Travel advice

TRAVELLERS face another day of chaos across UK airports today following a major tech outage cancelling flights yesterday.

Thousands of passengers were hit by flight cancellations and delays yesterday due to an air traffic control issue emerging around 1pm.

People reported being stuck on planes on the tarmac for hours and many travellers are currently stranded abroad with new flights home only available next week.

NATS has now warned that delays are expected to continue as it tries to “clear a backlog of flights” – but here is all you need to know if you have been impacted.

My flight has been cancelled, what do I do?

Contact your airline immediately and ask to be rebooked onto the next available flight.

Airlines must provide you with this option. Unfortunately, in a situation like this where so many flights have been cancelled, it may be that they offer you a flight well into the next few days.

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You do not have to accept this. If you can find an alternative flight with a different airline that will get you to your destination sooner, you have the right to either have the airline book you onto this or book it yourself.

Use a credit card, keep all receipts and claim it back from your airline. In situations like this, the last thing you should do is simply get a refund if you have no alternative means of getting to your destination.

If you do this, your airline no longer has any duty of care and does not have to get you home.

Only request a refund if you are happy for the airline to no longer have any responsibility for your travel options. – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

How do I contact my airline?

You will likely be contacted by your airline directly if your flight has been affected by the air traffic control meltdown.

If you are already at the airport or on your way there, the best thing to do is speak to someone on the ground.

Phones will be ringing off the hook right now so the check in desk or your airline help desk is your best bet.

Anyone who is at home and has not been provided with a satisfactory alternative flight or the option to a refund should either call the airline via the customer services number or make contact via the live chat option on the website.

Some airlines, like British Airways, will allow you to rebook within their airline app.

If the changes are complicated, however, phone or in-person is best.  – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

What if I have a holiday package booked?

If you have a holiday package booked, you have more protection than flight-only bookings.

This is because they are ATOL protected, which means your money is safeguarded by a a UK financial protection scheme (often needed for when holiday companies go bust).

If your flight is cancelled, your tour operator must offer an alternative flight or replacement holiday.

If neither work you, then you must be given a full refund – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Can I get compensation?

No. Airlines are only required to give you compensation if the delay or cancellation is the airline’s fault, as in a technical failure on a plane or issues with crew.

In this situation, where ATC is the reason for the chaos, there is unfortunately no compensation due.

Check your insurance policy to see if you have any redress if you have incurred additional costs like missing a concert or unable to pick up car hire. You may be able to claim for that.

Generally for delays, if an airline looks after you or provides you with food and drink or hotels, you cannot claim for the same costs against your travel insurance. – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

How do you claim compensation?

If your flight has been cancelled strictly as a result of yesterday’s incident, you will not be entitled to compensation.

This is because the situation is deemed to be outside of the airline’s control and falls under the category of extraordinary circumstances.

Airlines do, however, still have a duty of care to their passengers and anyone experiencing delays of between two to four hours will be entitled to food and drinks vouchers.

These are usually handed out according to the distance you are flying.

For example if your trip is short haul then you are entitled to vouchers once the delay reaches two hours.

The delay must be at least three hours for mid haul or four hours for long haul.

If you are stranded and need to stay in a hotel, this also falls under duty of care and the airline should assist you in this.

As mentioned above, if you end up paying for anything yourself, you must keep receipts so that you can claim this back. – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Am I covered by travel insurance?

This is strictly down to what your insurance policy says. It really depends on the level of policy you paid for, so it’s worth checking the small print.

You’ll need to be covered for things like delay, travel disruption, cancellations and missed connections.

If you went for the cheaper option when booking your policy, it’s likely there may be some holes in your cover.

Always make sure you take out travel insurance and check the details before signing on the dotted line – instances like this are why it’s worth protecting yourself. – Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)  

I missed an event can I get my money back?

It depends what you booked and how.

For a missed concert, theatre show or other event, check your travel insurance to see if it is covered because of the delay or cancellation – you may be able to claim.

The same applies for car hire or missed accommodation expenses but only if your travel insurance policy includes such disruption.

If you paid by credit card and the value is over £100 it may be worth calling your credit card provider and seeing if you can claim under Section 75 of the consumer credit act. – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

What about if you’re supposed to be flying soon?

If you’re due to jet off in the coming days and have not yet been contacted by your airline, take this as a good sign.

The specific issue that resulted in yesterday’s chaos was fixed within four hours and many airports have said that they are operating as normal today.

Despite this quick fix, yesterday still saw over 1000 cancellations across UK airports which has had a dramatic knock on effect that could continue for days.

Keep a look out for any changes to your flight and act immediately if a cancellation arises.

If your flight is not cancelled, be warned that it could be busier than anticipated, with airlines struggling to find space for passengers who are trying to reach their destination after a cancellation.  – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

BRITS are being caught out by visa rules which is seeing thousands banned from their flights.

While UK holidaymakers can (currently) travel to Europe without needing a visa, other countries do not have such rules.

A new study by Confused.com found that more than 2,800 Brits were stopped at the border between 2023 and 2025 to just two destinations.

When it came to the US, this saw 242 refusals in 2014, followed by 1,451 last year.

All UK travellers need a an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to visit the US, which was launched back in 2008.

Confusion often comes when travelling via the US as a layover – an ESTA is still required , even if in America for a few hours without leaving the airport.

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ESTAs currently cost $40.27 (£30), a steep jump from $21 (£15.38) last year.

But a large number of Brits were also refused entry at the Australian border too.

An eVisa is required from all UK travellers visiting Australia for holiday purposes which lets you stay up to three months in a 12-month period.

Thankfully, this is free although it must be applied for being travelling.

According to Confused.com, more than 300 people were refused entry to Australia because of travel document problems between 2023 and 2025.

Some places have recently scrapped visas, such as China until the end of 2026.

And Sri Lanka has scrapped ETA visa fees, which were usually $50 (37), although you will still need to apply for a free one.

From next year, Brits will need an ETIAS to visit Europe, which is a visa-waiver similar to the American ESTA and will cost £18, lasting three years.

In response, Confused.com has launched a new visa checker tool which helps you find out what you need for your travels.

Tom Vaughan, travel insurance expert at Confused.com said: “Being turned away at border control is something no traveller expects, but it’s a real risk if you’re unsure about the entry requirements for your destination.

“Visa rules can be complex and vary between countries, so even small mistakes can result in people being refused entry and losing out on their holiday.

“And it’s worth knowing that if you’re refused entry, it may not be covered by standard travel insurance.”

FINDING a brilliant UK hotel that is stylish, comfortable and in a top location for under £100 can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Luckily, we’ve scoured Tripadvisor‘s UK hotel data to find incredible Brit hotels that are top-rated and budget-friendly.

All of these UK hotels are winners of the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice award, which puts them in the top 10 per cent of listings on the site based on real guests’ rankings and reviews.

Plus they all have a 4.5/5 rating or over, as well as an average nightly rate of below £100.

We found everything from forest hotels with roaming wild ponies to secret Scottish ‘gaming rooms’ with video-game cheat codes etched into the furniture.

From retro American-style motels to seaside escapes with cabaret entertainment, here are ten of Tripadvisor’s top-rated and affordable UK hotels.

Mollie’s Motel, Bristol

If you’re into all-American style diners and neon-lit motels, you’ll love a stay at Mollie’s.

Just off the M5 at Cribbs Causeway, this retro hotel is hard to miss, with its glowing red sign and zig-zag shaped exterior.

Inside you’ll find a classic diner, with shiny tiled floors, booth seating and a swanky bar, with plenty of stools to sit and sink back a bottled beer.

After chowing down on your burger, hot dog or steak (best washed down with a milkshake, of course) head upstairs to a modern room with scandi-style wooden decor, warm lights and crisp, white linen.

Each room comes with fancy rainfall showers, high-end Cowshed toiletries, fluffy towels, and Dyson hairdryers. You can even borrow some GHD straighteners from reception.

The hotel is rated 4.6/5 on Tripadvisor, with many praising how comfortable it is to stay in.

One reviewer even remarked: “If I could take the bed home with me, I’d be tempted!”

You can book a stay from £68 on Booking.com.

Hotel Indigo Dundee by IHG

This swanky Scottish hotel is set inside a former 19th-century mill, but has been decorated with a modern twist.

Industrial touches like brick walls and iron columns still remain, but inside you’ll find modern, quirky themed rooms.

The Dundee Cake room is decorated with marmalade in mind, while the Comic Room has decorations inspired by “Black Bob” – a comic about a Scottish Border Collie.

Perhaps the coolest part is the Gaming Room, where there are books about Dundee’s rich video game history.

There are even secret GTA codes are hidden within its walls, a nod to the fact that popular game Grand Theft Auto was invented in the city.

You can book a stay from £56 on Booking.com.

EasyHotel Oxford

If you want to explore Oxford without entirely draining your bank account, easyHotel Oxford is a wallet-friendly budget, no-frills pick.

You won’t find fancy hotel bars or luxurious extras here. Instead, it offers exactly what it says on the tin: a clean, practical, and easy place to crash after a day of sightseeing.

The hotel offers clean and comfortable double and twin rooms, but if you want the absolute cheapest rate possible, you can opt for a windowless room.

That way you can secure a room from as little as £26 a night during off-peak times.

When you’re ready to explore Oxford, there’s a bus stop right outside the hotel that will whisk you straight into the city centre and the university colleges in around 10 minutes.

You can currently book a room from £31.50 per night on the easyHotel website.

The Telegraph Hotel, Coventry

The Telegraph Hotel is the #1 ranked hotel in Coventry on Tripadvisor, with a score of 4.5/5 stars.

Once the home of the Coventry Evening Telegraph paper, this building now serves as a stylish hotel, with plenty of nods to its journalistic past.

Inside you’ll find a glamorous, marble-floored lobby with emerald green plush sofas and warm golden chandeliers.

You may spot typewriters, old newspapers, pigeonholes, photos of the original 1960’s newsroom dotted around inside.

Rooms are spacious and on-theme with black and white artwork and those same emerald-coloured chairs.

Rooms start from £65 per night on Trip.com.

The Melbreak Hotel, The Lake District

Named after the Lake District’s Melbreak fell which you can see from the property, this family-run hotel offers a friendly base right on the border of the rugged Western Lake District and Cumbrian coast.

Rooms come with big comfy beds, traditional wooden furnishings, and plenty of space to unpack after a long day of hiking.

They come with all the essentials like free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and en-suite bathrooms. Many of the executive rooms offer gorgeous, sweeping views over the surrounding countryside.

