hotels

IF you want to stay at some of the best hotels in the world – check out these five resorts.

All of these spots were recognised at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026 with spaces still available this year and affordable stays.

TUI BLUE Barut Andiz, Turkey

Starting strong, this hotel was voted as the Best Hotel – TUI UK & Ireland thanks to its high praise from guests noting its friendly staff and chilled atmosphere.

Inside the adults-only hotel, guests can dine at two à la carte restaurants – both are on the first-floor which has panoramic sea views.

Or check out the spa which comes with its own roof terrace with treatments on offer.

Side itself is a 20-minute walk along the promenade, which will get you there where you can explore its Roman ruins and restaurant-lined harbour.

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A seven-night all-inclusive stay in a Double Room with Balcony starts from £748.24pp – this includes return flights to London Southend.

Hotel Fariones, Lanzarote

The Hotel Fariones in Lanzarote came out on top for being TUI’s best hotel in the Spain and Portugal category.

It boasts two pools, three restaurants and direct access to the Playa Grande Beach.

Just a short walk away, you can discover Puerto Del Carmen’s Old Town where you will find a selection of restaurants and bars.

In the summer season there’s usually live music in the evenings.

A seven-night stay for two in a Double Room with Sea View and Balcony or Terrace with bed and breakfast starts from £1302pp with return flights to London Gatwick.

Lindos Blu Luxury Hotel & Suites, Greece

If you’re looking for a beach break in Greece, then check out Lindos Blu Luxury Hotel and Suites.

It was named the best hotel in the Cyprus and Greece category and comes with its own private beach, along with two restaurants.

There are also two outdoor freshwater pools, an indoor pool, a whirlpool and a spa.

The hotel sits on a cliff-top so be prepared for some breathtaking views across the bay.

A seven-night stay in a Double Room with Sea View and Balcony or Terrace with bed and breakfast starts from £1186.15pp – this includes return flights to Newcastle.

TUI MAGIC LIFE Sarigerme, Turkey

TUI Magic Life Sarigerme has been named the best family-friendly hotel – and it’s not surprising.

The hotel has five swimming pools, seven bars and four restaurants – all of which sit on the beachfront.

The hotel is just a 20-minute drive from Dalaman but also right by Sarigerme Beach, which is a large, sprawling beach loved by locals for kitesurfing.

There’s also a packed entertainment programme with parties and live music as well as dedicated areas for those over 16.

A seven-night all-inclusive stay for two people in a double room starts from £932.63pp – this includes return flights to London Gatwick.

Hotel Caravel, Italy

Nestled away in Torbole, Lake Garda, is Hotel Caravel, which was declared the Best Hotel Northern and Central Europe.

Rooms have mountain views and make sure to take a dip in the pool, surrounded by greenery.

The hotel team are cycling specialists so simply hire a bike and they will recommend the best lakeside routes or mountain biking trails.

Included in the stay is a Trentino Guest and Garda Guest card which allows for free public transport and discounts into local attractions and experiences.

A seven-night holiday for two people in a room with a balcony and bed and breakfast in September starts from £801pp – this includes return flights to Bristol.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

LONDON is one of the most expensive cities in the world for a holiday.

Whether that means spending six quid on a coffee, £10 for a pint or the bill you rack up constantly tapping in and out of transport – a visit to the city certainly isn’t cheap.

And when it comes to finding somewhere to stay not only can the choice be overwhelming, with around 3,000 hotels to choose from, but it can also be yet another huge expense.

In fact, the average three-star London hotel costs £161 per night and if you are wanting something a little better quality, one night in a four-star property can set you back around £249.

So finding somewhere to rest your head that doesn’t rinse your budget for food, drink and entertainment can feel almost impossible.

Lucky for you, we have tried and tested a tonne of hotels in the capital and here are the very best that are under £100 per night…

The Drey

Streamlined hotels are becoming increasingly common in cities, scraping all of the extra offerings in exchange for cheaper prices.

One of the newest – and most affordable – is The Drey in Earls Court.

Staff are on hand at the lobby but the tech-focused hotel lets you open your room via your phone rather than a physical card.

I stayed in the smallest room, The Snug, although there are also bunk-bed rooms, rooms for six people or windowless rooms for people who “take beauty sleep seriously”.

Complimentary toiletries, a coffee machine and compact bathrooms make it feel more like a four-star hotel.

For anything else you need, there is direct Whatsapp contact with hotel staff who can help out.

The on-site restaurant has been skipped, but they’ve teamed up with local cafe Elixis with a 10 per cent discount.

Rooms start from £84 (with 20 per cent off August stays right now). Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Moxy

Think grown up hostels but in hotel form and you get Moxy.

There’s pool tables in the lobby, welcome cocktails on arrival, and 24-hour bars.

The rooms feel airy and light but with nice touches – some have bunk beds, others have funky LED lighting.

But go downstairs and you’ll usually find great music, bars that feel more like clubs and enough of a vibe that you don’t need to leave, if you’re too exhausted from a day of sightseeing but still fancy a drink.

Gyms and on-site restaurants finish it off so they tick all the boxes even on a budget. It’s not just in the city either, as they even have airport hotels too.

Albeit, these are usually a bit more pared back when it comes to the interiors, but offer the same atmosphere of a jazzed-up budget hotel.

Rooms start from £55 a night. Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Yotel

Did you know there is a hotel whose designs were based on first class plane cabins?

Yotel is known for its famous white and purple decor, and being a great affordable option in the city not just in the UK, but also in the US, Amsterdam, Porto and even recently Japan.

Their city stays are ideal when you want a simple, but clean place to stay in a great location.

I’ve stayed in Yotel City which has fantastic views of London’s iconic landmarks like St Pauls and The Shard.

The rooms themselves are simple and functional but clean, with one of their famous features being the reclining bed, going from a space-saving sofa to a full bed.

Small cubby holes for all your gadgets and compact toilets and showers; they come with towels and toiletries.

Some have gyms and restaurants, as well as umbrellas you can rent and 24-hour grab-and-go stations.

Skip the room being made up and you can even get a discount at the bar. Rooms start from £85. Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

easyHotel

Not content with just having flights, easyHotel offers the same affordable offerings the airline is known for, but in hotel form.

Found all across Europe, most of the UK destinations are in major cities including London, Newcastle and Leeds.

Expect very basic rooms – large beds, towels and compact bathrooms with unfancy toiletries – but all you need if you need a hotel as a base.

The iconic orange branding is even dotted throughout the hotels.

You won’t find much else apart from a lobby and vending machine, so no gyms or bars here.

You’ll also have to pay extra if you want them to store your bags, but there is a 24/7 reception if you need help at any time of the day.

And for the central location – I’ve stayed in both the London City Shoreditch and London Victoria – the basic price isn’t one to be sniffed at.

Rooms from £41 a night (15 per cent off for three or more night stays). Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Zedwell

Would you be willing to sleep underground without any windows? If you want a mega cheap city stay simply as a base to rest, then Zedwell is your hotel.

The Zedwell Tottenham Court Road takes you four floors below ground, with all the rooms being windowless.

Even as someone who is claustrophobic, I was surprised with how I felt cosy rather than trapped.

The only sound was the slight rumbling of the London Underground trains going overheard which was weirdly soothing.

Being such a budget hotel, don’t expect much else at the hotel – there’s a lobby with a vending machine, as well as a ‘beauty and ironing room’ if you need some extra amenities to get ready.

But in your room there is an ensuite with towels and toiletries, so what more could you need?

The TVs have been skipped (all in the name of better sleep) but it has fully working WiFi despite its underground location.

Rooms from £66 a night. Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Bob W

Standing for ‘Best of Both Worlds’, Bob W has since expanded to London after success elsewhere in Europe.

Mixing all the benefits of both the perks of hotels and the freedom of Airbnb, this means mini kitchenettes and even laundry facilities at some of them.

The rooms are chic, feeling a lot fancier than the price suggests. Free Wifi, toiletries and towels, as well as complimentary luggage storage are all included in the price.

Forgotten something? Some even have complimentary lockers in reception for things like coffee pods and toilet roll if you run out.

But with no lobby or reception, everything is done via the Bob W app, and a Whatsapp chat if needed.

Due to their central location, you will easily find somewhere to eat and drink nearby if you need something, as there are no restaurants or bars within the hotel.

Or you can add on a breakfast package, usually teaming up with a local cafe.

Rooms from £70 a night (five per cent off with free Bob’s Inner Circle loyalty scheme). Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Premier Inn

You can never go wrong with a Premier Inn in my opinion, and I’ve stayed in my fair share of them. (To prove my credentials, I even have the Premier Inn pillows at home).

But I’ve stayed in them all over the country, especially when it comes to weddings and hen dos, as well as at airports before an early flight.

For £35 a night, you get a clean, simple room, usually with a fairly standard but satisfying menu of food and drink from the onsite restaurant.

One of the most beautiful I’ve stayed at is the newish hub Premier Inn London Farringdon (Old Bailey) which has turned an old Victorian police station (hub being the compact city-centre affordable sister brand).

If you want some peace and quiet, book a room on the quiet floors, while their upgraded Next Evolution rooms are also being rolled out.

And with kids staying and eating for free, it’s no wonder the budget hotel chain is so well-loved.

Want to go even smaller? Try the ZIP by Premier Inn – even more basic but £25 a night.

Rooms from £35 a night. Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

The Z Hotel

Z Hotels Gloucester Place is home to a room package that is all-inclusive, which means you get soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, snacks, lunch and dinner all included in the price.

The Z Club room is exclusive to the Gloucester Place hotel and inside each room you will find a king-size bed and ensuite.

While the rooms are nothing special, they are spacious and have everything you need.

And you can’t argue with the location – Marble Arch tube station is just a 10-minute walk away, and Baker Street is a five-minute walk away.

Guests can check in from 3pm, which is what I did and I beelined straight for the dining area where I helped myself to afternoon tea selection, which included ham and cheese croissants and a cake stand featuring macarons, brownies, flapjacks, and pots of tiramisu.

You can also order items from a menu, including salmon and sauerkraut ciabatta or a salad.

In the evening, cheese and wine appears – you just have to ask the host for a glass of wine, but you can have as many glasses as you like.

In the morning, breakfast then consists of toast, flatbreads with omelette and bacon, fresh fruit, Greek yogurt and pastries. A Z Club Room costs from £110 per night, which is just £55 per person, per night. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Zedwell Pods

Zedwell is one of the city’s newest hotels to open, right in the middle of Piccadilly Circus where you can normally expect hotels to have high prices.

Not Zedwell – the new hotel claims to be the world’s biggest capsule hotel, and with that, comes the small price of just £30 a night.

That definitely makes it the cheapest hotel room in the city (unless you want to bunk up in an 18-bed dorm).

Inside, decked out with a modern concrete and timber design, there are nearly 1,000 individual sleep capsules over five floors.

It’s a twist on the traditional ‘dorm style’ hostel set up as each guest gets privacy and security of being tucked up in your capsule, with the ability to lock it from the inside.

On first glance, the dorm rooms, which are minimalist and dimly-lit looked a bit like a car park or a storage locker with pods stacked on top of each other – but inside, I was surprised to find a cute little space, with mood lighting and welcoming interiors.

Each capsule is made from oak and comes with a single Hypnos mattress, Egyptian cotton bedding, individual mini aircon or heat, smart climate control, noise reduction, and ambient lighting.

There is also a plug socket inside, two USB plugs and a mirror – there isn’t much storage space though, so you’ll need to leave your suitcase outside your capsule.

