stayed

FANCY a bit of the royal treatment? I know just the, er, palace.

The Mazagan Beach and Golf Resort on Morocco’s north-west coast is regal in both size and design.

With its dreamy arches and soaring ceilings, traditional Zellij tiling, tree-lined atrium and central courtyards, this five-star wonder is truly fit for royalty.

Inside, everything smells of rich orange blossom. You could get lost here. In fact, you want to.

In the early Noughties, the country’s King Mohammed VI wanted the fortified city of El Jadida, a Unesco World Heritage Site, to be emblazoned on the tourist map.

The Mazagan, from the same luxury Kerzner hotel group as Dubai’s Atlantis, The Palm, has helped him achieve this.

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It is drawing an impressive crowd.

Pop princess Paloma Faith stayed here with her family this year and Moroccan golf star Ayoub Lguirati — winner of the first Arab World Professional Championship in 2023 — often plays the resort’s beachfront course designed by one of the sport’s greats, Gary Player.

Oh, and now I was there.

The 500-room Mazagan is so grand that it is home to one of North Africa’s largest casinos — and one evening, my friends and I joined the guests trying their luck on its 37 gaming tables, 80 roulettes wheels and 370 slot machines.

Good news for risk-takers is that the casino stays open 23 hours a day, so this hotel almost never sleeps.

But as amateurs, we didn’t fancy losing a king’s ransom on Blackjack, so moved on to the 1940s-themed Studio 42 lounge bar next door which is swathed in royal-green velvet drapes.

It has live music at weekends and serves glam cocktails including a homemade rosé liquor and gin concoction for £10, or local beer from £5.50, so is a sure bet for a nightcap or two.

When it came time to hit the hay, my ocean-view room was similar in its grandeur to the rest of the hotel, with traditional metal hanging lanterns, dark-wood furniture, and a bed that could fit a family of four.

Thankfully, 80 per cent of the rooms are connecting, so parents do not have to share with little ’uns.

Even with the balconette doors to my room closed, I could hear the inviting roar of the Atlantic Ocean.

It is safe to swim here — there’s a lifeguard during the day — but you can also rent paddle and bodyboards, or make the most of the swell with surf lessons.

Even in late September, temperatures in El Jadida can reach 30C.

Animal-lovers will enjoy a trip to the Mazagan’s farm, which has goats, cows and chickens. Its beachfront stables are immaculately maintained and the horses and ponies have shiny, glowing coats.

Riding on the beach has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember, so on an unusually grey afternoon I climbed on to a palomino-coloured mare called Rosa and headed for the shore.

She trotted along Haouzia Beach, steadily swerving the incoming tide, as I sat back — nay, upright — to enjoy the view. The next day, for something more fast-paced, our group zoomed along the sand — thankfully flat — on quad bikes.

The Mazagan also has laser games, go-karting, paintballing, a 22ft climbing wall, archery, a gym, and pickleball and tennis courts. There are daytime clubs for both kids and teens, too.

But a holiday in Morocco calls for a spot of haggling in the medina — and just the place for that is Casablanca which is the country’s largest, most cosmopolitan city, just an hour’s drive from the hotel.

Built in the early 19th century by the French, the New Medina is smaller and less chaotic than its walled older counterpart but just as authentic.

We find everything from artisan teapots and pottery, leather bags and hand-woven Berber rugs, to stalls piled high with native olives for a fraction of what we would pay at home.

Casablanca also has a striking mix of religious buildings, owing to its colonial history.

Many of these, such as the monumental Hassan II Mosque on the city’s promenade, offer guided tours.

Arabesque carvings

The Hassan II Mosque is a gem — with the world’s second-tallest minaret at 689ft and an elaborately decorated prayer room which can fit 20,000 worshippers.

As is customary if entering a mosque, we removed our shoes.

Our guide then recounted tales of its craftmanship as we quietly admired the stonework, arabesque carvings, Murano glass chandeliers, and titanium doors weighing several tonnes.

For many Brits, though, Casablanca will conjure memories of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman’s 1942 film — although the wartime classic was actually filmed in Hollywood.

Disappointed to discover Rick’s Cafe from the film did not exist, an American woman opened a replica bar, with grand piano and Moroccan hanging lanterns, in the Old Medina in 2004.

“Of all the gins joints in all the towns”, to quote from the film, this one was well worth walking into for a boozy pit-stop on the way back to the Mazagan.

But, of course, there’s nothing wrong with spending a week simply lazing beside the resort’s lagoon-style pool, having treatments in its award-winning spa and eating and drinking like royalty in its 13 restaurants and bars.

The Market Place evening buffet offers an abundance of local and international dishes, from salads to saffron slow-cooked lamb, shawarma and a wok station.

Or the hotel’s jewel in the crown, the dimly lit Bushra restaurant, serves up Middle Eastern dishes and a live band to its impressively receptive diners.

Sat under gigantic brass chandeliers and dramatic drapes, even the grannies sang and clapped cheerily between mouthfuls of hummus with beef fillet, grilled jumbo shrimps and the most tender slow-cooked lamb.

Just like the flavours, the service is five-star — waiter Wafae deserves mention.

But I had my favourite-ever starter in Sel de Mer.

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The nautically-themed seafood restaurant has an extraordinary signature dish of blue lobster salad with fennel remoulade and mustard jus. At £26, it is not cheap, but lobster never is.

I could get used to living like a queen.

Football supporters up and down the country have the opportunity to spend the night exactly like their England heroes – the stay is something I’ve never experienced before

Growing up as a huge football fan, I dreamed of playing for Leicester City and representing England. As you’re reading this, you already know it didn’t play out how I would have liked.

The next best thing was working in football; fortunately, I do. As a football writer, I experience the football world every working day and attend matches often.

To get my ‘football fix’, I play 5-a-side weekly at the local goals. But that feeling of living like a footballer was always unscathed. That was until I stayed at the Hilton Hotel at St George’s Park at Burton-on-Trent to stay in their brand new ‘Stay Like the England Teams’ room.

Anyone locked into the England social media channels is aware of St George’s Park and the views of the hotel when the players arrive. When my brother and I arrived at the hotel, the moments of bewilderment started.

For a start, we were escorted to the players’ entrance, the exact one Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Lauren Hemp use, via a buggy. We were greeted with a personalised ‘Welcome’ message before signing our own England contract, which comes with a special polarised photograph.

Upon entering the room, aptly named ‘Suite Caroline,’ it was quickly apparent what the thinking behind its design was. Three football shirts are hung up in a dressing-room style format, including one from Alex Scott, who made 140 appearances for her country.