After spending the day exploring the nearby peaks, head to the hotel‘s conservatory restaurant for generous portions of hearty pub classics.

For a relaxed drink, the cosy lounge bar is the perfect spot to sink into a leather chair with a pint of local Cumbrian ale.

Plus stunning spots like Ennerdale Water, Bassenthwaite Lake, and the market town of Cockermouth are all less than a 20-minute drive away.

Rooms are available from £79 on Booking.com.

The Templestowe Hotel, Torquay

The Templestowe Hotel in Torquay delivers big on old school seaside town charm – plus it has a whopping 4.7/5 stars on Tripadvisor.

The excellent evening entertainment includes a massive ballroom and dance floor, plus a stage where you’ll find nightly acts such as cabaret, singers, dancers and comedians.

When it comes to food and drink, forget tiny tasting menus – this hotel is all about generous portions of classic British meals.

You can expect hearty multi-course dinners featuring roast meats, pies, and comforting puddings – plus a traditional cooked breakfast each morning to set you up for the day.

One Tripadvisor reviewer commented: “The entertainment was very good every night”, and that there is “a free bar from 19.00 – 23.00” where “there was never a long queue & you just had to return your empty glasses to get another drink & show your room card”.

Another said: “Great atmosphere. Entertainment was at a very high standard. Great content. A great hotel for the more mature people.”

You can book a stay from £93 per night on Booking.com.

Woodlands Lodge Hotel

This country house hotel is tucked into Hampshire’s New Forest, where you’ll find endless pretty woodland walks and might even bump into a few of the forest’s 5,000 free-roaming wild ponies.

Originally built as a royal hunting lodge in the 1750s, this woodland retreat makes for the ideal countryside escape to return to to take off your muddy boots and laze back by the log fire.

There are 17 bedrooms here, including options with grand four-poster beds and dog-friendly options.

For food and drink you can tuck into some tender lamb or a juicy steak, or sit down to a delicious, homemade afternoon tea with a view of the hotel gardens.

With an impressive 4.5/5 star rating on Tripadvisor, one guest commented “it was a pleasant surprise to find such an idyllic little country house tucked away within the cattle grids and Forest”.

Another said “Our room was lovely. A walk across the back lawn through a gate takes you into the forest where we experienced several horses galloping together, into the shade of the trees.”

You can book a room from £80 per night on Booking.com.

The Crown Hotel Boroughbridge

Once a historic 16th-century coaching inn, The Crown Hotel in Boroughbridge is full of historic charm.

This cosy Yorkshire hotel has low oak beams, roaring fires and comfy rooms with tartan furnishings.

But the best thing about this hotel is the on-site leisure club, where you’ll find a heated indoor pool, hot tub, steam room, sauna and gym to unwind in.

Once you’re suitably relaxed, head to the hotel’s traditional bar and restaurant where you can tuck into pub classics like fish and chips, washed down with a pint of local Black Sheep ale.

The hotel sits on the doorstep of the spectacular North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales. Plus you’re also just a 20-minute drive from Harrogate, the cathedral city of Ripon, and the family-friendly rides at Lightwater Valley.

Rooms start from £74 per night on Hotels.com.

Super 8 by Wyndham Chester East

If you’re looking for a cheap and convenient pitstop that feels significantly cooler than your average roadside hotel, the Super 8 by Wyndham is a top pick.

This is an American budget brand’s first foray into the UK, which arrived at the Chester motorway services in 2023.

But forget the dingy US motel stereotype – this place feels slick, modern and boasts fancy rooms that punch high above their price tag.

Rooms have sleek wooden finishes, mustard yellow details and cityscape artwork that reflects the brand’s American roots.

You also get brilliant tech upgrades that you wouldn’t typically expect from a motorway stay, including large smart TVs, ultra-fast free Wi-Fi, and plenty of USB ports.

The en-suite bathrooms are spotless and feature large walk-in power showers to wake you up before you hit the road again.

But this hotel isn’t just a pit-stop for road-trippers. It’s a 10-minute drive from shopping at Cheshire Oaks, plus Chester Zoo and Chester city are easily accessible from here for a day out.

Rooms are available from £38 per night on Expedia.

Cedar Court Huddersfield Hotel

This hotel in the village of Ainley Top in Huddersfield is in the prime position for exploring the Peaks (only 20 minutes’ drive), plus you can easily nip into Halifax to visit the Piece Hall or the interactive Eureka! children’s museum.

The hotel has a bright, modern and airy feel, thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows which let the sunlight pour through and look out to well-manicured gardens.

There are 113 rooms here, which have recently been refurbished with sapphire blue, brick and wood decor.

When you’ve spent the day stomping across the Peak District, you won’t want fussy fine dining. Thankfully, here you’ll find familiar favourites like pizzas, chicken and chips plus that all-important buffet breakfast.

And for when you need to unwind, there’s an underground health club complete with a fully equipped gym, sauna, and steam room.

You can book a stay from £45 on Hotels.com.

BRITS are facing huge queues and delayed trains after an operational issue has caused problems at the border.

Le Shuttle – previously called Eurotunnel Le Shuttle – has warned passengers not to arrive early in Folkestone for their train.

This is due to huge ongoing delays.

In a statement, they said: “Due to an operational issue, you may experience longer waiting times than usual.

“Please do not arrive more than two hours before your booked departure.”

The website warns of departure delays of approximately four hours from Folkestone to Calais, while the return Calais to Folkestone has delays of three hours.

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However on the website, a 11:24am departure from Folkestone to Calais has now been scheduled for 4:45pm, with this having a knock on effect for the rest of the departures today.

The latest update on the website is for the 3:24pm departure which will now leave at 6:45pm.

A Calais to Folkestone train scheduled for 4:36pm is now set to depart at 7:51pm.

According to local media, one traveller said their train was delayed by 3.5 hours.

Another wrote on social media: “I am on my way to the terminal for a train at 8:24.

“You are running 4.5h late! How can I cancel my trip and get a full refund?”

A third said there were “hundreds of delayed people waiting to board”.

It isn’t clear what has caused the issue or when it will be fixed.

The Sun has contacted Eurotunnel for comment.

THE summer holidays might only just be wrapping up, but I’m already deep in the database looking at where you should be booking for Summer 2027.

Before you accuse me of wishing the year away, there’s method in the madness.

Securing your booking now gives you plenty of time to spread the cost, turning a peak summer holiday into a manageable monthly payment.

I crunched live booking numbers to track down the resort areas where early bookers are securing the lowest average monthly direct-debit payments per person.

Couples are booking breaks from an average of just £40pp a month, while family packages are getting snapped up from just £45pp a month.

So, instead of clogging the list with ten resorts on the same two Spanish islands, I’ve broken down five top spots for couples and five for families across ten completely different coastlines – counted down from five to one.

FAMILIES: 5. La Cala de Mijas, Costa del Sol – £42pp a month

La Cala de Mijas is my top shout for families who want all the convenience of the Costa del Sol without being swallowed by the high-rise noise of the massive resorts.

It still feels like an authentic seaside town, with a wide sandy beach, a flat seafront promenade for buggies, and family tavernas that won’t cause an argument when the bill arrives.

Our booking data shows families booking in September 2026 to spread the cost until Summer 2027 are paying an average of £51pp a month for this resort.

I managed to beat that, though. I found a 7-night bed & breakfast stay at Gran Hotel Costa del Sol from £460pp, flying directly from London Luton on 25 August 2027.

Spread across 11 monthly payments, that specific deal comes out at just £42pp a month.

The direct garden access onto the sand here is brilliant too, meaning you can step straight off your breakfast terrace onto the beach without navigating busy coastal roads.

• Book a 7 night bed-and-breakfast stay at Gran Hotel Costa del Sol  from 25 August 2027, with direct return flights from London Luton, from £460pp.

COUPLES: 5. Mellieha, Malta – £46pp a month

Malta serves up a brilliant hybrid of sun, sea, and exploring, and Mellieha is the ultimate base if you want a proper beach holiday.

Mellieha Bay is the largest sandy stretch on the island, while the historic village sits elevated on the hill with open-air bistros overlooking the coast.

Couples booking early in September 2026 are locking in Mellieha for an average of £55pp a month.

But I found a 7-night self-catering stay at Luna Holiday Complex from £510pp, flying directly from Newcastle on 24 August 2027.

Spread across 11 monthly payments, that works out at just £46pp a month.

What makes this complex a steal is its rooftop panoramic pool deck – it’s a quiet, adult-friendly sanctuary looking out over Gozo, allowing you to avoid the busier beach crowds when you just want a relaxed afternoon swim.

• Book a 7-night self-catering stay at Luna Holiday Complex from 24 August 2027, with direct return flights from Newcastle, from £510pp.

FAMILIES: 4. Agadir, Morocco – £57pp a month

Agadir is a fantastic shout if you want an exotic North African beach trip that remains entirely hassle-free for kids.

The broad sandy bay is backed by a wide, paved promenade custom-built for evening pushchair walks, while modern resort hotels take the stress out of daily parenting.

The data reveals families booking early in September 2026 are spreading the cost at an average of £50pp a month for Agadir.

I found a 7-night all-inclusive stay at Allegro Agadir from £625pp, flying directly from Manchester on 24 August 2027.

Split across 11 monthly payments, the deal works out at £57pp a month.

Landing a full all-inclusive stay with meals, drinks, and snacks in August for under £650pp total is a massive result.

The on-site highlight is the property’s dedicated, shaded kids’ splash park that lets younger children cool off out of the intense midday sun.

• Book a 7-night all-inclusive stay at Allegro Agadir from 24 August 2027, with direct return flights from Manchester, from £625pp.

COUPLES: 4. Caleta de Fuste, Fuerteventura – £52pp a month

Caleta de Fuste is built for couples who want a chilled holiday without feeling stranded in the middle of nowhere.

The horseshoe bay keeps the Atlantic waters calm and flat, the marina is packed with waterside bars, and the resort sits barely 10 minutes from the airport – meaning you go from arrivals to the sunlounger in record time.

Booking data shows couples locking in summer 2027 trips this September are averaging £53pp a month here.

But I found a 7-night all-inclusive stay at SMY Tahona Fuerteventura from £570pp, flying directly from London Gatwick on 25 August 2027.

Spread across 11 monthly payments, that deal costs just £52pp a month.

The standout feature at this hotel is its low-rise bungalow layout built around three separate pool zones, allowing you to easily find a quiet sunbathing corner away from the main bar.