There are clean common areas too, which felt more adult then teen-backpacker, which includes a lounge and co-working space.

The city is crying out for affordable places to stay and for £30? It can’t be beaten. Helen Wright, Travel Writer

A&O

There’s a little-known London hotel hack that can get you an entire “suite” for just £65 a night.

A&O London Docklands Riverside used to be a Hilton Doubletree Hotel, and some of the spacious rooms which used to be king junior suites are now being sold for the price of a double room under the new ownership.

You can bag a suite-sized room with a large double bed, sofa and lounge area, desk to work at plus even your own balcony overlooking the Thames from just £65 a night.

The hotel sits opposite fancy finance district Canary Wharf, and a stay here even bags you free unlimited travel on the ferry to cross over the river.

Visit Fairgame to go head to head at fairground-style shooting and sports games, and make sure to book in for dinner at the American-style BBQ restaurant Big Easy.

You won’t miss it, thanks to its giant neon lights illuminating the waterfront and blasting country music. Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

Ibis London Luton Airport

Sometimes, when you have a really early flight, it is just easier to stay at a hotel the night before.

If heading on holiday from London Luton Airport, make sure to stay at ibis London Luton Airport.

The three-star budget friendly hotel is just a 10-minute walk from the terminal and rooms are basic but well air conditioned, comfortable, sound proof and come with a TV, tea and coffee making facilities and your own bathroom.

Inside, there is a 24-hour bar and a cosy onsite restaurant too.

In the morning, you can help yourself to a breakfast buffet – though if your flight is super early like mine was, let reception know and they will make up a breakfast bag for you to collect when you check out.

Rooms cost from as little as £56 per night. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Holiday Inn Express London – ExCeL

I love Holiday Inn hotels. Which might seem excessive, given they are a chain of budget hotels, but I’m always astonished at the ease of check-in, the quality of the rooms and how good the food and drink options are.

One of my favourite pre-holiday treats is to check in to one of their airport properties before a super early morning flight, to avoid the pain of leaving my house at 3am on the morning I fly.

Holiday Inn London Gatwick is an absolute giant of a hotel with 216 rooms, but it’s always super quiet in the rooms and it has a two-minute walk to the check-in desks.

But my favourite so far is the Holiday Inn Express London– Excel, which is right next to the Excel Centre in the Docklands and a short taxi ride from London City Airport.

With recently refurbished rooms from £87 a night, which includes a free hot breakfast, the beds are super comfy and very clean and the bathroom is always spotless.

Much like Gatwick, the rooms are really quiet – essential when you are under a flight path and guests are arriving and leaving at all times of the the night.

But my favourite part was the restaurant though, which was stylish with a wide range of options for adults that included curries, burgers, pizzas and ribs from £15.50 for a main.

Kids can have a two-course menu from £5.99, which choices like pizza, spaghetti bolognese and fish and chips. Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel, Digital

Otherwander

Otherwander recently opened in the heart of Soho, approximately 30 seconds away from Oxford Street’s Elizabeth Line entrance so the location couldn’t be better for exploring the capital.

Unlike a normal hotel, Otherwander is a pod hotel which means you get a capsule-like room, with just a bed – no windows, no bathroom.

When you book, you can opt between an upper or lower pod; I opted for an upper pod, which feels more like climbing into a UFO.

I was surprised to find my upper double pod didn’t feel boxy or claustrophobic, despite being only the width of a standard double bed.

You’ll get USB and USB-C charging points, your own air con, a night light, reading light and even a colour-changing light.

You’ll also find a shelf, complete with a strap to secure your backpack or cabin-sized suitcase and three hooks for coats, jackets or towels.

The pod self locks and if you feel a little claustrophobic in the night then there is a little window with a shutter that you can leave open.

You can also choose between a double for £80 per night (£40 per person, per night) or a single for £70 per night. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, one of the most affordable hotels has been revealed by an expert, having stayed at the park a staggering 36 times

A devoted Disney World Resort enthusiast has named the best budget-friendly hotel to book when visiting the beloved park, after staying there a whopping 36 times.

Hotels can be one of the most expensive parts of a holiday, even more so when it’s a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. As one of the most popular family attractions, attracting a staggering 76.7 million visitors last year, holidaymakers can pay up to an eye-watering £4,000 per person on a trip to ‘The Most Magical Place on Earth’.

For a family of four, that could amount to £10,000 for a 10-night stay at the bucket-list destination, and for many, it’s worth it. Yet there are plenty of ways to keep those costs in check, including booking a budget-friendly hotel, without sacrificing on the experience.

Mark Patterson, who has been to Florida’s Disney World Resort a remarkable 48 times over the past six years and stayed at 36 different hotels during the trips, said there’s one particular area that offers an affordable option. “The Flamingo Crossings area is my favourite, it’s newer, and the hotels are all new, and they all have free breakfast. They offer good, reasonable prices there.”

While it’s a budget-friendly option, he did point out that, due to its location, visitors will need to drive, get a lift, or hop on a shuttle bus to reach the park each day. Nevertheless, with free breakfast thrown in, it could well be worth travelling a little further to keep the costs down.

During his own trips, Matt, who is based in Southern California, targets an average hotel price of around $100 (£74.71) to $200 (£149.42) per night to keep things affordable, while keeping a close eye out for any hidden fees. Another area he recommends is Disney Springs.

He explained: “The Disney Springs area has a range of hotels, right there within walking distance to the shopping area, and it’s where pretty much everybody goes to eat at night. It gets very busy and popular, so being able to walk to that is very handy.

“However, the bad thing about that, or something you have to trade off, is that only one of the hotels offers a free breakfast; all the others you have to pay for. So I might get a hotel for around $100 (£74.71) per night, but will then have to pay for breakfast, which is $28 (£20.92), along with paying for parking, which can be around $25 (£18.68) and a resort fee of around $40 (£29.88).

“So it can literally double the price of what I thought I was going to pay. Disney Springs area is great, but you’ve got those little hidden fees.”

In a bid to help holidaymakers save even more on their trip to Disney, Matt also recommends booking a hotel that has a kitchenette. “All the restaurants at Disney are expensive, so the hotels I like have a kitchenette with a stove and a full-size fridge, so you can buy food and cook it,” he shared.

“You can then take it into the park with you, and that can save a lot of money. Even if you just take two meals in for the family, that can save you easily $100 (£74.71) to $200 (£149.42) per day.”

Mark documents his numerous visits to Walt Disney World Resort on his website, DDadBudget, offering useful tips to fellow fans.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

BEFORE I had kids, my holiday checklist was blissfully simple: how far is the pool, is it near a beach and, more importantly, how far will I have to carry four pints back from the bar?

Now I’m a dad to two kids under two, the goalposts have been shifted completely.

My checklist now demands shallow splash pools, food they’ll actually eat instead of throwing it on the floor, separate bedrooms so my wife and I don’t have to sit in the dark from 7.30pm, and enough safe green space for them to burn off every ounce of relentless energy.

And a toddler-friendly holiday starts long before you reach reception – a brilliant kids’ pool means nothing if you’ve suffered a four-hour flight delay followed by two hours trapped on a sweaty transfer coach, or if you land only to realise the nearest shop selling nappies is three towns away.

That’s why all six of these properties hit my strict travel criteria: easy UK flight links, short airport transfers and pushchair-friendly resorts packed with local supermarkets and bakeries.

Having personally stayed at all six with my own young family, these are the ones that actually deliver for babies, toddlers, and weary parents.

6. Zafiro Ca’n Picafort, Majorca

This was one of the single easiest stays I’ve managed with a toddler because it hits two absolute non-negotiables: elite pool options and hassle-free dining.

There are multiple swimming zones, including two brilliant splash pools that kept my toddler entertained for hours without us having to camp out in one noisy, crowded area all day.

The food options here are a massive win for parents too.

While the barbecue station serves up proper, high-end grilled meats for adults, the main buffet includes all the essential toddler safety nets including plain pasta and chips (when your child has rejected every new food offered to them, a familiar bowl of penne is worth more than a Michelin star).

The real insider perk here though is the low-rise apartment layout, thanks to the separate living room and a private ground-floor garden terrace.

This means you can put the kids down for bed, step outside with a glass of wine, and ACTUALLY enjoy your evening without whispering in the dark.

Ca’n Picafort itself is flat, exceptionally pushchair-friendly, and sits just a manageable 50-minute drive from Palma Airport.

I spotted a five-night, self-catering stay here from £233pp, flying direct from Bristol on September 30.

5. H10 Suites Lanzarote Gardens, Lanzarote

Travelling with a baby often feels like managing the logistics of a small company, but H10 Suites Lanzarote Gardens completely removes the heavy lifting.

You can pre-book potties, baby baths, and stair gates straight to your room, meaning half your bulky nursery gear stays at home.

The absolute highlight for us was the hotel’s specialised baby club which lets parents stay with their toddlers.

This is a game-changer for toddlers who want access to brand-new toys and soft play, but aren’t quite old enough to be dropped off with strangers.

The pools feature gentle, splashy slides rather than terrifying drops designed for teenagers, and the location in Costa Teguise is ideal.

It’s completely flat and surrounded by supermercados for emergency nappy runs.

Not only that, but it sits just a painless 20-minute transfer from Arrecife Airport – meaning you go from baggage reclaim to the poolside before a meltdown hits.

You can lock in a five-night holiday here with breakfast included from £333pp, flying direct from London Stansted on September 30.

4. Atlantica Mikri Poli Rhodes, Rhodes

Some massive family resorts look incredible in brochures but feel like an overcrowded theme park the second you walk through reception.

The Atlantica Mikri Poli in Kolymbia completely avoids that trap by being across five distinct swimming spots.

This includes a dedicated toddler splash park and a quiet, adult-friendly pool.

Because the resort footprint is so spread out, we could easily move between the lively waterpark sections and the quiet, shaded gardens depending on where we were in the daily nap cycle.

The top-tier insider trick at this hotel is the location of the main playground – it sits directly adjacent to the outdoor evening entertainment stage, surrounded by shaded seating.

You can sit back with a drink from the all inclusive bar while keeping direct line-of-sight on your toddlers as they burn off their final energy reserves before bed.

Transfer-wise, it’s a smooth 25-minute drive from Rhodes Airport, entirely cutting out long coach tours across the island.

I found a five-night all inclusive package from £443pp, flying direct from London Luton on September 29.

3. Iberostar Selection Albufera Park, Majorca

If you want a property that makes younger children feel like the entire resort was designed specifically for them, Iberostar Selection Albufera Park is it.

Even on arrival, you will spot the soft play slide directly inside the reception lobby – a small detail that perfectly sums up the hotel’s family-first ethos.

The children’s buffet section is built at eye-level for toddlers, allowing them to actually see and choose their own food.

There’s even a dedicated fresh fruit market counter to keep things healthy.

The ultimate parent perk here is direct access to Playa de Muro beach.

The sand is powder-soft and the walk into the sea slopes so gently that the water stays ankle-deep for yards out, making it infinitely safer for paddling with a one-year-old than steep, pebbly coastlines.

The transfer from Palma takes around 50 minutes along direct main roads, dropping you straight into one of the island’s calmest family pockets.

I clocked a five-night all inclusive stay here from £563pp, flying direct from Bristol on September 30.

2. Mediterranean Palace Hotel, Tenerife

The Mediterranean Palace earns its spot on my shortlist purely for its world-class facilities.

