Arriving at Gatwick Airport on Wednesday 4 February for the 14.35 Easyjet flight, we became aware of one of the downsides of low cost airfares. They use the far-flung North Terminal at Gatwick, and the resulting trek really makes one feel like a second class passenger. We proceeded to take the shuttle over to the outpost and checked in with a fairly surly clerk, who rattled through the ‘did you pack your luggage’ questions at a cracking pace.  I have not flown since the new regulations came in so I was listening closely to make sure I was not carrying anything that would be seized. I had to ask her to repeat one of the questions, which was not well received - she would be no good as a sales person for a franchise opportunity !   Expecting a long wait for the security check, we joined a long queue of patient travellers and, once clear, we explored the duty free area. By this time there was just over an hour to until our scheduled departure time. This just left time for a quick walk around the ‘duty free’ perfume and makeup section.
As we all know now, Easyjet is a no-frills airline so they charge for food and drinks in-flight. As the coffee and tea are simply vending machine drinks, it is best to get a drink at the airport beforehand.

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Or how to keep yourself amused when you are forced to wait at Gatwick airport for several hours. I have not flown for ages, until this week. We booked a two day break to Amsterdam using an Easyjet flight from  Gatwick last Wednesday, maybe not such a good idea in early February - as I will explain.  First the weather: dire weather forecast all the previous week warned of Arctic conditoons in Britain and they were right! On Monday morning we awoke to find five inches of snow had fallen and the transport system had ground to a halt.  Read more »

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All kinds of holidays in Britain are set for a bumper season this Summer, thanks to the weak £ and the dreaded recession. So anyone running holiday accommodation should start sprucing the place up now!

The south west is a favourite with the Brits and overseas visitors alike, caravan holidays in Devon attract plenty of visitors from Germany and Holland. Make sure you choose your travel time carefully in peak season as the roads are very very busy!

For anyone who likes to take planty of luggage, going on holiday in a caravan in the UK makes a lot of sense. You can pack all your stuff in the van, hook it on to the car and off you go - no need to unpack at the other end, and your case is not going to be sent to the other side of the world without you.

The other group who are likely to be booking caravan holidays in the UK are dog owners.  Once we got a dog ourselves we took all our holidays in the England, as a result we had a fantastic time in Devon. If we did not have a pet we would probably have gone abroad, and would never have discovered all the beautiful places in the West country.  You do not need to have your own caravan, there are plenty of sites where you simply book a fixed mobile home for the length of your stay, just turn up and start enjoying the beautiful English countryside.

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Guest House and Bed and Breakfast (B&B) are often the same kind of place to stay on holiday in Britain - you pay for a room and breakfast, other meals may be available but are optional. The standards at Bed and Breakfast are generally much higher than before, thanks to a national Tourist Board rating system. Most now offer bedrooms with ensuite showers or bathrooms. Hotels can range from the largest most opulent five star establishment right through to a quaint style of bed and breakfast. The term ‘private hotel’ is used so that the guest house owners can obtain a drinks license for hotel residents.

Rates at Bed and Breakfast are generally lower than you would pay for a room of the same standard at an hotel, due to the absence of amenities like fitness centres and spas.  At present all UK accommodation prices are appealing to visitors from the Euro Zone, as the value of the pound is very low (March 2009).

When you are touring Britain outside the bigger cities you will find a huge range of places to eat and stay. For the visitor the different names do not always make the type of establishment clear.

In the countryside, Bed and Breakfast can consist of one room for rent in a family home, or the owner could have six guest rooms plus a guest lounge and dining room. Lots of farms are now offering farmhouse bed and breakfast, as it is more profitable than many of their agricultural activities. If you choose a rural Bed and Breakfast, check how far it is located from the nearest village so that you can go out for a drink or meal in the evening.