• Book a 7-night all-inclusive stay at SMY Tahona Fuerteventura from 25 August 2027, with direct return flights from London Gatwick, from £570pp.

FAMILIES: 3. Los Cristianos, Tenerife – £51pp a month

Los Cristianos is a classic for a reason: it makes family travel feel effortless.

You get a sheltered sandy beach, flat walking paths, loads of kid-friendly restaurants, and quick access to Siam Park just down the road.

Families booking in September 2026 to spread payments out until next summer are averaging £49pp a month for Los Cristianos.

I found a 7-night half-board stay at Sol Arona Tenerife from £558pp, flying directly from Bristol on 25 August 2027.

Across 11 monthly payments, that works out at £51pp a month.

For energetic kids, this place has a massive on-site climbing block and outdoor play zone, giving toddlers and kids a safe space to burn off their final energy reserves before dinner while parents grab a drink at the pool bar.

• Book a 7-night half-board stay at Sol Arona Tenerife  from 25 August 2027, with direct return flights from Bristol, from £558pp.

COUPLES: 3. Lloret de Mar, Costa Brava – £36pp a month

While Lloret de Mar has a famous reputation for high-energy nightlife, there is far more to the town than neon lights.

The main beach is enormous, the surrounding Costa Brava cove scenery is gorgeous, and cheap direct train links into Barcelona make day trips effortless.

Couples securing their 2027 spot in September 2026 are paying a destination average of £49pp a month.

When I went deal-hunting, I found a 7-night half-board stay at Clipper Affiliated by FERGUS from £395pp, flying directly from London Luton on 25 August 2027.

Split across 11 payments, that brings the cost down to just £36pp a month.

This hotel’s central location is perfect too – it sits tucked just two streets back from the main beach, giving you a quiet pool area during the day while keeping the coastal nightlife and seafront dining within a two-minute walk.

• Book a 7-night half-board stay at Clipper Affiliated by FERGUS from 25 August 2027, with direct return flights from London Luton, from £395pp.

FAMILIES: 2. Sidari, Corfu – £49pp a month

Sidari takes the runner-up family spot because of the sheer quality of the local beach infrastructure, offering shallow waters, traditional tavernas, and the iconic Canal d’Amour rock formations right around the corner.

Families booking early in September 2026 are locking in Sidari for a resort average of £48pp a month.

I found a 7-night self-catering stay at Megali Luxuries from £543pp, flying directly from London Gatwick on 20 August 2027.

Divided across 11 monthly payments, that deal works out at £49pp a month.

Booking self-catering here is a smart move because the property sits directly adjacent to Sidari’s main strip of family-run Greek tavernas, where you can get authentic local dinners without spending a fortune.

• Book a 7-night self-catering stay at Megali Luxuries from 20 August 2027, with direct return flights from London Gatwick, from £543pp.

COUPLES: 2. Magaluf, Majorca – £52pp a month

Hear me out: if your ideal couples’ break involves stylish beach clubs, modern seafront dining, and not being forced into bed by 9:30pm, modern Magaluf is one of the best-value options on the island.

The main beach is immaculate, high-end hotel refurbishments have elevated the waterfront, and quiet Palma Nova sits right next door.

Couples getting their 2027 plans sorted in September 2026 are averaging £47pp a month.

I spotted a 7-night bed & breakfast stay at Sol Guadalupe from £595pp, flying directly from London Luton on 25 August 2027.

Spread across 11 monthly payments, that deal costs £54pp a month.

The hotel features a huge lagoon-style pool setup with underwater lounger jets, giving you a sleek, high-end resort feel just a short walk from the seafront.

• Book a 7-night bed & breakfast stay at Sol Guadalupe from 25 August 2027, with direct return flights from London Luton, from £595pp.

FAMILIES: 1. Gerani, Crete – £52pp a month

Gerani takes the number one family spot on our board as an absolute value anomaly.

Tucked near Rethymnon, this peaceful Cretan village is built for families who want space, wide beaches, and a slow, authentic Greek pace away from commercialised tourist hubs.

Our booking data shows families getting in early in September 2026 pay an average of just £45pp a month to spread the cost to Summer 2027 – the single lowest family figure on the map.

And I found a 7-night bed & breakfast stay at Hotel Ideon from £575pp, flying directly from London Luton on 23 August 2027.

Divided across 11 monthly payments, that featured deal comes out at £52pp a month.

The highlight here for families is the studio room setup – every room features a wide balcony looking out over olive groves towards the sea, giving you a peaceful, spacious base for a fraction of standard hotel prices

• Book a 7-night bed-and-breakfast stay at Hotel Ideon from 23 August 2027, with direct return flights from London Luton, from £575pp.

COUPLES: 1. Tholos, Rhodes – £33pp a month

Taking the absolute overall crown is Tholos (also known as Theologos) on the breezy west coast of Rhodes.

It is infinitely more relaxed than Faliraki or Rhodes Town, serving up traditional tavernas, uncrowded beaches, and incredible Mediterranean sunsets.

This is the single cheapest destination average in our database: couples booking in September 2026 pay an average of just £40pp a month to spread payments until Summer 2027.

I found a 7-night self-catering stay at Sunlight Studios from £365pp, flying directly from London Luton on 25 August 2027.

Across 11 monthly payments, that featured deal costs just £33pp a month.

At under £38pp a month, that is quite literally the cost of one takeaway each – and a week under the Greek sun lasts a whole lot longer.

• Book a 7-night self-catering stay at Sunlight Studios from 25 August 2027, with direct return flights from London Luton, from £365pp.

ONE in five holidaymakers have crammed at least a week’s worth of luggage into a carry-on bag this summer to avoid expensive fees.

A poll of 2,000 adults who travel found an ambitious 11 per cent reckon they could squeeze 10 days or more of holiday essentials into hand luggage alone.

While five per cent would even attempt to fit everything they need for a two-week holiday into a single cabin bag.

It also emerged 58 per cent admitted they’ll go to great lengths to avoid splashing out on expensive checked luggage fees.

Half will roll clothes as tightly as possible to save space, and 44 per cent will carefully plan outfits so they can wear the same clothes more than once.

While 34 per cent will wear their bulkiest clothes while travelling and one in five will ditch physical books in favour of a tablet to save precious bag space.

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And a savvy 13 per cent have used a duty-free carrier bag to sneak extra belongings onto the plane.

But it’s not just clothes and holiday essentials getting the space-saving treatment, as 72 per cent think their smartphone is the most important item they pack for their holiday after their passport.

The research, commissioned by Samsung to mark the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold8, found that when packing, smartphones replace cameras (62 per cent), maps (55 per cent) and boarding passes (45 per cent) while abroad.

Four in five (81 per cent) prefer their smartphone to be compact enough to fit easily into a pocket or small bag, as they increasingly do the job of multiple holiday essentials.

With 69 per cent saying the size and portability of their device is important, as it can do almost everything they need from one item, replacing other items they may need to pack (41 per cent).

Spokesperson Annika Bizon said: “I’m quite ruthless about what earns its place in my luggage when I’m travelling.

“When you’re trying to pack for a weekend away, or even a family holiday, every bit of space counts, so I love anything that can do more than one job.

“Technology is a big part of that.”

Almost three quarters (74 per cent) said they have booked, or would consider booking, a holiday at the last minute – making lighter, more flexible travel increasingly appealing.

The study from OnePoll.com found a third of travellers prefer to travel light, with 58 per cent claiming it makes the journey easier.

In fact, almost half (48 per cent) consider it a badge of honour when they successfully squeeze their carry-on bag into an airline bag sizer at the airport.

But 52 per cent worried their carry-on will be deemed too big when taking a flight, with 36 per cent having previously struggled to fit their carry-on within the maximum size limit.

And three in 10 have had to pay an average of £39 because their carry-on was deemed too big.

Annika Bizon, from Samsung, added: “If one device can help you navigate, keep your travel documents to hand, capture the moments you want to remember and provide on-the-go entertainment, there’s no need for extra items.

“For me, technology really earns its place when it makes life simpler, and Galaxy Z Fold8 is a prime example of that.”

THERE’S a travel club you can join today for £1 that will unlock a whole load of secret UK holidays for cheap.

Once you’re a member, you can bag exclusive deals for trips all across the UK, starting from as little as £89 for a two-night break for two people!

There’s some seriously massive savings to be had here – we’ve even found a stunning rural retreat in Wales where you can save £217 off full-price.

To unlock the deals, simply sign up to become a Travelzoo member.

Usually, membership costs £30 for one year (which is already a bargain).

But Sun readers can bag a 30 day trial for just £1 by clicking here – giving you instant access to book in a bargain break.

£1 CHEAT CODE

The £1 travel hack for VIP airport lounges, FREE food & drinks plus £59 trips

TRAVEL-WOO

Travelzoo has 72% off UK, short and long-haul holidays in February sale

Not only will you unlock amazing holiday deals in the UK, Europe and beyond, but there’s plenty more benefits such as free airport lounge access whenever your flights get delayed if you’re travelling abroad.

Here’s our pick of the best UK deals we found on Travelzoo, where you can save up to hundreds of pounds on an incredible countryside staycay.

Mount Snowdon two-night adventure – £110 (£217 off)

Sitting between two lakes at the base of Mount Snowdon, the grand Royal Victoria Hotel in Eryri is a sight to behold.

The location “cannot be beaten” according to one Travelzoo member.

You can enjoy with lake views from the hotel restaurant and 13th century castle ruins within the hotel grounds themselves.

Whether you’re tackling the mountain on a hiking holiday or simply want to soak up the views of Snowdonia from the hotel with a warm drink in hand, this £55 per night deal is a bargain way to do so.

Claim your £1 Travelzoo trial & book a two-night stay with daily buffet breakfast included from £110

London superyacht stay – £200 (save £141)

The Sunborn London Yacht Hotel is a one-of-a-kind stay.

Sitting on London‘s Royal Victoria Dock, the 420-foot superyacht hotel offers prime views of the Thames, plus easy access via cable car to Greenwich or the Elizabeth Line into Central London.

Included in this deal you get an overnight stay in a riverview room for two, buffet breakfast, an Afternoon Tea experience (with a cocktail!) and bottomless hot drinks.

Not only that, but you’ll get a complimentary bottle of Prosecco on arrival and some delicious chocolates in your room.

Claim your £1 Travelzoo trial & book an overnight superyacht stay for two with Afternoon Tea, breakfast and bottomless hot drinks for £200

Northumberland National Park two-night break – £89

You can bag a two-night stay at the Riverdale Hall Hotel in Northumberland for an insanely cheap £89, which works out to £22.25pp per night.

