OUR new column gives you the lowdown on what to see and do in your favourite holiday hotspots. This week, we shine the spotlight on glitzy Dubai – although it doesn’t always have to break the bank. The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey said: “Despite what most might think, Dubai can actually be done…
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STRESSED about your half-term family getaway stretching your bank account? Well, many hotels offer free stays for kids.
Whether you are heading out of the country and need a hotel near an airport or are just heading on a staycation, hotels can be expensive when you add on the kids.
But there are a number of hotels all over the UK that offer free kids stays making it more affordable.
Some even offer free meals and other perks too…
Named AA Hotel of the Year, Down Hall nestled in the English countryside is just 45 minutes from central London and 15 minutes from Stansted Airport.
The hotel is an Italianate mansion with a history dating back to the 11th century.
Read more on travel inspo
Inside, there are 98 individually designed bedrooms, including ones with views of the garden.
There is also an on-site restaurant called The Garden Room, which uses ingredients from its own vegetable garden.
Visitors can head to the Eden Spa too, a 24-hour gym, tennis courts and 11 acres of woodland.
Kids stay free between February 14 and 22, based on two adults and two children under 12 years old sharing.
It is worth noting though that the spa facilities are not included.
From £212 per room.
Surrounded by gardens, Mallory Court Hotel is pretty to just look at.
Then, once inside, there are 42 individually styled bedrooms with a traditional country house feel.
There is a spa as well with a pool and gym.
For a bite to eat, you can head to The Warwick which is run by MasterChef winner Stu Deeley.
Over February half-term, children under the age of 10 can stay for free when sharing a room with an adult.
And included in the stay is bed and breakfast accommodation and designated family pool times.
To benefit from the offer, you must call to book.
Set in 19 acres of woodlands, the Langstone Cliff Hotel in Dawlish, Devon boasts spectacular views of the sea.
Nearby there are sandy beaches to explore, which can be reached via a short walk.
There’s lots to do at the hotel as well, including an indoor and an outdoor pool, and both indoor and outdoor play areas for children.
During the half-term break, kids under 10-years-old stay free when sharing with two adults.
Rooms start from around £123 per night.
If you fancy something a little more luxury, The Grove is a great option.
The five-star hotel is just 18 miles from London and used to be the home of the Earls of Clarendon.
In total, there are 214 rooms and suites, an 18-hole golf course, a spa and a number of restaurants.
Over half term, kids stay free when sharing with parents and get breakfast at The Glasshouse, two hours of free childcare for kids aged two to nine, use of the Sequoia Spa and use of Asher’s Woodland Trails.
The offer runs from February 13 to 22 and costs from £550 per room.
This back-to-nature retreat looks over the village of Broadway in the Cotswolds.
The hotel has 500 acres to explore, as well as a number of activities and well-being classes.
There are a range of rooms to choose from too, such as treehouses, suites and huts.
When it comes to having something to eat there are a couple of options on site, including a bar and lounge and Hook – a seafood-focused restaurant.
Kids stay for free between February 13 and 22 with rooms costing from £340 based on two adults and a child sharing.
Britannia Hotels has locations across the country and between February 13 and 22, kids under 14-years old stay for free when sharing a room with two adults.
Breakfast is included and so are kids meals.
Though if you stay on a Saturday night at Royal Court Hotel; Prince of Wales Hotel Southport; Britannia Airport Hotel Manchester; Norbreck; Castle Hotel Blackpool; Grand Hotel Scarborough; Grand Hotel Llandudno; Carrington House Hotel Bournemouth or Grand Hotel Blackpool – there will be a £10 supplement.
Otherwise, rooms cost from £59 per night.
Inside a 15th century building, The Swan at Lavenham is a cosy hotel with traditional oak beams and large fireplaces.
There are 46 rooms to choose from, with period features in each.
There is also a spa with an outdoor heated pool, steam room and sauna.
The hotel is dog-friendly too so your beloved furry friend doesn’t have to miss out.
Children stay free between February 15 and 21 and also get breakfast for free.
Rooms cost around £254 per night.
Watergate Bay Hotel in Cornwall is the ultimate surfers spot on Watergate Beach, which stretches over two miles long.
Just metres from the beach, guests can enjoy relaxing rooms with views of the sea.
Some even have roll-top baths, hanging chairs and seating around a large fire.
For kids, the hotel features a games room with a Lego station and there is a play area as well.
Kids stay for free when sharing an adult double room between February 13 and 21.
