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I’VE been reporting on the darker side of Katie Price’s husband Lee Andrews since she married him back in January – and now believe his “kidnapping” is simply another brazen storyline he’s written to try and hoodwink her further.

And now it’s all unravelling faster than he could have imagined, with Katie finally admitting she is giving up on searching for him because (spoiler alert) she’s realised it’s all a massive lie.

For four months, I have been unravelling Andrews’ web of untruths – and it would be correct to say he absolutely loathes me now.

From day one, I have refused to let his lies get in the way of reporting the truth.

Every time a woman shared her story with me, he berated them and claimed he’d never heard of them – despite me having evidence to the contrary.

Those close to Katie have since sent vile messages to his ex, Alana Percival, who has gone through more with Andrews than I think anyone will ever know.

If she chooses one day to share the rest of her story, I would urge you to listen to her. I did, and it made me feel physically sick.

Andrews threatened that he had lodged criminal charges against me in Dubai, which would see me arrested if I ever landed in the country and said he was suing me for defamation, which, comically, he spelt “deformation”.

Andrews then bragged he was going to get me sacked before messaging me on social media with a meme calling me a “c**t.”

I replied, “Likewise,” because he really is.

Now Katie has finally admitted she’s given up on “searching” for her husband, and I know it is because she’s finally realised this entire “kidnapping” scenario is just another part of Andrews’ elaborate lies.

Over the past few days, I have taken numerous calls from people all over the world who wanted to share their experiences of Andrews.

People have claimed to me that Andrews owes millions to businesses from failed schemes and warned there are more women who willingly handed over cash to receive nothing in return.

The “kidnapping” scenario is worthy of a Hollywood film script.

But it’s not unusual for wrong ‘uns who, after realising the jig is up, introduce an elaborate narrative to try and distance themselves from the chaos they’ve left in their wake.

In my opinion, the events of the past seven days are all a narrative being spun by Andrews to be parroted out by Katie, whose friends insist has nothing to do with his lies.

Now she’s reached the end of her patience.

“Katie knows something isn’t right about this scenario deep down,” a friend told me.

“Lee was active on WhatsApp two days after he told her he was going missing. She has heard nothing and has just been ghosted.

“She was so panicked at the start, but now it’s become a drain on her. The people around her have warned that this isn’t normal and that it all seems a bit suspect.”

In my opinion, Andrews has been laying the groundwork for his exit from Katie’s life for some time.

Some weeks ago, a contact of mine was gossiping about Andrews and his seemingly endless stream of fibs – including that he’d boasted to Katie he was an international arms dealer.

I’d never heard that porker before, and I laughed as I regaled a story his ex-fiancee, Alana, who bravely spoke out to warn Katie off Andrews back in January, had told me about Andrews telling her he had worked for MI5.

Much like his now-debunked claims from his fictional CV, including that he worked for the Labour Party and was the Director of Philanthropy at the King’s Trust, I laughed it off and forgot about it.

But after seeing the messages Andrews sent Katie, where he claimed he had been kidnapped and taken to a “black site”, to me, it suddenly all started to make sense.

In my opinion, Andrews’ MO is twisting narratives in a bid to make out he is something he plainly isn’t.

Suggesting to Katie and others that he works in a more than shady industry as an arms dealer to me suggests he was laying the foundations that he worked in a dangerous underworld.

So when Andrews suddenly walked off the face of the earth on Thursday after telling Katie he had been arrested and was being taken to a “black site” – the name given to clandestine state-operated detention centres – naturally, she would believe it.

My esteemed boss Clemmie Moodie persuaded Katie to share the final desperate texts she received from Andrews in The Sun newspaper – and to me, his messages bear all the hallmarks of a man trying to pen a story with a better twist than some of Agatha Christie’s greatest works.

“Katie was basically told by Lee that he was involved in all sorts of business, and not all of it was savoury,” my contact explained.

“He told her he was an international arms dealer. It was something he openly boasted about.

“Lee made her think he had his fingers in all sorts of pies.

“So when he spun her a story about being kidnapped, she fell for it. Because, as far as Katie is concerned, this is the kind of world Lee has connections with and operates in.

