Latest news with #accommodation
The Sun
7 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
One of the UK's oldest holiday parks reveals £6million upgrade plans with new glamping pods and sky terrace
A HOLIDAY park group in the UK has revealed some of the exciting new additions coming to the resorts as part of a multi-million revamp. Allens Caravans - which is one of the oldest family-run residential and holiday park groups in the UK - has already begun upgrades at it's sites. 3 3 For example, in Worcestershire, the Abbots Salford park has new lodge accommodation and refreshed the onsite facilities. The main clubhouse has also had a mini refurbishment, with the introduction of a new food and drinks offering, the creation of a new Owners' Lounge for holiday homeowners, an improved fishing lake, a new children's outdoor play area and new pool tables. The park also has a new entertainment programme. Over at the Bredon View site, in the Cotswolds - which has a golf course and a back-to-nature vibe - there will be new activities such as croquet and bike hire. Coastal spots such as Sunbeach and Aber Bay in Wales, both have new glamping pods with boutique-style living and sleeping spaces for up to six people as well as hot tubs. At Sunbeach, the clubhouse has also undergone refurbishment and there is a new adventure golf course. At Aber Bay, there will soon be a new sky terrace, food truck on the beach and a camping fielding in time for August breaks. Both parks will also have an improved entertainment programme for the summer holidays. Over in Northamptonshire, at the Overstone Lakes Holiday Park, there will be a new holiday home development made up of 21 luxury homes. The park will also see an improved clubhouse and an outdoor container bar and stag e with live performances and visiting entertainment acts. Award-winning holiday park in St Ives Prices for the new properties start at £260,000 for the two-bedroom Willerby Forest. Overstone Lakes will also gain a new enclosed dog walking area and improvements to the swimming pool area, changing room and pool bar. Allens Caravans CEO James Allen said: "Our parks offer a mixture of coast, countryside and lake-side locations, and a wide range of facilities and activities – so there is something for everyone. "We have made it a priority that all of the new developments, however sizeable, blend harmoniously with the surrounding countryside, staying true to the natural charm of the parks. "We've always been committed to creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for our residents, and this latest investment is a reflection of that commitment." A three bedroom, pet-friendly caravan at Sunbeach Holiday Park costs from £199 for seven nights through Hoseasons. Alternatively, you could book into a Nautical Pod for seven nights, with up to six guests and have a private hot tub for £405. Over at Aber Bay, you could stay for seven nights for as little as £265. In addition, Hoseasons is currently offering up to £350 off summer breaks booked before July 2, for stays between June 17 and September 20, 2025. There is also an affordable UK holiday park that mums say is like Center Parcs without the price tag. Plus, the award-winning UK holiday park that you probably don't know about – with huge outdoor pool and nearby world-famous beach. 3
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Wiltshire traveller site approved after rejection overturned
A four-pitch traveller site can be established after a refusal of planning permission was applicant, John Lee, applied for permission to provide accommodation for a single family, compromising a mobile home, a touring caravan and a day room with a bathroom, kitchen and dining space for four site in Grittenham, near Brinkworth in Wiltshire, originally received 37 objections, as some were concerned it "failed to integrate into its surroundings" due to its distance from local services.A planning inspector granted Mr Lee's appeal for the site earlier this month and awarded costs. Wiltshire Council launched a consultation in 2024 to find 128 new pitches and seven new sites for gypsies and travellers in the county by Lee's plans, originally submitted in August 2024, sought to redevelop land at Charlie's Place off Sodom Lane, near the M4. He applied to establish the pitches and a commercial barn measuring 20ft (6m) by 60ft (18m), the Local Democracy Reporting Service council's officers recommended granting the planning application, but councillors turned it down. As well as concerns about its distance from schools and healthcare providers, objections were made on highways and flood risk grounds, the size of the development and the use of hard standing in a rural Wildlife Trust, Dauntsey Parish Council, Grittenham and Brinkworth Parish Council and Tockenham Parish Council were among those objecting to the plans.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Aussie traveller books dream hotel in Paris... only to arrive and find out it NEVER existed: 'We are in disbelief'
