New Spa Set to Enhance Guest Experience and Boost Local Employment in Norfolk

[King’s Lynn, Norfolk, August 15, 2024]: Ffolkes, a unique hotel & dining destination in Hillington, is excited to announce a substantial £2.5 million investment in the development of a state-of-the-art spa facility, set to open in late summer 2025.

Ffolkes Spa will be a luxurious haven for relaxation and rejuvenation, featuring an extensive thermal experience; including five hot tubs, three saunas, three steam rooms, various relaxation spaces, treatment rooms, and a lounge and bar, making it the largest and best-equipped facility of its kind in Norfolk.

In 2023, the UK Spa Market was valued at £3.1 billion and is projected to reach £5.7 billion by 2032. Ffolkes’ new spa facility is perfectly positioned to meet this growing demand, providing a leading wellness destination for Norfolk and East Anglia.

Additionally, twelve of Ffolkes’ bedrooms will have direct access to the spa, enhancing the guest experience and complementing the recently-opened Spa Cabins with private hot tub and sauna facilities. The development is anticipated to create new jobs in the community, including positions for reception staff, spa attendants, cleaners, and therapists.

“We are thrilled to bring this exciting new offering to Ffolkes and the Norfolk community,” said Iain Wilson, Owner of Ffolkes. “Having run a successful spa offering at The Pigs, Edgefield, since 2017, this investment demonstrates our commitment to providing top-tier spa experiences for our guests, supporting local employment, and servicing a growing demand for wellness experiences, especially in the East Anglia region.”

The new spa will provide exclusive day guest access to holders of a Norfolk Passport, a free-to-join membership programme providing exclusive perks across leading Norfolk experiences, including: The Pigs at Edgefield, Byfords of Holt, The Assembly House in Norwich, Shirehall Apartments in Holt, and Beachside Apartments in Sheringham. Find out more at: https://www.norfolkpassport.com/

About Ffolkes

Ffolkes is a quirky and characterful hotel in Hillington, King’s Lynn, formerly an old coaching inn. With 23 funky bedrooms, three Spa Cabins, container golf, and street food vendors cooking up a storm in the kitchen, it’s the ultimate hub for FEAST, STAY, PLAY. With Sandringham Hall and Gardens just a short drive away and expansive sandy beaches as little as a 15-minute drive away, it’s the ideal base for a north Norfolk stay.

The hotel is also home to Stables, a self-contained wedding and events venue that caters for up to 200 people and hosts a variety of fun and funky events throughout the year. Learn more at https://www.ffolkes.org.uk/ or follow @theffolkes on Instagram.

FLOATING in my overwater villa’s private infinity pool, I watch a pair of stingrays glide serenely through the turquoise sea below.

So far, so idyllic.

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It’s just how you’d imagine a dream holiday to the Maldives to be.

But Siyam World island resort on the Noonu atoll is so much more.

Fancy jumping into a go-kart for a scream around their jungle racetrack?

Or how about challenging Rio Ferdinand to a kickabout on the full-size football pitch — he’s there this October half term.

Why not splash about on the largest floating water park in the Indian Ocean or saddle up one of the magnificent horses at the island’s ranch?

You can take to the calm, clear waters for a snorkelling safari or a sunset cruise to spot dolphins.

Jump into a canoe or laser boat to cut through the waves or catch the breeze windsurfing or paddleboarding.

And that’s before we’ve even talked about the entertainment, vast spa complex or the four swish pools.

It was my first time on a Maldivian island and the 5* Siyam World blew all my pre-conceptions out of the water.

I’d always been slightly worried by the thought of simply lounging about on white sand beaches and swimming in those stunning seas.

Would I get bored?

The answer is absolutely not.

Siyam World says it offers WOW-inclusive holidays and I can’t disagree.

The island — a thrilling 40-minute sea-plane ride from Male’s international airport — is one of the largest in the Maldives archipelago.

It’s even easier to reach now with Virgin Atlantic’s new daily direct flights from Heathrow.

And at Siyam World, so much is included in your stay you’d struggle to do it all in a month.

Of course, the island’s idyllic beaches — all 2.5 powder-soft miles of them — are the perfect place to top up the tan.

Its 6km house coral reef just off shore promises snorkellers and scuba divers astonishing marine life.

And while the Maldives has always appealed to couples and honeymooners, this resort is also very family-friendly.

Tucked away among the lush foliage, its kids’ club is built around the vast trunk of a banyan tree, its branches shading a splash pool with inflatables.

There’s kids’ yoga and zumbini fitness classes for kids and teens and a huge array of activities to keep them happy.

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That doesn’t distract from grown-up fun though.

