STAYCATIONS are on the rise once again, as nervous Brits look for a holiday closer to home.
Yet a trip exploring the beauty of the UK doesn’t have to be expensive – if you know where to look.
According to Hotels.com, searches for stays across Britain that are under £100 are up 21 per cent compared to last year.
Expedia Group expert Melanie Fish shared some of her top tips on how to find the cheapest hotel room stays, such as booking business hotels on weekends for lower rates.
She also said: “One of the simplest ways to save is checking in on a Sunday night, which is often the cheapest day of the week, helping travellers stretch their budgets further while racking up rewards.”
Here are ten of the best hotels across the country where all the stays are under £100 (so less than £50 each a night), ranging from city centre stays to rural vineyard retreats.
Malmaison Manchester – £94 a night (£47 each)
One of the fanciest on the list, the four-star Malmaison in Manchester, is still an affordable option.
Right in front of the city’s main train station, the hotel is built in a converted Victorian warehouse.
It makes you want to never leave, from the fancy Brasserie serving a British-French menu, to the stylish Mal Bar.
Of course, it’s right by all of the city’s top attractions too, from the Arndale Centre to Old Trafford.
Book your stay
One night at Malmaison Manchester via Hotels.com from £94 see here.
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Maldron Hotel, Liverpool – £83 a night (£41.50 each)
Despite also being a four-star hotel, the Maldron Hotel is the cheapest on the list.
The Liverpool hotel is no frills, but central – rooms have everything you need from hairdryers to coffee machines.
There’s an on-site barista-coffee cafe, as well as an all-day dining restaurant.
It’s in a great location too – you can easily get to attractions such as the M&S Bank Arena or Royal Albert Docks.
Book your stay
One night stay at Maldron Hotel via Hotels.com from £83 a night see here.
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Lumley Castle, Durham – £92 a night (£46 each)
The 14th-century Lumley Castle is now a hotel and venue space, and is a bargain to stay at.
The hotel has 72 rooms, many of which will transport you back to Ye Olde times with spiral staircases and grand four-poster beds
Settle in for a spot of brunch at the Library Bar, or experience a full classic menu at the Knight’s Restaurant.
You can even try out themed murder mystery nights or medieval knight dinners.
Book your stay
One night stay at Lumley Castle via Hotels.com from £92 a night see here.
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Aldwick Estate, Bristol – £95 a night (£47.50 each)
Still a working farm and vineyard, Aldwick Estate is set across 300 acres.
Guests can not only stay on-site at a number of apartment options, but they can also book some wine tastings.
The 90-minute tours include the history of the estate, as well, of course, some tastings of the award-winning sparkling wines.
It’s less than 10 minutes from Bristol Airport, too.
Book your stay
One night stay at Aldiwick Estate via Hotels.com from £95 a night, see here.
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Rodway Hill Eco Pod, Gloucester – £96 a night (£48 each)
If you want to get back to basics, you can go glamping at the end of a golf course for under £50 each.
Rodway Hill Eco Pod is ideal for keen golfers as you step out right onto the grass from the front of the room.
They’re no frills – you need to take your own towels, and there are shared ensuite facilities.
But with breakfast also included (expect all the classic hot and cold options) – you can be first to put on the day.
Book your stay
One night stay at Rodway Hill Eco Pod via Hotels.com from £96 a night see here.
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Ty Milford Waterfront, Pembrokeshire – £96 a night (£48 each)
Right by Milford beach is Ty Milford Waterfront, with all the hotel rooms kitted out with everything you need
Try Dulse, the on-site restaurant for some of the freshest seafood (and a unique rhubarb and custard profiterole), or work it off at the hotel gym overlooking the water too.
Kids even stay free this half term, and there is often both live music and pub quizzes on.
Want to splash out? Try the ‘floatels’ – four cabins that float on the water to be rocked to sleep by the tide.
Book your stay
One night stay at Ty Milford Waterfront via Hotels.com from £96 a night, see here.
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The Grosvenor Arms, Salisbury – £94 a night (£47 each)
The Grosvenor Arms, built in a 17th-century former coaching inn, has all the best parts of a British pub, but a little bit fancier.
There’s just nine cosy rooms for both couples and families, which they say has more of the “charm of an inn than a hotel room”.