The boss of an Australian fashion empire has told of the moment she tried to check into what she thought was a stunning apartment in Paris - only to discover the property never existed. Showpo CEO Jane Lu and her team booked what they thought was a dream Parisian four-bedroom apartment, just minutes from the iconic Eiffel Tower. After a long-haul flight from Sydney to France, the group was shell-shocked when they learned the accommodation they had been promised wasn't actually available. In fact, when they tried to check in at the reception desk, an employee claimed the luxury apartment they had booked was 'not a real place'. It suddenly dawned on them that they'd been duped by a fake listing on - after putting down a €2000 ($A3,570) deposit to secure the property. 'We got scammed. This work trip is completely cursed,' Jane said in disbelief. One of her colleagues Jess explained that the group had arrived at the accommodation after a 30-hour flight - only to be told they had nowhere to stay. 'We were super excited... When we got to our accommodation, we were trying to check in and we went to this one counter where you grab the keys and the receptionist is like, 'This is not a real place, I have no keys for it',' Jess explained. According to the listing, which is still available via the spacious unit offers four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a dining area, and a fully equipped kitchen 'Side note, we've given €2000 ($A3,570) to the scammer as well as a deposit. So that's something we're gonna have to deal with at the end of this trip,' Jess said. According to the listing, which is still available via the spacious unit offers four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a dining area, and a fully equipped kitchen. Under its 'house rules', guests are automatically charged a €2,000 ($A3,570) damage deposit seven days before arrival. The listing claims guests will be reimbursed within a week of check-out. 'We're sorry to hear about this guest's experience and we are following up to support their refund,' a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia. 'Our top priority at is to facilitate safe and enjoyable travel experiences for our customers and partners. 'Should travellers need support, our customer service is available for them 24/7 and in 45 languages. Travellers can simply select the booking they have a question about in their account and choose how they want to reach out, for instance via phone or message.' Every accommodation on go through a strict verification process to prevent customers from falling for potentially fraudulent listings. 'We are constantly optimising the robust security measures we have in place to protect our customers and partners, and take the process of verifying accommodation listings extremely seriously,' the spokeswoman said. 'In the very rare instance that there might be some cause for doubt or concern with a specific property we investigate immediately, and where needed close the listing.' Jane and her colleagues had planned to use the space to shoot content for Showpo's homecoming fashion campaign. But things didn't go to plan, as the panicked girls spent the next three hours trying to find a new place to stay. 'We found an Italian restaurant to sit out for three hours trying to sort out with how we're going to deal with this all,' Jess explained. 'But all three of us have Australian numbers so in France, we can't call anyone... All of the numbers go to a French customer representative. 'I'm calling everyone, anyone that's awake, and this is literally the last thing we want to do after a 30-hour flight.' After hours of searching, the group finally checked into a new place to stay. 'It's so nice,' Jess said. Despite falling for the fake accommodation listing, Jane was just grateful to be in Paris - especially after her trip hadn't started off on the right foot. Jane said the work trip had been nothing short of a nightmare - after she nearly missed her flight from Sydney to Paris due to water damage on her passport. She was trying to check in at the airport when she was warned she might not be allowed into Paris because of water damage on her passport. 'I'm at the airport and they're telling me that I can't get onto my flight to Paris because my passport has water damage,' she said. Jane said she was eventually allowed to board the plane, but she had to sign a waiver to 'say that if Paris turns me away, I'll just have to come back'. 'So I signed it, but now I've got this 24 to 28 hour flight journey, and I still might get turned back,' she said. 'So hopefully the French are chill. It's a really long flight to get turned away but I got to try it, right?' She was heading to Paris for a work trip and had all the gear for the photoshoot with her, so if she didn't make it through customs, the campaign wouldn't happen. Jane appeared visibly nervous as she waited to disembark after her plane landed in Paris. 'This is the moment of truth: let's see if I get in or not,' she said. 'Maybe they'll be super chill, or maybe I'm going straight back to Sydney.' Thankfully, she managed to make her way through customs without a problem... until she discovered the apartment she had reserved through didn't exist.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
New County Durham hubs for homeless people opening