The adults-only Mint infinity pool was perfect for those Instagram selfies and the sheer choice of bars and restaurants — all included in the price — was dizzying.

There’s no doubt this is a luxury resort but for a special anniversary, birthday or blow the budget multi-generational trip the prices hands-down beat comparable high-end European resorts.

And what you can’t recreate elsewhere is the relaxed Maldivian welcome.

Every single member of staff greeted us with a warm smile and couldn’t do enough to make us feel instantly at home.

No more so than at the island’s nine restaurants and seven bars.

All included, you can take your pick from the bountiful buffet or dine around the world with Maldivian, Indian, Italian, Thai and Spanish options to name a few.

Highlight of my first night was not just the authentic flavours of the Takrai Thai restaurant on its own little pier — but the vast shoals of fish and baby reef sharks swimming in the waters.

‘CLASSY COCKTAILS’

Another favourite was the Kaag, the Maldivian restaurant with the freshest seafood and creamy, spicy curries.

There’s live music and dancing into the night with all the bars serving premium spirits and classy cocktails as well as an impressive range of wines.

Favourites for me included beachside Shipwrecked and Together for breathtaking sunset views.

And nothing can beat the experience of watching the sun rise from your very own patio or terrace.

There are 16 different types of villas on the island sleeping two to 12, ranging from those with direct beach access and private pools to overwater villas complete with helter-skelter slides.

We combined the thrills of Siyam World with a more relaxed, laidback luxury experience at the nearby sister resort of Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, just a short speedboat ride away.

Here we’re greeted yet again by smiling, dancing staff who whizz us to our overwater villas in colourful electric buggies.

But there’s barely time to take in the views from our spacious terraces and beamed bedrooms before we’re heading back out into the ocean.

Climbing aboard a traditional Maldivian fishing boat, we’re handed glasses of champagne and set off in search of dolphins.

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Within minutes we’re watching as hundreds leap from the water around us.

Sailing back to Iru Fushi as the sun sets we’re rewarded with a sky vividly streaked with reds and oranges on the endless horizon.

Like Siyam World, Iru Fushi features a host of included bars and restaurants, all serving up sophisticated grub in super-relaxed, rustic settings.

Siyam has transformed my view of the Maldives — and I can’t wait to get back and explore more.

‘GATE lice’ is a derogatory term used in the air travel community to describe a certain group of passengers.

Here’s everything you need to know about what a gate louse is and why they are seen as a nuisance.

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What are gate lice?

People who crowd around boarding gates well before their designated boarding time are referred to by airline workers as ‘gate lice’.

The phenomenon has become increasingly common and can significantly impact the airport experience for both travelers and airline staff alike.

Gate lice behavior is characterized by passengers gathering near the boarding gate, often blocking access and creating congestion.

These individuals typically aim to be among the first to board the plane, despite having assigned seats.

The term has gained recognition among frequent flyers and airline employees, who often express frustration with this practice.

Shira Gabriel, a psychology professor at the University of Buffalo, told told The Washington Post: “People will do any weird thing if they think that’s the way to behave.

“When you see people lining up, getting ready, it makes you feel there’s a benefit for that”.

Causes

Several factors contribute to the gate lice phenomenon.

Some attribute this behavior to inexperienced travelers who may not fully understand airline boarding procedures.

The desire to secure overhead bin space for carry-ons is also believed to be a significant motivator — especially given baggage fees and concerns about lost luggage.

Queueing early can provide a sense of control and reduce stress for anxious travelers.

When people see others lining up, they tend to follow suit, believing it’s the correct behavior.

The phenomenon has reportedly increased following the Covid-19 pandemic, possibly due to heightened travel anxiety.

Psychologist Dr Audrey Tang told Metro.co.uk: “Queueing for boarding as soon as we are able to can help us to feel in control, which in turn makes us feel less stressed.”

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She added: “Maybe some people just like to be first, but it’s largely to do with keeping ourselves calm.”

Impact

Gate lice can negatively affect various aspects of the airport experience:

• Congestion: Crowding at gates can lead to confusion and difficulty moving through the boarding area
• Delayed boarding: The need to clear non-priority passengers from the boarding area can slow down the process for those with priority boarding
• Accessibility: Large crowds can make it challenging for passengers with mobility issues or those in wheelchairs to access the boarding area
• Stress: The competitive atmosphere created by gate lice can heighten anxiety for all travelers
• Inefficiency: The disorganized nature of early queuing can make the entire boarding process less efficient

Response

Airlines have implemented various strategies to address the gate lice problem.

Secret cabin crew phrases

Flight attendants have a special language they use to talk about passengers.