The room was very spacious with a double bed, tea and coffee facilities, two bathrooms, two televisions and storage space for our bags. But the most exciting and best part of the room? The outdoor cinema.

Overlooking the well-decorated nature at St George’s Park, the outdoor area included a football-themed dugout with four heated seats and a big screen; it was the perfect location to make the most of the brand-new EAFC 26 video game.

There was more excitement to come; as part of the stay, you get an exclusive training experience. FA coach Ben met us at the reception and took us to the well-constructed Hilton Pitch for the hour-long session. My brother and I enjoyed some ball work at our pace before finishing with a competitive game – the sibling rivalry lived on and it got tasty!

Our love for the game was then widened even further with the behind-the-scenes look at the training facilities, from the Cryotherapy chamber and indoor futsal halls to the longest gym in Europe, where the national team players work on their strength and conditioning.

We also spent some time overseeing the Sir Bobby Charlton Pitch, the setting which the first-team players use. Based entirely on the Wembley Stadium pitch, it’s surreal to see where the nation’s best players train.

An hour later, it was time to dine like the players. Once again, great customer service came to hand with a member of the Hilton Hotel staff walking us through the hotel to the Executive Lounge on the second floor.

After receiving complimentary drinks (we opted for Peroni), we enjoyed some fancy canapés before indulging in two bowls of Indian selection and chicken wings. It was a nice and cosy environment to chill out after such a fun-packed day.

The food in general was excellent. Our dinner menu saw us enjoy a duck and orange parfait as a starter before a delicious grilled fillet of beef with roasted garlic mash, glazed vegetables, and red wine jus. Throughout our meal, the customer service was top-tier; we weren’t left without a drink once.

Into the evening, we returned to our room and discovered a series of cinema treats had been left for us including popcorn, jelly beans, and selected chocolates. Basically, the perfect blend when we watched GOAL in the outdoor cinema.

The room has been created away from the rest of the Hilton hotel, but you still get all of the top notch service and offerings; for example, at breakfast we had a choice of a set menu or the buffet, so we could replenish after the previous day’s training.

However if you want to experience it for yourself, you’re going to want to be quick. The ‘Stay Like the England Teams’ Suite is open for stays on select dates throughout November, December, and January. Rates are £650 a night with everything included; the training, the food, room, outdoor cinema and behind-the-scenes tour.

It may not be the cheapest of stays but I felt the price was more than good value given the standard of the room, the experiences and the complimentary extras. It’s worth noting that guests who enjoy the stay will be the only ones in the hotel who do so. It’s an exclusive experience that makes you feel like royalty. Football fans, particularly England supporters, it’s a must-do!

To find out more about the Stay Like the England Teams at St George’s Park, visit Hilton.com.

With stone cottages, beautiful countryside and roaring fireplaces, the beautiful UK market town wouldn’t be out of place in the classic Christmas film The Holiday

I’ve always been captivated by the snug atmosphere of the classic Christmas film The Holiday, but I believed it would be nearly impossible to find a place that could mirror Cameron Diaz’s experience.

However, there’s one quaint market town in the UK that fits the bill perfectly. On a recent weekend getaway in the Yorkshire Dales, I visited the idyllic Middleham and was immediately taken aback by its charm.

The main cobbled street is adorned with a diverse array of antique shops, tea rooms and fish and chip shops, not to mention the beautiful stone cottages boasting picture-perfect flower pots and charming trinkets on their porches. Rose Cottage in The Holiday may be fictional (apologies for the spoiler), but the homes in Middleham certainly give it a run for its money.

The entire place feels as though it’s been preserved in time, and I mean that in the best possible way. I made a pit stop at the Castle Keep Tea Rooms where you’ll discover about 6 tables, a crackling fireplace and comfy armchairs.

The menu offered all the traditional breakfast items you could desire, some light sandwiches and some seriously scrumptious cakes baked on-site.

Everything is within walking distance, primarily because it takes about 10 minutes to traverse from one end of the town to the other; although be prepared for the hill!

The town, known as the childhood home of Richard III and the location of the historic Middleham Castle, is steeped in history. I decided to visit the English Heritage site, being the main attraction, and was pleasantly surprised.

The ruins are quite charming and impressive, and it’s easy to imagine how grand the castle must have been in its prime. If you dare to climb the winding staircase to the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the town below. (Adult tickets start from £9.50, more information can be found on english-heritage. org.uk). The ruins and the views give you a feeling of being in the Game of Thrones universe; I half expected dragons to fly overhead.

The town’s prime location on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park makes it an ideal base for walkers; there are countless footpaths and trails around, and some fantastic pubs with low beams and roaring fires where you can enjoy a pint. (The Dante Arms was a particular favourite).

For families, Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park is just a half hour’s drive away and offers a plethora of rides, rollercoasters and attractions for children aged 12 and under. We booked a group ticket which worked out at about £15 per person and were extremely impressed by what was included in the ticket.

When it comes to lodging, there’s a vast selection available. I was off to Middleham for a weekend getaway with mates, but since I live a few hours away from Yorkshire, I opted to book a snug cottage on Airbnb for one night to get the travel out of the way and savour the region.

The stone walls, plush furnishings, and delightful decor gave me serious ‘The Holiday’ vibes.

The following day, I made my way just down the road to Middleham House, which was ideal for our group of roughly 24 people. It’s no small task finding a pleasant base for such a large crowd, but the house didn’t disappoint with its massive living room, library, dining room, and roomy ensuite bedrooms. A crackling fireplace was also available, making it hard to pull myself away to actually do some sightseeing! You can learn more and book stays at themiddlehamhouse.com.

Would you dare to the stay the night in Cornwall in what is said to be one of the most haunted hotels in the UK? Well – one woman did, and it inspired her murder mystery novel

Perched on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, this hotel is renowned for its eerie tales and rich history, tracing back to the 1750s.

As we’re in the midst of the spooky season, there’s nothing quite as chilling as spending a night in a hotel reputed to be one of the most haunted in the UK. The Jamaica Inn, an old coaching inn with a dark past believed to involve smuggling and ghostly stories, is famous for its spine-tingling reputation.

Originally built in 1750 as a coaching stop, the hotel now serves as a pub, restaurant and hotel, with a dedicated area for learning about the alleged spectral encounters. The Grade II-listed building exudes charm – and fear – with its traditional oak beams and snug rooms.