Its supervised kids’ club includes a massive soft-play arena, cinema room, and dedicated baby-changing bays.

Not only that, but the outdoor splash park gives toddlers a safe way to cool off without needing to tread water in a deep pool.

This property is my absolute go-to recommendation for winter sun – the hotel sits right on the border of Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos, giving you direct access to miles of flat, paved seafront promenade.

My best insight for parents here is the tactical “nap walk” route.

You can wheel the pushchair straight out of the hotel gates onto a wide, traffic-free coastal path lined with cafes, pushing the buggy over smooth paving until they fall asleep, while you grab a coffee in the sun.

Best of all, Tenerife South Airport is barely a 15-minute taxi ride away.

You can book a five-night stay with breakfast included from £588pp, flying direct from Liverpool on February 1 next year.

1. Sea Club Mediterranean Resort, Majorca

If you want the freedom of a self-catering apartment combined with full resort facilities, the Sea Club is a massive win.

Instead of one sterile, towering hotel block, the accommodation is arranged in low-rise, Mediterranean-style villas spread across extensive, tree-lined gardens.

The stand-out feature for parents here though is the layout of the one-bedroom apartments.

The separate living area is properly partitioned from the main bedroom.

This means once the kids are asleep at 7:30pm, parents can make the most of the full lounge and private balcony WITH the lights on (no more hiding in the bathroom with a book).

Port d’Alcudia is exceptionally flat, packed with pharmacies and supermarkets, and features a huge, sheltered bay with crystal-clear, shallow water.

Sitting a comfortable 45-minute transfer from Palma Airport, it delivers a high-spec family break for an absolute bargain price.

I spotted a five-night self-catering stay from just £208pp, flying direct from Birmingham on September 27.

FANCY a last minute escape to somewhere hot and sunny?

Thankfully, you could be cocktail in-hand and toes in the sand sooner than you’d think, as there’s loads of absolute bargains on Loveholidays.

We’ve found some seriously affordable week-long breaks to glamorous resorts in Spain, Turkey, the Canary Islands and Morocco for as little as £129pp.

Here’s a roundup of the top last minute deals we found. All the deals below are for seven night stays, and include your return flights.

Costa Brava

With a speedy two hour flight and the sunshine sitting in the mid 20’s well into the autumn, Costa Brava is the perfect no-fuss pick for a sunny holiday.

Visit the resort of Tossa de Mar to see a medieval castle overlooking turquoise waters, or stay in Santa Susanna for easy access to Water World and Levante Beach.

Read more on Loveholidays

BAG A BARGAIN

Loveholidays last minute deals – with week-long breaks from £149pp

NOVEL IDEA

Loveholidays’ new ‘novel coat’ that fits 48 books as Brits admit they overpack

We found a week-long stay at Odissea Park hotel for only £229pp – this four-star stay has a sleek design, is perfect for families and is just steps from the sea.

Or click here to browse all last minute holidays to Costa Brava.

Bag a seven night stay at Odissea Park for £229pp in October

Dalaman, Turkey

For a great value stay on Turkey‘s gorgeous Turquoise Coast, book yourself a holiday to Dalaman.

We found a bargain break in Olu Deniz, a beach resort that is famous for its glowing blue lagoon and sports like paragliding.

The deal includes your flights plus a five star stay at Green Forest Holiday Village, a relaxing resort with sea and mountain views with its own spa.

Or click here to browse all last minute holidays to Dalaman.

Book a seven night stay at Green Forest Holiday Village from £369pp in September

Gran Canaria

For reliable year-round sunshine and a coastline lined with affordable resorts and friendly tapas bars, go for Gran Canaria.

Gran Canaria has some incredible landscapes, too, from the rolling sand dunes of Maspalomas to the volcanic rocks of Roque Nublo.

The popular resort of Puerto Rico is packed with water sports, vibrant nightlife and even dolphin-watching by the shore.

We found a deal for a stay at the stunning Servatur Terrazamar Suite & Sunsuite, where their sprawling outdoor pool is framed by dramatic mountains.

Bag a seven night stay at Servatur Terrazamar Suite & Sunsuite from £369pp in September

The Algarve, Portugal

The amazing Algarve is home to endless golden sand beaches, stunning sea caves and plenty of family-friendly attractions.

Albufeira offers the ideal sun-soaked getaway, with a colourful, cobblestone Old Town, affordable boat trips and amazing local seafood.

We found a steal of a stay at the four star Rocamar Exclusive Hotel and Spa in October.

This adults-only hotel sits in Albufeira’s charming Old Town, and has a rooftop infinity pool facing out to sea.

Book a seven night stay at Rocamar Exclusive Hotel and Spa from £429pp

Or click here to browse all last minute holidays to The Algarve.

Marrakech

You only need to hop on a three and a half hour flight to soon be enjoying 30°C September sunshine in Marrakech.

Spend your days shopping in the labyrinthine of souks, wandering through lush gardens or sipping sweet mint tea on a rooftop terrace.

By night, the legendary Jemaa el-Fnaa Square is the place to be, filled with street performers, musicians, and the mouth-watering smell of street food.

We found a deal for a week-long stay in a comfortable Moroccan apartment for an incredible £129pp, which includes return flights.

Book a seven night stay at Locanda Residence Marrakech from £129pp in September

Plus Loveholidays have a Best Price Promise, which means that if you find the same holiday elsewhere for over £10 less than their price, they’ll refund you the difference – and pay you an extra fiver per person.

To browse more last minute holiday deals to places like France, Italy, Greece, Egypt and more, click below.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

A THEME park that has been left abandoned for a decade is set to reopen as a new attraction.

Pleasure Island Park in Cleethorpes closed back in 2016 but is now set to become a “Center Parcs-by-the-sea” style destination.

The £70million park is set to have 272 holiday lodges, as well as hotels, restaurants and shops.

There would also be a Lidl superstore at the site.

Spanning across 60 acres, just a short walk from Cleethorpes Beach, plans include two hotels including one with 148 rooms and a casino, a drive-thru coffee shop as well as a cycle-hire destination.

The abandoned theme park currently has a lake in the middle, which would be turned into an angler’s hub.

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Councillors previously said that the plans were “an effective use of the land” and would “contribute to the local economy and the vitality of the resort”, reports Grimsby Live.

In the latest update, councillors will decide on the plans “ideally as soon as possible”, according to a councillor.

However, only a few checks have been completed.

Planning was submitted back in 2023 but the process has been delayed due to environmental assessments needing to be carried out as well as legal challenges.

Little else is currently known in regards to the holiday park, such as when it would open if given the go-ahead.

The theme park opened back in 1993 and featured six themed areas including Africa, Kiddies Kingdom, Morocco, Old England, Spain and White Knuckle Valley.

Attractions included rollercoasters, a carousel and dodgems.

A lot of the rides were sold off in 2018, but most of the buildings remain abandoned on the site now.

In the surrounding area, visitors can head to Cleethorpes Beach which features a long stretch of golden sand as well as the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway.

In the mountains …

A remote refuge in northern Italy

It’s not easy to get to Rifugio Val di Togno, at 1,317 meters (4,320ft). The dirt road from the nearest town winds for 4 miles through 27 hairpins and is best done in a four-wheel drive, or it’s a solid two-hour hike from the tiny hamlet of Carnale. But as managers Luna Lybeer and Wout Allegaert say: “We offer guests nothing so they can get away from everything.” Although you can hardly describe this beautifully renovated mountain hideout as “nothing”. Every room looks down the valley, whether through a porthole-like round window or huge floor-to-ceiling sliding doors. Breakfast, lunch (or a picnic to take on a hike), afternoon snack, aperitivo and a two-course dinner are included too – delicious vegetarian meals made using produce from the couple’s garden, or foraged nearby, along with homemade kombucha, sourdough and gnocchi.
Doubles from £298 all-inclusive (three-night minimum), rifugiovalditogno.com

An Austrian train station turned B&B

Built in 1910, the old station at Lermoos in Austria’s Tirol had stood empty for years before Johann Ehmann and his wife Cleo Weber bought it in 2019. “We were fascinated by it and contacted Austrian Railways regularly for more than five years asking if it was for sale,” says Ehmann. Now the couple have converted the classic Alpine building at the foot of Zugspitze (Germany’s highest peak) into Lermooser, a design B&B. The eight rooms range from a cosy bunk bed “cabin” to the “team XL” with three single beds and a double in a row. There’s a communal kitchen and a kiosk downstairs for coffee, pastries and homemade soups. The train still stops right outside, and hikes up to the Tuftl Alm viewpoint, and to Seebensee and Drachensee, start right from the door.
Doubles from £106 B&B, lermooser.com

A historic wilderness hotel in Norway

In summer, the sun doesn’t set until 11pm at Røisheim, which sits on the fringes of Jotunheimen national park in southern Norway. That means all the more time to go on blue ice glacier walks and swim in mountain lakes, cycle over the Sognefjellet pass or tackle Galdhøpiggen, Norway’s tallest mountain at 2,469 metres (8,100ft). The first recorded ascent of Galdhøpiggen in 1850 started from Røisheim and the trail still leads from the courtyard of the hotel, although most hikers now choose quicker routes starting from nearby Spiterstulen. Røisheim, a time capsule of a turf-roofed hotel, has been welcoming mountain-lovers since 1858 and many of the rooms are faithfully preserved with timber-clad walls, carved wooden beds and barrel-like tubs.
Doubles from £243 B&B, roisheim.no

Alpine apartments in Bavaria

“We didn’t choose Mittenwald because we wanted to open a hotel, we chose it because we wanted to live somewhere that summer still feels like summer,” says Anne-Sophie Trinkgeld, who recently opened Karls Mittenwald in this pretty small town near the Austrian border with her husband Dario. Mittenwald came out top in their search for the best combination of climate, outdoor activities and accessibility in the Alps – it’s surrounded by mountains but just 40 minutes from Innsbruck. The couple turned the former bakery into 11 thoughtfully designed one- and two-bedroom apartments with a cafe downstairs serving breakfast spreads and homemade cakes. Just the fuel for days spent swimming in the clear waters of Lautersee, cycling to the source of the Isar River through the Karwendel nature park or hiking to Germany’s highest brewery, Karwendelbräu.
Apartments from £145 a night, karls-mittenwald.de

An eco-campsite in the Austrian Tirol

Nearly 1,000 metres (3,280 ft) above sea level, the wide Mieming Sun Plateau is known for its mild microclimate and looping hikes through pine forests and Alpine meadows. Josef Volgger grew up on a farm here, Gerhardhof, which his parents also ran as a small guesthouse. Now Volgger, along with two business partners, has transformed Gerhardhof into a sustainability-minded campsite with grey water recycling, wood-chip heating and solar energy, as well as a naturally filtered swimming pond. You’ll still see Josef’s mother Edith in the bakery, turning out apple strudel, and there is a restaurant for dinners of wiener schnitzel and Käsespätzle (an Alpine mac and cheese).
Pitches from £38 a night, gerhardhof.com

A 500-year-old inn in the Italian Dolomites

If you’re looking for an inexpensive weekend away in autumn, you don’t need to go far, as this UK city has been named the cheapest for a budget-friendly break and it’s packed with history and culture

Autumn can be an excellent time for a weekend away, and if you’re looking forward to exploring some cities in the cooler weather, then you might want to consider some hidden gems in the UK.

Research carried out by ticket sellers SeatPick has shown the best UK cities for a budget friendly concert weekend, but you don’t need to have plans to see a gig to enjoy the top destination. There are plenty of historic and cultural sites to enjoy, and its famous for its buzzing nightlife.