Here are some of the secret phrases used by pilots and cabin crew:

• Cropdusting: If a passenger is being very rude and difficult, then it’s not unheard of for a flight attendant to break wind and ‘cropdust’ past the offender.
• Code Adam: This is used by airport staff to alert other staff of a missing child, in honour of Adam Walsh, a child who was abducted in a department store in 1981.
• 7500: If a pilot squawks “7500” it means the plane has been hijacked, or a hijacking is a threat.
• Crosscheck: If you hear this phrase, usually made by senior cabin crew, it means that the emergency slides attached to each door have been deactivated.
• ABP: translates to ‘able bodied passengers’ — individuals that the crew seek out just in case of an emergency.
• Runners: Those who sprint from one connecting flight to another because their first flight was late.
• Spinner: Somebody who turns up late without an assigned seat, with crew dubbing them ‘spinners’ as they usually look flustered as they search for a seat and space in the overhead lockers.
• Blue juice: Refers to the liquid used to flush the contents of the plane loo.
• Crotch watch: What crew do to check you have got your seat belt fastened before takeoff and landing.

They have created dedicated lanes for elite fliers and introduced priority boarding programs for specific customer groups.

Some have even been testing new technologies to deal with the issue, such as American Airlines’ system that alerts gate agents when passengers attempt to board too early.

Recommendations

To avoid being labeled as a gate louse and contribute to a smoother airport experience, travelers should:

• Remain seated until their boarding group is called
• Stand away from the immediate gate area to avoid congestion
• Be aware of surroundings and respectful of other passengers’ space and boarding priorities
• Trust the assigned seating system and understand that boarding earlier doesn’t necessarily mean a faster departure

By being mindful of this type of behavior and its impact can contribute to a more pleasant and efficient airport experience for everyone.

As the air travel industry continues to evolve, finding solutions to this counterproductive conduct remains an ongoing challenge for airlines and passengers alike.

Leading male sexual abuse and rape charity, We Are Survivors, has today published it’s latest edition of it’s new quarterly magazine Beyond the Silence featuring cover star Barney Walsh.

In this latest edition, the charity formally launches it’s new support provision for the wives and husbands, girlfriends and boyfriends, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, and all the loved ones of male victims/survivors with the ‘Supporter Safe Room’. The founder and Chief Executive Officer, Duncan Craig OBE, said:

“We’ve always provided 1:1 therapy support for those amazing and often unsung heroes – those that support male survivors; but after many conversations and much discussion with those loved ones, we’re now providing a safe space for them to meet together and hopefully find some strength in the same thing that survivors find it in… togetherness”.

The magazine also includes a feature on the ISVA team talking about the difference having an ISVA can make to a victims journey; highlights a new project the charity is leading on across Greater Manchester in build six new ABE interview suites in voluntary sector organisations which will give victim the opportunity to undertake their Police interview in a space they feel comfortable in and not necessarily have to go to a Police Station; and celebrates the work of the charity’s support of apprenticeships, including talking to one who picked up a number of awards along the way!

The cover star, Barney Walsh, talks about his preparation as an actor taking on a male survivor storyline that We Are Survivors has been supporting the BBC Casualty team on, and also includes work the organisation has done with Hollyoaks, Coronation Street and Eastenders.

As the organisation magazine ‘hits the shelves’, it also publicly notes 50% more active clients than previously, something the team welcomes and puts down to its work on TV in telling male survivor stores and showing silent survivors they exist.

COUPLES may want to rethink their sleeping arrangements when in a hotel room.

Dubbed “sleep divorce“, couples should try kipping in separate beds to get an incredible nights sleep on holiday.

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According to Hilton’s 2025 Travel Trends report, a shocking 37 per cent of tourists prefer to sleep in a separate bed from their partner during their travels.

The report also discovered that 63 per cent of travellers admitted to sleeping better alone.

On top of these figures, it is already known that travellers look to prioritise sleep on holiday, especially in the incredible comfort of a hotel room.

While some may enjoy the warm comfort of their partner beside them in bed, for the sake of getting the perfect nights sleep, it may be better to keep it separate.

In a viral TikTok trend, users are advocating for couples to sleep separately to get through your REM cycle in peace with no disturbance from your significant other.

One creator on the platform said: “There’s two things you need to know about me.

“One: sleep is very important to me, and two: I love my husband – in that order.”

On holiday, sleeping well in a hotel room is often not as easy as it might seem, no matter how comfy the bed is.

People get used to their own mattresses and duvets, and the slightest change to a sleep routine can keep a person up all night.

And especially with our generation that is swamped by distractions like social media, it has become increasingly important for hoteliers to come up with ways to make guests sleep more peacefully.

Large hotel chains are now using use sneaky ways to make you sleep better – including hi-tech gadgets and science-backed therapies.