“Now with everything that is coming out, she’s realising she may have been played for a fool.”

Far from being kidnapped, I firmly believe Andrews is now simply hiding out in Dubai – a country he cannot leave because, as Katie herself confirmed, he has a travel ban… even though Andrews went on to deny it.

Clemmie’s work uncovering his scam first hand, and the pressure piled upon him by the thousands of people invested in this story, has backed Andrews into a corner..

He initially managed to shrug off the criticism.

But after he publicly humiliated Katie live on Good Morning Britain, and she publicly turned on him for the first time, I believe Andrews realised he had entered uncharted waters and knew it was time to get out.

Katie has not heard from Andrews since the early hours of Thursday morning, when the live location he shared with her on WhatsApp turned off – along with, it seems, the phone he used to contact her.

But I know Andrews uses multiple phones, and we know he was online and using one of them on Saturday evening.

Today, an even wilder twist – with Andrews going back on Instagram to follow another woman – adds to my theory.

Andrews had an escape route planned. And now he’s out – he’s moving on to someone else.

This man is in hiding, and he will stay there for as long as it is physically possible.

I’m not sure even Andrews, who probably could get a PhD in deception, could lie himself out of this one.

A KEEN traveller is determined to visit EVERY country that flies from his local airport – and is more than halfway there already.

Savvy jet-setter Neil Loft is attempting to tick off all 120 destinations that fly from Bristol Airport.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel. 

So far, Neil has ticked off 86 locations offered by Bristol Airport, leaving him with 34 left – although he does have an advantage working as cabin crew.

But not all of his travelling is done through work. Neil also spends lots of his free time exploring the world – last year he managed to visit 21 destinations.

Neil has only upped his efforts this year visiting as many as three places in one day, which he managed to do for as little as £3.

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He travelled from Basel in Switzerland, to St Louis in France, and Weil am Rhein in Germany all within 24 hours.

Neil said: “It was quite straightforward, really. Without even realising, I had crossed the bridge and walked into a new country.”

On day two of his trip to Basel, Neil caught the tram to the French border, where he walked over to St Louis to enjoy a local delicacy: croque monsieur.

Neil then returned to Basel before hopping on a tram across the border to Weil am Rhein in Germany.

There, he had a beer at a rooftop bar before heading back to his Swiss hotel.

Despite travelling to three different countries in 24 hours, the entire day trip cost him just £3 thanks to the travel pass he got on arrival in Basel.

Neil explained: “It was shockingly easy. I took a bit of time in each to have a drink and a mooch about but you could have done all three countries in two or three hours if you wanted to.”

Other spots in Europe that Neil has visited include Zurich, Vilnius, Kaunas, Almeria, Bilbao, Turkey, Innsbruck, and Bucharest.

When it comes to being savvy with flights, Neil says his jobs as a holiday rep and then cabin crew for 10 years helped.

Through this, he knows how to get the best flight and pair them up with the hotels and transfers.

Neil added: “I am well on track to achieve [all 120 destinations]. I have only got a handful more to do.

“I have no commitments to hold me back, so I am just an intrepid traveller really.

“I have to go on my airline apps to remind myself where I am going some of the time. I just tend to see a deal and go book it.”

Frequent flyer Mark Wolters has shared his airline travel secrets – and one of them involves setting your alarm for a very unsociable time

Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of air travel is discovering that your flight has been delayed and realising that you’re doomed to spend the next couple of hours in an uncomfortable plastic chair. But American travel expert Mark Wolters has some valuable tips that can save holidaymakers from the heartache of hanging around in the departure lounge.

In a new video on his Wolters World YouTube channel, Mark has a range of savvy solutions for finding the best restaurants and the cleanest loos at any airport.

He also advises, in the US at least , picking flights that depart from purely-international terminals as opposed to terminals that service both domestic and intercontinental flights.

He explains that quest for security checks will always be far longer at dual-use terminals: “For example,” Mark say, “when I go to Chicago, I know if I’m flying out of Terminal Five, the international terminal, it’s going to be a lot faster than if I’m flying out of Terminal Two, which has a lot of domestic flights.”

