Raise a glass to the winners of the ‘Oscars‘ of the UK hospitality industry.

At a prestigious awards ceremony hosted by the AA at Grosvenor House in London on Monday night, awards were presented in categories including ‘Hotel of the Year’, ‘Restaurant of the Year’ and ‘Chefs’ Chef of the Year’.

The 2023 AA Hospitality Awards winners were picked by the AA’s inspectors, who spent the past year feasting their way through the UK’s restaurants and laying their heads in the nation’s hotel rooms in a bid to crown the cream of the crop. Here are their verdicts…

HOTELS

The top hotel in England is Forest Side, a former mansion house that’s been transformed into a hotel – complete with a Michelin-starred restaurant – on the edge of the pretty Lake District village of Grasmere. 

The 2023 AA Hospitality Awards winners have been revealed. Taking the prize for England’s hotel of the year is Forest Side (above), a former mansion house in the Lake District that’s been transformed into a hotel

Penally Abbey Hotel is the top-ranking hotel in Wales. The AA Inspector was impressed by its friendly staff 

‘The bedrooms have stunning views of the hills and countryside beyond,’ reveals the AA’s inspector. 

The number one hotel in London is The Lanesborough, an ‘elegant and luxurious’ hotel that ‘offers nearly 100 rooms, of which almost 50 are suites, with a personal butler service for all guests 24 hours a day’.

Reigning supreme as the best hotel in Wales, meanwhile, is Penally Abbey Hotel in Pembrokeshire. The AA Inspector was impressed by its ‘friendly team’ who show a ‘genuine concern for guest comfort and enjoyment’.

Scotland’s top hotel is Fingal, a former support vessel for the Northern Lighthouse Board that’s been converted into a luxury hotel

The number one hotel in London is The Lanesborough, an ‘elegant and luxurious’ hotel that ‘offers nearly 100 rooms, of which almost 50 are suites, with a personal butler service for all guests 24 hours a day’

Moving up the map, Scotland’s hotel of the year is Fingal, a former support vessel for the Northern Lighthouse Board that’s been converted into a luxury hotel that’s moored permanently in Edinburgh. 

‘This is a hotel experience unlike any other that Edinburgh can offer,’ says the AA’s Inspector.

And Northern Ireland‘s hotel of the year is Killeavy Castle Estate in County Armagh, a ‘fairy-tale castle’ set in ‘a 350-acre estate made up of woods and farmlands’.

The prize for ‘spa hotel of the year’ goes to South Lodge in West Sussex. Its spa, complete with a spin studio and an outdoor hydrotherapy pool, is ‘set into the natural contours of the land and designed with sustainability in mind’, the AA’s inspector reveals.

For travellers with an affinity for foodie experiences, the awards also breaks down the nation’s top restaurants with rooms, with The New Inn in Hereford taking the top spot in England. 

Originally a 16th-century coaching lodge, the inn has been ‘delightfully refurbished’ and boasts ‘plenty of character’, the AA’s inspector notes.

In Wales, the number one restaurant with rooms is Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms, an inn surrounded by mountains to the west of the country. 

Northern Ireland ‘s hotel of the year is Killeavy Castle Estate in County Armagh, a ‘fairy-tale castle’ set in ‘a 350-acre estate made up of woods and farm lands’

The prize for ‘spa hotel of the year’ goes to South Lodge, West Sussex. Its spa has been ‘designed with sustainability in mind’

The Witchery, a ‘romantic’ inn housed within a 16th-century building in Edinburgh is Scotland’s top restaurant with rooms

Ynyshir’s restaurant serves ‘exceptional’ food that takes diners on a ‘relentless tasting journey that offers hit after hit’, says the AA’s inspector. 

And the gong for Scotland’s best restaurant with rooms goes to The Witchery, an inn housed in a 16th-century property beside Edinburgh Castle.

The AA’s inspector notes that it’s a ‘romantic’ destination, with suites ‘filled with antiques, opulently draped beds, large roll-top baths and a plethora of memorabilia’.

RESTAURANTS

Looking to the top restaurants of the year, in England, it’s the Old Stamp House Restaurant in the Lake District town of Ambleside that takes the crown. 

The AA’s inspector praises the ‘charming little basement’ restaurant for its ‘creatively presented’ tasting menus with ‘plenty of focus on the best of Cumbrian produce’.

London’s restaurant of the year is Chutney Mary, a ‘long-established and super stylish’ Indian restaurant in the St James district. 

‘Expect luxurious ingredients, careful presentation and well-judged spicing in a fabulously glossy dining room,’ says the AA’s Inspector.

The Jackdaw in Conwy is Wales’s top restaurant. This eatery, housed in a former cinema, offers ‘clever modern dishes and a cool Scandi vibe’. 

England’s restaurant of the year is The Old Stamp House Restaurant (above) in Ambleside. The AA’s inspector praises the ‘charming little basement’ restaurant for its ‘creatively presented’ tasting menus 

One of the dishes served at the Old Stamp House Restaurant, where diners tuck into ‘the best of Cumbrian produce’

Scotland’s restaurant of the year, meanwhile, is Cail Bruich, a Glasgow eatery that ‘champions the finest British produce’. 

Here you can expect ‘a unique and relaxed dining experience’ and ‘modern Scottish cooking with lots of luxury ingredients’.

The AA Food Service Award goes to The Strathearn restaurant at Gleneagles in Scotland, where diners enjoy ‘slick’ service and Franco-Scottish cooking with ‘plenty of modern twists’. 

London’s restaurant of the year is Chutney Mary, a ‘long-established and super stylish’ Indian restaurant in the St James district

Scotland’s restaurant of the year is Cail Bruich, a Glasgow restaurant that ‘champions the finest British produce’

The AA Wine Award goes to Askham Hall in Cumbria, where guests are treated to a ‘notable wine list’ that includes a number of ‘vintage French stunners’ 

The AA Food Service Award goes to The Strathearn (above) restaurant at Gleneagles in Scotland, where diners enjoy ‘slick’ service and Franco-Scottish cooking with ‘plenty of modern twists’

The ‘Chef’s Chef of the Year’ goes to Paul Ainsworth, who – as the name suggests – is Chef Patron of Paul Ainsworth at No. 6 in Padstow 

The AA Wine Award goes to Askham Hall in Cumbria, where guests are treated to a ‘notable wine list’ that includes a number of ‘vintage French stunners’.