Newcastle upon Tyne took the top spot to be crowned the UK’s cheapest city break, beating Liverpool into second place and Birmingham into third. Gilad Zilberman, CEO at SeatPick said: “Newcastle combines a vibrant nightlife with one of the UK’s most affordable city-centre accommodation.

“With average hotel prices of just £79 per night, a walkable centre and plenty of bars and restaurants close to major venues, it’s one of best-value cities for turning a concert into a weekend away.”

One of Newcastle’s most iconic sights is the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, and it’s worth visiting at night when its lit up to get the best photos. At weekends, visit the Quayside Sunday Market for a relaxed day walking along the waterfront with food stalls and arts and crafts.

The 12th century Newcastle Castle is also a major landmark. Walk through the rooms and enjoy immersive experiences that bring its past to life before heading to the roof for panoramic city views. Another place to see the city from above the rooftops is from Grey’s Monument. Climb 164 steps up the narrow winding staircase, but be warned, it’s not for the claustrophobic or those who get tired after a couple of flights of stairs.

You might prefer to stay on the solid ground of Grey Street, enjoying the historic vibes of its Georgian architecture, exploring colourful art galleries, or simply sitting in one of its many international restaurants, classic pubs, or stylish bars. You’ve also got major shopping streets and centres just a short walk away, with lots of independent stores among high street favourites.

Newcastle also has a lively cultural scene, and in the evening you can enjoy performances at the Victorian-era Tyne Theatre & Opera House, or the contemporary Northern Stage which has performances from Shakespeare to family-friendly shows. The city is also famous for its nightlife, its compact centre making it easy to go out without spending a fortune in taxis. Popular areas for nights out include Collingwood Street, sometimes known as the The Diamond Strip because of its stylish bars and Bigg Market which has inexpensive and vibrant clubs.

Of the second place choice, Gilad said: “Liverpool combines a thriving music scene with one of the UK’s best-value city breaks. Its compact city centre means fans can explore the Royal Albert Dock, Bold Street and the Cavern Quarter before heading to the M&S Bank Arena or nearby venues without relying on taxis for longer journeys.” While Birmingham was praised for its “excellent transport links and a compact city centre”.

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

During the Los Angeles mayoral primary, Spencer Pratt put out a video saying he was living in a trailer on the burned-out lot where his Pacific Palisades home once stood — a claim that was soon debunked by TMZ, which reported that he was actually staying at the Hotel Bel-Air.

While Pratt’s mayoral bid has come to a close, his campaign’s final spending on luxury hotels — including the Hotel Bel-Air — is now coming to light.

Pratt spent just under $71,000 on hotels for himself, his campaign staff and his fundraising operation, mostly at the Hotel Bel-Air and the Four Seasons Hotel in New York, according to recently released campaign finance filings in the mayoral race.

The former reality TV star has a history of lavish spending on hotels, according to his memoir, “The Guy You Loved to Hate,” where he recounts staying at the Four Seasons in Costa Rica for a month in 2010. He said the hotel stay was “bleeding him dry.”

The tens of thousands of dollars Pratt’s campaign spent on hotels represent just a fraction of the more than $3 million Pratt’s campaign spent overall, including hundreds of thousands to campaign strategy firms and more than $200,000 to the company Black Llama Inc. for billboards. Pratt had AI-designed billboards placed across the city.

Pratt also spent more than $180,000 on private security firm Delta Special Operations Corp., almost entirely in the final month before the June 3 primary.

Delta Special Operations charges $650 per day to provide a single security officer in Los Angeles, but also offers a higher level of “executive protection.” Pratt has said he faced threats during his candidacy.

Pratt placed third in the primary, behind Councilmember Nithya Raman and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, who will square off in the Nov. 3 general election. Raman’s campaign reported spending about $1,000 on security, while Bass has security provided by the city.

Building out her support

Raman secured what could be one of her most significant endorsements of the entire election cycle this week, pulling in the support of the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters.

The endorsement from the carpenters union marks a sharp turn for the labor group, which backed Bass in 2022. The union committed more than $2 million to independent expenditure groups supporting Bass’ candidacy in 2022, paying for television ads that ran in advance of the general election.

During the primary, Raman and independent group supporting her focused on ads on social media and streaming platforms, which are cheaper than traditional television ads.

“We will be matching the same energy and we’ll have same type of commitment as when we endorsed Bass. We don’t plan on holding back,” said Pete Rodriguez, the second general vice president of the international union.

Rodriguez said the union would spend significantly to support Raman, though he did not give a figure.

Bass has dominated labor endorsements throughout the campaign. She has secured more than two dozen endorsements from influential labor unions including the Police Protective League, which represents rank and file police officers in the LAPD, and SEIU 721, which represents public sector workers at the airport and in street services, among other departments. She also has the backing of the powerful Los Angeles Federation of Labor, a coalition of unions (Bass calls its leader, Yvonne Wheeler, “The Beyoncé of Labor”).

“Workers are overwhelmingly behind Karen Bass … because she delivers real results,” said the mayor’s campaign spokesperson, Alex Stack. “Results like building more affordable housing immediately to drive down rents, mortgages, and the cost of housing.”

Rodriguez said one major issue that caused the carpenters union to break with Bass was the mayor’s failure to include higher labor standards in the codified version of Executive Directive 1, which fast-tracked some affordable housing applications.

That law was passed by the council and Raman voted in favor of the law that codified the mayor’s directive.

Raman told The Times in a statement that she stood by her vote, but that she appreciated the union’s ability to work with legislators to enact legislation that “combines density with higher labor standards.”

The DSA endorsement …

Raman could get another key and much-discussed endorsement later this month.

The Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America is once again considering endorsing her for mayor. The endorsement would bring doorknockers for Raman and could bring more national attention to the race.

An internal petition shared with The Times is circulating in the group and needs just 50 signatures by Aug. 8 in order for the consideration of Raman to go to a vote. Raman would then need 60% of the vote at an Aug. 22 chapter meeting in order to win the endorsement.

“Nithya Raman is running an insurgent left-wing campaign for the mayor’s office against Karen Bass and L.A.’s unpopular status quo Democratic establishment,” the petition reads. “Will an insurgent Left seize control of our city government to build a Los Angeles for its working class? Or will the establishment fend off this insurgency and deepen its power?”

After jumping into the race on the last possible day in February, Raman was not endorsed by the left-wing organization in the primary. The group instead “recommended” her — a status that means the DSA wouldn’t actively campaign on her behalf but urged voters to cast their ballots for Raman.

Raman was endorsed by the group in both her council campaigns, but her late entry came after DSA had made its endorsements.

The group considered reopening its endorsement process for either Raman or Rae Huang — who like Raman is a member of the DSA — but ultimately decided to focus on other down ballot races in the primary.

DSA-LA declined to say whether the petition had gained the requisite number of signatures for a vote.

State of play

— LINEAGE LEGISLATION: Los Angeles city and county officials unveiled a slate of measures aimed at speeding recovery, increasing corporate accountability and expanding financial assistance for residents and businesses affected by the June fire at the Lineage cold food storage facility.

— PRICED OUT: Councilmember Curren Price’s motion to get his perjury and embezzlement case dropped was denied Friday by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge. Price’s lawyers maintain that he did not knowingly vote on city contracts for real estate developers that contracted with his wife. The judge argued there was “ample evidence, albeit circumstantial, that this was a scheme and not just happenstance.” The outgoing council member’s next court date is set for October.

— E-BIKES UNDER FIRE: The council’s Rules Committee passed a motion Tuesday that asks the city’s Department of Transportation to come up with ways to regulate e-bikes, including who can ride them and how. The measure next goes to the ways to regulate e-bikesPublic Safety Committee, then the full City Council.

— A NEW ERA: For the first time since 1963, Council District 9 in South Los Angeles will soon have a non-Black representative in the City Council. Estuardo Mazariegos and Jose Ugarte, who are facing each other in the Nov. 3 election to represent parts of downtown and South Los Angeles, are both immigrants from Latin America who arrived undocumented as children.

— OFF THE RAILS: Homelessness on Metro’s rail and bus system has dropped by 57% since 2024, the agency said this week.

— A ROSE AND A THORN: The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center will close April 1, and not be returned to its regular users until the fall of 2028, after the conclusion of the Olympic Games. The announcement came after The Times reported on the impending shutdown.

QUICK HITS

• Where is Inside Safe? The mayor’s signature program went to the intersection of Alameda Street and E. 223rd Street in City Councilmember Tim McOsker’s district where it brought 22 people indoors.
• On the docket next week: The City Council will vote on whether to execute the Enhanced City Resources Master Agreement for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Stay in touch

That’s it for this week! Send your questions, comments and gossip to LAontheRecord@latimes.com. Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up here to get it in your inbox every Saturday morning.

IF I’ve learned one thing working in travel it’s this – you don’t need to drop a month’s wages on a five-star hotel to bag a five-star holiday.

In fact, some of the absolute best properties I’ve tracked down across Europe officially carry just three stars next to their name – despite thousands of guests rating them significantly higher than luxury resorts costing double the money.

The secret is simple: hotel star ratings aren’t customer review scores.

Stars are handed out based on rigid facility checklists – whether a property has a 24-hour concierge, three extra restaurants, a spa, or a lift.

They tell you nothing about whether the rooms are spotless, the breakfast is incredible, or the staff remember your coffee order by day two.

When I’m not lucky enough to be travelling in my day job, I spend my days buried in live price sheets and customer feedback – so here I’ve had a dig through my three-star database to find the absolute hidden gems, most of which I’ve sampled myself.

These aren’t sprawling mega resorts, but each one completely over-delivers for its price point.

Here are nine elite three-star properties where you can bag a week away from as little as £54 pp.

9. Yannis Hotel, Corfu

The Yannis Hotel sits among 15 acres of lush hillside gardens just above Ipsos, placing you a easy five-minute walk from the sand while keeping you away from the beachfront noise.

It officially holds three stars, but the overall footprint feels much higher end, featuring a pool deck that looks out across ancient olive groves toward the Ionian Sea – and guests rate it an impressive 4.2/5 on Tripadvisor.

You can lock in a seven-night stay here for two from £500pp, including direct flights from London Stansted on September 22 and breakfast each morning – working out at an absurd £71.43pp per night for flights, hotel, and food.

The standout feature for me at this place, weirdly, is their on-site organic vegetable patch. Trust me on this one, though.

The kitchen chef harvests fresh tomatoes, herbs, and figs directly from the hotel gardens every morning to serve up in the poolside Greek taverna, giving you proper, farm-to-table dining on a basic budget package.

8. Osiris Ibiza, Ibiza

If you assume San Antonio is wall-to-wall club noise and zero sleep, the Osiris will completely change your mind.

This family-run, adults-only gem sits quietly in San Antonio Bay right across from Es Pouet Beach.

Its minimalist white architecture and boutique pool terrace look far more high-end than budget, earning it a staggering 4.6/5 Tripadvisor rating.

I found a seven-night stay here from £525pp, with direct flights from Bristol on September 16 including breakfast. That breaks down to just £75pp per night.

The killer insider feature here though is the hotel’s private rooftop sunset deck.

While thousands of tourists fight for overcrowded, expensive seats at Café Mambo down the road, guests at the Osiris can bring their own drinks up to the hotel’s elevated terrace and watch the iconic Ibiza sunset in complete peace. Bliss.

