- accommodation
- (4464)
-
A very nice and cozy hotel 15 km from the city. Perfect place to do walks, bicycle, visit small old towns, do parts the coastal Santiago path. Warm family treatment, great prices and good decoration for something different.
www.posadalarobla.com
Barrio de la Cueva, Castañeda, Cantabria
+34942592 331
Google map: bit.ly/RYcXHD
I stayed at the Hotel Hetman in October 2012, when I transited via Warsaw. I spent only one night there, but overall I was impressed by the level of service. Although the room was small, it was comfortable and very quiet. The buffet breakfast was amazing, with everything from Polish pastries to slices of Spanish omelette. The hotel has good connections to the city centre and is handy for Warsaw East railway station (Warszawa Wschodnia), where you can catch many intercity and international trains.
It was an interesting experience as I stayed in the Hotel Wilenski as it was then in November 1999, and even stayed in the same room. At that time it was a very basic hotel that appeared to have changed little since 1989. I would definitely stay at the Hotel Hetman the next time I'm in Warsaw.
www.hotelhetman.pl
Księdza Ignacego Kłopotowskiego 36, 03-717 Warszawa, Poland
+48 22 511 98 00
Google map: bit.ly/RWGPT4
Which to choose? The Chocolate Heaven room with a chocolate version of the Sistine Chapel above the bath and unlimited supplies of choccy delights, or the Night at the Movies room with a huge TV, all the popcorn you can eat and Audrey Hepburn on the wall to keep you company. Or one of the other individually themed rooms at this quirky but very stylish pub in the little village of West Witton near Leyburn in the wonderful Yorkshire Dales National Park. The food's good too. Lots of local products well cooked in imaginative but never pretentious ways. If it's a special occasion you can choose to eat in the restaurant - all leather and linen. But if you're still feeling a bit windswept from your hike in the Dales the less formal Fish Bar might suit you better. And then there's the Whisky Lounge with a welcoming fire for a nightcap and snooze. But don't forget the chocolates, popcorn and Audrey waiting for you in your room upstairs!
www.wensleydaleheifer.co.uk
West Witton, North Yorkshire, DL8 4LS
+44(0)1969 622322
Google map: bit.ly/UOajBs
Just over the Wales border, off the A44 lies the settlement of Old Radnor and the Harp Inn. It is worth staying here for the views alone, so the fact that it is a "traditional" pub with superb food and excellent accommodation is a bonus. The en-suite bedrooms have the most comfortable beds imaginable and all the facilities you could require. Breakfasts are huge, as befits a famed walking area - Offa's Dyke virtually passes the door and Kington, a renowned walking centre, is only four miles down the road. Evening meals are of outstanding quality with locally sourced ingredients, and the proprietors, Chris and Angela, ensure everything is as it should be. After a huge evening meal, relax in front of one of the log fires before retiring to contemplate another nigh-on perfect day.
Old Radnor, Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2RH
+44(0)1544 350655
Google map: bit.ly/SXuQ6D
NYANG - NYANG & PLAY GROUND CAMP Mentawai islands with my surf camp in siberut islands close wave like e'bay, beng-beng, nipussi, pitstop just onfoot,With my price cheaper price only $ 45 (AU) 1 person to 1 days, including = breakfast, lunch, dinner, stay, pick up, service/guide, ticket ferry boat, snack, fruit, meal
Max = 6 surfer and min = 2 surfer
Mentawai islands with surfer camp have facilities = electricily from 6 am until 10 pm, fan, shower, referigerator
not including
1) one engine speed boat from harbour siberut islands to surf camp siberut then surf camp to harbour siberut price RP 1500.000 in $ 163(AU) max:2 surfer min:1 surfer (sharing price with your friends)
2) two engine speed boat from harbour siberut islands to surf camp siberut then surf camp to harbour siberut price RP 2400.000 in $ 260 (AU) max:6 surfer min:1 surfer (sharing price with your friends)
3) porter in harbour and airport
Surf spots just onfoot
Beng Beng => A very consistent world class wave, an extremely rippable left. This spot is loads of fun and probably one of the easiest waves to surf in the Mentawai’s. It’s the deepest and safest wave in the area and also pick up a bit more swell than other locales. 5 more breaks in the area, including E-Bay and Pitstops. Nestled inside a small bay with one of the most scenic views imaginable all around you.
