Latest news with #selfcatering
Times
6 hours ago
- Times
Win a seven-night self-catering stay for four in Devon at The Lanterns worth £2,250
In Hope Cove, a pretty fishing village along one of the loveliest stretches of the south Devon coast, The Lanterns is a collection of 11 smart, self-catering apartments right on the South West Coast Path. Walks west will take you to South Milton Ley nature reserve, while the path east leads to Salcombe — both offering spectacular scenery at an easy pace. You could just as easily stay close by, too, and get out on the water for paddleboarding or sailing. And it's dog-friendly, so there's no need to leave your pet at home. Your prize is a seven-night stay in one of the two-bedroom apartments for up to four people and two dogs, plus a luxury goody bag. Interiors are coastal chic: oak wood flooring, a blue and white colour scheme, soft throws, patterned cushions and sea-themed artworks. An outside shower comes in handy after swimming. The apartment will be ocean-facing and have either a balcony or terrace. You'll also enjoy dinner for four at artisan pizzeria Primo in Salcombe, as well as a private rum tasting with the Devon Rum Company. The stay must be booked by April 1, 2026 and take place between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026, subject to availability and blackout dates (Christmas, New Year, May 22 to 30 and the month of August). You'll also need to give a minimum of a week's notice. For more information, click here. For your chance to win, simply vote in each category in this year's Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards. There are 17 categories in total. Click here to vote. For the full list of prizes, see closes at 23.59pm on August 31, 2025. Open to residents of the United Kingdom who are aged 18 years or older, excluding employees and agents of the Promoter and its group companies, or third parties directly connected with the operation or fulfilment of the Promotion and their affiliates, and their immediate families and household members. One entry per person. Winners will be selected at random from all valid entries. No cash alternative and prize is non-transferable. Winner and guest responsible for getting to and from Hope Cove at their own expense. Subject to availability, Prize must be booked by April 1, 2026. Prize must be taken between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026, except on the following dates: May 22 to May 30, 2026, August 2026, Christmas, New Year and Easter. Winner and his/her guests must travel on same itinerary. All parts of Prize must be used in conjunction with same booking. Travel insurance, food and drink (outside what is previously declared in the board basis), spending money and all incidental expenses are the responsibility of the Winner. Prize is subject to The Lanterns terms and conditions. Your information will be used to administer this Promotion and otherwise in accordance with our privacy policy at and those of the partners. Promoter is Times Media Ltd. Full T&Cs apply — see
Times
6 hours ago
- Times
Win a luxury seven-night French château stay for ten guests worth £12,000
Just imagine . . . you and nine of your favourite people embarking on une balade around the grounds of a glorious château in the heart of the Loire Valley — glass of local wine in hand — having feasted on a lunch of regional cheeses, charcuterie and artisan baguette. Well, that dream could fast become reality: we've paired up with Oliver's Travels to offer you the chance to win a week-long stay at Château Les Bains, a stunning belle époque residence set in a dreamy riverside location near the spa town of La Roche-Posay. The property delivers views across 17 acres of parkland and vines that undulate to the river and there's space for up to 20 guests — seven bedrooms are found in the main house, and there's an additional trio of rooms in a separate cottage. Days here can be spent basking poolside, getting competitive in the games room or tending the vines (before pootling to the in-house cellar). There's also a grand kitchen that inspires trips to the local market and will have you wondering why you didn't move here years ago. So what are you waiting for? Oliver's Travels is providing this prize, offering the winner exclusive use of the property for seven nights on a self-catering basis, plus daily housekeeping service. The fridge and pantry will be fully stocked with up to €200 worth of products. The prize also includes two LeShuttle car passes that will cover ten people. As the château's capacity is 20, you're able to invite an additional ten guests at your own expense. You'll need to book your stay at least six weeks in advance, and travel between October 1, 2025 and October 1, 2026. Blackout dates are July, August, Christmas and Easter. For more information, click here. For your chance to win, simply vote in each category in this year's Times and Sunday Times Travel Awards. There are 17 categories in total. Click here to vote. For the full list of prizes, see closes at 23.59pm on August 31, 2025. Open to residents of the United Kingdom who are aged 18 years or older, excluding employees and agents of the Promoter and its group companies, or third parties directly connected with the operation or fulfilment of the Promotion and their affiliates, and their immediate families and household members. One entry per person. Winners will be selected at random from all valid entries. No cash alternative and prize is non-transferable. Subject to availability, Prize must be redeemed within one year and booked at least six weeks in advance of departure date. Prize must be taken between October 1, 2025 and October 1, 2026, subject to availability and blackout dates apply including Christmas, New Year, Easter, and July 1, 2026 to August 31, 2026. All parts of Prize must be used in conjunction with same booking. Winner and his/her guest(s) are solely responsible for ensuring they are available to travel and have valid travel documentation (including passport/visa/visa waiver as may be required), obtaining adequate travel insurance and appropriate vaccinations/inoculations for foreign travel at their own expense. Winner can invite additional guests, up to a total of twenty (20), at their own expense. Travel insurance, food and drink (outside what is previously declared in the board basis), spending money and all incidental expenses are the responsibility of the prize-winner. Prize is subject to Oliver's Travels terms and conditions. Stay must adhere to the terms listed here: Your information will be used to administer this Promotion and otherwise in accordance with our privacy policy at and those of the partners. Promoter is Times Media Ltd. Full T&Cs apply — see
