Tag Archives: hostels

LAUNCH OF BLUEBELLS & SEASHELLS: ONLINE GUIDE TO ACCOMMODATION ACROSS GREAT BRITAIN

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A new comprehensive online accommodation guide for Great Britain which will feature all types of places to stay, from bed & breakfasts, hotels, holiday cottages, yurts, campsites, boats, glampsites and even a converted Shepherds Hut has been launched. The website: www.bluebellsandseashells.co.uk, has been named to represent all that is typical of Great Britain’s beautiful countryside and stretching shorelines.

The advanced search page offers one of the most comprehensive search facilities available ensuring that users of the site are able to find accommodation suitable for their individual requirements, such as with wheelchair access, eco-friendly accommodation, or places that cater specifically for vegetarians. Alternatively, holidaymakers can consider trying something new during their break, by searching for accommodation providers that offer workshops and courses, for example cupcake making classes or crash courses in keeping chickens!

Visitors to the site are also able to view up to ten large images of the accommodation, view feedback from other guests, check availability of holiday cottages and see details of popular local attractions and things to do locally as listed by the property owner rather than advertisers. The news section carried on the www.BluebellsandSeashells.co.uk home page and monthly newsletter also features stories on places to go and things to check out around Great Britain, for example places to take children during the half-term break.

Joanna Thorne, Founder of Bluebells & Seashells commented: “There are 2.9 million bedspaces* available to guests in the UK every night, including hotels, B&B’s, guest houses, through to holiday dwellings and tourist campsites with an average occupancy rate of 55% for all serviced accommodation**, suggesting that the flow of traffic and money into the British tourism industry is still very much alive and open for business. London remains the most popular destination for overseas visitors (14.2 million), who collectively spent over £8bn in 2009, representing 50% of all inbound visitor spending***.”

“We launched this site to counter all of the items we found most frustrating from our own experiences at looking for accommodation and we’re delighted that we already over 1250 properties of all shapes and sizes, atmospheres and locations registered with us. We’ve ensured that images are displayed as large as possible and the search does not limit browsers to select one property type or another unless they choose to, as we all know that when looking for a bed for a night when attending a friend’s wedding for example, choosing a hotel, guest house, B&B, converted mill or boat is not what’s important; but the price, warm welcome, décor, cleanliness and location are.”

“Furthermore, many of the holiday cottage letting companies around Great Britain have been purchased by overseas corporations, and as a result the consumer ends up paying considerably more for their holiday, including the compulsory insurance than cottages owners receive. This is neither fair for the owner, or traveller, but perhaps worst still is that this money is leaving our economy, when it has never needed it more. Bluebells and Seashells is aimed at providing those independent accommodation owners, with an affordable and fair platform to share what they to offer and with Royal Wedding and the 2012 Olympic Games only months away, the outlook for accommodation providers looks extremely prosperous.”

SKIERS HEAD TO SCOTLAND FOR BARGAIN BREAKS. {Travel}

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Scottish Independent Hostels are reporting a boost in visitor numbers, thanks to the early arrival of the white stuff!

All of Scotland’s ski centres are open, including Lecht, Glenshee and Cairngorm Mountain, with near-perfect skiing conditions – and as a result, lovers of snow sports are heading north and bunking up in nearby hostels.

For Ardenbeg Bunkhouse in the Cairngorms National Park, Christmas and New Year was extremely busy with no let-up in numbers over the coming weeks.

Rebecca Reid explains: “We have had a good number of bookings over the last few weeks, mainly for skiers looking to take advantage of the great conditions. Last year’s successful ski season and the bumper start to this year’s, has given snow lovers the confidence to make the trip to Scotland.”

Chase The Wild Goose Hostel in Banavie near Fort William is another perfect location for snowboarders and skiers.

Liz Fairclough from Chase the Wild Goose Hostel adds: “The benefits of hostel and bunkhouse accommodation is that it offers so much accommodation options, from en-suite family rooms, to the more traditional dorm-style sleeping arrangements. This works well for families and groups who like the relaxed environment and cost-effective catering, as well as the option to eat in local pubs and restaurants.”

Fraoch Lodge near Aviemore is within striking distance of the slopes, but also caters for other winter sports. The team offer guided walking tours, including a winter walking skills course.

For the more adventurous Fraoch Lodge also runs Snow Hole Expeditions during the winter months where participants help construct a communal snowhole. Once complete, Andy, the guide, cooks a three-course dinner by candlelight before bedding down for the night.

Andy enthused: “Nothing can compare to waking up in the absolute silence of a pristine winter wonderland bathed in the soft light of a Cairngorm dawn. It is truly magical!”

The Roy Bridge Hostel in Lochaber provides bunkhouse style accommodation at the budget price of £12.50 per person per night. It sleeps up to 28 people in private rooms for two, four or eight people. Just five miles from the Nevis Range, The Roy Bridge Hotel next-door serves bar meals daily and the friendly bar is open for après ski.

Andrew Donaldson, chair of Scottish Independent Hostels, concluded: “The year of austerity shouldn’t mean an end to holidays. A stay in a hostel is not only great value, it is also a great way to explore Scotland with friends or family. Our members offer so much individuality from collecting your own eggs for breakfast, to building a snow hole. The experiences are endless and all are star-rated by Visit Scotland.”

Details of all the hostels mentioned can be found on www.hostel-scotland.co.uk