never take the kids away on my own. I certainly wouldn’t have cleaners in my room ever again, not to say it definitely was them but they have access to your room. I don’t know if I would feel comfortable going up to a room on my own again.”

As the crucial summer harvest season gets underway in California’s vast agricultural regions, farmers and their workers say they feel whiplashed by a series of contradictory signals about how the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration might affect them.

California grows more than one-third of the country’s vegetables and more than three-quarters of the nation’s fruits and nuts in the fertile expanses of the Central Valley, Central Coast and other farming regions. The industry produced nearly $60 billion in goods in 2023, according to state figures — an output that depends heavily on the skilled labor of a workforce that is at least 50% undocumented, according to University of California studies.

Without workers, the juicy beefsteak tomatoes that are ripening and must be hand-harvested will rot on the vines. The yellow peaches just reaching that delicate blend of sweet and tart will fall to the ground, unpicked. Same with the melons, grapes and cherries.

That’s why, when federal immigration agents rolled into the berry fields of Oxnard last week and detained 40 farmworkers, growers up and down the state grew worried along with their workers.

Farm laborers, many of whom have lived and worked in their communities for decades, were terrified of being rounded up and deported, separated from their families and livelihoods. Farmers worried that their workforce would vanish — either locked up in detention centers or forced into the shadows for fear of arrest — just as their labor was needed most. Everyone wanted to know whether the raids in Oxnard were the beginning of a broader statewide crackdown that would radically disrupt the harvest season — which is also the period when most farmworkers earn the most money — or just a one-off enforcement action.

In the ensuing days, the answers have become no clearer, according to farmers, worker advocates and elected officials.

“We, as the California agricultural community, are trying to figure out what’s going on,” said Ryan Jacobsen, chief executive of the Fresno County Farm Bureau and a farmer of almonds and grapes. He added that “time is of the essence,” because farms and orchards are “coming right into our busiest time.”

After the raids in Ventura County last week, growers across the country began urgently lobbying the Trump administration, arguing that enforcement action on farm operations could hamper food production. They pointed to the fields around Oxnard post-raid, where, according to the Ventura County Farm Bureau, as many as 45% of the workers stayed home in subsequent days.

President Trump appeared to get the message. On Thursday, he posted on Truth Social that “our great farmers,” along with leaders in the hospitality industry, had complained that his immigration policies were “taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace.”

He added that it was “not good” and “changes are coming!”

The same day, according to a New York Times report, a senior official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement wrote regional ICE directors telling them to lay off farms, along with restaurants and hotels.

“Effective today, please hold on all work site enforcement investigations/operations on agriculture (including aquaculture and meat packing plants), restaurants and operating hotels,” the official wrote.

Many in California agriculture took heart.

Then on Monday came news that the directive to stay off farms, hotels and restaurants had been reversed.

“There will be no safe spaces for industries who harbor violent criminals or purposely try to undermine ICE’s efforts,” Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, said, according to the Washington Post. “Worksite enforcement remains a cornerstone of our efforts to safeguard public safety, national security and economic stability.”

In California’s heartland, Jacobsen of the Fresno County Farm Bureau spoke for many farmers when he said: “We don’t have a clue right now.”

Asked Tuesday to clarify the administration’s policy on immigration raids in farmland, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said the Trump administration is committed to “enforcing federal immigration law.”

“While the President is focused on immediately removing dangerous criminal illegal aliens from the country,” Jackson said, “anyone who is here illegally is liable to be deported.”

Still, Jacobsen and others noted, aside from the upheaval in Ventura County last week, agricultural operations in other parts of the state have largely been spared from mass immigration sweeps.

Workers, meanwhile, have continued to show up for work, and most have even returned to the fields in Ventura County.

There has been one notable outcome of last week’s raids, according to several people interviewed: Employers are reaching out to workers’ rights organizations, seeking guidance on how to keep their workers safe.

“Some employers are trying to take steps to protect their employees, as best they can,” said Armando Elenes, secretary treasurer of the United Farm Workers.

He said his organization and others have been training employers on how to respond if immigration agents show up at their farms or packinghouses. A core message, he said: Don’t allow agents on the property if they don’t have a signed warrant.

Indeed, many of the growers whose properties were raided in Ventura County appear to have understood that; advocates reported that federal agents were turned away from a number of farms because they did not have a warrant.

In Ventura County, Lucas Zucker, co-executive director of the Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy, a group that has often been at odds with growers over issues such as worker pay and protections, underscored the unusual alliance that has forged between farmers and worker advocates.

Two days after the raids, Zucker read a statement condemning the immigration sweeps on behalf of Maureen McGuire, chief executive of the Ventura County Farm Bureau, an organization that represents growers.

“Farmers care deeply about their workers, not as abstract labor, but as human beings and valued community members who deserve dignity, safety and respect,” McGuire said in the statement. “Ventura County agriculture depends on them. California’s economy depends on them. America’s food system depends on them.”

Before reading the statement, Zucker evoked light laughter when he told the crowd: “For those of you familiar [with] Ventura County, you might be surprised to see CAUSE reading a statement from the farm bureau. We clash on many issues, but this is something where we’re united and where we’re literally speaking with one voice.”

“The agriculture industry and farmworkers are both under attack, with federal agencies showing up at the door,” Zucker said later. “Nothing brings people together like a common enemy.”

This article is part of The Times’ equity reporting initiative, funded by the James Irvine Foundation, exploring the challenges facing low-income workers and the efforts being made to address California’s economic divide.

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration directed immigration officers to pause arrests at farms, restaurants and hotels after the president expressed alarm about the impact of his aggressive enforcement, an official said Saturday.

The move marks a remarkable turnabout in Trump’s immigration crackdown since he took office in January. It follows weeks of increased enforcement since Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff and main architect of Trump’s immigration policies, said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers would target at least 3,000 arrests a day, up from about 650 a day during the first five months of Trump’s second term.

Tatum King, an official with ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations unit, wrote regional leaders on Thursday to halt investigations of the agricultural industry, including meatpackers, restaurants and hotels, according to the New York Times.

A U.S. official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed to the Associated Press the contents of the directive. The Homeland Security Department did not dispute it.

“We will follow the president’s direction and continue to work to get the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens off of America’s streets,” Tricia McLaughlin, a Homeland Security spokesperson, said when asked to confirm the directive.

The shift suggests Trump’s promise of mass deportations has limits if it threatens industries that rely on workers in the country illegally. Trump posted on his Truth Social site Thursday that he disapproved of how farmers and hotels were being affected.

“Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace,” he wrote. “In many cases the Criminals allowed into our Country by the VERY Stupid Biden Open Borders Policy are applying for those jobs. This is not good. We must protect our Farmers, but get the CRIMINALS OUT OF THE USA. Changes are coming!”

While ICE’s presence in Los Angeles has captured public attention and prompted Trump to deploy the California National Guard and Marines, immigration authorities have also been a growing presence at farms and factories across the country.

Farm bureaus in California say raids at packinghouses and fields are threatening businesses that supply much of the country’s food. Dozens of farmworkers were arrested after uniformed agents fanned out on farms northwest of Los Angeles in Ventura County, which is known for growing strawberries, lemons and avocados. Others are skipping work as fear spreads.

ICE made more than 70 arrests Tuesday at a food packaging company in Omaha. The owner of Glenn Valley Foods said the company was enrolled in a voluntary program to verify workers’ immigration status and that it was operating at 30% capacity as it scrambled to find replacements.

Tom Homan, the White House border advisor, has repeatedly said ICE will send officers into communities and workplaces, particularly in “sanctuary” jurisdictions that limit the agency’s access to local jails.