“It’s a good idea to look up because it could save you a time, especially if you’re running behind getting to the airport,” he advises.

Mark adds: “The airport secret I use the most when I travel is take the early morning flights if you want the least amount of headaches.”

He adds that while it might mean setting your alarm for a painfully-early time, there’s a good reason for picking those crack-of-dawn flights: “If you take that early morning flight, usually your plane landed the night before, so you don’t have the delays,” Mark explains.

“Also, when you go to check in, there’s not 3,000 extra people there. It’s just the first people flights that are there. So, it’s usually faster to get through security, faster to check in, faster to get to your gate, that takes a lot of the stress away.”

Additionally, Mark says, as the day wears on, any small delays tend to snowball and you’re much more likely to see a late evening flight delayed: “So, you’re going to travel for holidays or anything like that, don’t take the afternoon flight.

“Get up in the morning… suck it up, take that early morning flight so you have less chance for problems.”

Another one of Mark’s airport secrets is to try to use the loos nearest to the baggage reclaim, because they’re likely to be the cleanest and most pleasant to use.

He explains: “Think about it. When people get off the plane, they want to go to the bathroom right away. So, those bathrooms in the terminals by the busy gates, those get used a lot more than the other ones.

“All of them get cleaned, but the ones that aren’t used as much, they tend to they tend to stay cleaner longer. At baggage claim, no one’s thinking ‘I want to go to the bathroom’. They’re thinking, I want my luggage and I want to go home.’ So that would be a cleaner one to use.”

Flights can be incredibly expensive, but this simple hack could get you free extra legroom in a bulkhead or exit row seat — just by asking one polite question at check-in

My first long-haul flight came at just three years old. When my family decided to emigrate from England to New Zealand, it meant I’d spend much of my childhood travelling between the two nations.

This is no minor journey – while people frequently complain about how far away Australia is from the UK, New Zealand is even further away.

At its quickest, the flight from London to New Zealand takes 23 hours, though depending on where your aircraft stops to refuel and the length of your stopovers, it can easily balloon to 36 hours or beyond.

As the years passed, I grew taller – and then exceptionally tall.

Now aged 31, I stand just under 6ft tall, and as a teenager, I wasn’t significantly shorter.

Attempting to squeeze myself into economy class seats became increasingly difficult with every additional inch I gained.

That’s precisely why these days, whenever I take a long-haul flight, I employ a strategy my mum taught me as an awkward, lanky pre-teen that significantly boosts my odds of securing a seat upgrade.

I must emphasise that this method doesn’t succeed every single time. Nevertheless, it does boast a fairly impressive success rate when executed properly – I’d estimate it’s worked in my favour roughly 70% of the occasions I’ve attempted it.

All you require is good manners, a friendly smile, and the confidence to handle potential disappointment. It’s simpler if you’re checking luggage, though it’s achievable without.

Whenever I check my luggage at the desk, I politely ask the staff member whether they have any bulkhead seats available or any rows with empty seats.

Even if I’m travelling without checked luggage, I’ll still join the queue and make an enquiry – frequently using the excuse of needing a physical boarding pass printed.

Being tall, I often point to my height and crack a self-deprecating joke about being squeezed into an economy class. If you’re polite and ask courteously, the results might surprise you.

I’ve been given entire rows to myself, exit row seats and bulkhead seats all at no additional charge simply because I asked politely.

This approach depends on fortune – if the aircraft is at full capacity, then it clearly won’t succeed, but occasionally flights have available seats and staff are willing to reassign you.

The crucial thing is not to become annoyed if the response is negative – always be gracious, thank the person at the desk for their time and proceed to your flight.

Blogger Mark Wolters has spent two decades travelling around the world, but he says there are some seats he won’t sit on when he’s flying

An expert who has travelled to more than 80 countries says there is one seat you should never pick on a plane. Mark Wolters has spent the past two decades travelling around the world and documenting his trips.

He however says there are some seats that he refuses to pick on a plane, because they get his journey off on the wrong foot. Among those are any middle seat, which he says results in a “battle” for personal space.

He says travellers often end up cramped up when they are in the middle, saying they have “lost out”. However there is one row in particular that Mark says is the worst on a plane.