E-Bay => This is a hollow left that barrels off the take-off with a short wall down the line. A great option when a lot of swell is hitting. A hollow, fast, powerful left. A world class wave for experienced surfers. Watch out for the two rocks on the inside. Great barrels, and turns into a surfing paradise at 6 feet offshore. There is a heavy warble that hits as you are taking off. Make the drop and don’t get thrown by that first warble and chances are you’ll get a mean aqua blue barrel. The scenery alone will blow you away. Besides its aesthetic beauty, double overhead E-bay is a beast and forces to be reckon with.
Nipussi or Pussies => A shorter right that breaks down the point from Bank Vaults. Definitely fun and rippable. Usually has fairly deep water from the takeoff to the inside. Ends in a riptide that sucks all the water back out to sea. A good option when there’s not much swell, and usually the most consistent spot in the area.
Pitstops => This is the right off the peak at E-Bay. A playful right that can offer some cover-ups off the take-off, but mostly a high performance wave with air sections at the end. Ends in a sandy channel.
How do I reach Mentawai Islands?
By Ferry from padang, to mentawai islands or mentawai islands to padang, (west sumateran, indonesia)
The most comfortable Ferry to Mentawai is Ferry Ambu Ambu (made from Steel). Since September 2009, the Ambu-Ambu Ferry travels overnight from Padang Bungus to Muara Siberut 2. and 3. Thursday nights of each month. From Muara Siberut to Padang Bungus, the ferry travels 2. and 3. Friday nights of each month.
The ferry departs from Padang at 9:00 p.m. and arrives at approximately 7:00 a.m. the following morning.
The Sumber Rejeki traditional Ferry (made from wood) travels overnight from Padang Bungus to Muara Siberut every Monday evening. From Muara Siberut to Padang, the ferry travels every tuesday nights.
padang,indonesia
+6281374006060
handra_harbi@yahoo.com
surfcampsiberut.blogspot.com
NYANG - NYANG & PLAY GROUND CAMP Mentawai islands with my surf camp in siberut islands close wave like e'bay, beng-beng, nipussi, pitstop just onfoot,With my price cheaper price only $ 45 (AU) 1 person to 1 days, including = breakfast, lunch, dinner, stay, pick up, service/guide, ticket ferry boat, snack, fruit, meal
Max = 6 surfer and min = 2 surfer
Mentawai islands with surfer camp have facilities = electricily from 6 am until 10 pm, fan, shower, referigerator
not including
1) one engine speed boat from harbour siberut islands to surf camp siberut then surf camp to harbour siberut price RP 1500.000 in $ 163(AU) max:2 surfer min:1 surfer (sharing price with your friends)
2) two engine speed boat from harbour siberut islands to surf camp siberut then surf camp to harbour siberut price RP 2400.000 in $ 260 (AU) max:6 surfer min:1 surfer (sharing price with your friends)
3) porter in harbour and airport
Surf spots just onfoot
Beng Beng => A very consistent world class wave, an extremely rippable left. This spot is loads of fun and probably one of the easiest waves to surf in the Mentawai’s. It’s the deepest and safest wave in the area and also pick up a bit more swell than other locales. 5 more breaks in the area, including E-Bay and Pitstops. Nestled inside a small bay with one of the most scenic views imaginable all around you.
E-Bay => This is a hollow left that barrels off the take-off with a short wall down the line. A great option when a lot of swell is hitting. A hollow, fast, powerful left. A world class wave for experienced surfers. Watch out for the two rocks on the inside. Great barrels, and turns into a surfing paradise at 6 feet offshore. There is a heavy warble that hits as you are taking off. Make the drop and don’t get thrown by that first warble and chances are you’ll get a mean aqua blue barrel. The scenery alone will blow you away. Besides its aesthetic beauty, double overhead E-bay is a beast and forces to be reckon with.