Sanctuary cities “will get exactly what they don’t want, more officers in the communities and more officers at the work sites,” Homan said Monday on Fox News Channel. “We can’t arrest them in the jail, we’ll arrest them in the community. If we can’t arrest them in the community, we’re going to increase work-site enforcement operation. We’re going to flood the zone.”

Madhani and Spagat write for the Associated Press.

A TOP European theme park is welcoming a new premium hotel that looks like it’s out of Wes Anderson’s world.

Dutch theme park Efteling will be opening a new hotel this summer called the Efteling Grand Hotel.

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The theme park is already well known for its fairytale theme, with one TikToker – The Travel Mum – dubbing it “better and cheaper than Disneyland”.

The new addition to the attraction will be the first hotel located within the theme park itself and will open on August 1.

The hotel will be themed around a traditional grand dame hotel with stories woven into the design throughout, appearing like a Wes Anderson story.

There will be digital check-in, valet parking and luggage handling, upon arrival.

A bellhop and Efteling’s two princesses will guests in the lobby, where the air will also be infused with the hotel’s signature fragrance.

The hotel will be spread across seven floors offering 140 rooms and suites, with a total of 644 beds.

The biggest room will be able to host six people.

The hotel rooms will also overlook the park with different views of the Aquanura water show the House of the Dive Senses entrance, the Fairytale Forest or the Pardoes Promenade Lane.

All of the rooms include breakfast at Brasserie 7 and half an hour of early access to the park before it opens to the public.

Other features of the rooms include each one having an Efteling Grand Hotel fairytale book.

The lower ground floor of the hotel will have a swimming pool – availabel only to hotel guests – with spa facilities including a steam room, sauna and massage room.

There will also be a multifunctional serenity room where guests can unwind, pray or meditate.

The hotel will have two restaurants with Brasserie 7 located on the ground floor and Restaurant-Bar Mystique on the first floor.

While Brasserie 7 will serve up a range of classic dishes – which include seven ‘magical’ ingredients such as princess tears and snow from Mother Holle – Restaurant-Bar Mystique will offer a more premium dining experience.

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Each table will be decorated with edible decorations and the restaurant will be open to the public, as well as park and hotel guests.

Café Biscuit will also be a part of the hotel, where baristas will serve coffee and the signature Grand Hotel biscuit.

Plans have also been revealed for incredible new 240-room hotel with huge swimming lake, golf and spa near to iconic racetrack.

Plus, a huge new Premier Inn will open near major airport and will be the largest of its kind in the north of UK.

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Richard was ill when he got home and was rushed to hospital, where he was placed into a coma

A dad-of-two says he nearly died after contracting a rare disease from a ‘dirty’ 4-star hotel while on a sunshine break in Turkey. Richard Moore, 55, began suffering from a fever and chest pains after returning from a five-day holiday with partner Julie, 50.

The chef became so ill he was rushed to hospital and placed in an induced coma and his wife and kids told he may not survive. Doctors confirmed he was suffering from potentially deadly Legionnaires’ disease and he needed five days of hospital treatment, antibiotics and an IV drip.

Richard, of Blyth, Northumberland, said: “This holiday was meant to be a short break before I started a new job as an executive chef. Instead, it cost me my dream job, my health and very nearly my life. As a result of the memory loss, I can’t recall much of my time in hospital, but when I was admitted, I remember the fear and not knowing what was wrong.

“I’m lucky to be alive but it’s so upsetting to think my family were told I might not live. I never realised Legionnaires’ disease was so serious and I want to tell my story to make other people aware of the symptoms and the dangers.

“I wouldn’t want to think that other people were going off on a holiday unaware of what they could be walking into. If there are issues with the hotel then that needs looking at urgently.

“I feel fortunate to have pulled through. However, I do worry that someone else might not be as lucky as I was.”

Richard and his family paid £2,000 to stay at the four-star hotel. After arriving at the hotel on August 18 last year, Richard said he thought the hotel was dirty, old and dated.

He also noticed that the room felt damp and had grim fusty smell. He said: “I can’t specifically pinpoint to one thing but the water temperature fluctuated a lot in the shower. The bathroom and hotel generally looked run down and the sofa in hotel room beneath the air con felt damp throughout the holiday which made me think it was leaking.”

Days after returning to the UK, Richard’s began suffering from flu-like symptoms. On August 30 he developed chest pains, shortness of breath and a fever and was admitted to hospital.

He spent a month in hospital and has been unable to start a new job as an executive chef that he was due to commence. Richard still continues to struggle with lethargy, weakness and mobility issues linked to Legionnaires’ disease.

He has now instructed travel illness lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of his Legionnaires’ disease. Jennifer Hodgson, representing Richard, said: “Richard’s first-hand account of his experience at the hotel and contracting his illness is deeply disturbing.

“Legionnaires’ disease is an incredibly serious condition, and it can take several days from coming into contact with Legionella bacteria before symptoms of the illness start to appear. As Richard has since discovered, the effects of the disease can be long-term.

“Nothing can make up for the impact the illness has had and continues to have on Richard, but we’re determined to provide him with the answers and specialist support he deserves. Public buildings, such as hotels and offices, can have complex water systems, so it’s vital that all precautions are taken to prevent the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease developing.

“As part of our work and to assist with our investigations, we would be keen to hear from anyone else who may also have been affected by illness.”

A consumer rights champion has explained the rules after one woman had to eat Greek food every day on her Greek holiday

A consumer rights expert has explained what you can do if your hotel on a foreign holiday refuses to serve you a full English breakfast, after a woman got £100 from TUI because she couldn’t get British food on her Greek break. Susan Edwards took a seven-night getaway to the Greek island of Corfu but was horrified to find there was no English food available – although she did get chips one night.

Susan, from Westerhope, described the holiday as “horrendous from the minute [they] got there.”

Susan said: “It was all-inclusive, £750 each we paid and there was no food we could eat and we couldn’t have anything to drink.”

Susan, who has ulcerative colitis, said: “On a morning you could have toast, a hard boiled egg, or something in sauce. There was no bacon. For breakfast there was mozzarella and sliced tomatoes. There was no hot bacon or sausage.

“We got chips one day. One day out of the whole lot. There was fish, sardines and rice – I was sick to death of looking at rice. There was pasta and salads, none of this was marked (labelled). One night there was a Greek night and they had kebabs, I couldn’t eat that. It’s the worst holiday I’ve ever been on.”

Susan was offered £100 in holiday vouchers from TUI but has turned down the offer.

Consumer rights expert Helen Dewdney, known as The Complaining Cow, said your package holiday rights are protected under the Package Holiday and Linked Travel Arrangements 2018.

She said: “A package holiday consists or two or more components, such as accommodation and flight or transfers, and must last longer than 24 hours or at the very least have an overnight element. The organiser (i.e. the travel company with which you booked) is liable for the failures of hoteliers, suppliers and services within the contract.”

Helen said: “The organiser must not provide misleading information. If the holiday does not match the description, you will be entitled to redress. The organiser must clearly state the details of the booking in a Standard Information Form, before you make any payment. The Form must include specifics of any arrangements: dates, times, costs, meals, excursions included/excluded, activities, transportation, cancellation fees, contact details for the package organiser, information on compulsory/voluntary insurance regarding repatriation in the event of illness/death/accident, and/or the cost of termination of the contract by the traveller.”

She added: “You are entitled to redress for the disappointment and distress caused by things going wrong. The amount will be dependent on what and for how much of the holiday.”

Helen said: “Make sure you take out travel insurance at the same time you book your holiday. You never know what might happen between now and then!”

She added: “Is it reasonable to claim for a lack of ‘English food’ on a continental holiday? Probably not. However, at least one TUI customer has succeeded in claiming limited compensation for this alleged breach, although she has got to buy another holiday to use it!”