In a video on his Wolter’s World YouTube channel, Mark revealed the first row of the plane is “one of the worst”. He said: “One thing is, you have a bulkhead (wall) there.

“That first row, you don’t have the underseat storage in front of your space, so you have to make sure you get your stuff up above, but also you have no room to stretch your legs out because there’s not that underseat there, so sometimes you don’t have a tonne of space.

“But the really tough thing is, going back to the luggage, or lack of luggage space. If you’re flying in Spain, when they get on the plane, they put their bags in right away.

“They don’t wait to row 20. If you’re in row one or two, maybe you’re going to have to go to row five or six to put it up above and nobody’s going to let you go get it when it’s time to get out, which can be very frustrating.”

Mark went on to explain that the front of the plane often has the lavatory or the galley. And while he avoids sitting on the front row, Mark isn’t overly fond of the back either.

This is because you can often find yourself queuing to disembark the aircraft. He said: “If you have tight connections, guess what? You are the last one off the plane. And for my friends who do not like turbulence, if you’re in the very back of the plane, this is where the turbulence is.”

Mark says that the back, much like the front, can often be where the facilities are. In general he says he likes to avoid any seat next to the toilet, because you can “hear or smell” what is going on.

He also generally says he avoids sitting near to the galley, because it is “where the flight attendants work”. He explains this means the lights are constantly on and the area regularly “smells of food”.

He described the galley as “not really a quiet relaxing place,” which makes it more difficult to enjoy his flight. Elsewhere, Mark explains the exit rows are the “best” seats to sit in.

He said: “Those exit rows are the best for legroom because the extra row needs to be wider for exits, so it’s kind of like business class legroom for economy prices.”

Katie Strick swapped London for Australia, only to find herself returning to the United Kingdom after just 18 months after discovering what life was really like Down Under

A woman who quit the United Kingdom for a sunny life in Australia has decided to move back after realising what life Down Under is truly like. Katie Strick and her partner spent 18 months in Australia before making the decision to move back home.

Katie says she made the decision to swap south London for Sydney after striking up a long-distance relationship with a former university friend. Writing in The Times, she admits the chance to join him in his beachside flat “wasn’t a hard sell”.

With the extension to the age bracket for the working holiday visa being moved from 30 to 35, Katie admits she felt the time was right. She found herself surrounded by “young, free twenty and thirtysomethings” in the Manly area.

But after a year-and-a-half, Katie found herself heading back to London. Her first struggle, she says, was the rental market in Sydney.

She found the cost of a flat is around the same in Australia as London. She also admits “friends and family naturally rank highly when I list the reasons for coming back”.

Katie however says the reasons for the move were much more than that. She wrote: “The reasons are rarely sexy: green space, quality of the press, a low risk of shark attacks and being a short train ride from my parents’ home town don’t quite have the same ring as living next to the beach when you shout them across a pub — but they mattered more than I expected.”

She acknowledges that Australia has “more sunshine” as well as “happier, healthier, more outdoorsy people,” but found herself missing the cobbled streets, country pubs, and British humour. She concedes it’s “hard not to miss those things” when you are “a 24-hour flight away”.

She says the Middle East conflict has also led to a “sense of uncertainty” for Brits flying from Australia. Dubai, once a popular layover, became embroiled in the conflict in March when it was struck by Iran.

Katie expected some “pushback” from her friends in Australia, but admits she was taken aback by the level of confusion from people back home too. She says many joked she would regret it when her boyfriend is “conscripted” or would be making another U-turn soon enough.

While she says it can seem difficult to say “exactly what you feel far away from,” she says “you do”. She accepts she has a “sense of day-to-day belonging” from visiting grandparents or meeting a friend’s baby, things that can’t be replicated through FaceTime.

Having moved back to London, Katie has however found herself wondering if she made a mistake. She recalls one moment she was catcalled by a drunk man at Clapham Junction, and dodging crowds in Soho.

On the other hand, she says there have been “moments of pure nostalgia” as she strolled through her favourite London park on a spring evening, or the appreciation she has for the NHS and architecture of the UK. She says her partner will soon land back in the UK, meaning that she gets to experience the “rollercoaster of emotions” from her return all over again.