However, before it became a popular spot for food and overnight stays, it was infamous as a hub for the Cornwall smuggling trade. Its isolated location on the moors made it notorious for smugglers transporting goods like tea, brandy and silks from the sea, hidden beneath the floors and panels.

The isolation of the Jamaica Inn was its greatest asset in those days, often frequented by mysterious figures under dimly lit lanterns. Despite its modern touches, it was creepy enough for English author Daphne du Maurier to base her entire murder mystery novel on her stay there in 1936.

Taking its name from the precise spot where it stands, Jamaica Inn became a literary sensation amongst readers and was subsequently transformed into a film under Alfred Hitchcock’s direction.

The movie marked the final British production he would helm before departing for Hollywood, where he would establish himself as one of cinema’s legendary figures, earning up to six Oscar victories.

Thus, despite its shadowy and occasionally unlawful past, the inn achieved immortality through du Maurier’s fictional masterpiece, as she found herself captivated by the brooding heritage and spooky presence of the establishment and its bleak landscape.

Today in the 20th century, Jamaica Inn has evolved into something of a regional icon, where visitors pause to rest and discover its enduring legacy. One guest posted on TripAdvisor: “Had a thoroughly enjoyable two-night stay.

“The views from the inn were amazing onto the moor. The atmosphere was as expected from an old smugglers’ inn, full of mystery and intrigue!”.

Another visitor, eager to witness a supernatural encounter or sense the presence of the smugglers who once trod these very boards, recounted their spine-chilling experience.

They wrote: “We had done some research before arriving and saw that some rooms in the new, and many rooms in the original, areas have had activity from the paranormal…”

They shared tales about their terrifying night’s sleep – or their lack of. “Within a few minutes I was in the bathroom getting ready for a shower and heard a very loud male whistle from inside the room (corner nearest the bedroom). When asking my partner if she had whistled and getting a response of ‘absolutely NO’ I suddenly felt on edge.”

It’s no mystery that whilst the hotel has been transformed into a contemporary cosy pub and inn popular with travellers, its spine-chilling past is renowned for good reason. Whilst many other guests claim to have never experienced anything of the sort, others can’t help but let their minds wander.

THE TEMPUS, Northumberland is a hotel surrounded by natural serenity and an immersive, sophisticated experience. 

Here’s everything you need to know – from room rates to dining options at the hotel’s restaurant.

Where is the hotel?

Located just 7 miles from Alnwick and just off the A1, The Tempus is just 12 miles from the nearest station in Alnmouth, where taxis can be arranged for an easy journey. 

What is the hotel like?

Sparkling blue sea, rolling sand dunes and sunshine beating down on glorious ancient ruins. I could be on an island in the Med.

But this was a plush hotel in Northumberland.

The barns of this 18th century estate have been tastefully converted into 32 rooms. 

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What are the rooms like?

Inspired by Alice In Wonderland, the Superior King with a Terrace was decorated with eye popping hot-pink walls, a comfy sofa and two armchairs, alongside a gorgeous gold and marble coffee table.

The bathroom was huge with multiple lighting options, giving guests the choice of a disco shower, while rooms come with a Nespresso machine and biscuits, as well as dressing gowns and slippers.

Double rooms cost from £195 on a B&B basis.

What is there to eat or drink there?

 A gastro pub-style menu at the hotel’s Orangery restaurant combines hearty with sophisticated dining and features favourites such as burrata, succulent beef burgers and salty chips.

I had a veggie ragu pasta while my partner Jonah devoured lamb coupled with shepherd’s pie, followed by a delicious cheese board.

For brekkie, guests can pick a range of cooked options or there’s a continental buffet.

What else is there to do at the hotel?

There are some excellent walks on your doorstep, including a four hour coastal hike, starting at Embleton and ending at the grandiose Bamburgh Castle.

Relatively flat, the trek winds through villages that have lovely cafes and pubs.

We also enjoyed an evening in Alnwick town, which features an array of characterful boozers filled with friendly, chatty locals.

Absolutely a place to go back to. Owners Judith and Nigel were a delight. 

Is the hotel family friendly?

Yes, there are dog-friendly rooms available, as well as family suites. 

Is the hotel accessible?

Yes, The Tempus Northumberland offers ground floor rooms, accessible accommodation and accessible dining spaces.

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Additionally, there are plenty of ramps making movement around the site easier. 

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

IT’S good enough for Thomas Tuchel and Sarina Wiegman, and it’s every football fanatic’s dream stay.

Think signed England memorabilia on the walls, a private, outdoor heated cinema, and a training session to put any baller to the test with an experienced FA coach.

Earlier this month, I checked into the all-new ‘Stay Like The England Teams’ Suite – an immersive fan experience at Hilton at St George’s Park, the official training ground of the England Football Teams.

I stayed in the same room the England managers like to stay in when they’re preparing for the world’s biggest tournaments at St George’s Park, and it’s adequately named ‘Suite Caroline’ in partnership with Hilton as part of a partnership with The Football Association.

Ahead of next summer’s World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, football super fans can feel what it’s like to really be Harry Kane.

With everything available, you get to live in the luxury of the likes of Alessia Russo for a night.

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After having your bags taken to your room, and arriving at the self-same entrance the Lionesses use, you already feel like a superstar ready to give the social media intern a fist bump and grab a Lucozade for an extra energy boost.

You’ll need it present when you sign your contract and pose for a polaroid photo, commemorating the day you joined up with the squad for the first time. 

Once you’re all signed on, it’s up to ‘Suite Caroline’, with a red carpet leading you into a real footballing paradise of a room. 

Scan your room key and enter the hallway, lined with shirts of Harry Kane, Alex Scott and Ian Wright, signed of course, and from iconic moments in Three Lions history.

The luxe room spread beyond you features a sofa that transforms into a bed for extra guests, with an England coffee table, a mini-fridge stocked with refreshments, and a vast flat-screen TV – which I flicked straight onto the highlights of Tuchel’s latest flawless victory. 

To your left is the bedroom, packed with more memorabilia, including a Harry Kane boot, an England Nike football, two England T-shirts, Two Hilton x England bath robes, an eye mask, and slippers—all yours to keep.

It’s a true credit to Hilton’s footballing experience though, that even this incredible bedroom wouldn’t be the main attraction to fans.

That of course, is the private, outdoor, heated cinema opposite your room – decked out with a choice of footie cult classics, from Bend it Like Beckham, to GOAL, to She’s The Man.