Times
08-07-2025
- Times
9 of the best affordable villas in Spain
With glorious weather, knockout beaches, and world-beating food and drink it's no surprise that Spain ranks high for most Brits. The Balearic island of Mallorca or the beaches of the Costa Brava are perfect not only for seaside lazing but more active pursuits such as windsurfing, while Galicia in the northwest has forested valleys for hikes and standout sites such as the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, visited by those walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail. The southernmost region of Andalusia has a bit of everything, encompassing the sand and sea of Marbella and Malaga, the heritage of Granada and its Alhambra Palace, and the culture and vibrancy of Seville. In each area, you'll find villas with sleek contemporary furnishings and villas retaining traditional rustic styling, ranging in size to suit both couples and larger gatherings. Best of all, such self-catering accommodation can be far cheaper than a hotel. Ranging from as little as £30 to just over £100 per person per night, depending on when you travel, here's our selection of top-quality villas in Spain at the more affordable end of the scale. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 7 In six acres of land, bracketed by wheat fields and olive groves, this is a pad perfect for those who value privacy. There are traditional touches of the region throughout — a terracotta-tiled roof, cool, whitewashed walls inside — and plenty of space for relaxing in the evenings with a huge lawn and built-in barbecue. There's a good-sized pool with an outdoor shower, and it's less than an hour's drive to the airport, making it a top pick for families; you'll also find a cot and a high chair inside. • Best holiday villas in Spain POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 10 This striking villa, with its floor-to-ceiling glass, infinity pool and floating staircase, combines contemporary style with good old-fashioned wow factor in its location, surrounded as it is by the Tramuntana mountains and with views of the Bay of Pollensa. Villa Magnolia is filled with natural light and has comfortable sofas, a good-sized kitchen, five bedrooms (two en suite) and a dining room that can seat ten. Outside, there's a barbecue area and covered terrace, and the characterful cobbled town of Pollensa is just over two miles away. Mallorca offers many opportunities for cycling, horse-riding and water sports, making this property an excellent choice for active families. • Best villas in Mallorca POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 6 One of a handful of three-bedroom properties in a small complex with a 24-hour reception, this whitewashed villa is simply styled but ticks all the important boxes, with its private saltwater pool and superb location just 500 metres from the white sand of Platja del Riuet. Patio doors lead onto a poolside terrace for alfresco drinks and meals, and there's a lawned garden for the kids to muck about in. You also have access to a larger communal pool if you wish. The medieval hamlet of Sant Marti d'Empuries is nearby, and there's a shuttle service to/from Girona-Costa Brava airport (about 45 miles away) for a fee. • Discover our full guide to Spain POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 8 You'll get a real taste of Spanish living in this six-bedroom villa in the traditional town of Jimena de la Frontera in Cadiz. Laps in the private pool come with a view of the Ronda mountains and there are Moorish influences throughout. Best of all, there's plenty of room for everyone to stretch out; it's built over three levels and there's a giant entertainment space in the basement complete with an air hockey table and a projector for film nights. POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 16 Casa do Conde Villa is a landmark in the Galician town of O Grove, originally constructed by a local duchess and with something castle-like about its stone-built exterior. Inside, there's lots of style in the sweeping polished staircase and simply furnished bedrooms (five doubles and three twins, all en suite), while the living areas open to a lovely covered outdoor terrace for languid lunches or cocktails before dinner. The grounds feature lawns, palm trees and a swimming pool, while the district of O Grove is renowned for its beaches and pretty sea views. The town has all the restaurants and shops you'll need, which means a car is a bonus rather than a necessity. Outside, pretty grounds encircle the house with gently sloping lawns, graceful palm trees and the colourful blooms of flowering plants to provide a delightful oasis for outdoor living. Guests could be forgiven for forgetting this is a town house, yet a 200m stroll reveals the nearest sandy beaches and the first of the many shops and restaurants. This is a great choice for family groups or friends who want comfort and convenience. POOL | Sleeps 6 This contemporary Galician villa offers a lot of slickness for an affordable price tag. There's a cleverly positioned swimming pool wrapping around a corner of the property, and a handful of atmospheric terraces, including one on the top floor that makes the very best of the coastal vantage point above the sandy bay at Aldan. The star factor? That's the floor-to-ceiling windows surrounding the main living space, which bring in bags of natural light. Sleeping six, with two doubles (one en suite) and a twin, the property is a good choice for families with older children, but note that it's built over several levels and is unsuitable for