The hotel sits at the edge of the Northumberland National Park in Bellingham, a pretty market town perched along the Pennine Way.

Nearby you can look out over Hadrian’s Wall at the National Landscape Discovery Centre.

Or even visit the forest where the movie 28 Years Later was filmed.

Claim your £1 Travelzoo trial & book a two-night Northumberland stay from £89

Woodland lodge three-night retreat – £299 (£109 off)

Fancy staying in a former royal hunting lodge once used by King Charles II?

The Speech House is a former royal lodge turned countryside hotel.

Built in 1669, the lodge still has many of its original features, including decor in the hotel restaurant that was originally a small courtroom.

The hotel is based beside the Wye Valley National Landscape. You can catch some spectacular views from Symonds Yat Rock, which is only 15 minutes’ drive from the hotel.

Claim your £1 Travelzoo trial & book a three-night stay with breakfast included from £299

Pembroke Castle two-night break – £159 (save £77)

Stay in the medieval walled town of Pembroke with this affordable two-night break at the friendly Coach House Hotel.

It even includes a bottle of Prosecco on arrival.

The town is home to the incredible Pembroke Castle, where King Henry VIII was born.

After enjoying a full Welsh breakfast each morning, you can set off to explore more local attractions like the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the seaside town of Tenby.

Claim your £1 Travelzoo trial & book a two-night Pembroke stay from £159

Lake District escape with dinner & Prosecco – £129

Book a staycation in the stunning Lakes with a cosy stay at the four-star Damson Dene Hotel with this deal.

The hotel is just 10 minutes’ drive from Lake Windermere, the largest lake in England, where you’ll also find The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction.

Your stay includes an overnight stay plus dinner for two, Prosecco on arrival, and even a pair of free tickets to the enchanting Lakeland Model Village.

Claim your £1 Travelzoo trial & book an overnight stay with dinner & Prosecco in the Lake District from £129

Prices correct at the time of publication.

DID you know that a drastic change to your appearance could get you stopped at the border?

Even something as simple as a haircut could result in extra questions if you look unrecognisable.

Experts at MoneySuperMarket used footballer Erling Haaland as an example following his recent hairstyle change.

The Norwegian sportsman has been called ‘unrecognisable’ after trading in his long blond locks for a buzzcut.

But a change so drastic could result in travel trouble.

Alicia Hempsted, Travel Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket said: “Haaland’s new haircut is a perfect example of how much a simple change in appearance can make you look totally different.

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“While changing your hairstyle does not automatically mean that you need a new passport, looking substantially different from your passport photo could lead to additional checks when boarding a flight or arriving at border control.

“Changes such as growing or shaving off significant facial hair, a major change in hairstyle or colour, or substantial weight loss or gain can all alter the way you look.

“If your appearance has changed significantly since your passport photo was taken, it’s worth checking the latest government guidance well before your trip. This gives you time to replace your passport if necessary, rather than discovering a potential issue when you’re already travelling.”

In another case, one woman was almost stopped from boarding because she looked so different to her passport photo.

In her document, Alisha Maria, an LA beauty blogger had a full face of makeup and a fringe.

But didn’t look the same while travelling ditching her full glam look for no makeup and having her hair up.

In a TikTok video she said: “They almost didn’t let me on my flight because they said I don’t look like my passport.“

In her comments, others had added that they had similar experiences.

One wrote: “They almost didn’t let me back into the US from Australia because I didn’t look like my passport photo and my drivers license had expired.”

Another added: “I had the same issue! I missed my flight due to questioning.”

Passport Rules

Everything you need to know about passports

ON most holidays the hotel is just the place you sleep between the actual highlights found in the local area.

You dump your bags, find the pool, and spend the rest of the week trekking out to beaches, theme parks, waterparks and attractions that cost an extra small fortune in entry tickets.

But as a holiday expert who’s worked in travel for years now, I’ve got a bank of places where the hotel is THE main event.

We’re talking lodges where elephants wander past your balcony, a futuristic hotel built directly across an active Formula 1 circuit and a full-blown Wild West town with hyper-coasters right outside your bedroom door.

Best of all, you can book the flights, accommodation and headline experience in a single package.

Here are six stays where checking in feels like buying a front-row ticket to something massive.

1. Stay inside a zoo: Magic Natura Animal Waterpark and Polynesian Lodge Resort, Benidorm

Magic Natura isn’t just ‘near’ a wildlife park – the entire resort is actually in Terra Natura Benidorm.

You stay in wooden, Polynesian-style lodges scattered across the landscape, with private wooden terraces looking straight into enclosures filled with elephants, rhinos and big cats.

Sitting outside your room with a morning brew watching an elephant amble past is basically breakfast with Sir David Attenborough…minus Sir David Attenborough, I assume.

Hotel guests get free, direct access to both Terra Natura and the neighbouring Aqua Natura waterpark, which packs in massive multi-lane slides, splash zones and animal keeper talks.

It completely eliminates the daily trek between different attractions because the zoo, waterpark, and hotel are all in the same place.

And I tracked down a 5-night bed and breakfast stay here from £263pp, flying direct from London Luton on 5 October.

2. Stay on an F1 racetrack: W Abu Dhabi Yas Island

Lots of hotels overlook race circuits but the W Abu Dhabi is built directly on top of one.

The futuristic glass structure spans the Yas Marina Circuit, with the actual Formula 1 track running straight beneath the hotel building.

Your balcony, the main pool deck, and the restaurants look directly down onto the tarmac, meaning even outside Grand Prix weekends you’ll regularly see supercars testing or track-day drivers tearing past below your room.

On selected evenings, the circuit runs the free TrainYAS programme, opening the track to the public.

You can literally jog or walk an entire lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix circuit, pass straight underneath your own hotel, and then head upstairs for a buffet breakfast.

Good luck finding a Travelodge that offers that.

You’re also sitting right on Yas Island, which means Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World and Yas Waterworld are right on your doorstep.

Outside of Grand Prix week, the prices drop significantly, and I found a 7-night bed and breakfast holiday here from £640pp, including return flights from London Stansted on 9 September.

3. Stay like a rock star: Hard Rock Hotel Marbella, Spain

Most music-themed hotels slap a framed guitar on the lobby wall and call it a day.

Hard Rock Hotel Marbella lets you order an actual Fender guitar, bass or a Crosley vinyl turntable straight to your room through their complimentary Sound of Your Stay programme.

The guitars come with high-spec headphones, which is a very thoughtful touch for both aspiring rock stars and everyone staying in the room next door.

The music theme runs right through the property, from live acoustic sets and proper jazz bands to poolside DJ sessions that feel genuinely curated rather than an animator playing cheesy pop tunes beside the buffet.

It’s strictly Adults Only, sits right near the Puerto Banús marina and features two distinct pool zones – one built for day parties, and a quiet one built for recovering from them.

And the best part is, you don’t need a rock star’s bank balance to book it either.

I spotted a 5-night bed and breakfast holiday from £353pp, with direct flights from London Gatwick on 31 October.

4. Stay inside a Wild West theme park: PortAventura Hotel Gold River, Spain

Hotel Gold River recreates a full 19th-century American gold-rush town, complete with timber storefronts, an authentic saloon, a sheriff’s office, and rooms set inside Wild West-style buildings.

And at this hotel, you are literally sleeping inside PortAventura World, with a private hotel entrance dropping you straight into the park.

PortAventura packs six themed lands and world-class rollercoasters, including the massive Shambhala and the stomach-churning Furius Baco.

Younger kids get the dedicated SesamoAventura Sesame Street land, while Ferrari Land sits right next door.

The biggest win for families here though is pure convenience: you can enter the park, pop back to your room for a siesta or a swim, and head back out for the evening shows without paying for daily parking or coach transfers.

When you consider that park tickets are bundled into the package, the price is borderline ridiculous. 

I found 5 nights room-only with direct flights from Birmingham on 4 October for just £255pp. Bargain.

5. Stay in a palace with its own funfair: Haydarpasha Palace, Antalya

Haydarpasha Palace looks like someone took a historic European railway station, an Ottoman palace and a family theme park, then decided there was absolutely no reason not to mash them all together.

This massive 5-star resort features multi-lane waterslides, bowling alleys, kids’ clubs and its own seasonal funfair complete with a Ferris wheel and bumper cars inside the grounds.

Because it’s a fully all-inclusive set-up, all your food, drinks and most of the entertainment are wrapped into the upfront cost.

The hotel links directly to its private sandy beach via an underground tunnel beneath the coastal road, meaning families can easily spend a full week here without ever running out of things to do or leaving the resort perimeter.

You can grab a 5-night all inclusive stay here from £348pp, including direct flights from London Gatwick on 31 October.

1. Stay at a world-class entertainment resort: Rixos Premium Seagate, Sharm El Sheikh

Standard ‘hotel entertainment‘ usually means a mini-disco and someone from the animation team attempting a questionable tribute act.

Rixos operates in an entirely different universe.

Across their Sharm El Sheikh resorts, the brand hosts legitimate festival-grade productions, touring international DJs and headline pop stars – Enrique Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez have both performed exclusive concerts for Rixos guests.

Even during an ordinary week, the scale of entertainment is massive.

Alongside nightly stage shows and live bands, the resort includes a huge on-site waterpark, multiple swimming pools, a private coral reef beach and over a dozen speciality restaurants and bars – as part of its premium all-inclusive offering.

And I found a 5-night all inclusive break here from £505pp, with direct flights from London Gatwick on 7 December.

A NEW railcard has been launched with no restrictions on age – and it could save you up to £750.

The new Traincard has been launched by Trip.com.

Costing £25, not only can it be used with other Railcards (such as 16-25 or Senior) but anyone can apply for it, no matter their age.

The Trip.com railcard is linked to Trip.com accounts, and can be used on 30 bookings in a 90 day period.

Up to £25 can be saved per ticket – so that means as much as £750 discounted.

Of course, this would only apply if you were buying tickets over £250.

CASH IN

Brits save £184 a year on average with this no-brainer travel hack

Raily good deal

Join Sun Club and save up to £20 on a railcard – plus up to £190 on tickets

For example, an Anytime Return from Manchester Piccadilly to London costs £386 when bought at short notice.

Other savings include a discount of £9.48 on a return from Folkestone to London, based on a £94.80 ticket.

But the 30-booking limit could also save families hundreds of pounds too.

One booking can include multiple tickets – meaning the 10 per cent discount could also include a a family’s four return tickets too, provided they are booked in one transaction.