Don’t fancy a movie? Load up the PS5 and whack open FC26 to take on your rivals for the day overlooking the very pitches where Bellingham and co. rifle shots into the top corners in training.

As part of the stay, guests will enjoy player-inspired meals at the hotel (more on that later) and will have an exclusive opportunity to train like their favourite players, with a training session at the National Football Centre, led by experienced FA coaches.

So, as Sun Sport’s answer to Cole Palmer, I was escorted by buggy to Hilton’s St George’s Park pitch, changed into my boots, and got ready to put my skills to the test.

It’s safe to say the coach didn’t go easy on me, and as someone who has watched the world’s best train, he knew how to put me through my paces.

Gone were the days of a lap of the pitch, this was an intense, on-ball session that tested my passing, dribbling, first-touch, and of course, my shooting.

Exhausted, sweaty, and grateful to my coach for the day, I’d earned my shower, a bit of time to decompress and some recovery time.

I wasn’t sure, however, that I’d earned a shower THIS nice, in such a stunning bathroom.

Perfectly lit, with a range of soaps in smells and flavours that could only be concocted by a botanist, the rainfall shower kept me enclosed for way longer than planned.

I was helped by the fact that I was provided with a high-end Bluetooth speaker for a sing-along that was England international initiation worthy – Price Tag by Jessie J if you must know.

Refreshed and rejuvenated, in the best of spirits – dinner called for just that, the best of spirits – this time in the form of a glass of white wine.

Available is a myriad of food options, perfect whether you’re an aspiring pro player looking to load up on protein for recovery, or if you’re well past it and fancy the well-earned taste of local meats cooked to perfection.

I opted for a ‘powerhouse striker‘s’ choice, a grilled fillet of beef with roasted garlic mash and glazed baby vegetables with red wine jus – though it must be said the Captain’s Chicken Goujons on the Junior Kick Off almost tempted me in.

After heading back to my room to watch GOAL! in the outdoor cinema, I enjoyed a peaceful night’s sleep in a huge, cosy bed and dreamt a little more of linking up with Cole Palmer to score the winner in the World Cup Final for England next summer. 

The next morning bought the kind of recovery the England stars get to enjoy regularly, with use of the on-site gym, spa, and pool – used by a range of England teams when they stay on-site. 

An 11am check-out meant it was time to return to my reality of being a sports journalist rather than being one of the stars I spend so long writing about, but I was glad to finally know how it must feel to be one of the most talented in the country at something.

The suite is the latest in Hilton’s ‘Stay Like’ specials, inviting guests to relax like their favourite stars in immersive suites.

The ‘Stay like a footballer’ experience is available on selected dates from November-January 2026 for £650 (for four).

Previous suites have included Stay Like Wicked at the New York Hilton Midtown, the Stay Like An Infinite Icon at the Beverly Hilton in LA, and the Stay Like McLaren Racing at The Trafalgar St James’ in London.

For more details on the suite, see: https://stories.hilton.com/emea/releases/stay-like-the-england-teams-in-the-ultimate-football-themed-hotel-suite

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Talking of themed stays, Head of Sun Travel Lisa Minot checked into the UK’s coolest hotel room – with racing simulators, a cocktail bar AND you can take the dressing gown home.

Plus, for more Hilton hotels, check out the swanky stay in London with free Peloton bikes in the bedrooms and a rooftop cocktail bar.

TRIBE at Manchester Airport is the hotspot of both convenience and comfort for those travelling early or late. 

Here’s everything you need to know – from room rates to dining options at the hotel’s restaurant.

Where is the hotel?

Less than a 15 minute walk from all 3 of Manchester’s airport terminals, it is an attractive spot for holidaymakers flying very early or very late, making the start to your journey as relaxing as possible.

What is the hotel like?

This 412-room hotel boasts the title of Manchester’s largest, and is packed with a mixture of both football fans off to Old Trafford and vacationers when I visited last week.

The relaxing, contemporary and carefully curated vibe attests to the design-led comfort.

What are the rooms like?

The rooms are both comfortable and functional, following the same bright and trendy theme of the interiors throughout the hotel, it feels very metropolitan and classy.

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Each one has a TV, coffee machine, kettle, plentiful supplies of Kevin Murphy toiletries,  a hairdryer and a steamer instead of an iron.

With room sizes ranging from the TRIBE Essential to the TRIBE Extra, there is something for everyone.

Rooms available starting from £115 a night.

What is there to eat or drink there?

The restaurant is a bright, open space which offers an Italian-inspired menu.

The kitchen has a real pizza oven, while pasta dishes also feature heavily on the menu.

Other mains include sea bass, bavette steak, roast chicken and cheeseburgers.

If the menu doesn’t do it for you, The Ship is a lovely pub in Styal village ten minutes away, while tapas restaurant El Bosc next door also gets great reviews.

What else is there to do at the hotel?

Tribe is only a few minutes’ walk to the Metrolink network, which takes visitors to Old Trafford, the Etihad stadium and Manchester city centre.

Nearby Styal is home to the beautiful Quarry Bank Mill National Trust park. While Hale – home to dozens of Premier League footballers – is 15 minutes away.

Is the hotel family friendly?

Yes, the TRIBE is ideal for keeping the bigger families in order before a big holiday to avoid all the last minute panic.

Is the hotel accessible?

Yes, the hotel offers two different types of accessible rooms, the TRIBE Essential Accessible, and the TRIBE Atrium Accessible.

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

AWAY from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, Room2 Chiswick is greener hotel spaces, with chic and trendy comfort.

Here’s everything you need to know – from room rates to dining options at the hotel’s restaurant.

Where is the hotel?

Found right next to the greenery of Chiswick Common, in West London,  this hotel is difficult to miss with its sustainable and contemporary exterior, inspired by the arts and crafts movement.

The hotel is just a 5 minute walk from Turnham Green station.

What is the hotel like?

A cosy modern hotel just off the high street of London’s well heeled Chiswick.

There’s a big emphasis on sustainability and Room2 claims it is the world’s first carbon-neutral hotel- or ‘hometel’, as it calls itself.

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The apartment style rooms are suited to short stays as well as longer ones.

What are the rooms like?

Our pastel-toned studio room was fairly compact, but the clever layout meant that there was still enough room for a sofa.

I particularly liked the decorative ornaments, most of which were from local artists and designers.

Every room has a kitchenette and mini dining table for whipping up your own meals.

Thoughtful touches include a glass bottle for fresh milk that you can fill at the bar.

Snug rooms are available starting from £97 per night.

What is there to eat or drink there?