A spokesperson for TUI UK and Ireland said: “Our priority is to ensure customers have the best possible holiday experience, so we are sorry to hear that Mrs Edwards felt dissatisfied with her holiday. We have been in touch directly with Mrs Edwards to come to a resolution.”

Aaron Turner, 34, was holidaying with his fiancee Shauna Wall, 32, and their four-year-old daughter Halle when he spotted the bizarre scenes at Hotel Sol Barbados

British holidaymakers have been dubbed ‘towel warriors’ as they rush to secure prime loungers by the pool at a Magaluf hotel the moment it opens.

Aaron Turner, 34, witnessed the comical spectacle while vacationing with his fiancée Shauna Wall, 32, and their four-year-old daughter Halle at Hotel Sol Barbados. In true British style, these eager tourists lined up beside the pool for as long as they could before the staff allowed access.

This family from County Meath, Ireland, reported that each day dawned with sun-seekers poised at one of the three entrances to the pool. Aaron, a full-time content creator and father of one, observed them congregating from 9am in anticipation of the 10am opening, despite the abundance of available sunbeds.

“The queues would get pretty long. Once the barriers opened, all the rules went – people were jumping the queue, and some were properly running,” he said.

Have you been swept up in the sunbed wars? Email [email protected]

READ MORE: ‘I went to an all-inclusive family resort solo and it was completely ridiculous’

Aaron highlighted the surplus of sunbeds yet pointed out that everyone was after the most coveted spots. Finding amusement in the situation, Aaron added: “I thought it was hilarious, I’ve seen videos of it online before but it was the first time I experienced it myself. We got a good laugh out of it.”

The sunbed wars are a long-standing, long-drawn-out battle that typically marks the start of the summer. When videos and tales emerge of the first 5am queue for a pool-side spot and mad dash across the tiles of the year, you know the weather is beginning to warm up.

Earlier this week we reported how a group of irate holidaymakers thwarted a cunning plan by fellow Brits to bag sunbeds seven hours before their hotel pool opened on a recent Spain holiday.

While having a late-night chinwag on their balcony, Mandy Boyd spotted some lads she thought were having a cheeky swim in the pool. But upon closer inspection, the 34-year-old realised the young men were trying to nab the best beds at 2am, despite the fact that the pool wasn’t due to open until 9am the next day.

The quartet of girls watched as the lads dragged out their sunloungers to try and secure prime spots. Mandy and her mates patiently waited on the balcony for the perfect moment to dash down and swipe the towels.

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The comical sunbed wars sabotage took place around 2am at the Aquasol Aparthotel, Palmanova, near Magaluf, Spain.

Joined by her mate, Sally Willows, the pair dashed down to the pool and swiftly grabbed the towels. “We’re just doing the Lord’s work,” Mandy from Bridgend, South Wales, said. “I can’t stand it when people reserve sunbeds and don’t use them all day.

“I find it really inconsiderate. It was shocking to see them reserving beds at 2am, especially when there was no chance of those lads being up to enjoy them. We kept the towels, but made sure we left them where they would find them.”

Off the lead at Gunwalloe, Cornwall

Recently, Cornwall Council lifted the season-long dog ban on many of the county’s beaches, restricting it to just July and August rather than the six months or so it had been previously. The council publishes a list of beaches, with all restrictions listed, that it’s important to check before heading out (there are still 11 beaches where dogs are banned between 10am and 6pm, and there are three protected wildlife areas where they are banned at all times). One of the best beaches, we think, is at Gunwalloe where visitors can stay at the National Trust holiday cottage right by the beach and the cafe has water bowls for dogs. Church Cove is restricted for dog owners in July and August but Dollar Cove next door is dog-friendly at all times. The coast path runs right along the beaches and takes you over to Poldhu or Porthleven, so there are plenty of options for walkies.
Layla Astley

Dog-friendly inn in the Lake District

The four-star hotel Inn on the Square (doubles from £100 B&B) in Keswick is very dog-friendly. It provides a dog spa – very useful after a lovely walk in the fells – dog beds, and tips on green spaces for dogs to do their business. Keswick is a beautiful town with fantastic pubs on gorgeous Derwentwater. The hotel charges a nightly supplement of £25 a dog. Up to two dogs can stay in your bedroom.
Dee

A castle fit for a canine in South Ayrshire

North Firbank Cottage (from £700 a week, sleeps four) in the Culzean Castle and Country Park Estate near Maybole is a delightful cottage with two sizeable secure gardens for your dog. It is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and is on a short private road that leads only to a couple of rentable cottages. A few minutes’ walk in one direction is the estate’s public car park, lake, cafe and children’s adventure park, while a few minutes’ in the other is the huge sandy Maidens beach (dogs welcome all year) with views of Arran and Ailsa Craig. Included in the price are miles of footpaths in the Culzean Estate and admission to the castle (but no dogs inside).
David Gilmore

Isle of Man’s best friend

The Isle of Man has miles of lead-free walking around the sandy beaches at the top of the island. There are 18 preserved national glens all suitable for off-lead walking – with clean rivers to splash in – and several have a lovely beach at the end. Dash around Gansey Bay beach (dogs welcome all year) in the south, then sit with your well-behaved dog in the bar of the Shore Hotel overlooking the bay.
Sue

Pamper your pooch in Norfolk

East Ruston Cottages in north-east Norfolk are totally devoted to dogs, providing everything you need for you and your dog. All cottages take at least three dogs. The cottage we stayed in earlier this year had a dog shower and toys, towels, treats and even a birthday card for our border collie. It was lovely for us as well. The company will even provide dog sitters if needed.
Margaret Dennis

Bracing beach walkies on Anglesey

Ynys Môn (Anglesey) is the sort of place where you wake to gulls not traffic. We booked a cottage above Red Wharf Bay then spent each tide-out morning striding sand to Traeth Lligwy, dogs off lead (there are no dog restrictions there) and noses full of salt. Lunch meant fish and chips outside the Ship Inn where water bowls appear before menus. For rainy days there is the dog-friendly cafe at the Oriel Môn museum and arts centre or woodland walks in Newborough Forest where red squirrels flit overhead. Every evening our spaniel snored beside the log burner while we planned tomorrow’s ideal beach.
Pamela

Pooch on the loose in Pembrokeshire

Explore ancient oak woodlands and secret beaches at The Little Retreat in Lawrenny (domes sleeping four from £120 a night), Pembrokeshire. Nestled in the walled garden of a 12th-century castle, these luxury domes are fully dog-friendly and overlook the Daugleddau estuary – perfect for wild swims and kayak adventures. Nearby, stroll to hidden coves or visit Carew Castle’s dog-welcoming (on the lead) grounds. It’s a wildly peaceful escape packed with history, beauty and charm.
Rosa

Set tails wagging in the Cotswolds

We really enjoyed a visit to the De Vere at Cotswolds Water Park with our dog. Our ground floor room had doors opening out on to a wide wetland panorama and a boardwalk to pootle along with the dog. The usual extras (beds etc) are provided, you can take your dog to breakfast and use the spa. Nearby towns such as Cirencester are fantastic for dogs, and the biggest hit of all was the Cotswold Wildlife Park nearby, a superb dog-friendly (dogs must be kept on a lead) animal park and gardens.
Jenni

Beach heaven at Ballymastocker, County Donegal

We spent our childhood summers at Rita’s chalets in Portsalon in County Donegal. The accommodation was basic and cheap. There was no heating, TV or shower but they allowed Sandy, our faithful dog, to stay every year. We still go back but the accommodation, now called the Pier Apartments (from €310 for two nights, two apartments, sleep 5 each) has been massively upgraded. But some things have stayed the same. The harbour is still full of kids jumping into the sea from the pier. The views are as spectacular as ever, and dog-friendly Ballymastocker beach is still the best in the world. And Sandy has been replaced by Benji.
Keiran

Winning tip: Mull – the isle of dogs

The Isle of Mull is the most dog-friendly island I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. George the labrador was welcomed with open arms on the ferry crossing from Oban – where they even had a special dog seating area with bowls of water and treats available. All the beaches are breathtaking, and dogs can roam off-lead to their hearts’ content. We even managed to take him on the tiny foot ferry over to The Boathouse restaurant on Ulva, where he made best friends with celebrity pooch Grampa, owned by the well-known interior designer Banjo Beale.
Hywel Sedgwick

According to Javier Sobrino, founder of Spanish travel platform Descubriendo Viajes, the right hotel room could make your holiday, while opting for the number door number could break it

Choosing the wrong hotel room number could set you up for a restless holiday.