CHEF’S CHEF OF THE YEAR

The ‘Chef’s Chef of the Year’ goes to Paul Ainsworth, who – as the name suggests – is Chef Patron of Paul Ainsworth at No. 6 in Padstow, Cornwall.

The Southampton-born chef studied catering and hospitality at his local college and went on to work with celebrated chefs that include Gary Rhodes, Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing. 

The AA says: ‘After eight years in London, Paul moved to Padstow to work at No 6, and fell in love with Cornwall. Together with his wife Emma, they took over the business, relaunching it as Paul Ainsworth at No 6.’ The AA’s Inspector praises the restaurant as a ‘truly delightful place to eat’, adding that every dish on the menu is ‘underpinned by quality produce and assured technique’. 

Commenting on the awards, Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media, said: ‘It’s a delight to be back at Grosvenor House as we mark the greatest hospitality celebration across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The last year has been tough on the hospitality industry as we’ve felt, like many others, the challenges facing businesses. Yet I’m so proud of the resilience, innovation and quality shown by the UK hospitality industry in response. We would like to extend a massive congratulations [to] all the winners and shortlisted establishments for their hard work, passion, and dedication.’

For more information on the winners, visit ratedtrips.com. 

Passalacqua, a luxury boutique hotel on the shores of Lake Como in Italy has been named the best hotel in the world for 2023.

It tops the first-ever World’s 50 Best Hotels list, with the towering Rosewood Hong Kong, set in the city’s Victoria Dockside arts and design district with stunning views over the harbour, taking second place.

Twenty-one of the winning properties are in Europe, with London ‘solidifying its reputation as a global travel hub’, according to the awards, as it boasts four hotels on the list – Claridge’s (No.16), The Connaught (No.22), NoMad London (No.46) and The Savoy (No.47).

Two other UK properties are also winners: Gleneagles in Scotland (No.32) – recipient of the Art of Hospitality Award, announced in August – and The Newt in Bruton, Somerset (No.37), which has been awarded the Carlo Alberto Best Boutique Hotel Award.

The top-ranked U.S property is Aman New York, which MailOnline Travel reviewed in glowing terms last year. It ranks 25th on the list, way ahead of the next U.S entry – Equinox New York, which comes 48th. 

Passalacqua (above), a luxury boutique hotel on the shores of Lake Como in Italy has been named the best hotel in the world for 2023

Passalacqua is located in an 18th-century villa, explains the awards, with ‘spectacular terraced gardens running down to the water’

Flying the flag for Australia is The Calile in Brisbane, which comes 12th.

Winner Passalacqua is located in an 18th-century villa, explains the awards, with ‘spectacular terraced gardens running down to the water’. There are 24 rooms at the ‘exquisite’ property, which the judges say ‘has the feel of a private home’.

Tim Brooke-Webb, Managing Director for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, comments: ‘Huge congratulations to Passalacqua for the achievement of making it to No.1, just two years after opening. It’s a true testament to the vision of the De Santis family, who has created this sublime sanctuary for guests with painstaking devotion to design detail, exquisite hospitality and distinctive magic, which has clearly made a lasting impression on our Academy of expert voters.’

The towering Rosewood Hong Kong, set in the city’s Victoria Dockside arts and design district with stunning views over the harbour, takes second place

Claridge’s in London is 16th on the list, one of four London properties in the top 50 

The top-ranked U.S property is Aman New York, which MailOnline Travel reviewed in glowing terms last year

The Newt in Bruton, Somerset (No.37), has been awarded the Carlo Alberto Best Boutique Hotel Award

Mexican marvel: At No.8 on the list is One&Only Mandarina

Meanwhile, Asia is home to 18 of The World’s 50 Best Hotels, including four properties at the top end of the list. After Rosewood Hong Kong in second place comes the Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River (No.3), The Upper House in Hong Kong (No.4) and Aman Tokyo (No.5).

Within 20 metres of a beach, Soneva Fushi (No.7), in the Maldives, is also named the Lost Explorer Best Beach Hotel.

Singita Lodges in the Kruger National Park in South Africa, the smallest property on the list with just 18 rooms, takes the No.15 spot, as well as the Flor de Cana Eco Hotel Award.

At No.20 on the list is this lavish hotel in Positano, Italy – Le Sirenuse

NoMad London is forty-sixth in the first-ever World’s 50 Best Hotels ranking

Flying the flag for Australia is The Calile in Brisbane, which comes 12th

Six Senses Ibiza – this eye-catching hotel comes 49th in the ranking

The awards says: ‘Known for their environmentally conscious hospitality, the lodges are located within 33,000 acres of pristine wilderness where a unique wildlife population thrives across four distinct ecological zones, offering travellers an exciting and luxurious way of experiencing African wildlife, without disturbing the environment.’

The gongs were handed out tonight at an awards ceremony at the historic Guildhall in London.

The list is created from the votes of The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy, which comprises 580 international ‘well-travelled experts’ within the hotel and travel industry, with a 50-50 gender balance.

Four Seasons Firenze in Florence is ninth on the list

Soneva Fushi (No.7), in the Maldives, is also named the Lost Explorer Best Beach Hotel

Singita Lodges in the Kruger National Park in South Africa, the smallest property on the list with just 18 rooms, takes the No.15 spot

Badrutt’s Palace in St. Moritz, Switzerland, is 43rd on the prestigious list

Holidaymakers often assume that Airbnbs and Vrbo rentals are cheaper than hotels – but that’s generally not the case, Which? has found.

The watchdog compared the cost of thousands of hotels – excluding five-star hotels – with 300,000 one-bed listings on Airbnb and Vrbo around the world, from San Francisco to Southwold, and found the price for rentals outstripped the average cost of a hotel in 38 of 50 destinations. 

Private rentals are almost a fifth (19 per cent) more expensive on average – £120 ($148) a night compared to £101 ($125) for hotel rooms.