7. Oykun Hotel, Turkey

The Oykun Hotel on Calis Beach is the exact kind of property people miss out on when they lazily filter their search engines to “four stars and above.”

On paper, it’s a straightforward Turkish hotel with two pools and a traditional hamam, but it boasts a massive 4.6/5 score across 900+ reviews because the family running it treats returning guests like gold.

I tracked down a week here from £435pp, including direct flights from London Gatwick on September 2 and daily breakfast, coming in at £62pp per night.

And at the Oykun you’re incredibly close to the local water taxi jetty – which is a bit of a gamechanger on a holiday here.

Rather than paying for hot, crowded buses into Fethiye, you can step straight out of the hotel gardens onto a wooden riverboat that cruises you across the bay directly into the historic Old Town for pocket change.

6. Zephyros Hotel, Santorini

Santorini is notorious for charging eye-watering prices for cliffside cave suites, but you don’t need an infinity pool to experience the island.

The Zephyros Hotel in Kamari is a gorgeous three-star property built in traditional Cycladic style, with whitewashed walls, blue shutters, and a central pool framed by palm trees – plus it holds a brilliant 4.6/5 Tripadvisor rating.

You can grab seven nights here from £380pp, with direct flights from London Gatwick on September 30 including breakfast.

At £54pp per night with flights, it really is an unbelievable value loophole.

At this hotel you can spend your days lounging on Kamari’s black-sand beach for pennies, then, to push the savings even further, you can even hop on the local 15-minute express bus straight up to Oia for the famous caldera views, completely bypassing the hotel tax.

5. Alfagar Village, Portugal

Alfagar Village is easily one of the hardest properties on this list to believe is rated three stars.

It sits on the cliffside above the Algarve coast, featuring direct, private steps carved into the red rock that lead straight down onto Santa Eulália Beach.

It holds a 4.3/5 rating from over 1,100 reviews, which is no mean feat in Portugal.

I clocked seven nights here from £505pp, including direct flights from London Stansted on September 30.

The deal is self-catering, but the apartments come with huge ocean-view balconies and full kitchen setups.

The real trick at this place though is that guests get complete, free access to the entire neighbouring 4-star Alfagar resort complex, meaning you can use their massive sports courts, heated indoor pools, and multi-lane waterpark flumes while paying basic three-star rates.

That’s a proper three-star-price for a four-star-holiday hack.

4. Dom Jose Beach Hotel, Portugal

The Dom Jose Beach Hotel sits directly on Quarteira’s paved seaside promenade, and is home to a sleek, contemporary pool deck that looks straight out over the Atlantic Ocean.

Inside, the rooms feature modern, high-spec design, helping it bag a near-perfect 4.7/5 rating on Tripadvisor. Seriously impressive.

You can lock in a seven-night stay from £655pp, including direct flights from Bristol on September 28 and daily breakfast.

While it sits at the higher end of this list at £94pp per night, it easily outperforms the £150-a-night chain hotels nearby.

Plus, when you see the hotel’s private, wooden deck built directly on the sand – equipped with reserved wind-screened loungers – you’ll see why it’s worth that little bit extra.

You can step straight off your breakfast terrace onto your private sunbed without ever dealing with public beach crowds.

3. Hotel Abrat, Ibiza

Occupying one of the best spots in Ibiza, Hotel Abrat is tucked away on the quieter, scenic northern edge of the resort near Caló des Moro beach.

Recent refurbs have left its sea-view pool deck looking like a gorgeous five-star property, backing up its strong 4.2/5 Tripadvisor score.

I found a seven-night stay here from £470pp, with direct flights from London Southend on September 30 including breakfast.

And the best thing, for me, about staying at the Abrat is the coastal walking path directly behind the gardens.

It runs along the rocky coastline to a series of pristine, hidden swimming coves where the water is crystal clear. A real hidden gem of a find.

2. Hotel Valentina, Malta

If you want a hotel that pulls off a flawless five-star impersonation, Hotel Valentina in St Julian’s is the answer.

This place features boujee, bold contemporary interiors and a stunning rooftop pool overlooking the city skyline.

Just take a look yourself and it’s easy to see exactly why it boasts a massive 4.7/5 Tripadvisor rating across 2,600+ reviews (one of the highest rating-to-ratings ratios in all of Europe!)

I spotted seven nights here from £510pp, including direct flights from London Stansted on September 25 on a room-only basis (£73pp per night).

But the secret weapon at the Valentina is its partnership with the high-end Avenue Restaurant next door.

Hotel guests get exclusive priority seating and discounts at one of the best dining spots in St Julian’s, giving you a boutique, luxury lifestyle package without the luxury price tag. Total hack.

1. Velamar Boutique Hotel, Portugal

Located in Olhos de Agua just on the outskirts of Albufeira, Velamar Boutique Hotel focuses on minimum guest numbers and maximum hospitality – which is why it tops the charts on my value scoreboard.

Its gardens, modern rooms, and peaceful outdoor pool create a calm, boutique feel geared toward couples – and it holds a fantastic 4.5/5 Tripadvisor score.

You can grab seven nights here from £425pp, including flights from London on September 22 with breakfast included (less than £61pp per night!)

The hotel even runs a seamless, direct connection down to the quieter Maria Luísa beach, allowing you to spend your days on one of the Algarve’s most beautiful, sheltered coves without ever having to worry about car parking or expensive taxis.

TUI is opening two new hotels in destinations a few hours from the UK.

New TUI Blue hotels will open their doors to guests in both Seville and Lisbon as it expands to European cities as well as beach destinations.

The first new TUI Blue Hotel will be in the pretty Spanish city of Seville, which is set to open later this year.

Called TUI Blue Sevilla Suites, it will be the first TUI Blue hotel to open in a European city.

It will have 89 rooms, co-working space and even a rooftop pool which will no doubt have incredible views.

It’s in Vega del Rey which is a 10-minute drive from the city centre.

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Seville is a city in southern Spain just two hours and 45-minutes away from the UK.

It’s easily walkable with plenty to see from the Royal Alcázar to the enormous cathedral which is the biggest Gothic Church in Europe.

The city is pretty affordable with tapas dishes ranging from around €3 (£2.56) to €6 (£5.15) per plate.

If you head to El Rinconcillo, you can pick up a huge glass of wine for £3.

The second European city hotel will be in TUI Blue Rossio in Lisbon‘s Baixa district.

It’s currently undergoing ‘a comprehensive redesign’ but is set to open as a 30-room boutique early next year.

Lisbon can be reached in as little as two hours 35-minutes from the UK and is the perfect spot for a city-by-the-sea break.

It’s also a cheap spot and one expat who moved there from the UK suggests picking up a local ‘vinho verde’ which costs “a few euros“.

The city itself can be explored via the tram system with tickets starting from as little as £2.70.

In Lisbon, a Lisboa card is a savvy way to save – buy one from £27 for access to 51 museums and galleries across the city.

TUI Group Chief Operating Officer Marco Ciomperlik said: “Following the first openings in cities across Asia, we are now bringing our distinctive leisure hotel concept to some of Europe’s most attractive urban holiday destinations.

“Lisbon and Seville are ideal destinations, combining strong city break appeal with the rich local culture, food and experiences that sit naturally at the heart of the TUI Blue concept.”

This comes after TUI announced its expansion in Asia.

It announced the opening of two new hotels last year in both Malaysia and Cambodia.

TUI also opened its first hotel in Bhutan in May called TUI Blue Paro Taktsang which is nestled in the Himalayas.

The ‘adults-only lifestyle resort’ has 34 suites, a restaurant and bar both with mountain views.

LET’S be honest: booking a cheap hotel is easy.

But booking a cheap hotel that previous guests actually rate is where things can get really tricky, because the lowest price very rarely equals the best value.

A bargain hotel becomes considerably less impressive the second you see reviews mentioning cold chips, paper-thin walls, and a swimming pool that was clearly photographed with a deceptive wide-angle lens.

To find the ultimate value holiday location, I’ve crunched the numbers on hotel prices across Europe’s favourite package destinations and cross-referenced them with each hotels’ average TripAdvisor ratings.

One caveat though: while the deals in this article are all brilliantly cheap, this isn’t just a list of rock-bottom prices. That’s of no use to you at all.

I’ve also factored in the volume of positive hotel reviews, the choice of properties, and what you actually get for your cash on arrival too.

I’ve ranked my final seven picks by their average score, counting down to the destination that statistically had the absolute happiest guests for the absolute best value.

7. Costa del Sol, Spain (Average Rating: 3.82/5)

The Costa del Sol has been dominating the package market for decades, and that breadth of experience really shows in the data.

Because there’s massive competition between hotels to fill beds every year, prices stay ruthlessly competitive… which is great news for you.

While its hotel’s 3.82 average score sits at the bottom of our final seven, it makes the cut because it’s a destination that is incredibly easy to get right, with massive flight capacity from across the UK keeping travel costs low.

For example, I spotted a five-night, room-only stay at the Helios Costa Tropical in Almunecar, flying from Bournemouth in September, from just £270pp.

This three-star property is completely outperforming the regional average with a staggering 4.8/5 TripAdvisor rating.

And the hotel sits right on the San Cristobal promenade, meaning you can walk straight out of breakfast and onto the sand without paying the inflated room premiums usually charged by the big chain resorts in neighbouring Nerja.

6. Fuerteventura, Canary Islands (Average Rating: 3.85/5)

Fuerteventura is one of the best holiday spots for making a modest holiday budget feel significantly larger.

Resorts here specialise in huge pool complexes and massive, wide beaches that never feel crowded, even during peak school holidays.

Caleta de Fuste is a top-tier shout for families due to the sheltered bays, while Costa Calma is built for world-class lounging.

You can lock in a five-night self-catering stay at the three-star R2 Higos Beach in Costa Calma, flying from London Gatwick in early September from £385pp.

This hotel even pulls in a brilliant 4.6/5 guest rating because it sidesteps the sterile, high-rise block feel of the island’s mega resorts.

The apartments also come with fully equipped, modern kitchens, with the hotel situated right next to a local market, meaning you can prep cheap breakfasts on your private terrace and keep your daily spending money completely intact. Thrifty.

5. The Algarve, Portugal (Average Rating: 3.88/5)

The Algarve tracks at a solid 3.88 average hotel score, but it’s the value in Portugal mixed with the unbelievable scenery you get for your money that earns it a spot on the board.

The dramatic golden cliffs and hidden coves make even a basic walk to the local bar look cinematic.

Albufeira provides the largest pool of cheap apartments, while Alvor and Carvoeiro handle the quieter family pace.

I dug out five nights at the Aura Village Apartments in Albufeira from just £260pp, with direct flights from London Stansted in late September.

It’s a self-catering setup at this hotel, which makes its stellar 4.7/5 review score all the more impressive.

This hotel is near-perfect for a Portuguese holiday as it offers guests a quiet, central apartment that can be used as a launchpad for the rest of the resort. 

Which means you can camp here all day, then head out in the evenings, walk a couple of streets back from the main strip and find independent tavernas hidden in the back alleys that will serve you authentic Piri-Piri chicken for half the price of the tourist traps on the front.

4. Lanzarote, Canary Islands (Average Rating: 4.00/5)

Lanzarote is the only Canary Island on our radar where hotel reviews hit a flawless 4.0 average.

Because development on the island was historically controlled by strict low-rise building laws, you get whitewashed, low-density resorts instead of towering concrete blocks.