Nipussi or Pussies => A shorter right that breaks down the point from Bank Vaults. Definitely fun and rippable. Usually has fairly deep water from the takeoff to the inside. Ends in a riptide that sucks all the water back out to sea. A good option when there’s not much swell, and usually the most consistent spot in the area.
Pitstops => This is the right off the peak at E-Bay. A playful right that can offer some cover-ups off the take-off, but mostly a high performance wave with air sections at the end. Ends in a sandy channel.
How do I reach Mentawai Islands?
By Ferry from padang, to mentawai islands or mentawai islands to padang, (west sumateran, indonesia)
The most comfortable Ferry to Mentawai is Ferry Ambu Ambu (made from Steel). Since September 2009, the Ambu-Ambu Ferry travels overnight from Padang Bungus to Muara Siberut 2. and 3. Thursday nights of each month. From Muara Siberut to Padang Bungus, the ferry travels 2. and 3. Friday nights of each month.
The ferry departs from Padang at 9:00 p.m. and arrives at approximately 7:00 a.m. the following morning.
The Sumber Rejeki traditional Ferry (made from wood) travels overnight from Padang Bungus to Muara Siberut every Monday evening. From Muara Siberut to Padang, the ferry travels every tuesday nights.
padang,indonesia
+6281374006060
handra_harbi@yahoo.com
surfcampsiberut.blogspot.com
The Punch House is an atmospheric pub-hotel right in the heart of Monmouth - a perfect place for exploring Wales and the Wye Valley. Stay in a room and enjoy live music at the weekend where the locals come to let off steam. My nine-year- old daughter loved the Lady Gaga show. The Punch House is a grade 11 listed building and an old coaching inn dating from the 12th century with oak beams everywhere, friendly staff and customers and and rooms from £45 a night.
4 Agincourt Square, Monmouth NP25 3BT
+44(0)1600 713855
Google map: bit.ly/UBgoku
Excellent value for money and 30 minutes drive from Regensburg. Very comfortable with a range of rooms available. Good local fare served in restaurant. Also visit Kelheim and Weltenburg Monastery.
www.essinger-hof.de
Weihermühle 4, 93343 Essing, Germany
+49 9447 99105
Google map: bit.ly/10ca34i
This tiny home-stay hostel in Mostar is the ideal place to stay for a budget trip to the town.
The rooms cost just €10 per person per night - my brother and I had a twin room to ourselves, shared bathroom, free internet access, train/coach station pickup and drop off. And use of the kitchen - however beware that this is a homestay and the kitchen is their family kitchen. They also offer laundry.
Nina's husband is a war survivor and offers more authentic tours of the still war torn parts of the town - there were four of us on our tour so hardly busy. We were given options and even taken to one of the sniper holes.
The accommodation is a bargain, the tours are more than the room but also much more exciting - he offers a range but we only took the Mostar War tour.
There are rumours in guide books of a second poorer standard overflow building but we asked to be in the main house - and there were no issues.
www.hostelnina.ba
Celebica 18, 88104 Mostar, Bosna i Hercegovina
+387 36 550 820
An amazing contemporary cedar clad, copper roofed eco B&B built entirely by the owners. It is highly insulated with an air source heat pump supplying the underfloor heating. It is beautifully sited in a woodland paradise. Fluffy towels, duck island toiletries, biscuits, real coffee, smart TV, six-foot bed and absolutely amazing breakfasts in the comfort of your own room. There is even a fridge for wine and the terrace, overlooking the wood, is as big as the room. I can't understand why they don't have star rating it is so amazing. The beach has excellent surf and there are three pubs all offering food. I am not sure if I even want to tell people about it as it is the sort of hidden treasure you want to keep to yourself. Only two rooms, absolute quiet and tranquility. Really wonderful!