Winnie’s, the in-house bar and cafe, relies on local and seasonal ingredients.

The menu is largely geared towards brunch – we tucked into a hearty full English breakfast with sourdough bread and juicy Cumberland sausages. 

Make sure to sample the ‘zero-waste’ cocktails with the hotel’s homemade coffee liqueur or honey, all served and made at the rooftop bar.

What else is there to do at the hotel?

With Chiswick as a base, the banks of the river Thames are within walking distance, and make for a great morning stroll during the spring months.

The local area is bursting with independent shops and restaurants, all at your doorstep, it would be a shame not to explore.

Additionally, Chiswick Flower Market is a popular attraction, with its local authenticity and stunning flowers.

On the Room2 website, there is a feature in which you can input your interests and details about your trip before it generates suggestions of local gems and attractions tailored to your specific wants and needs.

Is the hotel family friendly?

Yes, the hotel welcomes all including families, with the suggestion of a Lounge, Suite or Studio room as to allow for a comfortable amount of space. 

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Is the hotel accessible?

Yes, the hotel is accessible as it is compliant with the guidelines on their website. For other inquiries you are encouraged to contact the hotel.

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

AN outdoor pool is the centrepiece of any self-respecting holiday resort.

Sunshine, sunloungers and kids trying to sink each other’s inflatables.

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But this was no ordinary swimming pool. This was a NATURAL pool — nestled in the Shropshire countryside.

No nasty chemicals in this water. It’s split into two zones — one side for swimming and the other filled with reeds and water lilies.

The swimming area has clean edges just like a regular pool, but the water is naturally filtered by sunlight and the plants next to it.

The normal electric-blue hue and chlorine pong we’ve swam in all our lives is gone.

This is just clear water, like swimming in a mountain stream.

Which was appropriate as we were staying at Love2Stay glamping resort, within sight of the River Severn.

It offers 36 glamping units, including safari lodges, and 120 camping pitches, all set on a gently sloping hillside just outside Shrewsbury.

Its Biotop natural pool is one of only a handful open to the public in the UK.

And there’s also a lake with paddleboarding and kayaking, archery lessons, arts and crafts, gym, assault course and a nature trail.

We stayed in one of the site’s glamping barns. Outside, each has a private hot tub, firepit with starter bag of logs, giant hammock and beanbags.

Inside there’s a well-equipped open-plan kitchen, double bedroom and upstairs mezzanine for the kids to sleep on.

We were treated to a luxury food hamper on arrival, which comes with breakfast and dinner included.

Victorian fair

And we’re talking proper full English with fresh local ingredients and giant field mushrooms for the veggies.

There’s no shop on site — Sainsbury’s is a five-minute drive away — but the cafe serves hearty breakfasts and wood-fired pizzas in the evening.

You could spend the whole weekend without leaving the park but that would mean missing out on Shrewsbury’s medieval lanes.

We boarded the Sabrina boat, a charming 45-minute cruise that loops the River Severn. With tea, coffee and a wonderful commentary, it’s the best way to see the town’s historic riverside.

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Bridges swoop overhead as you admire Charles Darwin’s alma mater Shrewsbury School.

While the naturalist is widely seen as Shrewsbury’s most famous son, don’t forget T-Pau’s Carol Decker, who lived above the nearby boathouse.

And the beautiful green spaces surrounding it were transformed by TV gardening legend Percy Thrower.

Just down the road lies the Ironbridge Gorge, which has been transformed into the Valley of Invention and a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Here the Industrial Revolution was forged at the Coalbrookdale furnaces, and the gorge is now home to six museums.

The Iron Bridge, opened in 1781, still stands as a marvel of its time when it became the world’s first bridge made entirely of cast iron.

We took a circular walk up the side of the gorge, which gave us spectacular views of the valley.

Then we headed to Blists Hill Victorian Town. It’s a living film set, a cross between a Western and Great Expectations.

Enormous ironwork and industrial relics from its blast- furnace past sit alongside a lovingly recreated Victorian High Street.

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Staff in period clothing are working as they would have 150 years ago, making candles, baking bread and hammering iron at the blacksmith’s.

If you want your kids to know what life was really like before wifi, you can enrol them in the Victorian school. A stern Miss gives period lessons with a stick and hoop.

There’s a fish-and-chips shop wrapping cod in the village newspaper, and even a traditional Victorian boozer — complete with a sing-song knees-up in the afternoon.

And there’s a full Victorian fairground, with steam-powered rides, coconut shy and swingboats.

If you like your Victoriana with even more Clarkson’s Farm, Acton Scott Heritage Farm has reopened after a five-year break.

In its barns and yards, you can meet the wool-spinners and press Shropshire apples. The schoolroom is now a cafe serving local produce.

Back at Love2Stay, we cranked the firepit to industrial temperatures for marshmallows and mapped out our expeditions into the Shropshire Hills to see the ponies on Long Mynd.

It’s perfect for families who like a touch of luxury when they’re in the great outdoors.

Many people from the UK will have stayed at a Premier Inn, but one guest shared her experience staying at one of the company’s East Midlands hotels, including something she didn’t expect

Premier Inn is a popular budget hotel brand in the UK and can be recognised by its signature purple and white colour scheme. Most of the hotels have similar features, like the room layouts, but one location stood out to a hotel guest.

Kerri, a mum from Norfolk who works in the travel industry, recently stayed at the Premier Inn Derby City Centre Riverlights hotel and was surprised by one thing. Turning to TikTok, she said: “Well, this is new for a Premier Inn. I’ve got a room that I’ve never had before and I’ve stayed in so many Premier Inns I’ve actually lost count.”

The hotel guest first showed viewers the courtyard she could see outside of her room with potted plants growing in the middle hanging on a wooden structure, which she found “strange for one.”

She was also surprised to see tiles on the floor in and near the bathroom and discovered that when you close the bathroom door, it opens the wardrobe.

What Kerri really didn’t expect, however, was the long walk to her car from the hotel room.

The travel worker had to go down a number of corridors and through several doors to get out of the hotel and once she got out, she had to walk around the hotel, cross the road, go under a bridge, walk up some steps into the Derbion Shopping Centre, down some more corridors and down some steps into the basement car park where her car was.

At the end of the video when she finally made it to her car, she playfully said: “Let’s just say the last thing you wanna do is forget something in your car if you’re staying in the hotel. That takes forever.”

In the caption of her post, she wrote: “It’s a long a** walk to your car staying at this Premier Inn!

“Plus side – you get your steps in and it’s a great location for the mall!”