Puerto del Carmen is the great all-rounder for value, while Costa Teguise routinely drops some of our heaviest package discounts.

One of the best-reviewed hotel loopholes I found was the Princesa Guayadeque in Puerto del Carmen, with five nights self-catering and flights from Bristol right at the end of September from £320pp.

It’s a two-star hotel, but don’t let that fool you. This spot pulls an exceptional 4.7/5 score from guests who rave about its pristine cleanliness.

And because of the hotel’s high-up position, it sits just a short, flat walk away from the main strip, giving you completely peaceful nights away from the bar noise without forcing you to budget for local taxis.

3. Costa Blanca, Spain (Average Rating: 4.07/5)

The Costa Blanca might be the most complete package bargain in Europe.

The sheer volume of hotels in hubs like Benidorm keeps prices brilliant year-round, and despite that, Costa Blanca hotels still pull in an immensely impressive 4.07/5 average rating.

If the main neon strip feels a bit too lively, nearby Albir offers a completely relaxed alternative under the shadow of the Sierra Helada cliffs.

A standout value option here is the three-star MC Amalia Apartments in Benidorm, where five nights self-catering costs just £255pp, with flights from London Gatwick in late September into early October.

The hotel has a strong 4.5/5 rating, not least because of its brilliant positioning near Levante beach.

It also sits right on the edge of the historic Old Town, meaning you can skip the commercial tourist restaurants and eat like a local at the traditional, wood-fired tapas bars hidden down the famous “Tapas Alley” for a fraction of the cost.

2. Malta (Average Rating: 4.14/5)

Malta delivers an incredible mix of excellent accommodation, historical city walls, and a massive 4.14 average review rating for hotels.

Despite the numbers, it still gets routinely overlooked by Brits who automatically type Spain or Greece into Google, meaning there is excellent value hiding in plain sight.

And if you do fancy it, I’d look around Qawra and Bugibba for the steepest discounts.

For a central base however, St Julian’s Scirocco, Affiliated by Melia is sitting at £340pp for five nights room-only, flying from London Stansted on September 25.

And the best bit: this three-star hotel cleans up with a 4.6/5 score.

This hotel even boasts a rooftop pool deck, giving you panoramic views over the local Mediterranean bays while you lounge, letting you enjoy a premium, high-end city-beach aesthetic without paying the luxury waterfront resort prices down the road.

1. Antalya, Turkey (Average Rating: 4.30/5)

Antalya takes the number one spot on my board by proving that “cheap” and “basic” do not have to live in the same sentence.

The resort has earned an exceptional 4.3 average guest rating at hotels – the highest in Europe.

And because these massive Turkish resorts are locked in a permanent race to out-spec each other with on-site waterparks, private beaches, and the very-best restaurants, the biggest people who benefit are you and me.

This deal highlights the sheer value here perfectly: five nights all inclusive at the 4-star Grand Uysal Beach & Spa Hotel in Alanya is available from just £415pp, flying from Liverpool this September.

The hotel also carries a brilliant 4.6/5 on TripAdvisor, making this deal even more of a find.

While self-catering elsewhere looks cheaper on paper, going all inclusive in Antalya is the smart holidaymaker’s move because it covers your food, drinks, snacks, and waterpark access in one single bill.

The Grand Uysal even has its own private beach that’s accessible via a private underpass, meaning you can step from the pool bar onto the sand in thirty seconds without ever navigating the main coastal road traffic. 

Easily my pick of the bunch.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

DUST down your red frock for the Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever annual celebrations today.

The global flashmob sees Kate Bush fans recreate the video from the 1978 hit, in which the scarlet-clad singer pranced across idyllic countryside.

The biggest celebrations include one in Haworth, West Yorks, close to the historic Bronte parsonage at Penistone Hill, and at the Harbour Arm promenade in Folkestone.

Kate wrote her song, aged 18, after watching a TV adaptation of the Emily Bronte novel – and earlier this year, Wuthering Heights’ latest movie incarnation saw Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi cast as sweethearts Cathy and Heathcliff.

Yorkshire’s breathtaking moors were stars, too, and on my visit I found them to be every bit as barren and mysterious as in the film – undulating fells, carpets of heather and bubbling streams as far as the eye could see.

With only the odd pheasant for company, I’d rarely been anywhere so remote.

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Despite the changeable weather – one minute I’d be battered by gusts that pierced like kitchen knives, the next smothered in mist then bathed in sunshine – I instantly fell head over heels in love with the moors.

Emily Bronte and her sisters Charlotte and Anne grew to adore these wilds, right on their doorstep.

I hiked to ruined farmstead called Top Withens, said to have inspired Wuthering Heights the fictional home of Cathy.

A further trek then took me to the Bronte Waterfall, Bronte Bridge, and Bronte Chair rock (in the shape of a seat), which were all places close to the sisters’ hearts.

Back in Haworth, the limestone cottages and cobbled main street lined with gift shops, cafes and pubs had an old-fashioned charm.

At the sisters’ old home, now the Bronte Parsonage Museum, I saw the simple wooden table where they used to write.

My base was the splendid Holdsworth House Hotel on the edge of Halifax.

Now Grade II-listed, it oozed character, with oak beams and roaring fires.

Reminders of its historic stature abounded, from a stone Cross of Malta – an emblem of ancient religious military order The Knights Hospitaller – to cupboards once used for 18th-century wigs.

Scenes from TV dramas Happy Valley and Last Tango In Halifax were filmed here, while Jacob Elordi, Margot Robbie, Ewan McGregor and James Norton have all stayed.

When I visited, turtle and duckling were no longer on the menu. Instead, I could tuck into steak tartare, venison sausages and Cheddar and leek-filled pasta in a sweetcorn chowder.

And the hotel’s newly opened spa was the perfect place to relax, with fabulous treatments on offer.

I ended my adventure – It full of nostalgia, just like the best Bronte novels – with a dreamy steam-train ride on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.

OUR Spotlight On column gives you the lowdown on what to see and do in your favourite holiday hotspots.

This week we are focusing on Budapest, with the city set to host the F1 Grand Prix this weekend.

Hungary‘s vibrant capital straddles the Danube and packs a punch when it comes to value, culture and nightlife.

From thermal baths (leading to its nickname the City of Spas) to ruin bars, this city break has something for everyone – and often for less than you’d pay elsewhere in Europe, so here are our top tips.

MUST SEE / DO

Soak in the thermal waters at Szechenyi Baths, one of Europe’s largest spa complexes, with 18 pools.

Make sure to book in advance, and pick early morning or late evening slots for the quietest times.

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The outdoor pools are heated year-round and the bright yellow neo-Baroque buildings make a perfect selfie spot.

HIDDEN GEM

Head to the lesser-known Kobanya underground cellar system – once a beer-brewing hub, now used for everything from mushroom-growing to film shoots.

Tours explore its eerie, kilometre-long tunnels beneath Budapest’s 10th district.

BEST VIEW

Catch the sunset from the top of the dome at St Stephen’s Basilica, below.

It’s 96 metres high and offers panoramic views across both Buda and Pest – a great place to spot Parliament and Castle Hill from above.

RATED RESTAURANT

For a taste of modern Hungarian cuisine with a Michelinstar twist, head to Stand.

Led by chef duo Szulló and Széll, this sleek yet unpretentious restaurant blends local ingredients with inventive techniques.

Expect elevated versions of traditional favourites such as goulash or cabbage rolls, served with exceptional Hungarian wines in a refined riverside setting.

BEST BAR

No trip is complete without a drink at Szimpla Kert – the original ruin bar that kickstarted a nightlife trend.

Expect mismatched furniture, quirky art installations and a vibe that’s hard to beat.

Beers, including local brew Dreher, are around five euros.

As the original and best-known of the city’s ruin bars – with crumbling plaster and graffiti-covered walls – it can get very busy at night.

Head there on a weekday afternoon for a less crowded experience.

HOTEL PICK

Try the Hotel Rum Budapest – a boutique stay, with cool interiors, great service and a rooftop bar that’s ideal for cocktails at sunset.

It’s central, affordable and perfect for a long weekend in the city.

Rooms from £90 a night. See hotelrumbudapest.com.

Three nights at Hotel Rum Budapest, including flights from Stansted on June 30, is from £189pp. See loveholidays.com.

As 6.3 million people embark on road trips, the UKHSA has issued a yellow heat health alert with a risk to life for the elderly and vulnerable

More than six million people are hitting the roads as the summer holidays begin – battling 30C temperatures and nose-to-tail traffic jams.

The AA predicts 6.3 million of us will make journeys between now and Thursday. Yellow heat health alerts are in place across much of the country until tomorrow morning and the UK Health Security Agency is warning of minor impacts on health and social care services and an increased risk to life for vulnerable people.

The Port of Dover is braced for its busiest weekend of the summer. Holidaymakers faced gridlock as they waited for ferries today, and tomorrow is set to be the same. Ferry company DFDS said its wait times at Dover were up to 60 minutes at border controls.

But officials hope it will be smooth sailing compared to the May half-term getaway, when waiting times hit four-and-a-half hours due to technical issues with thenew border check Entry Exit System.

The RAC’s Simon Williams warned: “Drivers should be ready for some very busy roads this weekend and expect delays. The best advice is to plan journeys and think about setting off earlier or later in the day to avoid traffic jams.”

Opting to stay at home this week will also come with its challenges. Millions of Brits are now subject to hosepipe bans and a drought has been officially declared for large parts of north and mid-Wales.

The rest of Wales, along with much of central, southern and eastern England, is in the “prolonged dry weather” ­category – one stage below a drought. But parts of Britain might be in for some light relief from Sunday, as high pressure retreats and brings outbreaks of rain.

Showers could be heavy in the north and the west of the UK, with 20mm possible in parts of north west Scotland. The rain will be much patchier further south and east, with large swathes of England and Wales forecast to get just a few millimetres at most. And it’s likely some locations in the south of England will not see a drop.

The Met Office’s Dan Suri said: “After a prolonged spell of hot, dry and settled weather, some will see a temporary change this weekend as weather fronts move south east across the UK. While some areas, particularly in the north and west, will see rain and showers, many places are likely to receive ­relatively little rainfall.

“For much of southern England, dry conditions are expected to remain the ­dominant feature, with ­temperatures recovering quickly next week and the potential for very warm or locally hot weather to return.”

Meanwhile, British holidaymakers were among thousands evacuated from the Cap Ferret peninsula as wildfires raged across south-west France. Tens of thousands are being forced to leave the upmarket resort, including hundreds escaping by boat.

Headmaster David Morton, 53, from Gloucester, was holidaying in the coastal village of Petit Piquey with his wife and sons when they received an emergency text message at 3am.

He said: “We got in our car, packed everything up as quickly as we could… and then set off and joined a very long, slow-moving queue of traffic. We could see several fires in the distance. The whole forest was on fire.”

The fire has so far consumed around 10,000 hectares – nearly the size of the city of Manchester – with water-bombing planes deployed in a bid to keep the flames under control. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 40,000 people either had been or were preparing to evacuate from the Cap Ferret peninsula.

Firefighters also battled blazes in Le Porge and Lacanau in the Gironde department of south-west France, while smoke from the fires dominated the skyline in nearby Biscarrosse.

Elsewhere in Europe, Spain has declared a national emergency after 20,000 people were forced to flee due to fires near Madrid, while the Italian island of Sicily has also been hit.