In some destinations, holidaymakers could be spending an extra £80 per night by choosing to stay in a private rental over a hotel, the consumer champion reveals. This could set travellers back hundreds of pounds more for a rental over a week-long stay, even before accounting for Airbnb and Vrbo’s service charges, which were not included in the watchdog’s price analysis.

The biggest price difference could be found in Santorini, where a one-bed rental on Airbnb and Vrbo is £203 a night on average, 71 per cent (£84) more than a hotel stay (£119). Over the course of a week, the savings for hotel guests could be substantial, with holidaymakers cutting their costs by as much as £588 on average, Which? notes.

Holidaymakers often assume that Airbnbs are cheaper than hotels – but that’s generally not the case, Which? has found. The biggest price difference is in Santorini, where a one-bed rental on Airbnb and Vrbo is £84 per night more than a hotel stay 

Which? compared the cost of thousands of hotels – excluding five-star hotels – with 300,000 one-bed listings on Airbnb and Vrbo. The hotel prices are indicated with a bed symbol and the rentals with a circled head and shoulders

In the Portuguese town of Almancil, meanwhile, travellers could save as much as £81 per night by choosing a hotel (£63) over a private rental (£144) – making it the second-biggest price gap in the study.

The third biggest saving to be had is in the picturesque seaside town of Southwold in Suffolk, which draws thousands of visitors every year. 

At an average of £155, the cost of a hotel room in Southwold is among the priciest the consumer champion found in the UK. However, this is still significantly cheaper than the average cost of a listing on Vrbo or Airbnb in the town, which sits at a hefty £223 per night, an increase of 44 per cent (£68). Over the course of a week-long stay, holidaymakers could stand to save as much as £476 by opting to stay in a hotel.

Which? found that private rentals are almost a fifth more expensive than hotels on average – private rental listings are £120 on average, compared to £101 for hotel rooms

In the Portuguese town of Almancil (above), travellers could save as much as £81 per night by choosing a hotel over a private rental

The fourth biggest price gap is in Amsterdam, where one-bed Airbnb and Vrbo listings are 58 per cent more expensive per night on average at £183, compared with £116 a night for a hotel. That means travellers could pay as much as £496 more on average over a seven-night stay (£67 per night).

In the U.S, the biggest price gap is in San Francisco, where hotels are £53 ($65) per night and private rentals are £163 ($202) – making a hotel stay £36 ($44) cheaper.

And the most significant discrepancy in Australia is in Sydney. There, private rentals are priced at £121 per night, whereas a hotel stay is £87 – a saving of £34.

Hotels work out cheaper on average in all four of the UK’s capital cities. In Greater London, an Airbnb or Vrbo stay costs almost 59 per cent more (£60 per night) at £162, than the average hotel stay (£102).

In the U.S, the biggest price gap is in San Francisco, where hotels are £53 ($65) per night and private rentals are £163 ($202) – making a hotel stay £36 ($44) cheaper 

In the picturesque seaside town of Southwold in Suffolk, holidaymakers can save £68 per night by choosing a hotel over a private rental 

In Edinburgh, meanwhile, holidaymakers could save £22 per night, with the average cost of a hotel stay coming to £104, compared to £126 for an Airbnb or Vrbo rental.

In Cardiff and Belfast, savings are more modest, but could still see holidaymakers make savings over the course of a week, with hotel rooms costing £5 less on average in Belfast (£99 versus £104), and £11 less in Cardiff per night (£108 versus £119).

Which? found that hotel rates in many Asian cities are also comparatively cheap when contrasted with listings on Airbnb and Vrbo. In Hong Kong for example, one-bed listings are 85 per cent (£45) more expensive on average, setting travellers back £98 per night, compared with just £53 for a hotel room, with similar findings in Singapore and Dubai.

That said, hotels aren’t cheaper everywhere. For instance, in France, which has one of the largest supplies of private rentals in the world (the number of listings for France is second only to the U.S, Which? notes), Airbnb and Vrbo listings are cheaper or the same price as hotels in five of the seven destinations researchers looked at. A one-bedroom rental typically cost less than a hotel room in Antibes, Biarritz, La Rochelle and Avignon, while they are the same price in Nice. However, rental listings in Bordeaux and Paris are more expensive on average, the watchdog adds.

In Amsterdam, one-bed Airbnb and Vrbo listings are 58 per cent more expensive per night on average at £183, compared with £116 a night for a hotel

Which? notes that holiday lets rose in popularity during the pandemic, and continued demand has likely played a role in rising prices.

It says that although a hotel stay may be more cost-effective than a room rental in many destinations, hotels have also seen their prices rise rapidly, with UK room rates up 11 per cent on average last year when compared with 2019, and U.S rates up 14 per cent, according to hospitality analyst CoStar.

The watchdog notes that private rentals can still offer good value, however – and larger groups are more likely to save when compared to booking into a hotel.

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said: ‘Many holidaymakers may be surprised to discover that the average cost of hotels in many destinations is cheaper than one-bedroom holiday lets, which are often promoted as a popular option for travellers trying to save money.

‘When planning your next trip, don’t assume a hotel will cost more, but instead check rates across different platforms. For larger groups that need more rooms and space, private rentals are still likely to beat hotels on price.’

A teenager on her first girls’ trip abroad claims she binned half her wardrobe and is worried for her health after staying in a disgusting Jet2 package hotel that was ‘infested’ with black mould. 

Molly Mcquillan, 18, was horrified to find that her clothes and Nike trainers, which cost £120, were covered in mould less than two weeks into her holiday at the party resort of Malia, on the Greek island of Crete.

Ms Mcquillan, from Rochdale, was holidaying with her twenty-one-year-old friends Paris and Morgan Mcintosh last month before going off to university in Preston, Lancashire.

Their holiday bliss turned to hotel horror as they discovered what they say was black mould in their ‘damp and smelly’ room. 

Photos show the items inside the hotel room caked in a black furry substance, including the kettle, bin, shower curtain, and even the ceiling. The womens’ clothes and shoes are also shown covered in what appears to be mould.