‘Guest House’ is not a fashionable term - you are most likely to find guest houses at large traditional seaside resorts, whereas Bed and Breakfast is now quite trendy. The prices can vary enormously as there are now some luxury B and Bs competing with hotels, especially in London. But you still get the informal atmosphere that is different from a hotel - if you prefer not to talk to the other guests, you might prefer a hotel. At Bed and Breakfast, especially in a farmhouse, there is a good chance of  home made produce at breakfast, such as jams, freshly laid eggs and home cured ham.

Bed and Breakfast (B&B) is widely available, and the standards here vary enormously as well. The English Tourist Board has a rating system based on facilities, such as ensuite bathrooms and parking spaces. It does not really assess quality so you need to assess the destination on the information available. It goes without saying that a B&B business is family-run, so there is a homely feel: many owners will welcome you with tea in the lounge as they explain the local attractions. It is possible to spot a promising B&B when you pass the sign on the road, and this will tell you whether there are any vacancies. In high season this is a risky tactic, and you could end up driving a long way to find somewhere with vacancies for the night. Although some B&Bs offer dinner as an option, this is not the norm so you will need to go out for lunch and dinner. If you book B&B in advance, check the distance from local pubs and restaurants: if you like to be within walking distance, avoid farmhouse B&Bs. The standards at B& B range from basic – one spare bedroom in the owner’s home – to luxurious. Many successful B&Bs have expanded to offer as many as ten guest bedrooms, and they often have self catering accommodation on the same site. The size of these places often means they have extra attractions like swimming pools, and even cycles and rowing boats for guests to use.

Restaurants with Rooms are a phenomenon - a type of small hotel that centres on a high class restaurant. Generally run by talented British chefs as their first establishments, these hotels are becoming more popular in Britain. The Chef Proprietor will take as much care over the luxury accommodation as the dining room, and the overall package contributes to the reputation of the up and coming chef.

These hotels seldom have the facilities that are provided in a chain hotel, such as fitness centres or swimming pools. However they make up for that in the quality of the food, guest rooms and personal service. The arrangement of a highly rated restaurant with guest rooms means that diners can tour their favourite bistros and stay overnight without worrying about driving home. Restaurants with rooms are the ideal way to sample excellent Modern British Cooking.

Country House Hotels are often luxurious hideaways with an emphasis on outdoor activities in their extensive grounds. There may also be an indoor swimming pool and fitness centre but it is best to check in advance. In a country house hotel the aim is to recreate the atmosphere of a house party in a bygone age so you will be able to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea with jam and scones, for example. For visitors from abroad, Country House hotels are the epitome of stylish living in days gone by. These hotels, housed in historic buildings dating back centuries, cater enthusiastically to the desire to recreate a bygone era. Most, but not all, offer a swimming pool or fitness centre. If these are not on hand, you are likely to get access to country walks and field sports. At Christmas the country house hotel comes into its own, book early for the best festive breaks.

The traditional coaching hotel, many family-run, persists in small towns and villages. These inns are primarily places to stay, with a restaurant and bar available as an option for guests. Rates are charged for Bed and Breakfast, so you can dine in the hotel or explore the local eateries as you choose. Hotels that are specially proud of their cooking may offer a special price if you book dinner in advance, and for a stay of more than one night you will probably want to sample your hosts’ cooking on one evening. When booking hotels in advance look carefully at the information online, and read any reviews you can find. British hotels who target tourists have invested heavily to bring facilities and décor to the highest standards, but there remain a number of unmodernised places that cater to a different sector and these may not offer the same level of comfort.

The variety and quality of places to stay in Britain make it an ideal destination for visitors of all ages at any time of the year. Read my reviews of my favourite dog friendly hotels and bed and breakfast for your next vacation or short break in the UK.

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I have already reviewed two hotels with free Wifi in Devon. One of them, in Torquay, was the location for a three day stay with my dog. This was a two centre holiday and after enjoying our stay at a family-run Boutique hotel in Torquay so much I wondered if the second hotel would match up. Both destinations were chosen because they are dog friendly and also offer free WiFi internet access in the rooms. That part is easy, how about the welcome?