The new railcard can be bought via the Trip.com app and lasts 90 days. I’d only valid in UK train journeys.

Alvaro Ungerean, Commercial Director, Europe – International Train, Trip.com Group, said: “We know that the cost of regular travel can quickly add up.

“Traincard has been designed to give passengers a simple and flexible way to save on the journeys they already make, regardless of their age or where they live.

“Whether travelling for work, education, to visit loved ones or for leisure, customers can access the same Traincard discount, including on eligible peak-time journeys.”

Here’s the new change you need to know about if buying a student railcard.

And we’ve explained how to get even more value out of your railcard.

IF you’re itching to grab your passport and head somewhere hot, Loveholidays has just made your next holiday a whole lot cheaper.

The holiday company slashed rates on last-minute sunny holidays, lowering costs from five-star hotels to all inclusive resorts to a fraction of usual prices.

We’ve rounded up the best last minute deals to places like Spain, Egypt, Tenerife and Greece, with package holidays including your flights from as little as £129pp.

Whether you want non-stop waterslides for the kids or bottomless cocktails on the beach, here are the best last minute deals to book today. (Or click here to browse all the deals).

Hurghada – £489pp (all inclusive)

For a lively, action-packed family holiday where you’ll barely want to leave the resort, check out the 4* Rewaya Inn Resort in Hurghada.

This massive beachfront complex puts everything right on your doorstep – with thrilling waterslides on-site to spectacular coral reef snorkelling on the beach.

Read more on Loveholidays

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With its own aqua park and action-packed entertainment schedule, plus water sports, evening shows and sports activities, there’s plenty here to keep the kids entertained.

Parents, on the other hand, will love the hotel spa with its whirlpool, sauna and hot tub – plus the seven restaurants and eight bars around the property where you can grab an all inclusive cocktail, wine or beer.

Click here to browse all Egypt holiday deals

Rhodes 5* – £409pp

Fancy a five-star holiday to a stunning Greek island? This last minute offer bags you a stay at one of Rhodes’ most glamorous family hotels.

Rodos Palace certainly feels royal, with a fairytale bridge stretching over an enormous outdoor pool, and a giant glass dome sheltering the heated indoor pool.

With nearly 800 rooms, there’s a massive range of accommodation options. The standard double and family rooms in the main tower are sleek, modern, and many offer spectacular sea views, while the garden suites boast their own private pools and sun terraces.

You could stay here for a week and never eat in the same place twice. There are eight different dining venues, including the main buffet restaurant plus a la carte options for Italian and authentic Greek cuisine.

Click here to browse all Greek holiday deals

Majorca – £389pp (all inclusive)

This sprawling complex in Majorca is built around family activities and a lively, action-packed atmosphere.

The Club Cala Romani Hotel boasts three outdoor pools, a kids splash zone, a beautiful sandy cove just 10 minutes away, plus activities like mini discos and sports on-site to ensure no one is ever bored

With your all inclusive stay, you can help yourself from a rotating buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with familiar favourites as well as themed dinners and local cuisine.

In the evening, the lounge bar and disco become the main hub, where you can enjoy your all inclusive drinks and watch the nightly entertainment shows.

Click here to browse all Spain holiday deals.

Tenerife – £349pp

Take a trip to sunny Tenerife with a stay at a glam aparthotel overlooking a shimmering pool.

The Piramides Resort is a budget-friendly base in Playa de las Americas, putting you in the prime spot to explore local beaches, bars, restaurants and nightlife.

Stays here come in the form of modern, spacious apartments which are fully kitted-out with sleek kitchens, tellies and private balconies.

Plus there’s four swimming pools on-site, a main buffet restaurant, poolside and snack bars plus lively evening entertainment to get you pumped for a night out in one of Tenerife‘s most popular resorts.

Click here to browse all Tenerife holiday deals

Agadir, Morocco – £129pp

If you’re looking for a very afforable break to catch some last minute sun, you’ll want to snap up this Agadir deal.

Temperatures in Agadir can still reach 30°C in September, plus the coastal city even has a golden six-mile long beach built for sunbathing.

This hotel gives you all the sunny holiday essentials – a spacious apartment with a balcony, an outdoor pool for a dip, a buffet restaurant and even its own nightclub.

If you want to browse for some souvenirs, the massive Souk El Had market is nearby, and you are surrounded by plenty of cheap local cafes, pubs, and shops.

Click here to browse all Agadir holiday deals

DID you know that Buckingham Palace has its own cinema, post office and even a mini bank?

I didn’t. Nor did the handful of punters and their kids behind me, who were now all gawping with fascination at the extravagant building from their shiny bus seats.

Claim 25% off children’s tickets for the The Original London Kids Tour

The royal premises is certainly a spectacular sight to behold with its grand curved arches and towering bronze statue.

And we’ve got one of the best views in town: from the upper deck of an open-roofed London bus.

The Original’s London Kids Bus Tour may be aimed at youngsters, but there are enough juicy facts in there to keep adults hooked on their guide’s every word as they tour the capital’s most recognisable landmarks.

And right now Sun readers can save 25% on children’s tickets by clicking here, with ages two and under going free.

GET A ROOM

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SAIL ON

I tried the Thames dining cruise with two courses & London’s top landmarks for £38

In just under an hour, my niece and I had ticked off Big Ben, Downing Street, the London Eye, and of course the residence of King Charles. 

His Majesty wasn’t at home, though. “You can tell from the flag’s position,” our guide explains. “If it’s flying high, he’s in the building.”

That’s one fact I did know.

We also learned the stories behind the four grand lion statues in Trafalgar square and how Nelson’s Column was built to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar, hundreds of years ago.

Facts were cleverly sandwiched between fun sightseeing tasks for kids, like spotting the golden pineapples on top of Lambeth Bridge.

Kids had to use their noggins, too, to answer age-appropriate quiz questions such as: “What’s the name of that big clock over there?”

Claim 25% off children’s tickets for the The Original London Kids Tour

I’ll give you one guess as to where our guide was pointing. 

And just as we were gazing up at the mighty Big Ben he roared into action, bellowing his tuneful chime. 

That’s the other brilliant thing about these tours, each one is perfectly-timed to include key moments like this.

On top of Big Ben’s gong, we heard the merry jingle from Fortnum & Mason’s grand clock on Piccadilly and watched from a distance as visitors piled into pods on the mighty London Eye.

“That is SO high,” my niece squealed, pointing excitedly at the big wheel.

This monument is actually taller than Big Ben, our guide highlights. Those trivia facts just keep on coming.

When we clamber off after an exhilarating hour, a free activity booklet will keep kids faces from going sour.

It’s loaded with mini tasks like spot the difference, word searches and dot-to-dots, all leaning on their new-found knowledge of the capital.

Something to keep them busy while parents grab a coffee.

I can’t think of a better way to see the sights, either, than from the comfort of a classic red double-decker (don’t panic, the upper deck is partially roofed for when the weather takes a turn).

There’s plenty of space on board, too.

We were visiting on a maximum-capacity day and there were still lots of free seats scattered around.

At £24pp it’s cracking value, too. And now you can bag yourself an even bigger discount, with 25% off children’s tickets.

The best part? You can also claim seven other freebies as part of the offer.

Your ticket for The Original Tour also includes a Hop-On Hop-Off River Thames cruise, where you can soak up the sights from the water.

Plus you’ll get access to six self-guided walking tours via The Original Tour’s partner app.

That’s three ways to see London for the price of one – all of which are child-friendly, hassle-free and put together by experts.

Claim 25% off children’s tickets for the The Original London Kids Tour

Prices correct at the time of publication.

FINDING a London hotel room that isn’t the size of a shoe box and is actually affordable can be a real challenge.

Luckily, I’ve done my research and have found an underrated hotel that hides a secret bargain.

This stay offers suite-sized rooms for a very reasonable £65 – which is less than what you’d pay for those broom cupboard-sized rooms in the city centre.

Not only that, but the hotel has great connections into Central London, plus has attractions like the Minecraft Experience and The Legend of the Titanic exhibition less than 10 minutes away.

Throw in unlimited free ferry rides across the river to Canary Wharf, and it might just be the best-kept budget hotel hack in the capital.

Here’s everything you need to know about a&o London Docklands Riverside.

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Where is a&o London Docklands Riverside?

a&o London Docklands Riverside is in Rotherhithe, which sits directly opposite swanky London finance district Canary Wharf.

A stay here even comes with free ferry tickets to cross over the river and reach Canary Wharf in a matter of minutes.

You can take the ferry as many times as you’d like during your stay. Ferries come every 15-20 minutes, and run daily until around 11pm.

The easiest way to get to the hotel via public transport is by taking the underground to Canada Water, and then walking around 10 minutes to reach the hotel.

What is the hotel like?

This is a no faff, no-frills spot which makes for the perfect budget-friendly base on a trip to London.

The building is a restored 17th century wharf warehouse, bringing a touch of the area’s maritime history to your stay – but all of the amenities here are super modern.

Everything here is designed for efficiency – the check-in process is quick and easy, there are vending machines throughout with snacks, drinks and toiletries, and reception are on-hand 24 hours a day to help.

There’s an indoor bar and lounge area, plus an outdoor ‘Urban Beach’ bar with plenty of parasol-topped tables for soaking up the sun in the warmer weather.

What are the rooms like?

This London stay offers the ultimate room hack – entire suite-sized rooms from just £65 per night.

a&o London Docklands Riverside used to be a Hilton Doubletree hotel, however since a&o took over ownership, you can snag a large room for a shockingly low price.

This is because some rooms here which were once sold as King Junior Suites are now being sold for the price of a regular double room.

This means that you could bag an entire suite with a big double bed, lounge area with a sofa, desk to work from and even a balcony overlooking the Thames for just £65 per night.

That works out to only £32.50pp per night (almost unheard of for a Central London hotel).

Prices vary depending on the time of year you visit, so if you want to bag this price, make sure to look for off-peak season stays such as weekdays in the winter.

As this accommodation is owned by a&o hostels, there are actually dorm rooms on offer here, too.

If you’re a seasoned traveller that doesn’t mind sharing a room, you could bag a stay here from as little as £19 per night – perfect if you just want a place to crash after a concert or event.

What is there to eat and drink?

Breakfast here is served buffet-style with all the usual suspects – eggs, sausage, bacon, cereals – plus a pancake machine with Nutella and maple syrup.

It’s definitely worth heading out into the city to grab lunch and dinner, as London is full of amazing restaurants inspired by all sorts of cuisines.