www.copperhouseportreath.co.uk
Primrose Terrace, Portreath TR164JS
+44(0)1209 843283
Google map: bit.ly/SGNvTR
Obviously you can camp if you want to. It's Scotland, everyone is tough as nails and actually the year-round campsite at Glencoe Mountain Centre is pretty good with fine showers and toilet block. But we're not tough as nails, so stayed in one of the microlodges on site which look kind of like modern day gypsy caravans. We packed three of us into one which was very cosy but at least we weren't cold. You still need to bring your camping stove as there's no kitchen or anything. I guess essentially it's a big wooden tent. But you'll be thankful of it when your ski kit is wet and you don't want to battle with a damp tent.
www.glencoemountain.com
+44(0)1855 851 226
Google map: bit.ly/YxpHY3
Firstly, I highly recommend a trip to Brighton for anyone. It is my favourite city in the UK, mostly for its relaxed, laidback feel. This chilled out vibe is largely due to its location right beside the sea. It is therefore a real advantage to get a good hotel right by the beach when visiting Brighton; but this can be hard to get at a good price. The West Beach Hotel overlooks the sea and the beach as well as Brighton's famous promenade. The rooms are really clean and spacious. We stayed in a twin room with views of the sea, it was very reasonably priced compared to everything else we saw. The beds were comfortable and we had an en-suite bathroom that was a good size, and clean more importantly. The hotel is not only located along the seafront but is also just close enough to the city centre so that it is walking distance but not crazy noisy at night time. I found the staff really friendly with directions and stuff too.
www.westbeachhotel.co.uk/home.html
135 King's Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 2HX
+44(0)1273 323161
Google map: bit.ly/SdrbRJ
Have you ever felt that you spent half your summer holiday physically travelling on planes, trains and automobiles - obsessively packing in the ‘must see’ sites, sitting for hours on a bus and then being told, when you arrive at a ‘must see’ spot, that you only have ten minutes to take photos, have lunch, walk around and ‘enjoy’ the atmosphere?!
This is why I loved Malta – at only 25 miles across, my husband and I found we could leisurely explore the whole island in a week.
We stayed in Sliema - this is a lively town with many modern buildings and restaurants - but the reason I adored it was due to the wonderful views across the Marsamxett harbour to the mystical capital, Valletta. From every point on its east coast, we could see the (understandably) much-photographed Carmelite Church dome in the distance, its colour transforming from a Mediterranean sand to a beautiful orange-pink at sunset. I found that features such as this give Malta its personality – old meeting young, tradition meeting innovation, ancient meeting modern, everywhere you look. I was impressed by how the island has cleverly embraced the modern while valuing traditions in a way that still makes it popular with all ages – young 20-30 year-olds love the new ‘American-style’ malls, but they have been designed to blend in with the surrounding buildings in a way that won’t upset traditionalists. Menus in the majority of restaurants also reflect the mix of old and new – the Maltese loved it when we ordered their traditional dishes (rabbit is a particular favourite on the island) but they are very passionate about the modern presentation of dishes also.
For such a small island I found endless activities to take part in and places to visit. I was particularly eager to see the co-cathedral at Valletta (which people often wrongly assume is the Carmelite Church dome) - this houses Caravaggio’s famously severe The Beheading of John the Baptist. I thought the cathedral was attractively simple outside, but jaw-droppingly intricate within – I think Sir Walter Scott put it perfectly in his description that it was “the most magnificent place I ever saw”.
Our time in Mdina, the old capital, was definitely the most peaceful part of our trip. In this ‘silent city’ I gained a true sense of Maltese life before the innovative (but arguably disruptive!) Knights of St John arrived. We certainly entertained all members of the family in Mdina – my husband’s parents enjoyed getting peacefully lost in the grid-like street pattern (as the town is only mile across, it’s impossible to be lost for long!) while children (in this case, my husband and I!) enjoyed the drama of the Mdina dungeons (think the London dungeons, Maltese-style). There are a set of ‘olde-worlde’ stocks outside which we used to take some comical photographs – I may have left my husband in these slightly longer than he expected!