Katie isn’t the only Brit who has quit the UK for Australia and found themselves moving back. Manchester-born Jessica McMaster recently made the same move after finding “four problems” with life Down Under.

Jessica cited the cost of living, distance from loved ones, visa and work restrictions, and weather as reasons for her move. Jessica, who lived in Melbourne, said: “Sometimes it would rain for days and be really cold and dark.

“Summer lasted about six months, which was amazing, long, bright days, great cafés, runs by the beach, but people think it’s always 30-degree heat. Melbourne can have four seasons in one day. In winter it was cold and rainy, so at times it felt like being back in Manchester, but without your family and friends.”

The former reality star has traded celebrity life to start a rubbish collection business

One of Towie’s most recognisable faces has turned his back on fame and taken up waste collection.

Kirk Norcross first burst onto our screens on the ITV2 reality show as one of its original cast members. Back then, he was living the high life as a ‘rich party boy’, spotted behind the wheel of luxury motors, jetting off on extravagant holidays and throwing parties at his late father Mick Norcross’ legendary nightclub Sugar Hut.

Despite being a firm favourite with fans, he chose to walk away from the show after just two years, before going on to appear in several other television programmes. Kirk featured on Celebrity Big Brother and the 2015 series of MTV’s Ex On The Beach.

Now, years on, Kirk leads a thoroughly ‘normal’ life having opted to ditch the spotlight entirely – even previously turning down the opportunity to appear in the 10-year TOWIE anniversary reunion show.

The 38-year-old now runs County Clear Waste, a same-day rubbish collection service operating throughout Norfolk and Suffolk. The firm handles household, commercial and industrial waste, while also providing a ‘wait and load service’.

The company appears to have launched in January this year, making it a relatively new venture. Promoting his business, Kirk shared a snap of himself on Instagram, pictured sporting a branded hi-vis jacket.

Alongside the post he wrote: “Hi, I’m Kirk Norcross, proud owner of County Clear Waste.

“I provide reliable, fully insured and licensed rubbish clearance across Norfolk and Suffolk. From garden clearances and house clearances to all types of waste and rubbish removal.

“I’ve got you covered. Professional, trustworthy service you can depend on. Get in touch today.”

However, this isn’t Kirk’s first venture into entrepreneurship. The former reality star previously operated his own jet-washing business based in Essex.

He ran KN Jet Services, a jet-washing and drain-cleaning enterprise, which represented his initial foray into a traditional career path after leaving television. Beyond his professional endeavours, Kirk is a dedicated father to his two children.

Kirk has previously spoken candidly about the devastating impact his television career had on his mental wellbeing.

In 2019, he made the heartbreaking revelation that he attempted to take his own life after his time in the public eye left him struggling with severe anxiety and depression.

His late father Mick tragically died by suicide at his Bulphan home in January 2021. An inquest disclosed how Mick felt ‘unable to cope’ with financial concerns before his death.

TOWIE returns on Sunday, April 26 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX and the show will air every Sunday and Monday

Samaritans is there for anyone who wants to talk. You can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by calling 116 123 (free from any phone) or the Samaritans Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day).

THE Canary Islands are a hit with Brits offering everything from high octane activity breaks to spots with pretty beaches for relaxing – but which is best for your holiday?

Well, one TUI expert, Jack French, knows exactly which is best and gives his top tips for each location.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Jack has already booked hundreds of holidays to the Spanish hotspots and says: “People often talk about the Canary Islands as if they’re all identical, but in reality each island has a completely different feel.

“Choosing the right island, and the right hotel on that island, can be the difference between a good holiday and an incredible one.”

Tenerife – The best all-rounder

Tenerife is the largest island in the Canaries and Jack believes is the best all-rounder thanks to it having “so much variety.”

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He says: “You can combine beaches, scenery, local towns and family attractions all in one place.”

The island has golden-sand beaches like Playa de las Teresitas and Playa del Duque for those who want to relax on the shore or take a paddle in the waters.