Premier Inn Derby City Centre Riverlights, located near the River Gardens, doesn’t have on-site parking but guests can park their vehicles at the nearby Derbion Basement Centre Car Park for a discounted rate of £8 for 24 hours by registering at reception.

It takes about 10 minutes to walk to this car park from the hotel. Kerri’s TikTok video has garnered thousands of views, hundreds of likes and more than 70 comments.

One user sarcastically said: “Omg the trauma.” Another added: “Haha I know Derby when I see it, I was a student there and it’s probably because the city centre is very pedestrianised and it’s just a bit of a pain to drive round.

“Car parks have always been scarce.” Someone who stayed at a different Premier Inn commented: “It’s like this for the Cardiff Queen Street Premier Inn – we have got lost so many times walking from the car park to the hotel.”

A spokesperson for Premier Inn told the Mirror: “Our Riverlights hotel is in a fantastic location right by the Derby river gardens and due to its central location, as indicated on our website when booking, there is no onsite carpark.”

‘Is there anything worth seeing in Latvia?” asked a bemused friend when I explained my destination. “Other than Riga?” Latvia’s capital is certainly worth a visit: a wonderland of perfectly preserved art nouveau architecture with a medieval centre of narrow cobbled streets and enough quirky museums to satisfy the most curious of visitors – most of whom just come for a weekend.

But a short drive or bus ride east of Riga lies another, more expansive and completely empty, wonderland: a wild, post-Soviet landscape of untouched forests, ecologically renowned wetlands, windblown beaches and crumbling castles. Not to mention the newly restored baronial estates where you can stay for the price of an average British B&B. This region, known as Kurzeme, is almost the size of Yorkshire (population: 5.5 million) but with a mere 240,000 inhabitants.

Kurzeme (also known by its German name, Courland) has 180 miles of undeveloped coastline and a good proportion of Latvia’s 1,200 castles and mansions, as well as the ancient valley of the Abava River, listed by World Monuments Watch as one of “100 endangered unique cultural monuments”.

It also boasts Kuldīga, a Unesco world heritage town, and Liepāja an upcoming European capital of culture (2027) – full of languishing art nouveau architecture, and enough former Soviet collective farms, KGB watch towers and military barracks to remind us that history really is just a breath away.

The Latvian bus system is excellent and extremely cheap but I rented a car for a few days to maximise my time. My tour began in Sabile, a town on the River Abava – whose crystalline, beaver-filled waters flow from Kandava to Kuldīga (Sabile is also home to several vineyards where Latvian wine can be tasted). Here, one misty cacophonous morning, I casually flipped open my Merlin birding app. Within minutes it had identified 25 birds including sedge warblers, golden orioles and spotted fly catchers and I had seen marsh harriers. Apparently such a wide variety is perfectly normal: Latvia’s bogs, wetlands, coastal lagoons and ancient forests (53% of the country is woodland while 5% is wetlands) make it one of northern Europe’s best birding sites.

Just a few minutes’ drive outside town is the Pedvāle Art Park, a 100-hectare nature reserve where storks pick their way through swathes of wild lupins and 195 contemporary sculptures from across the world. Founder Ojārs Feldbergs told me the Abava valley is home to 800 species of plant and animal, as well as crusader castles and Viking graves. “It was once a trading route for amber,” he tells me. “The Baltic Sea is the world’s richest source of Baltic gold, which was transported to St Petersburg and the east through this valley for centuries.”

Later, the bucolic beauty and clean waters of the Abava valley, along with its therapeutic sulphur springs, attracted hundreds of German aristocracy, giving the region a disproportionate number of baronial estates. Though these fell into disrepair during the Soviet era when they became collective farms, tractor houses and pig farms, in the past decade many have been painstakingly restored as boutique hotels.

At Kukšu Manor (guided tour €5), I gawped at lavishly painted ceilings and jaw-dropping frescoes. Here, for €185 for a double room, anyone can live, fleetingly, as a Baltic baron. Just north of the valley, I strolled in the walled gardens, vineyards and frescoed state rooms of Nurmuiža Castle and Spa, an elegantly restored estate where you can dip in a wild swimming lake as cranes and storks fly overhead, and double rooms cost from €80. Alternatively, at Padure Manor near Kuldīga, a reconstruction-in-progress often used for film sets, €40 will buy you a bedroom and access to the musty Soviet library that came with the house.

Kuldīga itself, a charmingly dusty town, became Unesco-protected in 2023, thanks to its 17th-century wooden architecture and striking location above Europe’s widest waterfall, the Venta Rapid – crossed via Europe’s longest brick road bridge. The high street – not a single chain store in sight – includes a needle museum, a renovated merchant’s house, and craft shops where I splashed out on handknitted socks for my kids.

At Pagrabiņš, which locals assured me served some of the best Latvian food in Kurzeme, I slurped delicious salty sour soup known as solyanka with a slice of Latvia’s famously dense, chewy rye bread. Afterwards, a 30-minute drive – including a stop-off at the pink, fairytale Ēdole Castle – took me to Jūrkalne, a pretty and utterly deserted beach of bluffs, dunes and pine trees. Pāvilosta, the latest hotspot beloved of Rigan hipsters, lies to the south: an old fishing village where you can grab a flat white (try Cafe Laiva) and watch the rolling Baltic surf or cycle the EuroVelo 13 coastal track to Liepāja.

It’s here, in Latvia’s third largest city that I end my trip. With its lush parks, sandy white beaches and strollable streets of gently decaying baroque and art nouveau buildings, Liepāja makes a great base for exploring the south-west corner of Kurzeme. I stayed in the historic Art Hotel Roma (doubles from €80 a night which includes access to the hotel’s art collection) and ate as often as I could at an exquisitely restored lodgings once frequented by Peter the Great: Madame Hoyer’s Guest House. Although it’s now a museum, the dining room operates much as it did in 1697.

But Liepāja’s greatest attraction must surely be Karosta, once one of the USSR’s largest submarine bases, and a closed military zone for nearly 50 years. Today, it’s a ghostly swill of pristine coastline, brutalist architecture and graffitied Soviet watch towers, with the gold-encrusted domes of the Russian Orthodox St Nicholas Naval Cathedral gleaming, surreally and extravagantly, from its midst.

