http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34714
Pretty good deal for Paris, and the location is also good. Just a couple of minutes from the center of the lively Montparnasse district, but the hotel is in a quiet little street. It’s a charming little boutique hotel run by a friendly bunch. Excellent value.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34714 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33922 A modern designer hotel in the youthful and vibrant Bastille area of Paris, the Color Design Hotel reflects well the atmosphere of the neighbourhood and is true to its name with its contemporary, trendy and colourful design. The location is fantastic, the hotel is absolutely fabulous, the staff were OK - really nice but a bit disorganized. If you want to see the real face of Paris and are after a memorable experience, Color Design Hotel is a great option. ]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33922 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32397 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32397 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31304 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31304 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31102 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31102 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29896 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29896 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27983 In summary, would we go again? We have already booked! Using Strattons as a base couldn’t have been more ideal and although we didn’t make it to the much written about North Norfolk coast it is just 30 minutes in the car or a few hours by cycle and will defiantly be on the agenda next time along with the Queens estate Sandringham.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27983 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27340 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27340 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27047
Dander down the high street browsing the variety of shops and boutiques. Pop into the Tontine Hotel for a coffee or a bite of lunch. Walk by the river. Take your kids to the swing park or local swimming pool.

If you're feeling slightly more energetic put on your walking boots and take a walk up some of the surrounding hills ... or head to Glentress for a spot of mountain biking.

For more info check out www.visitscotland.com and search under Peebles.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27047 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26610 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26610 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26609 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26609 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26604 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26604 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26245 I think it's ideal for people travelling on a middling budget who would like comfort, cleanliness, character, charm and location without breaking the bank. People who prefer five-star luxury and facilities should expect to pay accordingly and would do better at the nearby Four Seasons (the ab fab refurbished prison in which Midnight Express was set).
The Hotel Poem however is set in a refurbished traditional 19th century Ottoman house. It's located in a quiet side street just off a characterful road lined with many shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. A few doors down from the hotel there is a wonderful traditional bakery - the smell of fresh bread is gorgeous and the taste even better.

It's a very short walk away from all the main sites (Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar etc) & handy for the city hop-on-off tour bus stop. The Poem is just around the corner from the Fez bus office (if you happen to be hopping on and off buses all around Turkey).

The Poem is a quiet oasis from the bustling city. It has a shady little garden terrace where you can eat a decent buffet breakfast or sit with a drink. There's also a lovely roof terrace that looks out to the nearby sea - great for catching the breeze with a cold drink on a hot summer evening.

The 17 rooms are named after traditional Turkish poems rather than numbered. I was travelling with two others and noted the rooms varied in size from large with balcony to a bit small and cramped - our bathroom was very small but everything was clean and worked fine.

Overall the Hotel Poem had everything we needed. It was charming, comfortable and clean, the staff were hospitable and the location fantastic. I would stay there again and recommend it as a great base from which to visit the exciting city of Istanbul.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26245 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26199 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26199 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26130
I cherished my riverside meals on the deck: the chef prepares dishes to order and the scene is unparalleled. Loved the live sitar players.

I never grew bored: the owner and staff were outgoing and the property offered multiple activities, including canoe rides, speedboat trips to nearby beaches, spa treatments, fishing, etc.

I especially enjoyed how conducive this property is to meeting other people.

Super-friendly owner and staff.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26130 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25862 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25862 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25856 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25856 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25719 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25719 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25599 The eccentric Bertrand is both a friendly and informative host, having written a guide to Paris he can tell you everything there is to do. He makes a pretty mean breakfast too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25599 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25428 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25428