toddlers. The village of Hio, which has a bar offering traditional Galician food, is a very short walk away, while the beach at Praia de Vilariño is under a mile away. As for excursions, it's well worth considering a boat trip to the Cies Islands, an archipelago nature reserve with wonderfully clear waters. POOL | Sleeps 2 This beautiful one-bedroom cottage has all the character and charm you could wish for, with stripped stone walls, wood-panelled ceilings and a large bedroom beneath a steep-pitched roof. Outside are lovely lawns, a swimming pool, stone table and benches for dining beneath the shade of a fir tree, and stirring views across forested hills and green meadows. It's quite a spot for a cocktail or a coffee. The owner is a carpenter who has made the very most of his talents in renovating the property, retaining its traditional features while bringing modern comforts to the open-plan kitchen and living area. Sitting on the edge of the hamlet of Moreira, the cottage is a 15-minute drive from a sheltered beach, restaurant and cafés on the Rias Baixas coastline, while the village of O Viso is less than two miles away, with its excellent bakery, grocery and café. This is the place for a couple who want to get away from it all and spend some quality time in a breathtaking hillside setting. POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 28 This is a big-hitter for that special celebratory get together in sunny climes — a vast manor house containing 14 en suite double bedrooms just 25 minutes by car from Barcelona airport. Masia Victoria dates to the 15th century and has been sensitively renovated to preserve stone arches and wood-beamed ceilings while incorporating air-conditioning, an infinity swimming pool and other modern comforts and luxuries. There's a sizeable dining room and a range of choices for relaxing with a cocktail, among them a sprawling patio and various terraces. If you fancy venturing out, the little town of Sant Pere de Ribes is a stone's throw away, and Sitges and the coast close by too. POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 10 With space for eight adults and a pair of kids, this stone-built five-bedroom villa has all you'd want from a traditional finca — and, with panoramic rustic views and well-kept grassy grounds surrounded by fruit trees, its location scores points too. Despite its out of the way position, the villa is a walk from some high-class dining at the restaurant of the Son Brull hotel, while the towns of Pollensa and Puerto Pollensa are a short drive away. There's plenty to keep the children entertained, with a private pool and table-tennis table, and sporty grown-ups can head for a round of golf at Pollensa Golf Club. This is the perfect spot for a relaxing break with family or friends that won't cost the earth. • Best all-inclusive hotels in Spain• Best beaches in Spain
Condé Nast Traveler
18-06-2025
- Condé Nast Traveler
My Favorite Cabin in the Woods: Estonia's ÖÖD Mirror House
'Solitude is the school of genius,' the historian Sir Edward Gibbon once said. Which is why I'm here at this ÖÖD mirror cabin in the forested village of Lohusalu, 40 minutes west of Tallinn, Estonia. It's the perfect place for some quiet 'me' time and a digital detox to get my creative juices flowing. First morning, I wake up and peel off my eye mask to the sight of blue skies, and dozens of pine trees surrounding the glass walls of my cabin, while a black woodpecker hacks away at a trunk. It's a beautiful way to start my day in my self-catering cabin, which, at 200 square meters, has the feel of a spacious caravan. The queen-size bed's floral-patterned duvet cover lends a faintly rustic and retro homeliness that makes me forget that I'm glamping. But glamping it certainly is: there's a coffee table, two leather armchairs, and the modern kitchen is kitted out with every amenity I need, barring a toaster. It's self-catering, but there is a complimentary selection of teas, coffee and local beers. I boil eggs on the kitchen hob I've pulled out from the drawers, and make myself a coffee on the Nespresso machine. Storage is tight and clever, including in the bathroom, which manages to fit a good-sized shower, toilet, sink, and storage cupboard with its slender proportions. Being alone at a cabin in the woods is no reason to neglect my looks—thankfully, there's a wall-mounted magnifying make-up mirror and a hair dryer I can use before stepping out. Nearly half of Estonia's mainland is covered in trees, and here in Lohusalu the pine forest extends right up to the white-sand beach on the Gulf of Finland. It adds an extra dimension to my stay: I can step out of my cabin, admire the arboreal scenes reflected in its mirrored exterior, then hit the seashore within two minutes. Back at the cabin, I type my manuscript on the dining table on the wooden deck terrace; solitude in such leafy surroundings has definitely aided my creativity. When the stomach starts growling, I grill beef skewers on the easy-to-use charcoal barbecue and settle down for a tasty alfresco lunch. The silence and serenity here are fantastically calming (in three days, I see only a handful of dog walkers), yet civilization isn't far away. A 20-minute walk through the quiet forest takes me to the Arvo Pärt Centre, a modern museum space dedicated to the life and works of Estonia's most famous classical composer and musician. A kilometer further south I stock up at the local supermarket before eating a dinner of catfish, cauliflower cream, and pickled cucumber at Wicca, one of two restaurants at the beachside ÖÖD Hötels. The exterior of the property and its outdoor space Great views abound, even from the shower Next morning, at the mirror house, it's a scuttle through the crisp air into the adjacent sauna cabin—shared with the two nearby mirror houses—for a vascular-boosting steam session. As the sweat trickles down, I reflect on the fact that in one weekend I've managed to pack in wellness, culture, nature, and fine dining in a country I've never visited before—it's the kind of well-rounded glamping experience that ÖÖD Hötels lay on so expertly. This might just become my go-to spot for solitary relaxation.