To fully grasp Latvia’s extraordinary, violent history, I took a guided tour of Karosta prison, one of only a few former military jails in Europe open to visitors. Here, windowless cells once housed revolutionaries, miscreant soldiers and officers of the tsarist army, the Soviet army, the Latvian army, as well as deserters of the German Wehrmacht and “enemies” of Stalin – many of whom had used their metal buttons to scratch their initials into the concrete walls. A little unusually, Karosta prison offers all-night stays (ranging from €15-60 a night) for anyone not averse to paranormal activities – it’s been voted the most haunted place in the world by Ghost Hunters International. I opted, instead, for a recuperative beer from one of Liepāja’s burgeoning microbreweries, mulling over an intriguing part of the world, far from the usual tourist haunts.

The writer travelled independently using the extensive network of Kurzeme’s tourist information offices and with help from latvia.travel. For information on castle and manor house stays visit latvia.travel

It costs from £30 a night, is right in the heart of London, but there’s a catch – you can only just about sit up in bed

The largest “capsule” hotel in the world has opened – just not for claustrophobics.

Slap bang in the heart of London, it is packed with nearly 1,000 pods. While it boasts about being the biggest of its kind anywhere, its rates are anything but – a snip at just £30 upwards. Compare that to the swanky Ritz Hotel, a short walk away, where rooms can set you back £1,100.

The Mirror spent the night to find out just what it is like sleeping in what, as it turned out, felt little bigger than an over-sized box – with absolutely no daylight.

Capsules hotels are nothing new: the first opened in Japan in 1979 in the city of Osaka. Other pint-sized versions have opened in the UK, but none on this scale.

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The Zedwell Capsule Hotel is just moments from London’s bustling Piccadilly Circus – if you can find it. Arriving in the early evening, there was no obvious sign of the entrance. Nearby is Zedwell’s sister hotel – with bigger rooms – but it was soon clear I wasn’t the only one willing to give the capsule experience a go, with the concierge pointing a small group of all us in the right dirtection. And not backpackers willing to slum it – all were business folk.

Having eventually found the small door beneath some scaffolding and checked-in, it was up to my capsule.

If staying in a cramped capsule wasn’t off putting enough, the designers have decided to paint virtually everything else dark grey. Even the windows outside the lift were painted grey, and didn’t open. It added to the dystopian feel – like something out of movie Bladerunner.

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Guests sleep in dormitories – it reminded me of a storage unit corridor – ranging in size from eight to 100 capsules, with female only options available. The capsules are stacked two high. Mine was up a few stairs, with four others, all facing each other. No doors here. Instead, getting in means rolling up an office cabinet-like shutter.

Inside there is a mattress…and not much space for anything else. Each capsule is 220cm long, just 100cm wide, and a disconcertingly low 100cm in height – just enough to sit up in. That said, it had a socket, light, mirror, and an overhead fan – described as a “smart climate control” system but which appeared to be a simple fan that failed to keep things cool.

No en-suite facilities here: you wander down the corridor to a shared toilet and showers, which are good and plentiful. I made the schoolboy error of not taking my room card – twice – which proved a tad awkward.

And so to bed. I’ve never had a big issue with small spaces but, pulling the shutter down, and switching off the light, brought on the collywobbles. If you are in anyway claustrophobic, think twice.

I have to confess opening the shutter a little to see some corridor light, even if that did mean facing my neighbour’s entrance, right there. Talking of neighbours, who you are staying cheek by jowl with, there is real risk you find out knowing a little too much about their sleeping habits, just a few centimetres away. The capsules are said to have “noise reduction” and, while I could hear whoever was next door moving around, it was worked well in the main.

They also boast Hypnos mattresses and Egyptian cotton bedding, which more than did the job, and helped make for a good night’s sleep. But waking up in the morning, in pitch darkness despite the time, I was overcome with the urge to break out of my box and see the daylight. Emerging into the sunshine made me appreciate it a whole lot more.

Judging by how busy it was, the super-sized capsule concept may well capture the imagination. And for the price, it is a bargain. But staying in what must surely be among the smallest hotel rooms in Britain definitely won’t be to everyone’s taste.

This old RAF bunker once helped keep Britain’s radar network running during World War II – and is now a unique holiday home with incredible views of the Dorset coast

During the darkest days of the Battle of Britain, it would’ve seemed just a little unlikely that the concrete bunkers built to defend against the Luftwaffe would one day see cheery holidaymakers arrive with luggage in tow.

But few getaways offer quite the same experience as the Standby Generator Bunker in Ringstead, Dorset, a converted former World War II radar facility that’s now a unique holiday destination.

Built in 1941, this hidden gem once housed a large generator that was crucial to keeping the Chain Home radar network running if the power grid failed, forming one of six subterranean spaces on the former RAF Ringstead site.

Its job was to provide back-up power for a transmitter bunker located a short distance up the road, which sent out radio waves into the Channel that would bounce back to a receiver if an enemy aircraft was detected. This information was then relayed to RAF Fighter Command, who was given the all-important task of intercepting German bomber planes before they could reach Britain’s major towns and cities.

After victory over the Axis was assured in 1945, RAF Ringstead carried on as a Rotor station during the first years of the Cold War, to guard against the new Soviet threat. The generator bunker was eventually decommissioned in 1956, and stayed empty for almost seventy years, disappearing further into overgrowth as the decades passed by.

Now marvellously restored and repurposed as a luxury holiday let, this Grade II listed structure sprang back to life as a holiday cottage in late 2024, with its owners keen to retain original wartime features while furnishing it with all the luxuries desired by a 21st-century holidaymaker.

I arrived on a pleasant September afternoon to find the bunker in tiptop condition. What’s obvious straight away is just how well this once-functional space has been adapted to its new role as somewhere to truly unwind and ‘get away from it all’, with comfortable furniture and an island kitchen spread across the spacious open-plan front room, all facing towards the enormous window.

Three bedrooms are located over two floors, including one double room, with the property sleeping eight people in total.

On the walls are some wonderful bits of wartime ephemera, including a selection of British and American civilian posters directed at the civilian population, as well as photographs showing the Chain Home network and RAF aircraft in action.

And then there’s the sublime coastal view – framed in a blast-shaped opening from the concrete surround – of the English Channel, which stretches out effortlessly into the horizon as you peer through a row of trees at the bottom of the garden.

A spot of lunch or perhaps a glass of wine can be enjoyed out on the balcony, giving you the same perspective that was once keenly surveyed by the military, albeit with the task of national survival on their minds, rather than rest and relaxation.

On the first day of our stay, my other half and I ventured down to Ringstead Bay to make the most of a spot of bright autumn weather. We acquainted ourselves with the giant seaweed on the pebble beach as we walked to the charming town of Osmington Mills.