You’ve been dreaming about your holiday for months. After a long day of travelling, you finally arrive at your hotel, ready to kick off your shoes and relax. But as you settle into your room, the peaceful atmosphere you hoped for is shattered by constant noise from the corridor, slamming doors, and the unmistakable rumble of the nearby elevator.

According to Javier Sobrino, founder of Spanish travel platform Descubriendo Viajes, this common hotel gripe can be avoided with one simple booking strategy.

“After spending over a decade travelling across Spain and staying in hundreds of hotels, I’ve learned that the room number on your booking can make or break your entire stay,” says Sobrino. “Never book a room ending in ‘01’. In most hotels, rooms ending in ‘01’ are typically located right next to elevators, stairwells, and service areas – essentially, the noisiest spots on the floor.”

READ MORE: British Airways bans cabin crew from taking certain photos on layovers

This room placement isn’t random. Hotels are typically designed with rooms ending in ‘01’ positioned near elevators and service areas for efficiency. While this layout makes sense for hotel operations, it creates a less-than-ideal experience for guests in these rooms.

“These rooms catch all the foot traffic from other guests coming and going at all hours. You’ll also hear the housekeeping staff starting their rounds early in the morning, with carts being rolled past your door first, and supplies being restocked in nearby service areas,” Sobrino went on.

The noise isn’t just limited to daytime hours. “Late-night revellers returning to their rooms, early risers heading out for breakfast, and the constant ping of elevator doors will become the soundtrack to your stay,” he added.

Hotels rarely highlight which rooms might be noisier than others when you’re making a booking online. After all, every room needs to be filled, including those next to high-traffic areas. This is why being an informed traveller matters. Knowing which room numbers typically indicate proximity to noisy areas can help you avoid a potentially frustrating stay.

While rooms ending in ‘01’ are the primary culprits, Sobrino notes there are other potential problem areas to be aware of:

“Rooms directly above or below hotel restaurants or bars can be noisy well into the night,” he warns. “The same goes for rooms facing busy streets or located near loading docks where deliveries arrive early in the morning.”

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For family travellers, Sobrino has additional advice: “Avoid rooms near stairwells if you’re travelling with young children. These areas tend to have heavy metal doors that slam loudly when people use them, potentially waking little ones during nap time or early bedtimes.

“You don’t need to make demands to get a better room – it’s all about smart requests. Call the hotel directly after booking online and be friendly. Mention any special occasion, even if it’s just that you’ve been looking forward to this break for months. A simple ‘I’d prefer a quiet room away from elevators’ works wonders. Front desk staff want you to enjoy your stay and will note your reservation. If you’re in their loyalty program, mention it – this often improves your room assignment priority.

“Hotels want happy guests who leave good reviews and return. Being polite but specific about your preferences means you’re helping them give you the experience you’re hoping for. In my decade of travelling across Spain, I’ve found that how you ask matters just as much as what you ask for.”

A flight attendant has shared an unusual hotel room safety tip that everyone should follow when they are on holiday – and all you need is a bottle of water to do it

Veteran flight attendant Esther Sturrus, who has graced the skies for many a year, shared a clever trick on her TikTok channel to keep safe in hotel rooms while away on holiday. During one of her latest video posts, she advised travellers to always come prepared with a water bottle, advising them to toss it beneath the bed as soon as they step into their room.

Esther claimed that by using this simple method to “check that no one is hiding under the bed, without having to look”, peace of mind could be easily attained upon arrival.

READ MORE: Teeth whitening solution ‘removes stains’ quickly in time for summer holidays

She explained that when you lob a bottle under the bed, it should “come out on the other side,”; failure of this indicates the potential presence of an unwanted stranger lurking beneath.

The safety-conscious cabin crew member pointed out that if no water bottle is at hand, guests can improvise with any standard issue hotel amenities, even including a fizzy drink from the minibar, reports the Express.

Ramping up their commitment to travelling security, Popalock’s security maestros have chimed in with their sage advice for ensuring one’s hotel habitat remains inviolate.

They said: “Once you are safely in your hotel room, it is time to do a security sweep of the space. There are a few things you should check, and a few extra precautions you might want to take.”

In their words, the opening move for holidaymakers upon room entry should be to investigate potential hideaways – all the while keeping the door ajar. These covert corners include “showers, closets, and behind curtains”.

The experts stressed: “Once you are certain that nobody else is in the room with you, close and lock the door.”

Secondly, hotel guests are urged to check all locks for proper function. “This includes the deadbolt on the hotel room door, the safe, and any lockable cabinets or drawers that you may want to use during your stay.”

Finally, it’s crucial to inspect all doors and windows. Security experts recommend: “Check any door that connects to another room and make sure that it is locked. Check all windows and make sure they are locked.

“If you want to keep a window open, see if there is any way for someone to get inside the room using that window. If your room has a balcony, can somebody get onto your balcony from the balcony of a neighbouring room?”

Flight attendant Nassim previously shared with Express.co.uk her own safety tip: she always places her suitcase by the door before going to bed as a clever alert in case someone tries to enter.

She further advised: “I would always check the bathroom, under the bed, inside the wardrobes, under the table and behind the curtains to make sure that no one was in there. I would never ever enter a room without doing that.”

The earthquake, which was centred on the Turkish resort town of Marmaris, has left one person dead and at least 69 injured

Holidaymakers have recounted terrifying moments as their hotels shook during a 5.8 magnitude earthquake that struck western Turkey and the neighbouring Greek islands in the early hours of Tuesday.

The quake, which was centred on the Turkish resort of Marmaris when it struck at 2.17am, has resulted in one fatality and at least 69 people injured. The tremor also spread across areas such as the Greek island of Rhodes, abruptly rousing many from their sleep.

Belfast dad Matthew McCormick, on a family getaway in Rhodes, was startled awake by an ominous rumbling sound.

“We got to bed and had just fallen over to sleep and the next thing there was just this loud, rumbling noise,” the 35 year old told the PA news agency. “And then the next minute, the whole hotel was just shaking.”

Completely taken aback, his immediate thoughts turned to protecting his young daughter: “It was very surreal, it woke me and my wife up and my first concern was for the four-year-old beside us. She woke up and she started to cry.

“She was terrified – I think for us at that point, it was just trying to make sure she was OK. I tried to have a look at the roof, and it didn’t look like there were any cracks or anything appearing in the roof. I figured that we were safe enough.”

Mr McCormick, who is returning to Belfast on Tuesday, initially feared a bombing, but soon realised they were experiencing a natural disaster.

“My gut feeling was either there’s been bombs landing somewhere or it’s an earthquake,” he said. “Given some of the current global politics there was a slight fear that something had kicked off here overnight.”

Despite the nocturnal disturbance, Mr McCormick observed no evidence of destruction and tranquil seas by Tuesday afternoon.

Turkish interior minister Ali Yerlikaya stated on X that a teenage girl was rushed to the hospital and died after what he described as an anxiety attack.