Cross the river into Canary Wharf and you’ll soon spot Big Easy – a huge, American-style BBQ restaurant that sits on top of the underground station, with huge neon signage that reflects onto the water below.

Here you can feast on steak, ribs, fries, corn on the cob and more, all lathered in thick barbecue sauce. Messy, but so delicious.

What else is there to do there?

When you’re out in Canary Wharf, make sure to book in a session at Fairgame.

Head towards the giant yellow rubber duck on the waterfront and behind it you’ll find a playground for grown-ups.

Inside there’s street food-style stalls, a bar serving crazy cocktails and, most importantly, loads of fairground-style games like whack-a-mole and basketball hoop-shooting.

If you’ve got kids with you, or just fancy a wholesome day out, hop on the DLR to Mudchute Farm.

Here you’ll find a farm with a surreal feel, where you can see alpacas, goats, sheep, chickens and more grazing grasses backed by London skyscrapers.

There’s even a community garden on-site where you can get stuck in and lend a hand planting flowers, fruits and vegetables.

Is it family friendly?

a&o London Docklands Riverside is family-friendly, with private, family-sized rooms and even pram hire from reception.

The hotel also has dog-friendly rooms, with a fee of £13 per pet per day.

Is the hotel accessible?

The hotel is accessible with step-free access onto the property and elevators to reach the rooms.

Make sure to mention any specific needs you may have upon booking.

DROPPING £40 on dinner usually gets you standard pub grub these days – but I’ve found a deal for a posh two-course meal on the Thames for even less.

This City Cruises Thames lunch cruise is currently on sale, with tickets costing £38 instead of the usual £53.

Click below to book a City Cruises lunchtime cruise from £38

City Cruises offers loads of experiences on the Thames, from Afternoon Tea and fancy dinner cruises to jazz, murder mystery and Elvis tribute nights. Click here to browse all the options.

I put their most popular cruise – the Lunch Cruise – to the test to see what you actually get for your money. Spoiler alert: I was pretty blown away.

The tour begins at Tower Milennium Pier, which is right beside the Tower of London.

After scanning my ticket, I stepped onboard to find a fancy dining area with huge floor-to-ceiling windows for soaking up the views.

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Tables are laid with crisp white tablecloths, and once you are seated, friendly waiters are soon swooping in to serve you glasses of wine, cocktails or soft drinks.

After relaxing into my seat, we soon set off to gently drift along the Thames.

I sipped my wine and enjoyed the views, and, within 15 minutes, a delicious main course was placed in front of me.

For the main event, diners choose between a hearty white bean and oyster mushroom cassoulet or a roasted chicken supreme. Do note that drinks, other than tea and coffee with pudding, are an add-on.

I opted for the chicken and was genuinely stunned. It was drenched in a rich, creamy mushroom sauce and paired with an indulgent, cheesy fondant potato.

It’s a dish that could easily hold its own in a top-tier London restaurant – which makes it all the more impressive aboard a moving boat.

Click below to bag a lunch cruise for £38 – or browse offers

Then dessert arrived: a baked cheesecake bursting with a molten white chocolate centre, topped with sweet raspberry coulis.

I washed it down with a warming cup of tea, and decided to head up to the upper deck to soak up the views.

We had cruised from Tower Milennium Pier all the way along to Canary Wharf, taking in the contrast between London’s old maritime docks and the ultra-modern skyscrapers of London’s financial district.

After pausing to soak up the glittering lights of the financial hub and the towering skyscrapers reflecting off the water, we turned around to make our way towards the main event: Big Ben.

There were plenty of impressive sights along the way, and the tour guide, who stood out on the open-air deck to share his expertise, revealed plenty of fascinating facts.

We glided under nine magnificent bridges and learned all about their history.

One of my favourite facts I learned was that the famous Tower Bridge was originally painted a drab chocolate brown before being given its vibrant red, white, and blue colours for the Queen‘s Silver Jubilee in 1977.

The expert guide also explained how the modern Millennium Bridge famously had to close just two days after opening because it wobbled so violently under the footsteps of pedestrians.

After cruising past the legendary Globe Theatre (and spotting the pub that Shakespeare used to frequent: The Anchor) we drifted right past the London Eye.

It was amazing to see the landmark up-close and take in its size, watching teeny tiny people in their pods raised high above the impressive London skyline.

Soon we reached Big Ben, where we paused on the water to take in the views and take photos.

The view from the water was breath-taking – plus it was far more peaceful taking in the landmark from the boat than the noisy, bustling streets surrounding it.

I snapped some shots before we headed back down to Tower Milennium Pier, feeling far more knowledgeable – and full – than I had before stepping aboard that day.

Overall, I think the lunch cruise is a fantastic way to tick off London’s major sights in one go.

And when you consider the fancy meal that’s also included, I think this cruise is the ideal experience for a date, birthday or special occasion.

Click below to browse offers at City Cruises

Prices correct at the time of publication.

A MAJOR airline has issued a luggage warning about items nearly everyone take on holiday with them.

Jet2 has warned travellers heading on holiday to carry two electronic items in their hand luggage, not their hold luggage.

Power banks and e-cigarettes need to be carried in hand luggage and should be kept under the seat instead of overhead lockers.

Items containing a lithium battery, which includes power banks and e-cigarettes, must be switched off, packed safely and carried in hand luggage.

Any electrical items or lithium batteries that are damaged are not allowed on board.

And if you plan on travelling with a hoverboard or balance wheel that has a lithium battery, it cannot go in hand luggage or hold luggage.

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David Hills, Chief Customer Officer at Jet2, said: “Lots of customers travel with everyday items such as power banks and e-cigarettes, so this is a simple but important reminder to check where they are packed before setting off for the airport.

“These items are common, but they do need to be carried correctly, and doing so helps us keep everyone safe while they travel to enjoy their well-deserved holidays.”

The reminder follows a number of lithium battery incidents on a number of flights over the past couple of years.

Back in May, an easyJet flight travelling from Egypt to the UK was forced to divert to Rome after a passenger revealed they had left a phone connected and charging via a power bank in their checked luggage.

In July last year, a power bank caught fire on a Bangkok Airways flight from Samui to Hong Kong.

The CAA’s power bank rules are as follows:

• Power banks must be carried in carry‑on baggage
• Power banks must be individually protected when not in use
• Power banks must not be recharged on board the aircraft
• Power banks should not be used to charge other portable electronic devices on board the aircraft
• Maximum of two power banks per person

THIS travel club can save you a whole lot of money when going on holiday – and Sun readers can try it out for just £1.

Ever wanted to swap those noisy airport cafes and hard airport seats for somewhere a little more comfy and relaxed, where free food and drink is flowing?

Try Travelzoo for 30 days for £1

For £1, you could bypass the airport chaos entirely and kick back in a stylish, comfy airport lounge with ice-cold drinks, super-fast Wi-Fi and somewhere to put your feet up

Travelzoo are a money-saving club where members can bag a load of travel benefits, including free airport lounge access if your flight is delayed.

The membership costs £30 for the year, which is already a steal.

But Sun readers can bag a 30 day free trial for only £1 by clicking here.

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So before your next holiday, you could be chilling in an airport lounge with bottomless food and drinks (including alcohol) in exchange for that quid rattling around in your pocket.

We all know the dreaded feeling. You’ve dragged your bags through the terminal, braved the queues, and finally made it to the gate – only to look up at the screen and see the dreaded words: DELAYED.

Suddenly, you’re searching for a seat in a packed airport terminal, clutching a soggy-yet-expensive airport sandwich.

But if you’re a Travelzoo member, you get access to over 1,600 lounges across 500+ airports in more than 100 countries.

The way this works is simple. When your flight is delayed by one hour or more, you get airport lounge tickets automatically sent to you by email or text.

Inside these stylish lounges you’ll find things like private and comfy seating, free Wi-Fi and charging points, and even showers, desks and sleep pods in some locations.

Try Travelzoo for 30 days for £1

You’ll also get complimentary food and drink, which includes alcohol.

So even if your flight is delayed for multiple hours, you know you’ll have access to good-quality food, drinks and even somewhere to nap.

“As soon as I got the delay notification from Delta, I received an email with lounge pass PDFs” writes one Travelzoo member, Holly.

“Our flight ended up being delayed six times and the lounge pass was a lifesaver.

“This lounge had free food, drinks, snacks, Wi-Fi, showers, etc. It was worth it!”.

Another member, Angela, said she used it at London Heathrow after a delayed flight saga.

She said: “Travelzoo notified me of our delay and sent vouchers to a lounge that was way better than the one my credit card had.”

Usually, access to these airport lounges would require an elite membership status with an airline, or an expensive day pass.

However you can access these lounges with Travelzoo no matter who you are flying with, even with economy class tickets.

Airport lounge day passed typically cost between £30 – £40, whereas a Travelzoo membership costs £30 for an entire year.

That means just one delayed flight would justify the cost of an entire year’s membership.

You could easily spend over £30 on meals and drinks for the family in the airport Wetherspoons, but instead you’ll have your own less-crowded, more comfy zone with access to all the snacks and drinks you’ll need.

Best of all, you can register up to three travel companions on your itinerary for free – meaning your family or mates get the VIP treatment right alongside you.

Travelzoo members don’t just get airport lounge benefits – they also get access to super cheap holidays.

There are members-only sales and hand-picked holiday deals that give members access to some of the best holiday bargains out there.

For example, members can bag Benidorm package holidays for £179pp, a two-night staycation for two in Northumberland for £89, or a charming English inn stay for £59.

Members will be alerted when flash holiday sales go live, and can bag these exclusive discounts before anyone else.

Sun readers can try Travelzoo for 30 days for just £1 by clicking the button below.

Try Travelzoo for 30 days for £1

Prices correct at the time of publication.

YOU don’t need a huge holiday budget to jet off on an amazing European city break.

With flights from £13.99 each way and hotel rooms from under £40 a night, a weekend escape to Spain, Italy, or France can easily cost less than a big night out at home.

Whether you fancy sipping €3 (£2.50) wine by the river in Porto, grabbing fresh beachside tapas in Malaga, or drinking in views from a 360-degree rotating bar in Tirana, you can do it all while on a budget.

Here are the best bargain European city breaks you can book right now for under £18 a flight, with ridiculously cheap hotel stays to match.

Lyon, France

Bag a cheap city break to Lyon where you can sip a drink on a floating bar at the River Banks, wander Renaissance-era cobblestone streets in Old Lyon, and sample some of the best food in France.