The experience at the hotel put a dampener on the trip, said Ms Mcquillan, 18, from Rochdale 

Pringles that were dropped on the floor in the disgusting hotel room developed mould, claimed Ms Mcquillan

‘Everything has mould on it,’ Ms Mcquillan complained about the hotel from hell

A handbag that Ms Mcquillan said was destroyed after spending time in the ‘infested’ room

The group said that the ‘infestation’ had caused them to bin more than £200 of belongings, and say that they are concerned that having stayed in the ‘dangerous’ hotel room could affect their health.

They are demanding that Jet2 provide them with a refund for the £550 holiday from hell.

The student claims that she and Morgan Mcintosh have developed a cough since returning home last week.

Ms Mcquillan, 18, was on holiday in Crete with Paris and Morgan Mcintosh, both 21, for her first ever girls trip abroad  

Molly Mcquillan encouraged other holidaymakers to carefully consider which hotel they were staying in if they wanted to avoid a similar experience

The Nike Dunks, which were a Christmas gift, had to be binned after they were infected with what appeared to be black mould spores

A black strappy top that Mc Mcquillan says was destroyed because of black mould in her Greek hotel room 

Molly Mcquillan and Paris Mcintosh, 21, had been hoping to have a fun-filled party getaway in Malia, but it turned into a disaster as mould took over their wardrobes

The two-star hotel room which was ‘damp and smelly’ was ‘caked in layers of a black furry substance,’ Ms Mcquillan said

Ms Mcquillan complained: ‘It’s disgusting. If they put a baby in there or people with health issues, it’s dangerous.’

‘We don’t know if they’ll just wipe the walls and then it’ll grow back again in two weeks,’ she added. ‘We’ve probably lost about £200 of stuff. My Nike Dunks that I had to leave cost about £120 and my friend had to leave six pairs of shoes.’

Jet2 said that they were only made aware of the issue the day before Ms Mcquillan’s departure and they were investigating.

Ms Mcquillan spoke of her disappointment. ‘It’s made me angry,’ she said. ‘My shoes I got as a Christmas present and my other clothes [are ruined] – I’ve left a lot there.’

‘Even the bed was covered in damp and mould was starting to appear on some of the bed sheets.’

The ceiling in the hotel room was covered in mould spores, Ms Mcquillan said

Ms Mcquillan says that the group had to bin more than £200 worth of clothes after staying in the ‘infested’ hotel room in Malia, Greece

Shoes had to be binned because of the unsanitary conditions that Ms Mcquillan said that her group found inside the hotel 

‘There was stuff in the wardrobe and on our shoes, bags, and cases on the floor. Everything has mould on it.’

‘When I was there, I ended up getting a bad cough. Since I’ve gone home, at nighttime and in the morning, I feel chesty. I’ve had to go to the doctors, my friend has a bad cough as well.’

Ms Mcquillan said that her friends and her had been aware that the hotel was only rated two stars, but that they expected it be clean. 

‘We expected it not to be the best,’ Ms Mcquillan explained. ‘We were actually pretty happy with the room to begin with but there was a strong odour in the room.’

‘We never paid attention to it, we thought it was just the room, but it was getting stronger and stronger towards the end of the holiday.’

‘Then mould started to appear towards the end of our second week.’

‘We were on the ground floor and couldn’t open the balcony to let air in just in case anyone came in.’

‘We don’t know if they’ll just wipe the walls and then it’ll grow back again in two weeks,’ worried Ms Mcquillan, warning others not to stay at the hotel 

Ms Mcquillan and her friends slept in beds that were covered in mould and damp

‘Towards the end of the holiday I noticed I had some shoes that were covered in thick mould.’

‘When we came to pack, that’s when we noticed mould was everywhere thick on the walls. It just isn’t acceptable.’

Ms Mcquillan says that she raised the mould issue with the hotel and with Jet2 on September 7. She says they were offered an ‘insulting’ £50 compensation to be split three ways, which they declined. They are now pursuing the complain with Jet2. 

‘We came to pack up and I said ‘look at my top, it’s covered in mould’, and I thought ‘I’m not having it,’ she said. 

‘I rang Jet2 and sent the pictures over, and one of the reps was in the hotel. I asked them to come into our room, the smell was so bad in the room.’

‘Her face dropped as soon as she walked through the door, she said she’d let the manager know.’

‘The next day I went to the rep and asked ‘what’s the outcome of it?’

‘She said she’d spoken to the woman above her and they’re happy to offer £50, which isn’t worth the damage it’s caused to all our stuff so we refused it. It was an insult to us.’

‘I am waiting to hear back from Jet2, they said within two weeks we would hear back. The CEO of Jet2 said he’s investigating it.’

‘I’d like the full money of the holiday back. I understand they might have to knock a bit off because of flights but I think we should get the accommodation refunded.’

Ms Mcquillan is urging any other travellers to think carefully about their hotel choices after the ‘unacceptable’ experience. 

Paris Mcintosh, 21, left, Morgan Mcintosh, 21, centre, and Molly Mcquillan, 18, tried to make the best of their time away 

Ms Mcquillan said that she expected more from the hotel, despite it being only two-stars

‘It upsets me, this definitely didn’t live up to the ‘trusted’ holiday packages.’

‘Jet2 shouldn’t send guests to places like that. It wasn’t just young ones, there were adults and children there too.’

‘If kids have any illnesses and stay in that room, they’ll end up getting even more ill.’

‘It’s made me more cautious to book with Jet2 again. With something like this they should be looking into it straight away.’

‘The room put a dampener on the trip, it was our first girls’ holiday away. I understand it’s only a two-star hotel but you shouldn’t expect big black mould in the room.’

Ms Mcquillan is demanding a refund from Jet2, with whom she booked the holiday. The group refused an ‘insulting’ offer of £50 compensation, to be split three ways

‘Angry,’ is how Molly Mcquillan described herself following the experience

A Jet2 spokesperson said: ‘As an award-winning holiday company, we always want our customers to have the very best holiday experience when travelling with us, so we are investigating this as a matter of priority and will respond directly to Ms McQuillan once we have completed a thorough investigation.

‘Although Ms McQuillan stayed in the hotel for two weeks, no issues were reported until the day before departure, so we were unaware of any dissatisfaction until then.

‘We have a team of in-resort customer helpers and colleagues available on our 24/7 helpline who are always happy to assist and encourage customers to contact us as soon as possible if they wish to discuss anything to do with their holiday.’