It remained unclear if she suffered from any pre-existing conditions. At least 69 people received medical attention for injuries caused by leaping out of windows or from balconies in a state of alarm, according to him, but no structural damage was reported.

Salem Swan, a 25-year-old Sunderland-based carer vacationing in Bodrum, Turkey, experienced her hotel sway with the quake as well.

“The earthquake wasn’t that strong where we are in Bodrum, we are about 164km from Marmaris where the earthquake hit,” she told PA. “There was some shaking around 2.15am for us, but it only lasted for maybe 30 seconds to a minute here so it was over quite quickly.

“None of the buildings here were affected as far as I know but we have had a leak in our accommodation bathroom which we are under the impression the earthquake potentially had caused.”

Turkey is perched atop significant fault lines, making earthquakes a common occurrence. In 2023, a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake claimed over 53,000 lives in Turkey, leaving hundreds of thousands of buildings in ruins across 11 southern and southeastern provinces.

An additional 6,000 individuals lost their lives in the northern regions of neighbouring Syria. Currently, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not issued any travel advisories against visiting western Turkey or the Greek islands.

A coalition of airlines, hotels and concession companies at Los Angeles International Airport filed paperwork Thursday to force a citywide vote on a new ordinance hiking the minimum wage of hotel and airport workers to $30 per hour by 2028.

The group, known as the L.A. Alliance for Tourism, Jobs and Progress, is hoping to persuade voters to repeal the ordinance. But first, the alliance would need to gather about 93,000 signatures within 30 days to qualify the measure for the ballot in an upcoming election.

Phil Singer, a spokesperson for the alliance, said the wage increase “threatens revenue Los Angeles urgently needs” — and its standing as the host of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Small businesses will be forced to shut down, workers will lose their jobs, and the economic fallout will stretch across the city,” Singer said in an email. “We’re fighting for all of it: the city’s future, the jobs that sustain our communities, and the millions of guests the tourism industry proudly serves year after year.”

The new ballot measure campaign comes just two days after Mayor Karen Bass signed the minimum wage legislation into law.

The wage ordinance has been hotly opposed by an array of L.A. business organizations, which argue that it increases wages in the tourism industry too much and too quickly. However, it was welcomed by unions representing hotel and airport employees, which have supported many of the politicians who backed the measure.

The alliance’s campaign committee has received major funding from Delta Airlines, United Airlines and the American Hotel & Lodging Assn., Singer said. The group’s petition, submitted to the city clerk’s office, was signed by five businesspeople, including Greg Plummer, operator of an LAX concession company; Mark Beccaria, a partner with the Hotel Angeleno on L.A.’s Westside; and Alec Mesropian, advocacy manager with the organization known as BizFed.

The alliance is targeting a law that’s slated to push the hourly minimum wage to $22.50 on July 1 for housekeepers, parking attendants and hotel restaurant workers, as well as LAX skycaps, baggage handlers and concession employees. The wage would jump to $25 in 2026 and $27.50 in 2027.

The wage increase was spearheaded by Unite Here Local 11, the hotel and restaurant worker union, and by Service Employees International Union United Service Workers West, which represents private-sector airport workers.

Kurt Petersen, co-president of Unite Here Local 11, called the business group’s proposal “shameful” and promised his union’s members would go “toe to toe out on the streets” with the alliance’s signature gatherers.

“The hotel industry’s greed is limitless,” Petersen said. “They would rather spend millions getting them to sign this petition than pay their workers enough to live in Los Angeles. It’s shameful, but we’re confident that Angelenos will see through their deceptions and stand with workers.”

Under the city’s laws, hotel and airport workers have minimum wages that are higher than those who are employed by other industries.

The hotel minimum wage, approved by the council in 2014, is currently $20.32 per hour. The minimum wage for private-sector employees at LAX is $25.23 per hour, which includes a $5.95 hourly healthcare payment.

For nearly everyone else in L.A., the hourly minimum wage is $17.28, 78 cents higher than the state’s. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.

Backers of the airport and hotel minimum wage hikes say they will help some of the region’s lowest paid workers cover the rising cost of rent and food, while also giving them more disposable income to spend locally, delivering a boost to the region’s economy.

Detractors say it will undermine efforts by L.A.’s tourism industry to recover from the decline in business that was sparked by the outbreak of COVID-19 five years ago. They contend the ordinance will lead to layoffs, while also chilling development of new hotels.

The ordinance also requires airport and hotel businesses to provide an hourly healthcare payment — on top of the minimum wage — that starts at $7.65 in July and is expected to go up each year. (Hotels will be exempted from that requirement until 2026.)

Once the healthcare requirement is included, some businesses will be required to pay their workers an additional 60% over a three-year period, opponents of the wage increase say.

“Vacation” and “sex” were once my two favorite words. Put them together and you’ve got the mecca of pleasure: a romp in Egyptian cotton sheets followed by a juicy room service cheeseburger. Can you say sex in Italian? I can — “sesso” — because my husband and I copulated our way across the country early in our relationship. On our honeymoon in Hawaii two decades ago, we barely left our room and nearly missed the luau. Every getaway back then offered foreplay with a view.

And then we had a kid.

Still, the lure of vacation sex beckons. And not just for me and my husband. According to a survey conducted for the book “Tell Me What You Want: The Science of Sexual Desire and How It Can Help You Improve Your Sex Life,” 90% of people fantasized about sex in a hotel.

“All couples put ‘vacation sex’ on a pedestal because we’re more relaxed and playful when we get out of our daily routines,” says sex therapist Emily Morse, author of “Smart Sex: How to Boost Your Sex IQ and Own Your Pleasure” and host of the podcast “Sex With Emily.” “But we shouldn’t lose that intimacy because we travel with kids.”

So when my husband and I decided to celebrate 20 years of marriage by returning to Maui with our mercurial teen daughter Tess in tow, we vowed to get it on at least once on our trip. We started with a rough strategy: booking a 640-square-foot room with two queen beds. If you’re in the mood to get frisky during your family vacation, here are some tips to consider.

Plan like a pro

If you want to engage in some intimate time, add it to your itinerary before you take off. “You have to schedule sex like you schedule snorkeling or any excursion,” says Morse. “If you wait around for it to happen, it won’t happen.”

Sophie Pierce, a mom to three daughters ages 8, 9 and 14, doesn’t take chances when she and her husband ex-Navy SEAL Neil Mahoney travel. They think — and act — ahead, so they’re not completely disappointed if it doesn’t happen during the trip. “We always have sex the night before we leave for a family vacation, just in case,” says Pierce, the founder of three dance studios in Los Angeles. “But that doesn’t mean we won’t try.”

My husband and I didn’t have a strategy before we left L.A., but I did sneak sensual incidentals like lacy lingerie and a discreet bottle of lubricant into my suitcase. “Pack a sex toy too,” advises Morse, who says we’re more likely to be open to experimentation away from home. We agreed not to bring any work responsibilities on our trip. We’re both screenwriters, so we’re constantly polishing a script or crafting a pitch. I figured that by eliminating the stress of meeting deadlines, we upped the chances of having sex.

Lean into the hotel’s kid activities

Hotels and resorts see you, exhausted parents. Properties are upping their game for young guests with more exciting programming and cooler kids clubs. At the Ojai Valley Inn’s “night camp,” for instance, you can sign the children up for a scavenger hunt followed by dinner, a movie and s’mores. (Surely, that buys you enough time for a romp.) La Quinta Resort & Club in the desert offers junior pickleball clinics, along with massages and facials for tweens and teens up to age 15. At Alisal Ranch in Solvang, kids can hang out at the bar and paint horseshoes or take a riding lesson. Got littler ones? Some clubs, like Kidtopia at the Omni La Costa in Carlsbad, cater to infants (6 months and older) with nurseries on-site. Many hotels also offer babysitting services.