Eating at the pub itself is a must, if you love a menu of British food with a flair – or pop in on a Friday for freshly cooked pizzas.
Nearby attractions include the unusual hexagonal Wardour Castle, which was used to film the 1991 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves film.
Book your stay
One night stay at Grosvenor Arms via Hotels.com from £94 a night, see here.
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The Westbridge, London – £97 a night (£48.50)
The chic Westbridge hotel says it is a “home from home,” being in the London district of Stratford.
Dating back to 1740, many of the rooms are named after themed royal family members.
The lounge bar is limited – serving just pizza, some snacks and desserts – so you might want to head out for dinner.
Thankfully is right by all of the popular London attractions too, including the Olympic Park and ABBA Voyage.
Book your stay
One night stay at The Westbridge via Hotels.com from £97 a night, see here.
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The all-inclusive hotel in the middle of London – that’s £55 each a night
The Sun’s Travel Reporter recently tried out London’s ‘all-inclusive’ hotel which comes in at just over £100 a night.
Z Hotels, Gloucester Place, offers a room package that is all-inclusive – soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, snacks, lunch, dinner… You name it.
This sounded too good to be true, so, of course, I had to put it to the test.
I arrived to check in at 3pm – this is when they were offering an afternoon tea selection, which included ham and cheese croissants and a cake stand featuring macaroons, brownies, flapjacks, and pots of tiramisu.
I picked up a handful of sweet treats, including one of the croissants and helped myself to my second can of Fanta.
There was also a made-to-order selection on a dinner menu, which featured a wide choice of sandwiches and salads.
I ordered the salmon and sauerkraut ciabatta – it was simple but tasty and reminded me of the sandwiches and cakes I usually pick up in one of London’s many hipster coffee shops.
However, this would usually set me back £18 for a coffee, pastry or cake and sandwich.
Just an hour later, a selection of cheeses and crackers, with grapes, chutney, houmous and olives appeared.
I helped myself to the black bomber cheddar, with a dollop of caramelised onion chutney and some crackers.
For second helping I went for some olives, camembert and crackers.
Over the course of another hour, I went back and forth, helping myself to the selection.
As I enjoyed my plates of food, I also sipped on a glass of sauvignon blanc – one of three white wines on offer.
If I wanted to, I could have also opted for red wine, cider or beer as well.
When morning arrived, a breakfast spread included toast, flatbreads with omelette and bacon, fresh fruit, Greek yoghurt, and pastries.
I opted for some cold apple juice and helped myself to a coffee, plus a tomato and cheese flatbread, some fruit compote and yoghurt.
Before leaving, I even grabbed a banana and coffee in a takeaway cup for the road.
My verdict? This hotel is a genuine find.
Totting up all the food I had, using the average prices usually found for each item in London, I spent way more than my £55-a-head price tag.
In comparison to other budget hotels, I would say the room itself is on par with Travelodge and Premier Inn, yet a fraction of the price.
Nunsmere Hall, Northwich – £95 a night (£47.50 each)
Inside the Edwardian country house in Northwich is Nunsmere Hall, surrounded by a 60-acre lake.
Usually used as a wedding venue, there are 36 hotel rooms, which are simple but affordable.
But you want to come here for dinner – voted ‘County Restaurant of the Year’ by The Good Food Guide, the ever-changing menu includes dishes such as steak and pasta.
Otherwise, grab a drink at The Captain’s Bar, some afternoon tea or have a wander around Northwich itself, a beautiful riverside town.
Book your stay
One night stay at Nunsmere Hall via Hotels.com from £97 a night see here.
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The Met Hotel, Leeds – £97 a night (£48.50 each)
One of Leeds‘ most beautiful buildings, The Met Hotel is built into the Victorian listed landmark dating back to the 1890s yet underwent a huge renovation last year.
There are 120 rooms, which have recently been refurbished, with classy interiors that make it feel much more expensive than it is.
Gott’s Bar & Kitchen feels like stepping back in time, with a mix of small plates, mains and grills.
Pop your head into the Met Ballroom too – it’s a beauty.
Book your stay
One night stay at The Met Hotel via Hotels.com from £97 a night, see here.
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