
This Boston hotel was just named one of the best in the U.S.
Set in two beautifully restored early-1900s buildings in Downtown Crossing, The Godfrey blends Boston's old-school bones with modern swagger. Think smartphone keyless entry, in-room streaming tech and clean, mid-century-inspired interiors, complete with plush Frette linens and soothing neutrals. Guests rave about the oversized windows (there are more than 50 room types, but natural light is standard across the board) and a location that puts them steps from theaters, shops and some of the city's most buzzed-about restaurants.
That includes Ruka, the hotel's signature spot where Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei and Chinese-Peruvian Chifa dishes get a local twist—yes, there's seafood and, yes, it's some of the best in town. But what really sets The Godfrey apart, travelers say, is the service. Staffers here strike a rare balance between New England charm and next-generation hospitality, seamlessly combining the two.
It's a major moment for a hotel that has quietly helped anchor the revitalization of Downtown Crossing, a neighborhood once home to Benjamin Franklin and now humming with cocktail bars, boutiques and cultural events.
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Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'Spellbinding' village with 'haunted hotel' and witchcraft museum is 'beautiful'
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Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
UK botanic garden named 'most beautiful in Europe' with over 50,000 plants
Europe's most beautiful botanic gardens have been revealed and one breathtaking attraction in the UK has beaten out rivals thanks to its incredible array of plants Brits looking to get inspired for their next days out may want to consider a trip to London, which has been revealed as the home of 'Europe's most beautiful botanic garden'. The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew have topped a new list in a study looking at visitor reviews, boasting a perfect score from holidaymakers looking for staycation ideas. Kew is already on most green thumbed Brits' bucket lists. Its new ranking comes after one seaside walk was named the best wildflower trail in the UK. That Kew Gardens is so popular is no surprise. After all, the UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts over 50,000 living plants, not to mention its iconic Victorian glasshouse that's home to 10 climate zones (keep an eye out for the carnivorous plants to be found in the tropical section!). Kew Gardens is already a firm favourite with visitors and it often features on round-ups of 'must-visit' destinations in London. "Completely exceeded our expectations," one happy holidaymaker wrote in a TripAdvisor review. "I can't understand anyone giving this place a low score at all. I like plants, but would not consider myself a big enthusiast, yet found Kew really interesting - a fabulous day out. "The lily building and the Prince of Wales buildings were particularly memorable. Parking was cheap and easy. We took a picnic so can't give any insight regarding food/drink options I'm afraid. We had our two teenage sons with us, who you might not think would enjoy plants/gardens, but it was honestly one of the most enjoyable days out we have had!" The attraction hosts a wide array of events throughout the year too whether that's themed exhibitions, treasure trails for kids, Halloween themed nights or its annual Christmas lights trail. Meanwhile its newly-opened 'Carbon Garden' has been drawing in crowds, with the aim of showcasing the "critical role carbon plays in sustaining life on Earth, communicating the scale of the climate crisis, and sharing the extraordinary potential of the natural world to combat it". If you're already tempted to have a look, then its new crown as Europe's most beautiful botanic garden might help tip the scales in favour of a visit. To determine the best botanic gardens, researchers at Saga Holidays looked at a variety of factors including how often these spots were described as 'beautiful' or 'peaceful', to analyse the 'average sentiment of reviews'. Each garden was given a Weighted Rank by combining its average review sentiment and keyword score equally - and Kew Gardens came top with a perfect score of 100 out of 100. The team behind the study explained: "Crowned Europe's most gorgeous garden, Kew Gardens has almost 85,000 mentions of beauty in its reviews and a perfect weighted rank score of 100, reflecting its popularity and high sentiment among visitors. Home to the world's largest and most diverse collections of plants and fungi, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has over 50,000 different living plants and more than 7 million preserved specimens."


Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
UK's biggest campsite is 'beach heaven' found on stunning tidal island
Shell Island, on the coast of Gwynedd in Wales, dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 and has been a popular campsite for more than 60 years Despite its name, Shell Island is not an island but a peninsula near the village of Llanbed in Wales. Its main route is cut off at high tide on certain days each month, giving it an island feel. The land where Shell Island campsite now stands has a rich history, dating back to the Domesday Book of 1086. The site's historical significance doesn't end there, with tales of King Charles I reportedly hiding at the nearby Elizabethan mansion, Cors Y Gedol Hall, in the 1640s before attempting to flee to France, possibly departing from Shell Island's shores through a secret tunnel. Interestingly, the area wasn't even a peninsula until the 19th Century when the Earl of Winchilsea diverted the Afon Artro in 1819 to improve access to the wharf at Pensarn, which was the shipment point for slate from Llanfair and Llanbedr. Before this, the Artro entered the sea to the south of Shell Island, or Mochras as it's known in Welsh. The English name, Shell Island, comes from the abundance and variety of seashells found on its beaches. These beaches began attracting visitors in the second half of the 19th Century. The Cambrian Coast Line, constructed between 1855 and 1869, opened up the seaside to the new industrial workers, driving the development of the area. In 1958, the Workman family arrived and began to shape the site into what it is today. They purchased 450 acres of land and established what is now one of Europe's largest campsites. Over time, Shell Island's historic structures have been carefully repurposed. The restaurant, snack bar, and tavern, developed between 1976 and 1977, were once a hay barn, stables, and a cow shed, respectively. Even the toilet block has an interesting history, having served as a homing station for the RAF Station at Llanbedr during wartime. For many families, a visit to this place has become an annual tradition, with each year introducing a new generation to its allure. Those who fall in love with the place can't help but sing its praises, as evidenced by the five-star reviews on Tripadvisor. One recent review dubbed it "beach heaven" and described the surroundings - with Eryri as a backdrop - as a true "feast for the eyes". They added: "A simply wonderful, divine place. "Another camper said: What an experience to set up camp in this expansive site right on the sand dunes! Spectacular views, lots of space and the beach right there!" Another praised it as: "Wales at its beautiful best" but was hesitant about spreading the word, adding: "I would thoroughly recommend but don't tell everyone as I want to go back! However, it's not everyone's cup of tea, with some visitors expressing dissatisfaction over large groups. One disgruntled camper wrote: "Massive groups of loud, not very nice people. The site has really gone down hill since Covid, they say they don't let groups on but people just book separately and meet up when they arrive. There are far better camp sites out there." Another complained: "Considering they say there are 400+ acres it seemed very crowded, if you want a sea view you're going to be within touching distance of your neighbour. "Definitely not a quite relaxing holiday, more like a festival field, we were booked in for three nights but left after 1, the views are beautiful but it's spoilt by it being overcrowded and some of the people there are maybe not to everyone's taste shall we say." However these complaints are certainly in the minority - with around 750 of just over 1,000 reviews rating it good or excellent, and it's easy to see why. The Workman family said: "Whether you're planning a day visit or an extended stay, Shell Island promises a personal slice of paradise for every visitor.