Note that clubs typically cater to the toddler-through-12 set. But there are exceptions, like the teen club at Grand Velas in Los Cabos that programs TikTok challenges, dance-offs at a dedicated nightclub with a DJ and karaoke events. At the Grand Wailea where we stayed, however, teens like my daughter Tess just side-eyed each other in the lobby. There was a family lounge on the property with darts and virtual reality, but it wasn’t a magnet for adolescents during our stay.

“We’re not comfortable getting sitters we don’t know on vacation,” says Pierce, who, instead, might pretend to leave the sunscreen in the room and put her teen daughter in charge to duck away from the hotel pool for a quickie with her husband. Or put the younger girls in a shared tub, but take the bath towels and mat so they can’t interrupt mom and dad in the bedroom. (Clearly, Pierce’s kids are way into self-care.)

For middle school teacher Vanessa Orellana — mom to a daughter, 6, and 1-year-old twins — the windows of opportunity for adult time on vacation call for quiet. “Between hotel beds that squeak and the in-laws’ walls, we’ve identified two golden windows for potential action: nap time and post-bedtime,” she says. “But even then, success is a coin toss. Our 8-year-old could pop up like a ninja, asking for water.”

Be flexible

Life happens, even on vacation. Prepare to pivot to plan B. My husband and I sent our daughter on an errand one morning at the 40-acre Maui resort, but she came back to fetch her AirPods and interrupted our marathon kiss. We shrugged it off and then held hands by the pool. Morse advises: “With kids, you may have to redefine intimacy on your trip. It could be flirting or even just making out after they go to bed.”

Pierce and her husband know their sex will be quick, if it happens at all. One dad of a toddler told me he and his husband have a ritual in which they text erotic messages to each other when they’re on vacation — and then promptly delete them. Just be sure to manage your expectations and laugh at any aborted attempts at intimacy.

“We’ve got an unspoken agreement: no guilt, no grumbling. Just a ‘to be continued’ knowing glance,” says Orellana. “It’s about connection, trust and keeping the spark alive through the sheer chaos of life with little humans.”

In the end, my husband and I did not get lucky. On our final night in Maui, we hit nearby award-winning restaurant Ko, where kids eat for 50% off. Unfortunately, a huge dinner of fresh crudo, lobster tempura, octopus and kobe beef — along with multiple desserts — made us shudder at the idea of any activity. So we had failed at our grand plan. But was our vacation ruined? Not at all. Ultimately, my family bonded in a way that doesn’t come easy with a teen. We swam with turtles, thrift-shopped around upcountry and held hands (for three whole seconds) while watching a sunset.

And on our first night back at home, my husband and I finally had sex. No fancy sheets or room service, but I did shout, “Aloooha!”

Travel expert reveals five types of accommodation that should set off alarm bells for savvy travellers – and the list might surprise you

A travel expert has unearthed five kinds of lodgings that shrewd tourists should dodge. At the pinnacle of his list sits the notoriously overpriced airport hotel, trapping many who favour convenience without considering the toll on both their wallets and overall holiday joy.

Travellers looking for the perfect getaway may want to think twice before clicking “book now”, according to an expert who pointed out five red flags. Javier Sobrino, the mastermind behind Descubriendo Viajes – a bespoke Spanish travel platform – has spoken out, asking travellers to do their research before booking.

He waves a cautionary flag at deceivingly cheap all-inclusive resorts, particularly those plagued by dismal reviews. The expert also had some advice about booking airport hotel accommodation.

Javier said: “Unless you’ve got a flight departing before 8am, you’re wasting your final night in a sterile room when you could enjoy a meal with local flavour and charm.”

While some all-inclusive packages promise savings and some of course are well worth the ease in booking, some guests often report ‘let-downs’ such as dilute beverages, dodgy buffet sanitation, and an underwhelming vibe.

“Budget all-inclusives often serve mediocre food in buffets where items sit out for hours,” Sobrino cautions. Poorly rated all-inclusive packages are more likely to disappoint, according to reviewers.

Mr Sobrino suggests keeping a “vigilant” eye on food-related critiques and steering clear of resorts that have left holidaymakers less than unimpressed reports the Express.

Guests are advised to pay close attention to food-related reviews and avoid any resort where the majority of comments are lukewarm at best.

Should less than a quarter of feedback gleam with “excellent” badges, chances are high for an unsatisfactory stay.

Mr Sobrino also points out that seemingly inexpensive roadside hotels in remote locations can harbour unseen drawbacks that have the potential to derail an adventure, especially for travellers not well-acquainted with the territory.

Hotels situated along highways often fall short due to subpar soundproofing, limited dining options, and a general feeling of seclusion.

Sobrino recounted a personal experience where he booked a roadside hotel near Valencia that appeared decent in photos, only to discover it was adjacent to a noisy truck stop, resulting in sleepless nights and missed local experiences.

Although the prices may be enticing, the lack of convenience and ambiance makes these hotels a poor choice for most travellers. Being too far from city centres or attractions can easily turn a dream trip into a logistical nightmare.

Sobrino also warns against hotels undergoing renovations, as they often mislead guests by downplaying disruptions. “They’ll offer slight discounts while claiming renovations are ‘minimal’, but arrive to find half the amenities closed and construction noise starting at 7am,” he said.

The expert advises travellers to contact hotels directly before booking to inquire about any ongoing work and to be wary of vague or evasive answers.

Lastly, hotels offering extremely low prices in prime locations should be approached with caution, as they often conceal poor conditions behind slick marketing. “They either have hidden fees that double the price, terrible service, or rooms that haven’t been updated since the 1980s,” he warned.

According to Sobrino, “A truly great stay isn’t about luxury, it’s about honest value delivered with genuine hospitality.”

WE all function better after a decent night’s sleep, but sometimes life gets in the way and we simply can’t bank the hours of shut-eye we need to feel energised, upbeat and alert. 

Getting up at the crack of dawn for an early morning flight, long train journeys on uncomfortable seats, and staying in unfamiliar hotel beds can make it difficult to get the slumber we want. 

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We may even find it hard to squeeze in a daytime nap on the sofa or in the car when our bodies are crying out for some more rest. 

Joshua Piper, sleep clinician at Resmed UK, tells Sun Health: “Whether you’re on a plane, in a hotel or trying to sneak a power nap in the car, falling asleep away from home can be tricky.

“Thankfully, there are some sneaky little tips that can help you to sleep, no matter your location.”

In a hotel bed…

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YOU’VE splashed out for a trip overseas, staying in a nice hotel with a bed that’s far more luxurious than the one you have at home. 

Yet for some reason, your sleep couldn’t be worse. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. 

Research by the Sleep Foundation found that the majority of people get less sleep in hotels than at home. 

When asked where they slept best, a measly 13 per cent of people chose hotels compared with 65 per cent who chose their own bed. 

Plus, only 54 per cent of people questioned said they got seven hours of sleep a night in a hotel.

“Hotel rooms can throw sleep patterns off with bright lighting, unfamiliar beds, and that ‘not-quite-home’ vibe,” says Joshua.

“Even if the bed is great, your brain is subconsciously on alert. It’s called the ‘first night effect’.”

“One half of your brain stays more vigilant in a new setting as a survival mechanism, especially during deep sleep stages,” adds Jules Goldberg, an expert in sleep health and technology and founder of sleep tech brands, Sleepwave and Snorelab.

Jet lag can play a role, but your production of the sleepy hormone melatonin can take a hit regardless of timezone. 

Routine is key here, according to Joshua. 

“Keeping your bedtime routine the same, even on the road, is one of the simplest ways to ease into sleep,” he says.