By the following day, a Met Office weather warning had been ushered in across the south of England, and we elected to do what any sane person would in such a situation – head to the pub.

We tucked into a hearty roast at the Smuggler’s Inn, a 13th-century pub around 20 minutes walk away. Our visit coincided with the Iron Man triathlon in nearby Weymouth, and ripples of applause bounced around the cosy interior as competitors reunited with their families for a well-earned pint following a mammoth 69-mile trek.

For the final day, Durdle Door was top of our to-see list, as it should be for anyone who finds themselves in this part of the country. This famous colossal limestone arch has been shaped over millions of years by the relentless force of the sea, and attracts visitors from all over the world with its postcard-perfect beauty.

A choppy sea on our visit meant a particularly spectacular display of the waves crashing up against the sides of the arch, delighting the gaggle of tourists who lined the beach, taking selfies.

We then took a short walk over to Lulworth Cove, a natural horseshoe bay surrounded by dramatic jagged cliffs and rolling hills. One particularly recent addition to this beauty spot has been the Weld Estate’s Saltwater Sauna, which since April has given visitors the opportunity to get themselves nice and steamy in a booth overlooking the beach, before dashing into the cool waters a few yards below.

A great natural high, I’m told, though admittedly I was more interested in the comfort offered by the sausage rolls sold by the harbour.

And that was my time in Dorset, spent enjoying just a small slice of what this handsome area has to offer, and lounging in accommodation quite unlike any other I’ve ever been to.

When the autumn weather does catch up with you, there is certainly something to be said for coming back to a bunker like this one, with its living roof, expansive views and intriguing backstory. There being such fine scenery quite literally on your doorstep, you really don’t have to be a history buff to get into what the Standby Generator Bunker has to offer – though I would say in my case, it certainly didn’t hurt.

Book it

The Standby Generator Bunker is available for bookings through Sykes Cottages, starting from £1001 for seven nights.

Our writer discovered that there’s plenty to do at this spectacular Bahamas resort, a destination that’s been visited by celebrities and royalty alike

If you’re a James Bond fan, Paradise Island in the Bahamas should definitely be on your travel wish list — it was a location in 1965’s Thunderball starring Sean Connery and Daniel Craig’s Casino Royale, where he famously emerged from the sea in his swimming trunks. It’s also home to the ocean-themed Atlantis resort, a stunning waterscape, casino and hotel that has been visited by the likes of Beyoncé, Cameron Diaz and Taylor Swift, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales.

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The rooms at Atlantis Paradise Island

After landing at Lynden Pindling International Airport, it’s a 30-minute drive along the coast of New Providence island to the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge that takes you to Paradise Island.

Atlantis Paradise Island has more than 3,800 rooms spread over five hotels, each of which offers a different experience. The Cove, where Prince William and Kate stayed in the penthouse suite in 2022, is an all-suite, ultra- modern and achingly chic five-star tower that has a separate pool and beach for its residents.

There’s also The Reef, Harborside Resort and family-oriented The Coral, but we stayed at The Royal, the iconic pink-coloured pair of buildings closest to the casino, pools, water park and the restaurant and shopping area known as Marina Village. Our 15th-floor room was an oasis of calm, with a balcony and a view of the sea, palm trees and pools.

Atlantis’s Aquaventure water park

The jewel in the Atlantis crown has to be the Aquaventure water park and the surrounding marine life exhibits. We spent hours wandering through the caverns of the Dig, a themed aquarium featuring coral, jellyfish and tropical fish, and watching the sharks swimming above the Predator Tunnel. There’s also a dolphin habitat and a turtle hatching programme, part of Atlantis’s Blue Project to protect marine life.

Thrill-seekers will love the eight slides at the water park, entry to which is free for hotel guests. The Rapids River ride was a blast as we navigated the waters around the tropical gardens while trying not to fall out of inflatable tubes, while the Serpent Slide sent me on a corkscrew descent in the dark before taking me through a lagoon as bemused sharks swam past.

Those feeling extra brave can try out slides with names like The Abyss and The Surge, and there are also gentler options for younger kids, as well as 14 swimming pools.

The grounds include walking paths, a rope bridge and six beaches, where we dipped our toes in the clear warm water and watched the sun set behind a lone pine tree on the sand – the location for many a marriage proposal.

The food at Atlantis Paradise Island

There’s something for everyone at Atlantis, from foodies to fussy kids, but eating here isn’t cheap. The resort features celebrity chef restaurants including Fish by José Andrés, Nobu (William and Kate had sushi delivered to their suite from here) and Paranza by Michael White, but there are some cheaper options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

As Atlantis is extremely popular with Americans (it’s less than an hour’s flight from Miami), the portions are American-sized at all of the 40-plus snack bars, cafés and restaurants dotted around the resort.

Most days we skipped lunch as we were still full from our breakfast from grab-and-go café Plato’s. In the evening, we enjoyed jerk chicken with fried plantains at Bahamian restaurant Bimini Road, indulged in delicious rib eye steaks at Seafire Steakhouse, and visited the prettiest Shake Shack you’ll ever see, with windows looking into the aquarium so you can watch the fish go by while you eat your cheeseburgers and fries.

Best of all, however, was Carmine’s, a budget-friendly Italian restaurant that serves food ‘family size’, with each dish suitable for three to four people to share. The friendly staff reassure newcomers that one plate of spaghetti bolognese really will feed their whole party (trust me, it will).

What to do in the Bahamas

If you can drag yourself away from Atlantis, it’s worth taking a quick trip by taxi over the bridge from Paradise Island to Nassau. Here, there’s plenty to explore, including 18th-century Fort Fincastle, which was built to protect the town from pirates and can be accessed from Queen’s Staircase, a walkway of 66 limestone steps named after Queen Victoria.

You’ll also find Ardastra Gardens – a small zoo and conservation centre that’s home to the national bird of the Bahamas, the flamingo. Then, head to the busy straw market and port, where you can sit and marvel at the huge cruise ships that dock for the day or take your own boat trip to Rose Island, where you can swim with the pigs.

How much does it cost to stay at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas?

Rooms at Atlantis Paradise Island’s The Coral start from approx £190 per night for a room that sleeps up to four adults. A luxury suite in The Cove costs from approx £340 per night. Prices vary depending on the time of year – November to March is the most expensive; June to late October tends to be cheaper. Follow Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas on social media for the latest offers.

For other hotels on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, check out Expedia and Booking.com’s selections.