For those who want more of a thrill, head to Siam Park which is ‘often described as one of the best waterparks in the world’.

Jack adds: “It’s got a bit of everything with those big adrenaline drop slides as well as kid-friendly water playgrounds.

“Even couples without children enjoy it. There are calmer areas like the lazy rivers, so it’s not just about thrills.”

Other must-visit spots are Teide National Park which has volcanic scenery and shows off a different side to the island.

When it comes to eating, Jack recommends heading away from busy promenades and towards villages like La Orotava to try out local restaurants.

He says to try fresh fish and papas arrugadas, which is a traditional boiled potato style Canarian dish.

When it comes to hotels the TUI BLUE Los Gigantes is a good spot for coupes because it’s peaceful, spacious with clifftop views which you can book from £607pp (per person based on two adults sharing a Double Room with Balcony or Terrace on a half-board basis).

Or, TUI offers seven-night breaks to TUI SUNEO Tamaimo Tropical in Tenerife from £464pp (per person based on two adults and two children sharing a studio on an all-inclusive basis).

Gran Canaria – Best for families

Jack says that the island of Gran Canaria “surprises a lot of people”, particularly those who come for the beach “but end up loving how diverse the island feels.”

When it comes to exploring the island, some must-visit spots include the sand dunes of Maspalomas which are one of Gran Canaria’s highlights.

Try to visit either early morning or sunset when you’ll get the best views across the dunes.

Make sure to head inland too where you’ll find mountain villages and winding roads which have beautiful views.

Jack’s recommendation is heading to Gran Canaria’s ‘Little Venice‘ also known as Puerto de Mogan.

The town has its nickname thanks to its canal, and pretty blue-and-yellow-trimmed white cottages.

TUI Musement offers a Gran Canaria’s ‘Little Venice’ – visit Puerto de Mogan by boat experience from £43 per adult.

When it comes to hotels, check into the TUI BLUE Playa Feliz which suits families with younger children thanks to its splash park and big entertainment stage.

TUI also offers seven-night breaks to 4T TUI BLUE Playa Feliz in Gran Canaria from £482 per person (including a free kids’ place).

Lanzarote – Best for scenery

For those who want a quiet and laid-back holiday, head to Lanzarote.

Jack advises it’s much “more about scenery and atmosphere than ticking off attractions.”

Along with its black-sand beaches, other must-sees include the Timanfaya National Park which has red hues thanks to its volcanic landscape.

When it comes to food, you can find hidden gems everywhere – especially at small seafront restaurants.

They serve up simple dishes and fresh local food so make sure to take a long lunches by the sea.

Jack’s top hotel pick is RIU Paraiso which is 30-meters from a Blue Flag beach.

It’s a great spot for those who want to take coastal walks and long lunches, for families, here’s an on-site kids’ club and children’s pool.

TUI offers seven-night breaks to 4T Riu Paraiso Lanzarote from £778pp (based on two adults and one child sharing a twin room).

Fuerteventura – Best for activities

When it comes to Fuerteventura, Jack says it “feels much more open and unspoilt than the other islands”.

Here, the beaches are the gem of the island, they’re miles long and usually aren’t too crowded.

So it’s no surprise that those heading on holiday here love long coastal walks at sunrise or sunset before the island wakes up.

If you’re heading to the island with all the family, Jack often recommends TUI MAGIC LIFE Fuerteventura.

There’s lots to do for teens and is ideal for active families and couples who love sports and being outdoors, with the likes of mountain biking, volleyball and trampolining all forming part of the activity list. 

TUI offers seven-night breaks to 4T TUI MAGIC LIFE Fuerteventura from £665pp (based on two adults and one child sharing a one bedroom family room with balcony or terrace on an all-inclusive basis).

Hear more about the Canary Islands from one man who has visited 100 countries but always goes back to them.

And Sun Travel’s favourite spots in Spain, it’s set to hit a record 100 million tourists this year.

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

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

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

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

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

Check the most recent reviews

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

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

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

Actually read the reviews

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

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

Check that the price makes sense

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

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

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

Check photos posted by guests

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

Cancellation policy

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

Location, location, location

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

Check the description

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

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

Trust your gut

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