“Brush your teeth, do your skincare routine, read your usual two pages of a book. Do whatever tells your brain ‘it’s time for bed’.”

Jules adds: “Keep the room cool and dark. Try setting the temperature to around 18C, which is ideal for sleeping. 

“And if the curtains don’t quite cut it, a sleep mask can help you block out the light.”

She also suggests bringing something familiar to the hotel. 

“Whether it’s your pillowcase or a small item from home, that sense of familiarity can help signal to your brain that it’s time to switch off,” she says. 

On a plane…

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A LONG journey means a long snooze, right? Well, it’s not quite so easy. 

Joshua says that sensory overload can make sleep very difficult. 

Think loud noises, people talking and unless you’ve splashed out for business class, you’ll likely be in an upright, uncomfortable seat too.

Where possible, select your seat in advance – and choose wisely. 

“A window seat away from foot traffic helps, and sitting over the engine can provide that steady white noise effect,” says Joshua. 

Aim to keep your sleep short too – around 20 minutes maximum. You want to feel refreshed, not groggy

Jules GoldbergSleep expert

The exact location of over-engine seats varies, but they’re typically in the middle, near the wings of the plane, or to the rear of the plane.

“Eye masks, neck pillows, warm socks and a blanket go a long way too,” says Joshua.

“And a proper travel pillow can stop your head from nodding and waking you up repeatedly,” adds Jules.

Wear loose clothing when you fly so that your movement isn’t restricted. 

And if you have time before a flight, try to squeeze in some exercise, such as a brisk walk, jog or gym session. 

Research published in the journal Advances in Preventive Medicine found that exercise improves sleep quality and duration.

In the car…

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MUCH like in a plane, if you have a long car journey ahead, you might be planning a little sleep, if the driver doesn’t mind you dozing off!

For a decent rest, recline your seat slightly.

“Being fully upright makes it harder for your body to enter proper rest,” says Jules. “Even 15 to 20 degrees helps.”

As for background noise, go for calm, instrumental music.

“Ambient playlists work best,” says Jules. “But if you prefer, choose a chatty radio station as this may help you to drift off.

“Aim to keep your sleep short too – around 20 minutes maximum. You want to feel refreshed, not groggy.”

Whatever you do, make sure you’re safe and stay belted if you’re in a moving vehicle.

On the sofa…

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BIG night ahead and want to bank some sleep so you can stay awake into the early hours?

“If you’re going for a tactical 3pm sofa snooze, aim for it to be around 20 minutes,” says Joshua. 

“This is typically enough to recharge without dipping into deep sleep. 

“Most of us take eight to 10 minutes to drift off, so set an alarm accordingly.”

While you can’t force sleep, you can create a peaceful, sleep-promoting environment. 

“Even if you don’t fall fully asleep, a period of restful stillness can recharge you enough to feel sharper and more energised,” Jules says.

“Dim the lights as bright light confuses your internal clock, and do a short breathing exercise or body scan to calm your system.”

We tested 10 sleep aids to see which ones really work

By Alice Fuller, Health Features Editor

FROM magnesium to meditation, there are hundreds of alleged tricks to help you get a good night’s sleep.

But which ones really work, and which ones are a waste of time and money? 

As a team, we put 10 of the most popular to the test.

Some had us nodding off within minutes of hitting the hay. Others, not so much. 

If you’re one of the 16million Brits with insomnia or other sleep troubles, here are some products and lifestyle tweaks you might want to try – and the ones you’re better off without…

• ASHWAGANDHA – 5/5
• LACTIUM AND LACTOFERRIN – 0/5
• BLACKOUT SLEEP MASK – 4/5
• INFRARED SAUNA – 3/5
• NO BOOZE – 3/5
• MEDITATION APPS – 3/5
• SLEEPY GIRL MOCKTAIL – 3/5
• DIGITAL DETOX – 2/5
• WARM FEET – 5/5
• SLEEP GOGGLES – 4/5

You can read our full verdict here.

In the journal Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, mindfulness activities like body scans were shown to help improve sleep quality and even reduce some sleep issues. 

A body scan involves focusing on a spot on your body, such as your right foot, and noticing how it feels or if there is any pain or tension. 

Then, you move on to another area until you’ve covered your entire body. 

By this point, you’re hopefully drifting off – or already asleep! 

On a boat…

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WHETHER it’s a cruise ship, ferry or commuter boat, trying to catch some Zzzs on the water isn’t always smooth sailing. 

“With long-term motion comes some detriment,” says Joshua.

“Motion sickness has been shown to have negative effects on sleep duration and quality. 

“This often creates a vicious cycle, as sleepiness increases the risk of motion-related illness.”

The best thing you can do is maintain a consistent sleep schedule, sticking to your wind-down activities like normal to prepare your body for sleep. 

For me, the bedroom is for sleep and, if the stars align, sex! That’s it. No TV, no laptop, no doom-scrolling. Otherwise, your brain won’t associate that space with winding down

Joshua PiperSleep clinician

Avoid using screens before hitting the hay as this can exacerbate the symptoms of motion sickness as your brain is receiving conflicting signals from your eyes and inner ear about movement. 

But, boat sleeping isn’t all bad. Joshua says that the gentle rocking can actually help support sleep. 

“Plus, quite often, being at sea means you are governed by natural light, which can have positive effects on sleep as you align more closely to your natural circadian rhythm, aka your body clock,” he adds. 

“We also tend to have reduced noise pollution and other environmental disturbances. 

“Just make sure everything is tied down!”

In your own bed…

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WE all want to get good sleep at home. 

While the NHS recommends we get seven to nine hours of sleep each night, half of Brits don’t get nearly enough, according to research by YouGov.

More than a third (34 per cent) struggled to drift off three or more times a week, and almost half (44 per cent) have called in sick to work because of extreme tiredness, research by Resmed shows. 

Making your bedroom a sleep sanctuary goes a long way in improving your shut-eye. 

“It’s about giving your brain the right signals,” Joshua says.

“For me, the bedroom is for sleep and, if the stars align, sex! That’s it. No TV, no laptop, no doom-scrolling. 

“Otherwise, your brain won’t associate that space with winding down.”

You also don’t need to spend thousands of pounds on blackout blinds or fancy gadgets.

“Start with small steps, like an eye mask, a bit of down time before bed, even dimming the lights,” he adds.

“Stick to the same wake-up time (on weekends too) and get some morning sunlight. 

“It’s the best natural reset for your body clock.”

The 8 sleep-destroying habits that are waking you up in the night

By Lucy Gornall, health writer

IT can be frustrating when you get into bed early, ready for a solid night’s rest, only to wake up several times. 

Bad sleep can leave you grouchy, unproductive and of course, very tired.

Young children, loud noises and a restless sleeping partner can all cause you to wake up in the night.

But if none of these are affecting you, then why are you still unable to sleep through, undisturbed? Experts say it could be one of eight things:

1. Your sleep posture is wrong
2. You’re not getting enough sunlight in the day
3. You have sleep apnoea
4. You’re having coffee in the afternoon
5. You’re stressed
6. You’re eating chocolate after dinner
7. You’re having wine with dinner
8. Your joints are aching

You can read the full article, which includes how to combat these issues and top feeling tired all the time, here.

THE luxury Four Seasons hotel franchise is taking on the high seas with a superyacht so glamorous you need an exclusive invitation just to board.

The superyacht cruise ship, dubbed the Four Seasons I, is being kitted out with “sea limousines“, luxury restaurants, a cigar room and even a four-story private penthouse suite.

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Due to debut in January 2026, the ‘sea hotel’ will go on more than 30 voyages in its inaugural year, from across the Bahamas, Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

Passengers can book stays between five, seven and 14 nights – for a pretty lofty price.