TV presenter and content creator Jordon Cox said the ‘secret’ could help holidaymakers save hundreds

Holidymakers could ‘save hundreds’ on their next hotel booking using a ‘secret’ booking trick. The advice was shared by Jordon Cox, an ITV presenter and content creator, known as the ‘Coupon King.’

Posting on YouTube and Facebook, the deals expert shared a tip for anyone making a hotel booking. He explained how people can save hundreds by taking advantage of the ‘free cancellation’ policy often found on bookings if they find the same booking at a lower price closer to the date.

While it won’t always apply, Jordon said he’s saved £400 in the past using the trick – and shared exactly when he would check back to look for offers. Jordon claimed: “Hotels don’t want you to know this hack.”

In his caption, he explained: “If you book a hotel stay which includes ‘Free Cancellation’ – you could use this as a trick to save you money. Even after you’ve booked, check back at the website you booked through to see if prices change.

“If the price drops, you can cancel your original booking, get your money back, and rebook at the cheaper price! It’s worth having a look at prices around two months, two weeks and five days before you travel (although check when your last day for free cancellation is. Most are up to about 48 hours before).

“I once got £400 off a week’s hotel stay by using this trick. So it could pay a lot to check! It won’t work every time, but set a reminder in your phone, and spend a few minutes to potentially save £100s!”

Sharing another tip in the comment section, Jordon added: “Works on Car Hire too! Always worth a look – set some reminders!” The post delighted social media users, gaining over 20k views and hundreds of likes.

Commenting under the video, a viewer said: “That’s a decent tip tbf.” A second comment claimed: “And that’s why hotels don’t offer cancellation for long.”

Someone else replied: “Recommend doing it the other way round. Make a new booking at the lower price, THEN cancel the original. Much safer in case someone else books.”

MoneySavingExpert also shares similar advice for holidaymakers. On a webpage sharing tips for cheap hotel bookings, the consumer website advises: “You can also save by cancelling if the price drops after you’ve booked. To do this, simply cancel the original booking, then rebook at the cheaper price. Often this can work with the site you booked with.

“Most booking sites and hotel websites give you a non-refundable and a free cancellation option for each room type. Non-refundable rooms tend to be cheaper, so you’ll need to weigh up if paying more for free cancellation is worth it.”

ACROSS the globe are lots of beautiful islands with incredible beaches, jungles, even mountains – and I’ve been lucky enough to visit the world’s best.

Off the coast of Thailand, Koh Samui is a tropical paradise with inexpensive luxury hotels along with cheap restaurants and cocktails for a few quid.

It was recently crowned the ‘Best Island in the World’ by Travel + Leisure.

Hundreds of thousands of readers voted for their top island destination to form the list of the 25 best.

Koh Samui took the crown and was praised for its “array of elevated accommodations, luscious jungles, and roaring waterfalls—has become a leading destination for self-care.”

While I can’t say I went to Koh Samui for self-care per se, I did feel incredibly relaxed when checking into one of its many gorgeous resorts.

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During my stay last August, I checked into the beautiful the Anantara Lawana on the northeastern side of the island.

It did give serious White Lotus vibes, and with good reason as the cast of series three actually filmed bar scenes in its Singing Bird Lounge.

The five-star hotel is reasonably priced as well considering just how beautiful it is.

A seven-night stay for two at the Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort with Expedia starts from £1,131.24 or £95pppn.

This is in a Deluxe Lawana room with breakfast included, a garden view and a beautiful outdoor balcony.

However, you can actually book an Anantara Pool Suite – which has its own private plunge pool and an outdoor rain shower for an extra £160.

The resort itself has its own beach which, while it’s not private, was incredibly quiet with sunloungers dotted about.

I found it to be perfect for a paddle after a long day in the sun as the sandbank made it incredibly shallow.

The hotel also has a spa and daily activities like sunrise yoga – there’s plenty to choose from at the buffet breakfast too which comes with an impressive ocean view.

When it comes to dinner, the on-site restaurants have lots of tasty meals like pineapple fried rice – which is served in an actual pineapple and Mai Tai cocktails.

While Koh Samui does have elements of luxury, I would say that venturing outside of these hotels is a whole other adventure.

It’s not the peaceful retreat you see in The White Lotus – instead, it’s scruffy and a tad chaotic with locals darting along the road in mopeds, hectic food markets and late night beach parties.

But having the best of both worlds is what makes it so brilliant.

Tucked away along the bustling streets are tiny restaurants with sticky tables and handmade menus serving up Pad Thai and spicy tom yum soup, with cocktails for £2.

Bars are constantly advertising happy hour too – so quite often I could even bag two drinks for this price.

One of the restaurants I popped into was a five-minute walk from the hotel, and while it didn’t look like much – in fact it still had Christmas decorations up in August, the food was delicious.

Mango sticky rice is a Thai staple and could be picked up all over the island for as little as £1.65.

Food wasn’t the only cheap thing I found on the island – for anyone wanting an authentic Thai massage, these were as little as £6 for an hour.

The island is known for having some of the most beautiful beaches too with either golden or powdery white sand and bright blue waters.

Chaweng is one of the most popular — but there are many pockets of coast where you’ll find secret sandy spots and likely be the only people around.

Other popular spots include Lamai Beach, Choeng Mon Beach and Thongtakian Beach.

From Koh Samui, it’s easy to visit other beautiful spots too like Koh Nangyuan, Koh Tao and the Instagram-worthy Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park.

Here’s the full list of the ‘best islands in the world’…

Here are Travel + Leisure’s best islands in the world – and their scores out of 100…

1. Koh Samui – 95.64
2. Maldives – 95.38
3. Galapagos Islands – 94.99
4. Bali – 93.20
5. Phuket – 93.18
6. Seychelles – 92.95
7. Fiji – 92.71
8. Sri Lanka – 92.67
9. Dominica – 91.87
10. Zanzibar – 91.83
11. Golden Isles – 91.59
12. Sardinia – 91.57
13. Skye and the Hebrides – 91.17
14. Malta – 91.00
15. Grenada – 90.36
16. Madeira – 90.33
17. Azores – 90.18
18. Maui – 89.70
19. Sicily – 89.53
20. Milos – 89.50
21. Virgin Gorda – 89.43
22. Crete – 89.39
23. Vieques – 89.38
24. Paros – 89.33
25. Kauai – 89.16

A MUCH-LOVED family attraction park has opened two new themed-hotels.

Gulliver’s World in Warrington, near Manchester, has a pirate-themed hotel and then a second hotel that is fairytale-themed.

The Enchanted Castle Hotel and the Pirate Ship Hotel will feature 32 rooms in total.

Inside the Pirate Ship Hotel, the rooms will sleep four people each and include an en suite.

On the other hand, the Enchanted Castle Hotel will have fairytale-themed rooms, suitable for up to five people each.

Gulliver’s World hopes to eventually open hotels at all four of its resorts.

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Craig Clews, resort director at Gulliver’s World, said: “We are so excited to be launching our new accommodation as we know our guests will be wowed by what is on offer at the Enchanted Castle and Pirate Ship Hotels.

“The popularity of our short break stays continues to increase year-by-year, so this investment in our park helps to meet that demand and also provide families with even more options for cost-effective, family breaks here in the UK.”

The Warrington resort is already home to a number of different accommodations including tipis, safari lodges, Swizzels sweets-themed rooms and Nerf- themed rooms too.

Then inside the park, visitors can enjoy over 25 rides and attractions, including rollercoasters and play areas.

And tickets cost as little as £15.25 per person when you book online.

One recent visitor said that it was a “great day out for a young family”.

Another added: “This place is amazing for the younger thrill seeker. Loads for the kids to do and without having to queue as well.”

NOT ready for the World Cup to end? Well, why don’t you book into a football-themed hotel?

With England heading to the semi-final and the final less than a week away, there could be no better time to book yourself into a football-themed hotel – so here are four of the best themed football hotels in the UK.

The Grove, Hertfordshire

This five-star hotel sits on a 300-acre estate in the countryside and as well luxury rooms, there’s also a spa and walled garden.

The hotel offers its own football escapes, with a coach course led by former Premier League players and UEFA coaches.

The next camp takes place between August 25 and 27.

Each football escape includes a two-night stay in the West Wing of the hotel, breakfast at The Glasshouse, a number of outdoor activities, access to the spa and kids club as well as the football camp.

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A one-night stay for a family of four between August 25 and 26, costs from £595.

Hotel Football, Old Trafford

This four-star hotel is football-themed throughout and sits directly opposite the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester.

The hotel boasts game-day views, a restaurant and even a rooftop football pitch.

The hotel’s ’99 rooms’ celebrate the 1998 to 1999 football season where Manchester United won three major trophies.

Each room has football-themed artwork, framed shirts and memorabilia from the season.

A one-night stay for a family of four between July 25 and 26 costs from £250.

Hilton at St George’s Park

The four-star Hilton at St George’s Park is in The National Forest, Staffordshire.

It sits in the grounds of The Football Association’s National Football Centre.

The hotel boasts 228 rooms in total, as well as a spa, pool and even a Starbucks.

When families stay, you even get exclusive use of the football pitch for an hour, with training gear and a £10 voucher to spend on merch.

A one-night stay for a family of four between August 5 and 6, costs from £281.

Blackpool FC Hotel

This four-star hotel is located directly inside the Bloomfield Road Stadium in Blackpool.

Inside, there are 66 rooms with pitch views – but there is a catch.

Due to FA rules, you will have close your curtains 90 minutes before a match starts and keep them closed for the duration of the game. So unless you have a ticket to the game, you’re likely to miss out.

The hotel also boasts a fitness centre, spa and restaurant.

A one-night stay for a family of four between July 25 and 26, costs from £338.

SUN soaked mega resorts abroad with their own waterparks, theme parks, and beaches? Yes please.

We’ve done the digging to find top-tier waterpark hotels abroad with deals that are so cheap they’ll make you do a double take.

From Egypt resorts with 45 pools and 81 waterslides, to Spanish spots that come with free theme park tickets, these are the mega resorts abroad that will keep the entire family entertained.

You don’t even need a massive sum sitting in your bank account to unlock these holiday memories, either.

Many of these deals include a kids go free offer, plus Loveholidays and On the Beach also offer low deposits from £19, meaning you can lock in your holiday without sweating about how much you’ve spent.

Whether you want to immerse yourself at a pirate-themed resort in Benidorm or slip down 16 thrilling waterslides in Side, here are the ultimate family resorts abroad with deals you can book right now.

Sol Katmandu Park & Resort, Majorca

Sol Katmandu Park & Resort is a theme park, waterpark, and hotel all rolled into one epic holiday complex (where kids can stay for free).

Staying here for at least two nights unlocks you a free play pass, which gives you unlimited entry to the park’s top attractions, waterpark and soft play.

Kids can cool off at the Katopia Splash Park, which is packed with water cannons, jets, and waterfalls, before tackling a giant soft play or hopping on 4D dark rides.

The fun continues back at the hotel, too, as this resort has themed family accommodation including mystical Enchanted Forest rooms and Mythical Ice suites.

Food and drink options here include a build-your-own burger bar, a pick and mix station, and a soft-serve ice cream machine – plus themed dinners and healthy options, too.

And for the grown-ups? Sangria and Cruzcampo are available on-tap at the pool bar.

Plus, if you fancy a dip in the sea, there’s a golden sand beach a four-minute stroll away.

Skanes Serail and Aquapark, Tunisia

This four-star Tunisian gem is the most affordable on the list, and packs everything you’d need into an action-packed, sunny family holiday abroad.