Rooms cost from £280 per night during the half-term.
The Alverton in Truro, Cornwall, is a Grade-II listed hotel with a cosy feel.
Inside, there are classic rooms and executive suites, as well as a bar, restaurant and terrace.
Over the February half-term, kids under 12-years-old stay for free and also get a Cornish breakfast each morning of their stay.
There are two room types in the offer to choose from.
Firstly, the classic room which costs from £110 based on one adult and one child sharing.
Or, secondly, the executive suites, costing from £203 based on two adults and two children sharing.
Holiday Inns are great for budget travel or if you are heading off on holiday but want to stay near the airport before your flight.
Perfect for half-term trips out of the country, kids under the age of 17-years-old stay for free during the school break when sharing a room with up to two adults.
Kids under 12-years-old also get free meals during their stay.
Prices vary depending on Location, but as an example you could stay at Holiday Inn London Bexley for £68 per night.
The four-star Belfry Hotel & Resort sits in 550 acres of countryside and is well-known for its world-class golf.
The hotel features over 300 rooms, as well as a Fire and Ice spa with a 12-room thermal journey, restaurants such as Ryder Grill and Sam’s Club House.
If you are heading on holiday from Birmingham Airport, the hotel is ideal to stay at the night before as it is less than 20 minutes away.
To get the offer, you will need to use the promo code ‘FAMILYPROMO’.
Rooms cost from £259 per night and include breakfast, buffet dinner, kids’ activities and access to the leisure club (but not spa).
With 86 luxury rooms, Carlyon Bay Hotel in Cornwall is a great spot for families as it has a large entertainment programme.
There’s magic shows and an appearance from Chloe the Clown…
For the adults, there is also a golf course and a large spa.
Kids under 15-years-old stay for free between February 14 and 22, with a room and breakfast costing from £85 per night.
Kids under 15-years-old also get to eat for free during their stay.
Included in your stay is access to the supervised Funzone, a complimentary round of golf and use of the spa and leisure facilities which features an indoor pool.
A room and breakfast costs from £85 per person per night (so from £170 per night for two adults and two children).
In other hotel news, here’s 12 of our favourite UK hotels to visit this year – from cosy farm retreats to £55 all-inclusives in London.
Plus, the affordable seaside hotel right by the train station.
WHEN it comes to family holidays parents want plenty of entertainment, splash parks and great food – and you’d expect all this to come at a cost.
However, not all hotels have to break the bank, and a woman who knows how to be savvy with holidays is Jenna Carr aka ‘Travel Mum’ who is constantly finding the best deals and shares how others can do the same.
Jenna has travelled all over the world with her young family finding super cheap deals and the best locations for kids along the way.
She’s documented all her top tips on The Travel Mum – and there will be even more in her book ‘Yes You Can Travel With Kids‘ which will be released on February 12, 2026.
Jenna has two children ages six and one, so there are a few necessities when it comes to book hotels from splash pools, kids’ clubs and of course, being affordable.
Talking to Sun Travel, Jenna revealed some of her top hotels – some of which still have spaces this half-term.
Jenna said: “The best all-inclusive, cheap, hotel I’ve been to was AluaSun Costa Park in Torremolinos.
“The Costa del Sol is always great for cheap hotels and this one was all-inclusive. We didn’t go during the school holidays, so it wasn’t busy either.
“It was a really easy pick because it was so close to the airport with a short transfer time, and a free shuttle that went down to the beach.
“There was a little splash park for the kids too and the food was good.”
The AluaSun Costa Park hotel sits on the Costa Del Sol, in Torremolinos.
It has a seasonal outdoor swimming pool surrounded by a sun terrace filled with loungers – and for kids, there’s a big splash park.
It’s within walking distance of two beaches; Playa de los Álamos and Playa de la Carihuela.
With HolidayGems you can still book a full-board five-night holiday for a family of four for £401.65pp.
Flights depart on February 17 returning on February 22, 2026.
If you don’t want all meals included, you can book a three-night stay at the AluaSun Costa Park from February 18 with loveholidays from £189pp (with breakfast included).
Hold off until Easter holidays and you can get an all-inclusive break at the AluaSun Costa Park from £305pp for a family of four.
Flights leave on March 31 from London Luton returning on April 4, 2025 – you can book this deal through On the Beach.
One of Jenna’s top all-inclusive stays was in Agadir where she paid just £600 for her family of three at the time.
She said: “Allegro Agadir was amazing, it was very cheap and cheerful and right on the beach.