Seven nights along the rivieras of Cassis, France and Portofino, Italy, for example, will cost you north of $25,000 (£18,500).

While reservations for the first voyages opened in January 2024, they are on an invitation-only basis for loyal Four Seasons guests.

The exclusivity is “driven by the need to manage extraordinary demand”, according to the luxury hotel chain.

Earlier this week, Four Seasons Yachts announced it had secured more than €400million (£337million) to fund a second luxury vessel slated to debut in 2028.

“With financing secured for the creation of a second Four Seasons Yacht… we are thrilled to be expanding our fleet to include Four Seasons II,” Donald Mason, chief financial officer of Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD, the joint owner and operator of Four Seasons Yachts, said in a statement.

“This milestone reflects our continued growth and commitment to delivering Four Seasons legendary service at sea.”

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Four Seasons I, the franchise’s first sea hotel, is currently under construction at Italian shipyard Fincantieri – which will also be tasked with building the line’s second ship.

The vessel is expected to be fully built and seaworthy in November 2025.

While details about Four Seasons II have not yet been released, it is expected to be just as luxurious – if not more – than its predecessor.

The 190-passenger Four Seasons I is set to feature 14 decks and 95 residential-style cabins with ocean views.

The dazzling superyacht will offer nearly 50 per cent more living space per passenger than other cruise lines’ ships, according to the company, with the majority of cabins measuring over 800 square feet each.

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Four-story penthouse suite

But the jewel in this superyacht’s crown is the Funnel Suite – a four-story penthouse with three bedrooms, a private area dedicated to in-suite spa treatments, and a terrace with a splash pool.

The penthouse, which spans almost 10,000 square feet, is the largest suite on board.

It’s located across the ship’s highest decks – where a traditional “funnel” or smokestack would be on a steamship.

The private suite’s showstopping design feature is its wraparound, floor-to-ceiling windows that offer 280-degree views of the sea.

The curved glass is a “one-of-a-kind engineering innovation [that] is nothing short of remarkable, from its steel web frame support structure to its double glass thermal performance,” Four Seasons said in a statement.

The company also claims it is the largest piece of contiguous glass at sea – and cost an eyewatering $4.5million (£3.4million) to build and install.

Luxury dining

There will be 11 luxury restaurants and bars onboard, as well as a cigar room.

Passengers will be able to dine in the “Michelin-calibre” onboard restaurant – although only breakfast will be included in the pricing.

All other meals will come with a la carte fees – as well as alcohol, which should be fine for the average Four Seasons guest.

The Four Seasons tells guests they should budget for roughly an extra $250 (£185) per person, per day, to cover food and drinks.

And if the main on-deck pool – or the private one in the Funnel Suite – isn’t doing it for you, passengers can also swim in the ocean with private sailing, snorkeling, and windsurfing also being offered.

Passengers will be able to rent “custom crafted sea limousines designed for transfers and coastal grand touring,” according to Four Seasons.

There will be dedicated marina crew to tend to guests’ every need, and beach ladders for dips in the ocean when the ship is anchored.

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Thousands of hotel, bar and restaurant staff are planning industrial action in the Balearics. The UGT union says there will be a mass walkout on June 6 followed by several days of strike action in July, the height of the busy tourist season

Chaos is due to befall hotels Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca as workers prepare to strike.

The holiday islands could face significant disruption in June and July as thousands of hospitality workers plan further strike action. Unless a last-minute agreement is reached, a mass walk-out is planned for June 6, followed by several days of strikes in July, during the height of the tourist season.

The UGT workers’ union has warned strikes are nearing as no progress is being made regarding their demands for improved pay and conditions. The union warns the industrial actions will greatly affect holidaymakers and urges hotels to do everything possible to prevent it.

“If we don’t see the possibility of an agreement in principle, we will call a strike lasting several days,” declared the general secretary of its Services federation on the islands. The union has made it clear that their goal is to exert maximum impact on tourists.

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READ MORE: Brits heading to Spain should make four checks now after Airbnb crackdown

At the same time, overtourism protests are due to break out across major resort cities. They include plans to occupy beaches and super-glue apartment locks.

Protests are set to take place in Platja de Palma and Palmanova-Magaluf. The UGT, the largest union in the sector, is playing a key role in negotiating the Collective Agreement of the Balearic hotel industry.

A strike involving thousands of hotel workers, including restaurant and bar staff and cleaners, already took place on May 1. On June 6, the first of the new protests will occur outside the headquarters of the Mallorca hotel federation.

Demonstrations are scheduled for the end of June in Platja de Palma and Palmanova-Magaluf, with the peak planned for July, featuring several days of strikes over alternate weeks.

On June 6, a protest is planned for 10am at the UGT office in Palma. Following the update on negotiation progress, attendees will hold a midday rally outside the Mallorcan Hotel Federation building.

Another demonstration is set to take place at Platja de Palma at the end of next month, with a worker’s march culminating in a rally in front of the local hotel association headquarters. A similar protest will target the Palmanova-Magaluf area, highlighting the workers’ unrest in key tourist hubs around the Bay of Palma.

READ MORE: Balearic Islands ban influencers after cove is swamped by 4,000 touristsREAD MORE: Police intervene as protesters target tourists with new tactic in Spanish hotspot

The unions are fighting for adequate housing and addressing issues such as tourist overpopulation without life quality improvements for workers, increased job demands, salaries not matching living costs, and pay inequality for identical work.

The union wants wages to rise by 19 per cent across the three years to 2027, while the offer from employers flags at 8.5 percent.

In other recent protest news, the CEO of Jet2 Steve Heapy expressed fears that tourist levies could rise in response to overtourism protests in Spain, which have been rumbling on for years and are due to disrupt key destinations this summer. The CEO told a roundtable event at the Spanish embassy in London that he opposed tourist taxes, but feared rises would prove “irresistible”.

A SAVVY chocolate lover has revealed a hack to get a Hotel Chocolate gift reduced to just 95p, with shoppers claiming they’re “already on it”.

Joseph Stutter took to Facebook to share his bargain trick, which impressed many sweet treat fans.

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In the post, he shared a photo of a box of chocolates from the popular Hotel Chocolat brand, writing: “If you sign up to the Hotel Chocolat VIP scheme online, you get a £5 voucher near your birthday.

“There’s a £5.50 minimum spend, but the Everything Mini Selection is £5.95 — so these only cost me 95p.”

The Facebook post quickly racked up hundreds of likes and comments from shoppers keen to grab the discounted treat.

One user wrote: “Ooh lovely.”

“Thank you so much for this! It was my birthday last Monday, so this was handy,” commented another.

This savvy shopper added: “Sign up to Lindt as well, they send you a voucher for a box of chocolates on your birthday.”

“I’m already on it,” a fourth said.

It comes after chocolate fans scrambled to their major retailer after it dropped the price of Toblerone bags to just 50p – down from £4.

B&M is behind the deal, with the Toblerone Tiny Bags (280g) spotted on sale at a branch in Bordon, Hampshire.

One eagle-eyed shopper posted the bargain to the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group and said it was in B&M Bordon, Hampshire.

The post quickly caused a stir on social media, with shoppers eager to grab the deal.

One replied: “What a bargain!”

Another, tagging a sibling, wrote: “Dad would be wanting them.”

A third added: “Oh that’s good. My sister lives there lol.”

Remember to compare prices

It is important to always shop around as you might find a cheaper alternative.

Websites like Trolley and Price Spy let you compare thousands of products across different retailers to find the best price.

Price Spy even lets you see how much an item has cost over time, so you can see if the current price is a good deal.

A quick scan on the Google Shopping/Product tab will also bring up how much retailers are selling a certain item for too.

How to save money on chocolate

We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…

Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.

Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.

Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.

Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.

They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.

Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.

So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.