The star of the show at Skanes Serail is its on-site aquapark, which has rainbow-coloured waterslides that are sure to keep kids entertained for hours.

This resort even has a private beach, complete with free sun loungers, a selection of water sports, and signature white sands facing a turquoise sea.

The all inclusive package includes a massive daily buffet spread, as well as access to a beachfront à la carte restaurant serving Italian and Lebanese food.

While the little ones make friends at the daily kids’ club, grown-ups can escape to the full-service spa for a traditional hammam, sauna, and steam room session.

Plus, Tunisia boasts reliable sunshine year-round. Book ahead something to look forward to for November with this deal, when temperatures hover at a toasty 23°C.

Pickalbatros Jungle Aqua Park Resort – Neverland Hurghada

If you think you’ve seen a big waterpark hotel, think again, because this holiday kingdom in Hurghada operates on an entirely different planet.

It’s so big it even has its own shuttle buses to transport you around site.

The Pickalbatros Jungle Aqua Park Resort boasts 45 swimming pools and a staggering 81 waterslides, plus a massive lazy river and wave pools.

The complex also has its own fairground with 11 rides, a roller-skating arena, bumper boats, and a high-tech VR gaming zone. Bored kids? Impossible.

You can also eat your way around the globe thanks to the lineup of international, all-inclusive restaurants.

Load up your plate with wood-fired Italian pizzas, Asian noodles, or spiced Moroccan tagines. There’s even a German eatery serving up bratwurst and schnitzel.

As for bars, pick between the Jungle Bar, Red Sky Bar, White Elephant Bar, Lobby Bar, Columbus Bar, Jazz Bar, and Beach Bar for your beverage.

If you ever fancy a break from the excitement of the resort, there’s a 10-minute complimentary shuttle bus to whizz you straight down to the private beach.

There’s a range of affordable dates for this resort at Loveholidays, but we found the cheapest deal this year to be in December, where temperatures sit at 24°C.

Magic Pirates Island Resort, Benidorm

This pirate-themed resort in Benidorm is an absolute treasure trove for families.

Magic Pirates Island Resort lets families sleep like sea captains inside themed wooden lodges plastered with maps, compasses and desert islands.

There’s three large swimming pools, including the Battleship Lagoon, which has play boats and jets for the little ones, plus a more relaxed pool zone with hot tubs and Balinese beds to laze out on.

Best of all, a stay here gives you free unlimited entry to the Aqua Natura waterpark right next door, as well as free access to Terra Natura Zoo.

But there’s plenty more fun to be had back at the hotel, with a Virtual Reality simulator zone, dance stage, and gaming arcade.

Food and drink comes as a fully-stocked buffet restaurant, with snacks available throughout the day.

There’s also an option to upgrade to ultra-all inclusive, which opens up access to fun eateries like Tacos of the Caribbean, and the Hall of Flames Asian restaurant.

Refreshing beers, cocktails and soft drinks are never far away either, thanks to a swim-up pool bar and traditional pirate taverns.

We found a deal for an October escape, when the resort hosts a Halloween festival packed with spooky live entertainment, themed activities and costume contests.

Eftalia Ocean, Antalya

Fancy a trip to a five star family mega resort in Turkey?

The hotel is built around a network of giant, winding outdoor swimming pools and slides.

The all inclusive perks include live show-cooking stations at the main buffet, as well as dining in an Italian a la carte restaurant and grill.

Some bars even serve refreshing drinks for 24 hours a day, and you can satisfy late-night cravings with round-the-clock bites at Burgerland.

Entertainment includes daily kids clubs, mini golf, and outdoor theatre shows. There’s also a wellness spa offering massages, hammam and sauna sessions.

But the real magic of this hotel is its secret pathway – walk through the hotel’s private underpass and you’ll pop up directly onto Eftalia Island.

This entertainment district sits directly on the beach and is packed with massive shared waterparks, waterslides, and pools as well as a bustling seaside promenade lined with beach bars.

THB Tropical Island, Lanzarote

THB Tropical Island boasts 10 swimming pools scattered across the resort, alongside thrilling waterslides and a splash park for little ones.

Accommodation comes as modern apartments with fully equipped kitchenettes, a big win for budget-savvy families who like to stock up on snacks and easy-to-make meals.

The resort also has a buffet restaurant with live show-cooking stations, a pizzeria, and even a lively sports bar for catching that important match.

Daytime kids entertainment includes football tournaments and kids mini-discos, plus activities like arts and crafts and water polo.

Here you’re close to Playa Blanca, which has a range of souvenir shops, bars, cafes and restaurants – plus two huge beaches, which you can reach by taking the hotel’s free shuttle bus.

Crystal Sunset Pearl Collection, Side

If you want to live like royalty on a budget, this five-star Turkish resort proves you don’t have to spend a lot for a high-end family getaway.

The Crystal Sunset Pearl Collection has an impressive waterpark packed with 16 waterslides, including 11 adrenaline-pumping flumes and five gentle slides for kids.

If you prefer a slower pace, you can lounge by the huge main pool, retreat to the relaxing adults-only pool, or sip a cocktail at the poolside bar.

The hotel also runs a shuttle bus to whisk you down to the golden shores of Kumköy Beach.

Alongside a massive daily buffet spread, you can opt for a la carte dinners in the hotel’s Italian, Indian and Chinese restaurants.

Ice-cold drinks are fully covered from 10am until midnight, and there’s even an on-site patisserie to satisfy the sweet cravings.

Here you’re just a 15-minute drive from the historic town of Side, where you can explore ancient Roman ruins and catch a postcard-perfect sunset at the famous Temple of Apollo.

DUA Lipa has been all over the world – according to her Instagram posts, from Italy to France, and of course, Albania.

In fact Dua’s love of the Albanian Riviera has resulted in soaring popularity – and for good reason.

It might not be the first place that comes to your mind when looking for a holiday – but parts of Albania have incredible beaches with beautiful seaside towns.

And it’s getting more popular too with statistics revealing that tourists visiting Albania nearly doubled from 6.4million in 2019 to 11.7million in 2024.

It’s no surprise that certain destinations have become more popular – some look like they belong in the Maldives.

One spot that has featured on Dua Lipa‘s social media is the pretty village Ksamil which is made up of four islands.

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The village is in the south of Albania very close to Corfu – in fact on a clear day you can see across to the island.

Ksamil has white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and offshore islands that you can swim to from the mainland.

There are more private rentals than big hotels in Ksamil – and on Booking.com they start from as little as £51 per night in September.

The easiest way to get to Ksamil is actually to fly into Corfu Airport and take a quick ferry crossing across.

Another spot that Dua Lipa has highlighted is the seaside village, Dhermi, which in the summertime is called a ‘bustling seaside paradise’.

It has pebbled beaches, beach clubs, a historic old town, and one of the biggest attractions is Pirates’ Cave.

Visitors can explore the natural sea cave by boat – and as the name suggests, it was used by pirates.

They used the sea cave to store stolen goods and hide their ships in the 17th and 18th centuries.

For larger resort towns, Sarandë is a popular one, and known as the ‘city’ of the Riviera.

It’s surrounded by the blue waters of the Ionian Sea with seafood restaurants and cheap beer, with pints as little as £1.30.

Popular coastal spots in the area include Pulebardha Beach which visitors have described as “magnificent”.

Another is Plazhi Pasqyra or Mirror Beach, which one local called their “favourite beach in the area” with “beautiful underwater reefs.”

It’s cheap too, for example, a room at Kalemi’s Beachside Hotel in Sarandë can be book for as little as £45 per night in September.

Albania is hot during the summer months too with July and August temperatures reaching highs of 38C.

Getting there doesn’t take long either, flights from the UK to Tirana are just over three hours.

Or if you fancy getting to Ksamil, a flight to Corfu takes three hours 10-minutes followed by an hour sailing.

WITH summer in full swing, there’s nothing quite like packing a bag and heading off to explore the best of Britain on a staycation.

But you don’t need to empty your wallet to enjoy a brilliant break this year.

Best Western has 200+ great value hotels across the UK, plus they are currently offering FREE breakfast on selected 2026 breaks if you book them before July 31.

Click here to browse which Best Western hotels are offering free breakfast, which includes hundreds of country houses, seaside hotels and city stays across the UK.

Not only this, but they have put together special staycation packages which they call GEMS – which stands for Great Escapes, Memorable Stays.

These are specially-curated breaks that include your stay, food, as well as special experiences like cocktail masterclasses, family activities and spa treatments.

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We’ve rounded up the most exciting, best-value staycations across the UK that you can book with Best Western with very affordable rates.

From 80’s disco weekenders to wellness weekends by the sea, here’s our round-up of the best-value Best Western breaks this summer.

80’s party night – The Hatfield Hotel, Lowestoft

Lowestoft‘s original 80’s party night is taking place on the weekend of September 26-27 – and a stay at this Best Western hotel comes with a free ticket.

Spend your Saturday night boogieing to Chica DJ’s 80’s anthems, which range from famous rock and pop songs to sing-your-heart-out ballads.

Book a stay at Best Western’s Hatfield Hotel for your ticket, a comfy place to stay right on the seafront, and free breakfast included in the morning.

Stays start from £103.68 per night.

The Art of Mixology Escape – Abbots Barton Hotel, Canterbury

If cocktail classes and fresh stone-baked pizzas are up your street, then opt for this package stay at the Abbots Barn Hotel.

Once you’ve checked in, guests will head to The John in Canterbury, where you can take part in a cocktail masterclass and sit down to sip your own creations. Plus the prosecco on arrival truly sweetens the deal.

This stay also includes a delicious stone-baked pizza for dinner, plus a Full English breakfast with all the trimmings in the morning.

Make sure to spend time in the hotel itself, which is a grand Victorian Gothic property surrounded by two acres of peaceful, manicured gardens.

Stays start from £229.49 per night.

Wellness weekend – The Kings Arms, Christchuch

Treat yourself to a wellness weekend at The Kings Arms hotel in Christchurch, Dorset this summer.

This GEM stay lets you pick a wellness treat from a 60-minute sauna session on Avon Beach, or a yoga or pilates class.

The relaxing stay also includes a free gift from Bramley and midday check out so you can enjoy a slow start in the morning.

Stays start from £131.97 per night.

Coastal escape – Hotel Collingwood, Bournemouth

Enjoy a three-night stay in sunny Bournemouth at Hotel Collingwood, a BW Signature Collection hotel with a luxurious feel.

This break includes a decadent three-course dinner each night as well as fresh Full English breakfasts in the morning, plus the Bubble Lounge Bar is the perfect classy spot to enjoy a cocktail or two.

Guests will also get full access to the Eden Spa, which has a pool, sauna and hydrotherapy treatments. You’ll also get 25 per cent off any spa treatments, so make sure to book yourself in for a massage.

Plus it’s easy to get out and discover Bournemouth with a 24-hour hop-on, hop-off bus ticket included with your stay.

Stays start from £180 per night.

Family stay with soft play – Centurion Hotel, Somerset

Two adults and one child can set off on a family staycation this summer at the Best Western Plus Centurion Hotel in Somerset.

This hotel has its own soft play on-site, Planet Volt, where little ones can slide, climb, and crawl to their heart’s content.

The hotel is also in an ideal location for countryside walks, where you can explore tranquil riverside and woodland trails as a family.

Then return to a comfortable and spacious family-sized room, and enjoy freshly-cooked breakfasts in the morning, included in your stay.

Stays start from £124.81 per night.