Hubs providing 32 beds for people who have been sleeping rough are to open after getting government funding.A facility in Bishop Auckland has already opened its doors, with two other centres planned in Tow Law and Spennymoor, in County County Council said it was working with Emmaus North East to help adults over 25 years old and Depaul UK, which is giving support to younger Parker, chief executive of Emmaus, described the project as "a major milestone" to respond to a "national crisis". In addition to accommodation, dedicated support will also be provided to those wanting to live more independently, the council Dumoulin, Depaul UK's director of development and external affairs, said: "We are dedicated to working tirelessly with our partners until every person has a safe place to call home." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
News24
4 days ago
- News24
Why more South Africans choose local travel solutions — and why it matters
As more South Africans choose road trips over runways, domestic travel is enjoying a powerful resurgence. From the misty peaks of the Drakensberg to the wild, sun-drenched beaches of the South Coast, we are rediscovering the joy of exploring our own backyard. Leading this movement is LekkeSlaap, a homegrown booking platform that has firmly established itself as the nation's favourite way to book accommodation. Redefining local travel with LekkeSlaap A local platform that connects millions of travellers to thousands of accommodation options countrywide, LekkeSlaap has spent the last 12 years redefining the way South Africans book local holidays. By combining an easy-to-use booking app with local travel expertise, diverse accommodation options and customer service you can count on, it's no wonder the platform has been recognised as South Africa's Leading Online Travel Agency in the World Travel Awards every year since 2022. Whether you're after a luxury bush lodge, a beachside holiday home, a guesthouse in a small town, or a hotel in the heart of the city, LekkeSlaap has you covered. Founded in 2013, the company has positioned itself as the go-to solution for finding a wide range of stays across the country. They currently offer more than 35,000 accommodation options nationwide, including holiday homes, hotels, B&Bs, game lodges, resorts, guesthouses and more. The app offers easy browsing, real customer reviews, and a no-frills booking process, all designed to make your trip planning smooth and stress-free. Trust built by locals, for locals One of the key elements that sets LekkeSlaap apart is the power of its community. With hundreds of thousands of verified reviews written by South Africans, you can book with confidence knowing you're getting honest, firsthand feedback from people who travel the way you do. These real reviews offer insight into what to expect—from the friendliness of the host to the comfort of the beds—helping you make informed choices and avoid nasty surprises. Paired with the platform's unparalleled customer support from dedicated South African employees, it's the local wisdom, shared openly, that makes every stay feel a little more familiar. Why the local part matters As South Africa's largest local platform for accommodation, LekkeSlaap is a key player in ensuring the tourism industry remains a vital contributor to the local economy. Critically, booking through a homegrown platform guarantees that every cent you spend towards your booking stays circulating right here in South Africa, growing our local economy one holiday at a time. However, the positive impact of choosing a local platform like LekkeSlaap to book a holiday extends far beyond just the booking itself. Booking a local holiday through a local platform sets in motion a powerful ripple effect. It starts with a tank of petrol at a small-town service station, flows into the till of a roadside coffee shop, and helps a farmer sell fresh produce at a bustling farm stall. At the destination, the impact deepens: you check into a guesthouse or holiday home, book a tour with a local guide, and dine at a family-run restaurant. While each spend may seem small, with thousands of people using LekkeSlaap each month, they sustain livelihoods, create jobs, and fuel the local tourism economy, leaving an impact that lasts far beyond the holiday itself across the nation. An accommodation app for every South African What started as a simple booking platform in 2013 has become a cornerstone of local travel in South Africa. Today, LekkeSlaap is not just a booking app; it's a gateway built for every South African to explore this beautiful nation. It embraces all of us, catering to every budget and travel style—from a family looking for a small cottage in the Drakensberg, to a couple seeking a luxury villa in the Winelands, or a solo traveller discovering a rustic farm stay in the Karoo. As a proudly South African platform, it reflects the diverse fabric of our nation. So, when you plan your next local adventure, you're not just booking a holiday; you're joining a collective effort to explore our shared home, celebrate its people, and ensure the wealth of our tourism circulates right here for the benefit of all. LekkeSlaap's free mobile app is available for download on The App Store, Google Play and Huawei App Gallery. Download the LekkeSlaap app today and easily book your next local holiday.