Unlike our first hotel, the Kitley House Hotel near Plymouth, is a country house hotel with an a la carte restaurant. Dog owners often choose self catering holidays because they worry that the dog may disturb the routine of a hotel, and I share that concern. Our dog has an embarrassing habit of barking as he waits to go for his walk, and it is impossible to break this habit. We did not need to worry: at Kitley House, this was met with amusement “good morning Kevin” greeted us as we made our way down the wide staircase.

When we arrived at the Kitley House hotel, Afternoon Tea was in full swing and there was no pressure to go through all the checkin formalities. We just relaxed in the Reception lounge (pictured left) with our dog and ordered scones, cream and jam. In the best English tradition, the scones are baked throughout the afternoon and are never more than an hour old when you eat them. The jam tasted home made and there was tons of clotted cream.

The dog friendly welcome exceeded expectations, as Kevin received his own welcome pack containing dog biscuits, and dog bag for emergencies plus a list of all the supplies available from Reception. All the staff were unfailingly helpful and friendly: this hotel achieves a consistently laid back but professional approach to all its guests and this is a rare quality.

Wifi Internet access is on offer free of charge on the ground floor, with wired internet access in the guests’ rooms. Do not worry if you forget to bring an ethernet lead - the staff will lend you one for the length of your stay.

The food is truly yummy, and the restaurant has an excellent reputation in the county. Dining in the wood panelled restaurant was a delight. When my pudding - Apple Crumble - took a while to arrive I chased it up and I learned that each one is cooked individually to order. It was definitely worth the wait. Next morning the dining room is the location for breakfast, which is served until 10 am - very civilised. It is best to take a long walk in the grounds first if you are going to try the amazing Full Devon Breakfast. I admitted defeat and took my pick from a huge selection of fresh fruit, cereals and pastries

This hotel is nestled in 300 acres of private grounds, where you can walk for hours in peace and seclusion. I make no apologies if I sound over-enthusiastic: our two day stay at Kitley House Hotel was near perfect! Room rates for a two-night short break start from £99 per night bed and breakfast.

Well those are the results so far. If you know about good dog friendly holiday accommodation - not just in the UK - with free WiFi, please leave a comment.

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Hotels offering free Wifi in guest rooms are surprisingly difficult to find. I have checked out hotels where access to Wifi is charged at rates that exceed £7 per hour - blatant profiteering. If you want to keep costs down on your vacation look out for these hidden charges for WiFi Internet access. The best dog friendly hotel with free WiFi that I have found is one that I almost kept for myself, but I am here to recommend good hotels for cheap travel, so here it is.

The Hillcroft Hotel in Torquay is a dog friendly, gay friendly boutique hotel, you will also be welcome if you do not bring your pet or you are not gay… Guests of all ages find a warm welcome here but be aware that this hotel is halfway up a hill so if you have mobility problems this may not be the best choice for you. The Hillcroft gives you touch of affordable luxury in a peaceful location close to the nightlife of Torquay on the English Riviera. Rates start from just £75 for a double room, inclusive of an excellent breakfast. There is free wireless internet connection in all guest rooms, and if you do not take a laptop with you there is an Internet browser in the bar that residents can use.

Well behaved dogs are genuinely welcomed with their owners in the ‘India’ private suite or the ‘Lombok’ en-suite double room. The owners of the hotel also offer dog sitting if you want to go out without your dog for a meal in the evening. This means you can go to a restaurant, knowing that your dog is well cared for.

And here is another good dog friendly hotel with WiFi in another part of Devon -

The Lewtrenchard Manor Hotel is a traditional country house hotel, a former Jacobean Manor house situated just outside the market town of Okehampton in Devon. From here you can travel to the world famous Eden Project or The Lost Gardens of Heligan in less than an hour. This hotel is proud to be dog friendly, and free Wifi is available in all the public areas of the hotel. Room rates start from £155 for a double room including Full English Breakfast - not cheap, but ideal for a romantic weekend break in the country.

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