We adored Malta’s passion for embracing tradition together with the modern, fun side of life.
The Strand:
www.115aparthotel.com/
Sliema Hotel 115 The Strand, Sliema GZR1027, Malta
+356(0)21 315 030
Google map: bit.ly/SGuX7s
Nice hotel, very helpful staff, no noise, spacious rooms, comfortable beds, very nice breakfast with homemade jams and lots of different types of bread.
www.brunnenhof.de/.
Hotel Brunnenhof, 80336 Munich, Schillerstraße 36
+49 089-545100
Google map: bit.ly/XDSvgV
Rondablikk is a quiet and beautifully situated hotel in the stunning Rondane National park (about 300 kms north of Oslo). Get your cross country ski's or snow shoes on for fabulous loyper trails through the breathtaking park, woodland and mountains, stopping to snack in the occasional Sami shelters. If you fancy a bit of dog sledding for light relief, they do that too. Great for beginners in the above sports and Rondablikk is a lovely little find if you want a swim, sauna, a smorgasbord of tasty food and a bit of peace in front of the fire after the day's exertions. Wouldn't hesitate to rebook a third time....if only to re visit the lady in the log hut that makes the best hot chocolate in the world!
www.rondablikk.no
Rondablikk Høyfjellshotell
2642 Kvam
+47 61 29 49 40
Google map: bit.ly/UyMP8n
A little way out of Whistler - about five minutes in the car if that - is a complex of accommodation called Whiskey Jack. It's pretty quiet and wooded so great for people wanting a bit more of a chilled time or with families. We were a couple and the apartment we had was massive. It was like flat sitting for a mate. Set over two floors, balcony, two double bedrooms, huge lounge with TV and a great kitchen and all for so much cheaper than we were being quoted for Whistler Village itself. The one downside is the drive to the slopes (although there's loads of parking in Whistler) and home from a night out which can limit your hedonism somewhat but for the money you save you can easily treat yourself to the odd cab.
Head office (where you need to go to pick up your keys: 4314 Main Street Whistler, BC V0N 1B4, Canada
+1 (604) 932 6599
Actual apartment complex: 2400 Cavendish Way
Whistler, BC
+1 (604) 932 6500
Google map: bit.ly/SixGn5
I stayed there and it is just a dream destination.
www.anassa.com.cy/
40, Regenas Road, 8852 Neo Chorio
(+ 357) 26 888 000
Fresh breakfast, picnic on the slopes, dinner in a restaurant and luxury accommodation .... and all at great value. Find a luxury apartment block being opened this year (like Le Centaure in Flaine (ski-in, ski-out, pool (next season) and what looks like fabulous accommodation) and its first season's prices are GREAT value. You won't find places like this is in any of the mainstream package brochures because they're printed too early so go to Ski Independence or Erna Low who are much more 'current' and provide great customer service. Cheapy flights, privately booked transfer and the basics for a luxury family of 4 for £1500 (at Easter!)
Flaine (but maybe somewhere else next year) only 1.5 hours from Geneva.
Because it's so lovely, and it's not only me that thinks so.
The place is such great value for money. Fab place for a short or week's break all year round, including Christmas.
www.windchimeshayloft.com
Croft Lodge, Lower Warberry Road, Torquay South Devon TQ1 1QP
Google map: bit.ly/QCMqNT
+44(0)1803 297695
In the Umbrian hills, just south of the more famous and crowded Tuscany, lies the medieval town of Gubbio, rich in history and tradition. A lovely place famous for the "Corsa dei Ceri" in which are brought to race through the streets of the city traditional wooden towers. Between the nearby hills, along a pleasant scenic drive brings you to the Tenuta Biscina. A lovely place, a real farm, where I spent very pleasant days admiring the surrounding landscape, savoring dishes in the typical restaurant and walking in the hills. A place of relax where I really recharged and rediscovered a contact with my innermost emotions.
www.biscina.it
Localita' Biscina, Gubbio, Perugia, 06024
+39 (0)(759229730
Is this your business?