Known as the food capital of France, it isn’t hard to find somewhere good to eat here – even on a budget.

Head to Marronniers Street at lunchtime and take your pick of Bouchons, which are traditional, local restaurants serving high-quality authentic meals for as little as €10 (£8.50).

You can fly to Lyon with Wizz Air from £17.99 each way. Sometimes the return flight from Lyon can be as low as £13.99.

The People Lyon offers rooms from £37 a night. The building used to be a secondary school, and has now become a vibrant spot for people to sit and enjoy views of the Fourvière Basilica.

Milan, Italy

While famous for high fashion and luxury, Milan is surprisingly easy to do on a budget if you know where to look.

The city’s aperitivo culture is ideal for inexpensive light snacking and drinking – especially in the vibrant, canal-side district of Navigli.

Soak up world-class architecture for free by wandering through the mall Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, admiring Sforzesco Castle, and of course taking in the views of the famous Milan Cathedral.

With super cheap flights, an affordable metro system and plenty to do for free once you’re there, you can book a city break to Milan knowing it won’t dent your wallet.

You can fly to Milan with Ryanair from £14.99 each way.

The Glam Hotel Milano has rooms from £50 a night, and is a modern hotel directly opposite the train station.

Malaga, Spain

Far more than a typical getaway to the Costa del Sol, Malaga is a vibrant, sun-soaked city full of Andalusian culture.

Dining out is wonderfully cheap, with beachside bars serving fresh sardine skewers for only a few euros, alongside plenty of low-cost tapas spots.

Sightseeing costs next to nothing thanks to free Sunday afternoon entry to art museums and historic sites like the Alcazaba fortress.

Pair that with beach days and scenic hikes to the Gibralfaro viewpoint, and you’ve got yourself a very affordable few days away.

You can fly to Malaga with Wizz Air from £17.99 each way.

Rooms at funky capsule hotel Futurotel Malaga start from £59.

Porto, Portugal

Cheap wine, unique architecture, amazing city viewpoints – Porto is the ideal pick for a walkable city break packed with affordable things to do.

Spend a day strolling through the Ribeira District where medieval colourful houses and charming cafes line the riverfront.

Another top free sight is to watch the sun set behind the huge steel Dom Luis I Bridge from the Jardmin do Morro, to the sound of local street musicians.

As for cheap wine, pop into neighbourhood tascas for a bite to eat and a drink – here you can enjoy local wine by the jug for €3.50 (£3)!

You can fly to Porto with Ryanair from as little as £13.99 each way.

The ever-reliable ibis budget Porto Gaia has rooms from £55 a night.

Tirana, Albania

Tirana is easily one of Europe’s most underrated and budget-friendly capitals, buzzing with pastel-painted buildings and an amazing coffee culture.

You can explore giant, Communist-era nuclear bunkers turned underground art museums at Bunk’Art, or catch a cheap cable car ride up Mount Dajti for sweeping views across the valley.

Nights are best spent in the trendy Blloku district – a neighbourhood once off-limits to locals as it was an restricted zone for communist regime leaders – now it’s open to everyone with lively cocktail lounges and traditional grill houses that serve up dishes and drinks for pocket change.

You can fly to Tirana with Wizz Air from £17.99 each way.

The four-star Sky Hotel Tirana has rooms from £38 per night, and is home to the largest rotating bar in the Balkans.

The revolving rooftop bar completes a 360° turn every hour, giving you sweeping city and mountain views alongside your meal.

Dublin, Ireland

When you can hop over to Dublin on a £14.99 hour-long flight, this might just be the quickest and easiest city break to tick off in a weekend.

While Temple Bar is certainly worth a visit to walk its pretty cobbled streets and grab a pic outside the famous red pub, save your pint of Guinness for elsewhere.

Head to South William Street to find cheaper beer at spots like Pygmalion and Grogan’s, where all the atmosphere comes from taking your pint back out into the street to listen to buskers.

For an affordable yet delicious lunch, head to Pablo Picante. Dublin has a huge burrito culture, and this Mexican chain offers well-stuffed wraps that will keep you full all day from €10.75 (£9.20).

You can fly to Dublin with Ryanair from £14.99 each way.

Stay at the Wetherspoons-owned Keaven’s Port Hotel from £82 per night. The hotel sits on Camden Street, which packed with some of the city’s best bars, pubs and clubs.

Alicante, Spain

With year-round warmth and 300 days of sunshine per year, Alicante is a solid bet when it comes to booking a sunny Spanish city break.

Spend your days wandering the whitewashed, flower-filled lanes of Barrio Santa Cruz, or taking in sweeping Mediterranean views from the hilltop Santa Barbara Castle for free.

Eating well can be remarkably cheap if you visit Mercado Central for fresh tapas, or tuck into authentic regional paellas at backstreet neighbourhood bars.

You can fly to Alicante with Ryanair from £14.99 each way.

You can book a stay at the Travelodge Alicante Puerto from £39 per night, which is conveniently located a short walk from Alicante Harbour and the Explanada de España.

SINCE the introduction of EES, there have been reports of huge delays, missed flights – and now a new problem has arisen.

It appears that Brits aren’t being correctly recorded as leaving the Schengen Area, meaning they could be banned from entering the EU again and face a hefty fine.

The UK Foreign Office has altered its advice to Brits asking them to carry evidence of when they last left the EU, to avoid being wrongly refused entry.

Brits travelling from the UK to Europe can spend 90 days out of every 180 in the EU – staying over this limit will mean both refusal of entry and a fine.

In some cases a fine can be as much as £8,550.

Before the introduction of EES, Brits would be stamped in and out by officials at passport control.

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Now Brits are being electronically recorded as leaving – but in some cases where EES has been suspended due to long queues, they aren’t.

Without being officially noted as returning home, the clock continues to count down which could cause problems when attempting to re-enter the EU.

Advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) reads: “If you believe you have been incorrectly entered into EES or your record of time spent in the Schengen area is incorrect, approach border officials when you next cross the Schengen border and request a correction.

“If you are exempt, carry documentation confirming your status. If you believe your time spent in the Schengen area has been recorded incorrectly, raise this with border officials and be prepared to provide supporting evidence if requested.”

It doesn’t explain what ‘evidence’ is needed but it’s likely to be confirmation of flights out of the country.

Some Brits who have either not been stamped out physically, or electronically by EES have revealed their issues in returning to the Schengen Area.

Talking to Sun Travel, one woman revealed how she got stuck entering Finland after a trip to Rome.

She explained: “I was stopped at the border in Finland last November by border control who said my record was showing I was still in Italy.

“While I had registered with EES going into Rome, it hadn’t recorded me leaving.”

She added: “After a lot of back and forth with border control officers and around 45-minutes of waiting, it was recognised as an error and I was let into the country.”

In another case, Martin Farrall told The Guardian, didn’t have his exit recorded for the Schengen zone.

Martin and his wife arrived by ferry at Hoek van Holland in the Netherlands.

He said that Dutch border officials enrolled them into EES, but that they had no entry stamp on their passports.

Then 55 days later when he returned to the UK via France, they were not given an exit stamp.

Back at home, Martin checked how many days he had left to travel through the Schengen – and it’s continuing to count down. Meanwhile his wife still has 90 days despite both having travelled the same route.

In another case, one passenger who had returned from Ibiza back in April had two entry stamps, but no exit stamps.

They told local media: “On my last two occasions visiting Ibiza on direct UK flights, my UK passport has not been exit-stamped by Spanish immigration authorities upon leaving Ibiza back to the UK.

“I now have two ‘un-closed’ Spanish visits in my UK passport, making a nonsense of the 90-day rule, and running the risk of me being accused of overstaying my rolling 90 days’ allowance. Which I haven’t.”

For more advice on travelling as a family and the new EES system, head here.

BOOKING is open to secure your 2027 £9.50 holiday before anyone else.

Hundreds of new breaks across £9.50 holiday parks have landed on The Sun’s £9.50 Holidays website – including autumn getaways and dates you can pre-book for 2027.

Unlock the hols by signing up to Sun Club – for £1.99 per month or £12 per year

Haven’t been collecting codes from the paper? Don’t worry – you can instantly unlock the holidays by signing up to Sun Club.

Simply sign up to Sun Club and you will gain access to a special Offers Page, where you can access the new £9.50 holidays instantly.

Sun Club membership costs £1.99 per month (or £12 for the year), and also includes benefits like two-for-one attraction tickets, free darts and horse racing tickets, and freebies like books, skincare kits and more.

We’ve rounded up popular £9.50 holiday parks that have had major glow-ups recently, plus picks like the largest holiday park in the UK and resorts packed with kids’ activities.

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Seal Bay Resort, Selsey

Crowned as the most popular £9.50 holiday park last year, Seal Bay is one of the most action-packed resorts on England‘s south coast.

Its £18 million ‘White Horse‘ complex is home to a large entertainment venue, multi-level soft play, sports courts, an arcade, bowling, an outdoor pool and more rolled into one action-packed zone.

Not to mention this park has its own mile-long stretch of private beach. On a clear day, you can see the Isle of Wight from across the water.

Forget a standard swimming pool – this park boasts a massive indoor water complex complete with a surf simulator, plus an outdoor lido for sunny days.

The park is built like a mini village, with plenty of shops and amenities on each corner, meaning you can easily spend an entire week here without ever needing to leave the gates.

Unlock the hols by signing up to Sun Club – for £1.99 per month or £12 per year

Skirlington Coast, Yorkshire

Sitting atop rugged East Yorkshire cliffs, Skirlington Leisure Park offers sweeping sea views and direct access to beautiful beaches.

This park recently received a £10 million cash injection, with a brand new waterpark, lido and activities like axe throwing and a mini bike pump track introduced this year.

The waterpark spans both indoor and outdoor areas, centred around two large swimming pools.

Indoors, kids can splash about under the umbrella-shaped water feature, while grown-ups can unwind in the sauna or hot tub.

The large outdoor lido is the perfect place to cool off on a sunny day, but if the weather does take a turn, it is sheltered by a large yellow-striped roof.

Next to the lido there are plenty of colourful deck chairs, parasols, loungers and even some beach huts that give the area that seaside holiday feel.

The lido and outdoor waterpark sit in the Festival Gardens area, a brand new section of the holiday park which is filled with brightly-coloured decorations and pretty fairy lights.

Unity Beach

Following a major £10 million refurbishment, Unity Beach now has a new lido, waterpark and festival gardens.