Taylor Swift gigs music to hotels like Travelodge

By City & Finance Reporter

Updated: 19:10 EDT, 24 August 2023

Budget chain Travelodge said its hotels have already sold out venues near next year’s Taylor Swift concerts.

Fans are already clamouring to snap up tickets for shows by the superstar.

Hotels in Edinburgh, Liverpool and Cardiff are full as are some sites close to Wembley ahead of the dates next summer.

Superstar tours, such as this year’s concerts from Beyonce and Harry Styles helped it to record half-year results, with earnings up nearly 50 per cent.

Revenues across the group jumped 22.4 per cent to £478.7m in the six months to June 30.

Star attraction: Fans are already clamouring to snap up tickets for shows by Taylor Swift

Interim results show Travelodge’s underlying earnings leapt 48 per cent to £104.5m, buoyed by demand related to concerts and events, with the group expecting full-year figures overall to be higher than 2022.

Six Nations rugby, the Grand National and the London Marathon were also big drivers of sales.

Revenue per room, a key performance measure, surged 20.7 per cent to £54.92.

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Tourists have long flocked to great lakes to enjoy the waterside serenity – as well as messing about in boats, of course.

There is a sense of tranquillity that’s quite different from the pleasure of the crashing waves of a beach, and many a writer has waxed lyrical about the joys of lakeside life over the years.

Edgar Allan Poe declared: ‘So lovely was the loneliness/Of a wild lake!’ While William Wordsworth was of the opinion that ‘a lake carries you into recesses of feeling otherwise impenetrable’.

For those after a lakeside fix, here we have selected some of the world’s very best hotels by the shimmering shores, for all types of budget…

YES PLEASE, LOUISE

Turquoise: Here we have selected some of the world’s very best lakeside hotels, including the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel (pictured), which sits right by Lake Louise in Canada 

Guests of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel can canoe on ‘peaceful’ Lake Louise in the summer months (file image)

During the summer, guests can take a canoe out on the turquoise waters of Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada, while in winter they can ice-skate. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, within Banff National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is right by the shore in an isolated valley ringed by the snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. It’s a wonderfully peaceful place.

This large hotel — a far cry from its log cabin beginnings in 1890 — has swish rooms, a spa and a jolly restaurant/bar. A fine base for skiers and summer hikers.

How to book it: Doubles cost from £639 B&B (fairmont.com).

LIVE IT UP IN ITALY 

Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni offers superb views of Lake Como from the charming village of Bellagio. This much-loved hotel, opened in 1873, has a lakeside pool in an elegant garden, plus a top-class spa. The Michelin-starred restaurant, Mistral, serves seven-course feasts.

Antique furniture features in the plush bedrooms. Guests from the past include Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy and Al Pacino.

How to book it: Doubles cost from £500 (villaserbelloni.com).

INDIAN WATERWORLD

Majestic: Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur featured in the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy 

Taj Lake Palace on Lake Pichola in Udaipur was built by Maharana Jagat Singh II in the 1740s and used as a summer palace by the Mewar royal family and their court before becoming a hotel in 1963.

It featured in the 1983 Bond film Octopussy, and is on a little island that seems to float on the tranquil water. Expect archways, columns and lavish interior decorations. There’s a spa, plus a martini bar for reliving 007 moments, naturally.

How to book it: Doubles cost from £253 (tajhotels.com).

PERFECT IN PERU 

Lake Titicaca is located in Peru and Bolivia. It’s way up in the Andes (3,812 metres above sea level) and the water is almost mysteriously calm.

Titilaka is an 18-room design hotel with accommodation facing the water. It’s hidden on a peninsula and has a first-rate restaurant (part of the Relais & Chateaux gourmet group). Two private beaches have kayaks and paddleboards available for guests.

How to book it: Doubles cost from £1,100 (titilaka.pe).

TASMANIAN TRIUMPH 

Fishing, hiking and gazing across the water are the order of the day at the Great Lake Hotel in Tasmania. The lodge-style hotel is by the island’s Great Lake, at 1,030 metres in the Tasmanian Highlands. It has a down-to-earth feel. Cosy bedrooms have wooden walls and big windows facing the lake. Seafood chowders and steaks feature in the restaurant.

How to book it: Doubles cost from £120 (greatlakehotel.com.au).

IRISH LOUGH

George V and Ronald Reagan have stayed at Ashford Castle by Lough Corrib in County Mayo. Parts date from the 13th century, and it was once the Guinness family home. The grounds and the nearby village of Cong were the locations for the 1952 film The Quiet Man.

It’s an unashamedly traditional hotel with chandeliers, four-posters, gilded mirrors, oil paintings, antiques and plenty of turrets. There’s a fine dining restaurant and a spa, plus organised fly-fishing trips.

How to book it: Doubles cost from £760 B&B (ashfordcastle.com).

GORGEOUS GARDA 

The Michelin-starred restaurant at Italy’s Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli has a great terrace with views of Lake Garda 

Dating from 1892, Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli is a neo-Gothic villa by Lake Garda, Italy’s biggest lake.

It looks extraordinary: stripey, peach-coloured walls and faux battlements. But inside all is sophistication: parquet floors, fine art, antiques, and plush bedrooms and bathrooms. It’s a short walk to the peaceful town of Gargnano. The Michelin-starred restaurant has a great terrace with lake views.

How to book it: Doubles cost from £1,475 B&B (villafeltrinelli.com).

AMERICAN CLASSIC 

The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island on America’s Lake Huron is in a whitewashed hillside building with a 200-metre porch, said to be the world’s longest

Presidential: John F. Kennedy and his wife Jackie holidayed at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. They’re pictured above on a different holiday in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts

Name-dropping comes easily at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island on Lake Huron, by Lake Michigan: John F. Kennedy, Harry Truman, Bill Clinton and Mark Twain have all stayed. The Grand is in a whitewashed hillside building with a 200-metre porch, said to be the world’s longest. Great lake views are to be had. The tiny island’s lively High Street of restaurants and bars is close by.

How to book it: Doubles cost from £305 (grandhotel.com).