Irish Times
31-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Ireland's northern coast blends luxury with adventure
Ireland's northern coast is a rugged stretch of soaring cliffs, sandy beaches and dramatic scenery. A destination that is growing in popularity, it is increasingly being populated by luxury accommodation offerings that allow discerning visitors to get the most from a stay in this beautiful part of the world while enjoying the best in creature comforts. Donegal Boardwalk Resort is just one of these offerings. Its managing director, Ann-Louise Scott says the resort was designed to offer the ultimate in flexible escapes. 'It's the perfect location, whether you're seeking relaxation, reconnection or adventure,' she explains. 'It's a place where couples can unwind with sea views and sunsets, and families can celebrate milestones or spend quality time together in a relaxed setting.' She adds that it's equally suited to walking holidays, watersports getaways, or even wellness-focused stays that begin with yoga on the boardwalk by the beach. Scott explains that the vision for Donegal Boardwalk Resort was to create a destination that felt both elevated and deeply rooted in its surroundings; 'somewhere people could relax in comfort while enjoying the natural beauty of the Rosguill Peninsula'. The self-catering lodges offer a home-away-from-home experience for families and groups, with open-plan layouts that allow people to come together but with enough space for everyone to have their own privacy. These are ideal for reunions, family holidays and extended stays, Scott notes. READ MORE The luxury beachside suites, on the other hand, were created for guests seeking a more refined escape. 'With high-end interiors, private balconies or patios, and panoramic sea views, they provide a peaceful and luxurious retreat so they are perfect for couples or solo travellers looking to switch off in style. It offers the space and privacy of self-catering, combined with thoughtful amenities that go beyond what a typical hotel or B&B provides, including direct beach access, on-site dining, leisure facilities, and a truly immersive natural setting.' Later this year, a new boutique spa will open at the resort, featuring a thermal suite and a relaxation room that both overlook the beach, alongside four private treatment rooms. 'Whether you're indulging in a massage or simply unwinding with the Atlantic as your backdrop, it's the perfect setting to slow down and restore body and mind,' says Scott. The resort was designed to have everything on-site: two children's playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts, and a restaurant and bar. There is also the iconic boardwalk that leads to the unspoilt sands of Tramore beach. 'You can park the car and forget about it – everything is here to help you slow down and savour Donegal at your own pace,' says Scott. 'At its heart, the resort was developed to offer comfort without pretension, and luxury without losing the laid-back charm of Donegal.' The resort is ideally placed for anyone wanting to explore the rugged charm of Donegal's north coast. Guests are just minutes from the Atlantic Drive, and close to standout attractions such as Fanad Lighthouse, Glenveagh National Park, Doe Castle, and the majestic Errigal and Muckish Mountains. Walkers, cyclists, and day-trippers will find plenty of breathtaking routes and hidden spots to discover. Unsurprisingly, the area is hugely popular with golfers. Donegal Boardwalk Resort is one of the closest accommodations to St Patrick's Links at Rosapenna, which was ranked #49 in Golf Magazine's World Top 100 Courses 2023–24; Scott notes it is widely considered one of the most exciting modern links courses anywhere. Also nearby are the spectacular links at Dunfanaghy Golf Club and Portsalon Golf Club, offering top-tier coastal courses within easy reach. Royal Portrush Golf Club, its place in golf history guaranteed, is just a two-hour spin along the northern coast. For those who prefer a hotel stay, there are many luxury options in Donegal and along the northern coast. Lough Eske in southwest Donegal offers five-star accommodation with a renowned spa, while across the border in Fermanagh, Lough Erne Resort is also five star. Both offer unbridled luxury in opulent settings, while still being ideal bases from which to sample the Wild Atlantic Way. Luxury glamping is also holding steady in popularity, with more options springing up every year. Kintala Resort & Spa in Derry has six luxury lodges – each with its own private hot tub – and 10 glamping pods, while Lough Foyle glamping offers hot tubs, a sauna and plunge pools.