There’s also plans to upgrade the site’s entertainment complex with a new showbar that will seat over 1,000, so securing your £9.50 holiday for next year now gives you the best chances of seeing all these new upgrades in-person.

The site’s waterpark pairs indoor and outdoor splash zones with high-speed flumes and rubber-ring rides.

Just next door, guests can access Brean Theme Park, which is the UK’s largest free-to-enter theme park. It packs in over 40 rides, ranging from white-knuckle rollercoasters to classic bumper cars.

Best of all, seven miles of open sand at Brean Sands sit directly opposite the resort grounds.

Billing Aquadrome, Northampton

Sprawling across 235 acres of lakes and countryside in Northamptonshire, Billing Aquadrome is designed to keep even hard-to-please teenagers off their phones.

Where else can kids feed alpacas, ride on a BMX pump track, learn TikTok dances, and ride a miniature railway all in one afternoon?

Kids can go full Total Wipeout on the lake’s massive inflatable obstacle course, while younger ones get stuck into slime-making and outdoor survival workshops.

When the sun goes down, the outdoor cinema becomes a popular spot with its open-air cinema screenings, plus there’s also silent discos and live shows in a giant outdoor amphitheatre.

Refuelling the family is easy thanks to loaded burgers at Smash’d Town and sweet snacks from the Bak’D & Swirls dessert shop.

To top it all off, you can fall asleep right on the water’s edge by booking a stay in a cosy lakeside pod.

Parkdean Resorts Trecco Bay, Porthcawl

As the UK’s biggest holiday park – and one of the largest in Europe – Trecco Bay is a colossal coastal playground.

Sitting in the seaside town of Porthcawl, here you’ve got a classic promenade, a seaside funfair, and a choice of stunning Blue Flag beaches right on your doorstep.

But there’s no need to leave site when you’ve got a NERF gun battlefield, bumper zorbing, pirate-themed crazy golf, and a Make a Bear station and more to pick from.

Plus the pool complex has high-powered aqua jets that twist you through the water, as well as inflatable jet skis and mini aqua paddler boats for little ones.

Even the pickiest of eaters can find something here, with top-tier high-street brands like Burger King, Papa Johns, Thunderbird Fried Chicken, and Costa Coffee ready to refuel the whole family.

Unlock the hols by signing up to Sun Club – for £1.99 per month or £12 per year

Golden Sands, Rhyl

Golden Sands Holiday Park in the seaside town of Rhyl is the ideal base to explore North Wales.

This park puts you within short driving distance of legendary castles such as Gwyrch and Bodelwyddan, plus there’s beautiful nature spots like Dyserth Waterfall on your doorstep.

When you aren’t out exploring, on-site there’s a heated indoor pool, arcades, a sports court, plus a soft play area.

Plus there’s plenty of activities that kids will love such as slime workshops and NERF gun battles.

Grab some dinner from the site’s traditional fish and chip shop before settling down to watch the live entertainment kick off in the evening.

The fantastic evening entertainment includes family-friendly live shows, glow parties, bingo nights and mini discos.

Newquay Bay Holiday Resort

Newquay Bay is one of the fancier holiday parks available with Hols from £9.50, and feels more like an expensive coastal retreat.

Take a dip in its serene indoor and outdoor heated pools, or take lessons with the on-site surf school, prepping you to hit the waves at nearby Porth beach.

If you fancy a pamper, there’s a hair and beauty salon, alongside a sauna and steam room to truly unwind.

You can even walk across the beach’s narrow footbridge to Porth Island to explore an ancient Iron Age fort, before grabbing a pint at The Mermaid Inn, which sits directly on the beach.

Unlock the hols by signing up to Sun Club – for £1.99 per month or £12 per year

WHEN it comes to knowing all the flight tricks of the trade, the best people to ask are the flight crew.

And when it comes to travelling as a family with as little stress as possible, knowing where to start can be tricky.

Katy Lo, Senior Purser at Cathay Pacific, has worked for the airline for nearly 15 years.

Often travelling between London and Hong Kong, she knows all the tricks to dealing with little passengers on long flights.

She told Sun Travel: “Having personally navigated the airport dash with a buggy and a biscuit-bribed toddler, changed nappies mid-turbulence, and even fished raisins from seat pockets at 3am, I can attest that travelling with children can feel overwhelming.

Yet, those early flights, despite the stress and mess, also created some of my favourite family memories.

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“With a little planning and the right strategies, our goal is to empower parents to feel confident and prepared, allowing them to relax and truly enjoy the experience.” 

With Google searches for ‘flying with kids’ skyrocketing +927%, Katy has compiled a crucial list for jet setting parents that are looking to conquer common parental travel challenges. 

2+2 seat booking trick

She explained: “Sometimes children don’t get along and it can be at the worst possible time.  

“For sibling harmony on long flights, book two seats per row, front and back, allowing for separation or togetherness – avoiding any pending squabbles.” 

Stick to the routine

When it comes to sleeping, she said that there are a few tiny ways to make it as pain free as possible.

She explained: “Routine gives comfort in unfamiliar spaces.

“If you’re flying overnight, change them into their pyjamas on board. Bring their bedtime story or sleep toy.

“It sends the signal that it’s time to settle, even at 35,000 feet.” 

Don’t feel bad if you have to resort to some TV time too.

She said: “Flight time is not real life. Let them watch their favourite shows or play tablet games to their heart’s content. 

“It keeps them entertained, calm, and happy, ensuring your calm and happiness too.” 

Pack wisely

There are lots of things you don’t need – and lots you do.

She conitnued: “Forget the fancy outfit changes and matching accessories, they’ll end up under the seat.

“Focus on the essentials: wipes, snacks, distractions. A carryon is your best friend.

“I always packed a small ‘emergency kit’ with surprises, a new toy or colouring book worked wonders when things got wobbly.” 

If your child wants to pack their own little rucksack, let them.

“Even if it only has a sticker sheet, a sock and half a banana, it gives them independence and excitement.

“My three loved having something that felt like ‘theirs’.” 

THE final £9.50 holidays for 2026 are being released this weekend – meaning it’s your last chance to book an amazing autumn break.

Popular parks like Trecco Bay, Vauxhall and Unity Beach are but a few that you will be able to book from this Sunday, with plenty of October and November breaks opening up.

Sign up to Sun Club to get the first pick of £9.50 Hols this Sunday

We’ve rounded up the £9.50 holiday parks that are perfect to book for an autumn break – with Monster Ball Halloween parties, coastal castles, ghost walks and plenty of indoor action for the wet weather.

When it comes to booking, you can completely skip the hassle of collecting daily newspaper codes by joining Sun Club. Plus you can book your holiday from midnight while those collecting codes have to wait until the morning.

For £1.99 a month or £12 a year, Sun Club members unlock instant access to the £9.50 Hols booking from midnight this Sunday, August 23. That means you can bag the most popular parks before dates sell out.

Whether you’re treating the kids to an action-packed Halloween break, or craving a cosy couples’ escape surrounded by crunching orange leaves, here are our top £9.50 Holiday parks for an autumn getaway.

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Parkdean Resorts Camber Sands, Sussex

Parkdean Resorts Camber Sands boasts not one but four indoor heated swimming pools as well as waterslides, meaning pool time doesn’t have to end when the weather cools down.

There’s loads for adventurous kids here, like the Bear Grylls Survival Academy, an outdoor high-ropes course, a virtual reality gaming suite and laser tag arenas.

Venture outdoors for a brisk coastal walk along the five mile-long beach – it will make heading back for a warming hot chocolate all the more rewarding.

This park is also a 10-minute drive from the medieval hilltop town of Rye, where ghost tours take place along its lantern-lit cobblestone streets and a chilling castle museum overlooks the marshes.

Vauxhall, Great Yarmouth

Parkdean Resorts Vauxhall in Great Yarmouth is built for indoor family fun, perfect for unpredictable British weather.

Kids can spend hours in the Tropical Waterworld – complete with slides and a splash zone – or burn off energy tackling the indoor soft play.

During October half-term, the park hosts Halloween events such as ghost walks, fancy dress contests, arts and crafts sessions and even the Monster Ball party – which takes place across all Parkdean resorts.

Out in Great Yarmouth you can stop by Fairground Frights at Pleasure Beach for a spooky theme park takeover, or even sit down to the Halloween Spooktacular at the Hippodrome Circus.

Sign up to Sun Club to get the first pick of £9.50 Hols this Sunday

Parkdean Resorts Cayton Bay, Scarborough

Parkdean Resorts Cayton Bay sits on the North Yorkshire coast, just a 30-minute drive from Whitby, the home of Dracula.

Here families can tour the withered ruins of Whitby Abbey, or join Dracula-themed ghost walks.

Whitby is also home to the best fish and chip shop in the UK, so you can sit down to an award-winning chippy tea with pretty harbour views after a full day’s exploring.

If you’re not into the spooky stuff, this action-packed park has a heated indoor pool with water flumes, an indoor high-ropes course, and an on-site arcade.

Park Holidays UK Bowland Fell, Yorkshire

This park sits at the edge of 130 acres of Bowland forest, giving you direct access to endless woodland trails – which burst with beautiful orange leaves in autumn.

The park even sits within an officially designated dark sky reserve, meaning stargazing here is particularly spectacular, making for the perfect October or November break.

As for accommodation, you can pick between classic caravans, modern apartments, spacious lodges and even the cosy Bowland Fell Cottage.

On-site, you can eat at the 17th-century Crowtrees Inn, a refurbished traditional stone pub with open log fires and local pints.

Bowland Fell offers a relaxed break centred around local nature and fantastic walking trails, perfect for couples and outdoors-y families.

Parkdean Resorts Trecco Bay, Porthcawl

As one of Europe’s largest holiday parks, Trecco Bay is certianly equipped with enough activities to handle rainy days.

The resort houses a massive indoor Splashland, a full-sized bowling alley, an arcade, and a soft play area to name but a few things to do here.

Throughout October half term, the entertainment team runs daily Halloween craft sessions, spooky game shows, and pumpkin carving workshops.

There’s over 2,000 caravans and lodges here, ranging from affordable, comfy caravans to luxurious lodges with hot tubs.

Sign up to Sun Club to get the first pick of £9.50 Hols this Sunday

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Drey

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Moxy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yotel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

easyHotel

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

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

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

The iconic orange branding is even dotted throughout the hotels.

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

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

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

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

Zedwell

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bob W

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Premier Inn

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Z Hotel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zedwell Pods

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A&O

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ibis London Luton Airport

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

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

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

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

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

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

Holiday Inn Express London – ExCeL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Otherwander

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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