CHAPLIN AND CHANEL

Refined: The Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne, a grande dame that dates from 1861, overlooks Lake Geneva

Former famous guests at the Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne, Switzerland, include Charlie Chaplin, Victor Hugo and Coco Chanel.

This grande dame dates from 1861 and oozes class. Its distinguished facade faces Lake Geneva, with Evian in France on the opposite shore, the Alps rising beyond. Hang out by the secluded pool, tuck into sushi at the restaurant, order a cocktail from the ‘retro-chic’ bar — and enjoy the splendid scenery.

How to book it: Doubles cost from £550 (brp.ch).

LAKELAND WINNER 

Tucked away by a fell, Linthwaite House has splendid views of Windermere. Its 36 refined rooms are decorated with modern art, and the hotel recently won top honours in the Cumbria Tourism Awards. The restaurant, Henrock, is overseen by Simon Rogan, whose flagship restaurant in nearby Cartmel, L’Enclume, has three Michelin stars.

How to book it: Doubles from £298 B&B (leeucollection.com).

Revealed: Ten VERY odd room service orders made in hotels around the world, from the USA to Japan via the UK

By Laura Sharman

Updated: 13:55 EDT, 6 June 2023

Life in the hospitality industry is notoriously tough. And some guests don’t help – especially the ones who leave staff scratching their heads with odd room service requests.

Such as diet water. 

When hundreds of hotels around the world were asked by researchers for their most bizarre room service requests for a global study, this impossible drink was flagged as a room service order by a hotel in the U.S. 

In total, 473 hotels worldwide took part in the survey, by Hotels.com, which also revealed that properties had been asked for ‘bison meat’ and an egg-less version of an egg dish called shakshuka.

The typical North African dish consists of poached eggs in a simmering tomato sauce with spices, meaning the guest was presumably left with not much more than tomatoes on their plate. 

Hundreds of hotels around the world were asked by researchers for their most bizarre room service requests (stock image)

One guest showed up at their hotel with a raw fish and asked kitchen staff to cook it for them (stock image)

A study revealed how one hotel guest asked for an egg-based shakshuka, above, without the eggs (stock image)

10 BIZARRE ROOM SERVICE ORDERS 

Diet water, requested by a hotel guest in the US.

Melted ice cream, requested by a hotel guest in Japan.

Blowfish, requested by a hotel guest in the U.S.

Boiled bottled water, requested by a hotel guest in the U.S.

A guest in South Korea brought their own fish to a hotel and asked staff to cook it. 

‘Cockle popcorn’ – or deep-fried cockles – from a hotel guest in the UK.

A rice bowl for dogs, requested by a hotel guest in France.

Bison meat, requested by a guest at a hotel in the U.S.

Shakshuka – a dish consisting of poached eggs in a tomato sauce – without the eggs, requested by a hotel guest in South Korea.

A no-egg-white omelette, requested by a hotel guest in the U.S. 

Another U.S guest asked for ‘boiled bottled water’, while one in South Korea showed up at their hotel with a raw fish and asked staff to cook it.

Other odd requests from the Hotels.com survey included ‘melted ice cream’, ‘cockle popcorn’ – or deep-fried cockles, a ‘no-egg-white omelette’, a blowfish, and a ‘rice bowl for dogs’.

Results from the study also revealed ‘what’s in when it comes to dining in’ – a far more conventional list.

The most popular order worldwide was a burger (40 per cent), beating the classic club sandwich, pizza, and even chips.

‘For Brits, it’s all about burgers in bed, with the most popular time for room service being between 7pm and 8pm,’ the study said.

‘While it’s all about escargot and oysters in public, burgers and chips rule in the room, with 75 per cent of hotels saying that people order fancier food in the hotel restaurant.’

British food orders are evolving year on year, with more than half (55 per cent) of hotels seeing an increase in vegan orders over the past year, a higher proportion of properties seeing an increase in requests for vegetarian or dairy-free dishes. 

The inaugural study – named the Room Service Report – further found that demand for room service is on the rise globally, according to almost two in five hotels, and almost a third (30 per cent) of travellers spend at least £100 on their room service bill per night.

Melanie Fish, spokesperson for Hotels.com, said: ‘Room service holds a special place in the hearts of hotel guests.

‘Whether it’s a treat-yourself moment or must-have after a long day of sightseeing.’

The study looked at global room service trends from April 5 to 23, 2023, across hotels currently offering in-room dining in the U.S, UK, France, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Japan, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. 

Hotels.com is encouraging travellers to make the most of room service during their next stay and will be giving 100 guests up to £100 to spend on their ‘unusual requests’. Enter at Hotels.com/roomservice. 

TOP HOTELS WITH OUT-OF-THE-ORDINARY ROOM SERVICE 

The Milestone Hotel, London, UK: Treat yourself to a private in-room concert from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra while having your room service meal. Suites from £1,165 per night. Orchestra is quoted on an individual basis.

The Milestone Hotel & Residences in Kensington (above), where guests can have an orchestra on room service

InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa, Bora Bora, French Polynesia: Here, it’s not just about what is being delivered to your door… it’s about how it’s being delivered. Request an exquisite meal for two to be delivered to the deck of your overwater villa in a traditional outrigger canoe. Villas from £1,400 per night.

Post Oak Hotel, Houston, United States: In celebration of the most ordered room service item — the mighty burger — why not try out the ultimate hotel burger. This hotel serves ‘The Black Gold Burger’, which includes 16 ounces of wagyu beef, seared foie gras and black truffle in a caviar-infused black-and-24K-gold brioche bun, which will set you back a whopping $1,600 (£1,290). Rooms from £507 per night.

Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo, Ireland: Room service isn’t just for grown-ups at Ashford Castle. Guests can request a Lego butler where younger travellers can pick from a selection of sets and the butler will bring it to your room on a silver tray. Rooms from £706 (€820) per night with a £34 (€40) fee for the Lego butler.

The Plaza Hotel, New York, United States: This hotel is home to one of the most famous room service orders – the Home Alone sundae featuring a whooping 16 scoops of ice cream and layers of toppings for $300 (£240). Rooms from £789 per night.

Source: Hotels.com. 