“It was just the three of us at the time and we paid £600 for a five-night all-inclusive.
“That didn’t include flights though, we did it DIY.”
The hotel is a short walk from the beach where there are complimentary sunbeds for hotel guests.
There are also two outdoor pools including one for children along with a buffet restaurant and three bars.
On Booking.com a family of four can stay at the Allegra Agadir for three-nights at £601 with an all-inclusive deal (flights not included) from February 16, 2026.
This works out at just £50pppn.
If you book in advance now for October half-term a family of four can stay at the Allegra Agadir from £972 with an all-inclusive deal (flights not included) – which works out at £48pppn.
Or, a five-night all-inclusive package with loveholidays starts from £589pp with flights departing on October 26, 2026.
Another top pick when it comes to hotels for Jenna was the GF Victoria in Tenerife.
She told us: “It was fantastic and so good for families, especially the restaurant.
“There was a play area right next door with a glass wall. So when the kids start whining they’re finished and want to get up and go – you can finish your meal and let them play.
“There was a huge kids’ buffet with all the beige stuff they love. And there was a baby club along with a kids’ club.
“It was a holiday for us rather than a promotion, but I ended up promoting it anyway because it was such a great place – I had to tell everyone about it.”
Guests can enjoy the great weather in Tenerife at one of the four swimming pools, splash park and aqua park.
Inside is a baby club, mini club with a racing track, teen club with games like table football and air hockey.
There are also six bars and three restaurants across the resort all with children’s menus.
For more of the best best affordable holiday deals for families throughout the week, head to thetravelmum.com
Jen Carr, family travel expert and founder of The Travel Mum, shares the best affordable holiday deals for families throughout the week. https://thetravelmum.com
Jen’s new book ‘Yes You Can Travel With Kids’ is available launches February 12, 2026 and is available to preorder on Amazon.
For more on great family stays – check out the top-rated hotel named the best for families with colouring stations for kids and baby concierge.
And is this the best family hotel in Europe? The ‘insane’ resort has six floors of play zones, mini Land Rovers & a water park.
SUNSEEKERS heading to Hawaii must now shell out more money to cover a tourist tax hike.
Government officials have praised it as a new “green fee,” but opponents have slammed it as a “surf tax” which bumps up accommodation prices.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green signed legislation last May to generate an estimated nearly $100 million annually.
The “green fee” adds about $3 per night to your bill if you’re booking a $400-per-night hotel room, according to Aloha Hawaiian Vacations.
“Some are praising it as a much-needed environmental investment,” it added.
“Others feel like it’s just another added cost at a time when tourism still hasn’t fully bounced back post-pandemic.”
Forbes described it last month as a “first-of-its-kind visitor levy in the United States aimed at funding climate resilience and environmental conservation in the state.”
The levy raises rates on hotel room, vacation rentals and short-term rental stays.
The government also wanted to charge cruise line passengers, but the new charge is being challenged by industry officials in a lawsuit.
Money raised through the tax is to be invested in climate disaster resilience and environmental protection, according to the government.
“Visitors are willing to pay a climate impact fee in order to support Hawaiʻi’s environmental protection efforts and preserve the beauty and cultural heritage of the islands for future generations,” it explained last May.
But, some tourists have resisted what they’re calling a “surf tax” said the Robb Report.
There’s also been some negative comments on social media, where it’s been slammed as a “money making” venture, and a “disgusting cash grab” which will “make Hawaii even more unaffordable.”
“We have no emissions testing on cars in Hawaii, but now we’re suddenly concerned about pollution and are going to place a climate tax on tourists?” asked one resident.
“This is about greed and incompetence, not the environment.”
Hawaii does not require a mandatory tailpipe emissions test – also known as a “smog check,” for vehicle registration, said Engineer Fix.
“Unlike many states that quantify pollutants like hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, Hawaii does not perform this type of performance-based assessment.”
Hawaii’s new “Green Fee” raises taxes on hotels, vacation rentals and short-term rental stays
The measure is Act 96, signed by Governor Josh Green on May 27, 2025 and it is designed to funnel money into environmental projects in Hawaii.
Starting January 1, 2026, the tax on hotel stays and vacation rentals increased from 9.25% to 10%.
Cruise ship operators were also to be taxed for the first time on cabin fares, with an 11% charge.
But they are fighting the tax with a lawsuit.
Visitors have been charged the new levy since January 1, after it was signed into law last May.
The tax was prompted by recent natural disasters, including the 2023 Maui wildfires that killed more than 100 people and destroyed thousands of structures.