Bedbugs can be a recurring nighmare if found in hotels if you’re unlucky enough to discover them before it’s too late.

And with the post-pandemic rise in global travel, these blood-sucking critters have ever more opportunity to  discreetly jump from one occupant to another. 

Now an expert has revealed the tell-tale signs for bed bugs in your hotel room, and to avoid bringing an infestation back home with you. 

One TikToker has shared a helpful video explaining exactly how you check before turning the lights off for that well-earned holiday rest. 

Expert Cassie, who goes by @cassiethebugdoc on TikTok, posted a clip showing how you should check your hotel room for any bedbugs

She said that the first thing she does as soon as she checks into her room is leave her baggage in the bathroom and then check the bed she is sleeping in

Cassie, who goes by @cassiethebugdoc on TikTok, posted a clip of herself going through her step-by-step process of how to check your room for any bedbugs.

She captioned the video: ‘Inspecting your hotel room for bed bugs is an important part of traveling’.

Cassie, an Entomologist, says: ‘I thought I’d take the opportunity to show you how to inspect your hotel rooms for bedbugs to ensure you don’t take any home.’

She said that the first thing she does as soon as she checks into her room is leave her baggage in the bathroom, advising that it is best to leave it on hardwood or tile surfaces. This is because it stops the bedbugs from crawling into your suitcase from the get go.

She continues: ‘So to find bedbugs, it’s important to understand a little bit about bedbug biology. 

‘First, they’re mostly nocturnal feeders, which means they’re only going to try and feed on people at night.’

And because people spend the majority of their night sleeping in the bed, she said, it is important to begin your inspection there.

She said: ‘The first thing that I do is take the covers off the bed and and make sure they’re all clean. 

‘But then you take your bottom sheet and lift it up as well.’

Cassie demonstrates this, as tells travelers that it is important you don’t see any stains or spots – particularly brown spots – on the sheets.

Cassie’s followers on TikTok praised her for sharing the insightful and helpful tips

She said it is best to leave it your suitcase hardwood or tile surfaces as it stops the bedbugs from crawling into your suitcase from the get go. The bedbug expert said that if your hotel room or accommodation has sofas or chairs it is important to check those too

The bedbug expert said that if your hotel room or accommodation has drawers, it is important you check there too before popping in your items

These brown spots are most important to look out for, as the expert explained they’re called fecal spots, left after bed bugs have ‘digested blood’. The creatures leave behind ‘brown fecal spots resembling that of blood.’

She said that in some cases you can also go as far as checking the actual mattress, but sometimes hotels have casing around them, which protects the bedbugs from getting in there in the first place.

The bedbug expert said that if your hotel room or accommodation has drawers, it is important you check there too before popping in your items.

Once again, she advised her followers on TikTok to check for any blood stains or bedbugs in them. 

She continued: ‘If you have any chairs in your hotel room, it is a good idea to lift up the bottom cushion.

‘And do the same inspection on that cushion that you did on your mattress.’

And Cassie gave one more tip for travelers, after they have unpacked all their items from their luggage.

She said: ‘Even when you unpack your luggage, go ahead and put it up on a surface so that it is not on the ground picking up any insects, not just bedbugs, before you leave.’

And Cassie’s followers on TikTok praised her for sharing the insightful and helpful tips.

One person wrote: ‘Very informative, thank-you.’ 

The same user also added: ‘And what in the world with the locked mattress encasement thing. Is that common?’ as Cassie replied: ‘I see them locked in hotel rooms more than not. I would assume it’s so people don’t open them up & risk exposure of the mattress to bed bugs.’

Another TikTok user said: ‘Great tips!!!’

Rows of corduroy green vines unfold before us as we gaze from the restaurant balcony in the last glorious gasps of daylight.

It’s a bucolic scene. There, at the centre, is a strip with a silvery shimmer that marks the pinot meunier planted between sections of chardonnay and pinot noir, the classic grapes that make up champagne.

This isn’t France, but West Sussex. A lake spreads out at one end of the vineyard and 200-year oak trees stand amid the vines, adding an English country feel to Ashling Park. You can see what wine writer and presenter Oz Clarke means when he says: ‘I know hundreds of vineyards but this one is special.’

The wine is pretty special, too. On the informative tour, we have already glugged a characterful cuvée, which to me is a softer version of Veuve Clicquot; a strong, sparkling rosé with a taste of cherries and a soupcon of spice; and a decent still blush. We pick a bottle of the latter to accompany our meal, the perfect accompaniment to fresh lobster and sea bream, which seems the right choice given that Ashling Park is close to the coast.

British wine is bubbling with potential right now, with 879 registered vineyards in 2022 – double the 432 that existed a decade ago, according to industry body Wines of Great Britain.

Jane Knight tours some of the best hotels with vineyards across the UK. You can ‘enjoy vineyard views from the beautifully decorated shepherd huts’ at Lympstone Manor (pictured) in Devon, she reveals 

‘The quality of the wines speak for themselves,’ says Julia Trustram Eve, the organisation’s head of marketing. ‘That Taittinger and Pommery have invested in UK vineyards gives them a seal of recognition.’

If British wine is riding a wave, Sussex is at the crest of it, having just gained protected designation of origin (PDO) status. This means wines from the area are recognised to contain unique characteristics and is an acknowledgement of the quality of the area’s products.

It also has a good selection of vineyards to stay in, including here at Ashling Park, which last year opened its five wooden lodges – designed by Will Hardie of TV’s Amazing Spaces and themed on the different stages of the vines.

Ours, Budburst, has pink touches throughout – from the curtains to the window seat – with murals of blossoming vines set against the blue sky. There’s a rolltop bath in one bathroom and a power shower in another, outside decking, plus a kitchenette with, naturally, a fully-stocked wine fridge at cellar-door prices.

It’s all the vision of Gail Gardner, who in 2017 convinced her parents to plant ten acres of vines on their estate, previously owned by Viscount Portal, Chief of Air Staff in the Second World War. Now, it’s a family affair, with Gail’s mother growing the fresh flowers for the restaurant and the lodges, and her children serving the food. B&B costs from £225 per night (ashlingpark.co.uk).

Just a 15-minute drive away is Tinwood, where owner Art Tukker gives one of the most interesting wine tours I’ve had, beginning with explaining how he transformed his parents’ lettuce farm into a vineyard and ending with a tasting of three sparkling wines (it’s worth paying extra to taste them with local cheese and honey from Tinwood’s own hives).

The three contemporary wooden lodges are perfectly positioned for sunset over the vines and share the use of a barrel-shaped sauna – but you need to book well in advance. A room-only stay costs from £225 per night (tinwoodestate.com).

Also nearby, The Pig in the South Downs is new to the English wine scene, with rooms in the main house overlooking a small but perfectly formed Sussex vineyard. The first harvest from its 4,000 vines is set to take place this year.

A woman samples the wine at the Tinwood Estate. Jane notes that visitors are treated to ‘one of the most interesting wine tours’ at the vineyard 

Tinwood’s three contemporary wooden lodges are perfectly positioned for sunset over the vines and share the use of a barrel-shaped sauna (pictured) 

It’s worth a visit just for the restaurant, whose wine list is full of local fizz to complement its lobster cocktail. Room-only doubles from £195 (thepighotel.com).

Over in East Sussex, Rathfinny is one of the vineyards that pushed hard for Sussex’s new PDO status. With beautiful views over the South Downs, it has scenic walks through its 230 acres of vines as well as an impressive winery and tasting room.

Outside the harvest period, the views from the tasting room make it the place for dinner – but there is also a dining room at the Flint Barns which offers a courtyard for summer dining. Each room is cosy and contemporary, with B&B doubles from £100 or £238 including dinner for two and harvest tour (rathfinnyestate.com).

You need to book well in advance for a stay at Tinwood. Above is the interior of the retreat’s barrel-shaped sauna 

‘The ambition,’ says owner Mark Driver, ‘is that in ten years’ time you will walk into a restaurant in New York, Beijing or Tokyo and the bartender asks, ‘Would you like Champagne or can I recommend a delicious glass of Sussex?”’

FROM WALES TO ESSEX… PICK OF THE VINTAGE BREAKS

When Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines bought Lympstone Manor in Devon in 2014, he was as excited by the idea of planning a vineyard as he was by transforming a dilapidated mansion into a luxury country-house hotel.

Now his dream has been realised, with the vineyard, sloping down to the Exe Estuary, having bottled its first wine: Triassic Pinot Noir 2020, available in his Michelin-starred restaurant. Next year, the first Lympstone Manor Cuvée sparkling wine will be released.

Enjoy vineyard views from the beautifully decorated shepherd huts, with kitchenettes and outdoor baths. B&B doubles from £316, shepherd huts from £485 (lympstonemanor.co.uk).

Three Choirs in Gloucestershire is one of Britain’s oldest vineyards, dating to 1973. Starting with just half an acre of vines, it has now expanded to 75. Look out at them from eight vineyard-view rooms or stay in one of three cedar lodges.

You can take a self-guided tasting tour, then order your favourites to accompany the brasserie’s tapas-style dishes. Rooms from £185 per night, lodges for two from £205, room-only (three-choirs-vineyards.co.uk).

Denbies Wine Estate in Surrey produces a million bottles a year on its 265 acres. Run by the same family since it opened in the Eighties, it now has a hotel in the old farmhouse with 17 rooms. Take a tour and tasting, eat in the orangery and finish up in the wine library, with a floor-to-ceiling wine wall holding Denbies vintages from 1993.

The Pig in the South Downs is new to the English wine scene, with rooms in the main house overlooking a small but perfectly formed Sussex vineyard

At Adgestone Vineyard on the Isle of Wight the bubbly is different – it’s blue

Dinner and B&B from £265 for two, with tour and tasting (denbies.co.uk).

Llanerch Vineyard Hotel in the Vale of Glamorgan is just 15 minutes from Cardiff. Surrounded by woodland, it has contemporary rooms, a restaurant and cookery school. An escape for two with dinner, breakfast and a shared bottle of still wine from £250 (llanerch.co.uk).

Also in Wales, straddling the borders of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, Jabajak has eight rooms and a restaurant in the old smithy. Sample a cellar-door tasting at 5.30pm before sitting down to locally sourced, seasonal dishes. The best room, the Grainstore, comes with a vaulted, beamed ceiling and slipper bath.

B&B doubles from £129, the Grainstore from £195 per night (rarebits.co.uk).

At Adgestone Vineyard on the Isle of Wight the bubbly is different – it’s blue. One of the oldest operating vineyards in the UK, Adgestone also produces a range of still wines, including a blackberry and elderflower country wine. Stay in the one-bedroom cottage, where wine was sold through the window back in the Seventies, with its rustic kitchen and sea views. From £456 for two (adgestonevineyard.co.uk).

Look out on to a sea of vines from Vine House on Chet Valley Vineyard in Norfolk. Head wine maker and owner John Hemmant gives tours, with tastings that include five of the vineyard’s wines. Picnic in the vines or cook in the barn conversion, with three bedrooms and a shared bathroom. A week for six is from £875 (cottages.com).

Great Lodge Barns in Essex is one of several properties Henry VIII gave to Anne of Cleves when their marriage was annulled. Originally known as Great Park, it is home to Bardfield Vineyard, which produces a white named after Henry’s fourth wife. The three barns house seven rooms with kitchens, and can be rented by the room. B&B from £90 per night (greatlodge.co.uk).

At Herefordshire’s Coddington Vineyard, stay in either the Grade II-listed Hop Cottage for four, or at Vine Lodge, sleeping two. Between the Malvern Hills and Ledbury, it is a beautiful boutique vineyard, with just two acres of bacchus and pinot gris. Tours run on Saturdays and you can taste the white wines in the garden with platters of meat and cheese. Two-night weekend stays cost from £360 (coddingtonvineyard.co.uk).

The Grange on Hencote Vineyard in Shropshire sleeps 14 in seven rooms, one with its own steam room. The Georgian farmhouse has a modern open-plan kitchen diner and bedrooms overlooking the vineyard. Enjoy a massage, take a private vineyard tour followed by a meal in the restaurant, then enjoy an evening soak in the hot tub. Three nights for 14 guests from £2,400 (hencote.com).