It raises the state’s transient accommodations tax (TAT) by 0.75% for a total of 11% placed upon the nightly lodging rate, said the governor last May.
Prior to its approval, officials had signaled hopes to slug tourists $40 to raise “$200 million in conservation workforce revenue.”
However Senate Bill 1396 instead increased the TAT rate by a more modest 0.75% – rather than a higher fee.
Supporters are thrilled that money raised will be spent on projects such as replenishing beach sand, coral reef rehabilitation, plus fire prevention projects.
“As an island chain, Hawaii cannot wait for the next disaster to hit before taking action,” said Gov. Green last June.
“We must build resiliency now, and the green fee will provide the necessary financing to ensure resources are available for our future.”
The cruise ship industry has managed to avoid the fee – for now.
An 11th-hour reprieve was granted by the federal appellate court, reported Civil Beat on January 1.
“Judges upheld the cruise industry’s request that its ships not have to pay the new fee while in port — or to pay any of the visitor taxes already charged to hotels and vacation rental owners — while the battle over their inclusion plays out in court.
“That means Hawaii will see a 10% decrease in expected revenue from the nation’s first green fee while the injunction is in effect.
“That reduction would become permanent if the industry’s main trade group, Cruise Lines International Association, prevails in court.”
I’VE been waiting ten years for this moment.
Ever since my first gondola ride — a short jaunt around The Venetian hotel in Las Vegas — I’ve wanted to experience the real thing, in Venice.
Now I am with a group of fellow journalists, so it’s not as romantic as it could be, but two Italians in stripy shirts and wide-brimmed hats are rowing me across the Floating City. Bucket list: tick.
Venice is a place you need to see at least once in your life.
From the breathtaking Piazza San Marco to the mesmerising mosaics of St Mark’s Basilica, astounding architecture of the Doge’s Palace and view from the 323ft high Campanile di San Marco bell tower, your phone’s battery will pay the price as you snap the spectacular sights.
From this Saturday to February 17 the historic Venice Carnival will burst on to the streets — this year’s theme is Olympus, The Origins Of The Game, in honour of the Winter Olympics being hosted in Milan and Cortina.
Expect masks and dressing up everywhere as locals and visitors embrace the festival, plus parades, performances and themed shows.
Festival aside, winter and spring are brilliant times to explore the city without the crowds.
A tour of the bacari, or wine bars, is a great way to delve into the alleys between the canals and waterways. Over three hours we stop at four wine bars for cicchetti — Italian tapas — washed down with local wines or spritz cocktails.
The latter feature Aperol, Campari or, in Venetian style, Select — a spirit made using juniper berries.
A Bellini in Harry’s bar, though almost £20, is a must — this was Ernest Hemingway’s favourite bar, where the cocktail was invented.
Then a 25-minute water-taxi ride across the lagoon and a 20-minute cab journey take us to our 5H resort, Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa on the Lido di Jesolo — a purpose-built seaside resort on Italy’s Adriatic coast, with nine-mile sandy beach and vibrant promenade.
I’m staying in one of 50 huge suites, which have one, two and three-bedroom options, with separate bathrooms, living and kitchen areas, TVs and sea-view balconies.
The smell from the ground-floor restaurant is oh, so Italian — pizza, pasta and risotto. With buffet breakfasts and Michelin-starred dinners at the poolside restaurant, luckily I can run along the promenade to work it off.
Or there’s a gym at the hotel, and yoga and fitness classes. But I’m on holiday to relax, so it’s off to the Acqua Pura spa, which has a panoramic sauna with privacy glass, meaning I can take in the sea view.
An hour-long massage inspired by Hawaiian rituals, which starts with meditation, is, and I don’t say this lightly, the best I’ve ever had.
There is a babysitting service, plus a play room, kids’ pool area and playground on the beach.
Bicycles are available at the hotel, and cycle lanes throughout the town lead us to Europe’s longest shopping street, the Via Bafile — all eight miles of it.
This is a wonderfully relaxing beachside break in a traditional Italian town — as well as a bucket-list trip to the city of romance.
What’s not to love?
GETTING / STAYING THERE: Four nights’ B&B in a superior room at the 5H Falkensteiner Resort & Spa in Jesolo is from £608pp, including flights to Venice in March and 23kg luggage. See britishairways.com.
MORE INFO: The Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa costs from £194 per night (based on two sharing). Book online at falkensteiner.com/en/hotel-spa-jesolo.