One of the ways is to create a dream bedroom setup that comes with an atmosphere tailored for a perfect goodnight’s sleep.

Dr Stephani K. Robson, an expert in the psychology of hotel design, told a media outlet: ” Dark, quiet and cool are the specific elements guests need for a good night’s sleep.”

Hotels like Equinox in New York are now following the holy trinity to transform their bedrooms into “sleep chambers” for guests to have a deep sleep.

After attending a refreshing sleep spa session, guests can throw themselves on beds wrapped with natural linen that helps to sleep better.

And with just a press of a button, guests can change the entire room to get a perfect sleeping experience.

This includes studio-grade soundproofing, deep blackout blinds and a high-quality air purification system that ensures an optimum environment for a good sleep.

Chris Norton, CEO of Equinox Hotels, said: “Creating an atmosphere where your best night’s sleep is possible is the future of luxury hospitality.

“We have all stayed in a hotel room where there is an annoying blinking light or scratchy linens. We worked with sleep scientists to design rooms that function as ‘sleep chambers’, so sleep is built into the hardware of our rooms.”

And then comes the room’s temperature, perhaps the most important factor behind a good night’s sleep.

Experts believe that the optimal room temperature for a deep shuteye is been 16-18 degrees Celsius.

And along with the perfect temperature, it is important to have a lower body temperature for quality sleep.

However, it can be really tricky for hotels to maintain such a temperature throughout without using noisy air conditioners that can hamper sleep.

But FreshBeds, a Dutch manufacturing company, seems to have cracked a way.

They make beds that circulate purified air through the mattress, without making any noise.

This allows the guests to customise their sleep environment – and maintain the right levels of temperature with moisture to ensure a perfect sleeping experience.

Another way hotels make you sleep better is by creating what is now known across the industry as sleep cocoons.

These are designated sleeping rooms that come without any source of distraction, like a TV, standby lights that hurt your eyes and any mechanical machine that could possibly create noise.

These capsule-like rooms don’t even have windows to ensure distraction levels are at their lowest.

Some hotels, like Six Senses Ibiza, offer guests personalised biometric programs to help them sleep better – not only during their stay but also when they return back to their normal lives.

The hotel offers bedrooms equipped with advanced sensors that track all your biological movements, including the time you snore, the deepest phase of your sleep, dreams and so on.

The staff of the hotel then tracks and analyses all the reports from these scannings to create tailor-fit programs that include yoga nidra, sound therapy, cryotherapy, meditation and massage.

• Refueling Payments and Parking Payments services from Parkopedia, to be rolled out in vehicles with BMW Operating System 7, 8, 8.5 and 9
• Initially available to drivers in Germany at participating fuel stations
• Single Sign-On functionality enables drivers to access multiple merchants via one login

03 September 2024 – London, UK / Munich, Germany

Customers in Germany can now pay their fuel bill digitally from their vehicle at participating service stations in all vehicles with BMW Operating System 8, 8.5 and 9*.

In-car fuel payments are already possible at participating Aral, Esso, HEM, Q1, Sprint, Team and Allguth, enabling drivers to pay for parking and fueling through one login. In the next few weeks, the function will also be available to customers with vehicles equipped with the BMW Operating System 7*. In total, over 500,000 customers in Germany alone can pay fuel bills directly from their BMW.

The debit/credit card that the customer has previously entered via the My BMW app or via the corresponding menu in the vehicle is the default payment method. Single Sign-On functionality is available and enables motorists to access multiple merchants through one login, simplifying the payment process.

Intuitive menu navigation for convenient refuelling

The “Refueling Payments” service enables customers to quickly and easily find petrol stations in the area where in-car payments are possible by clicking on the “Search petrol station” tile. When searching for petrol stations in BMW Maps, a check mark can also be set for online payment in the settings, both without active route guidance and along the active route. This allows the customer to quickly and conveniently find petrol stations that support this function.

Once the engine has been switched off on arrival at a petrol station, the “Refueling Payments” service offers payment on the central screen. The customer then only has to confirm the petrol station, select the fuel pump number and complete the process by selecting “Activate and pay now”*. The customer then receives a notification on the central screen and also a push notification via the My BMW app – e.g. “Please start the refueling process at pump 8” and can refuel as usual.

Finally, a confirmation of the fuel quantity and costs is displayed on the central screen and the driver can then continue their journey. The customer can track past payments and refueling processes at any time in the service in the vehicle and in the My BMW app.

Parking has never been so convenient

BMW customers can also pay parking fees directly in the vehicle across 12 European countries with more to follow**. This makes parking in many metered parking zones in vehicles with BMW Operating System 7, 8, 8.5 and 9 particularly convenient.

On arrival in an applicable parking zone, the vehicle automatically recognises whether the service is available and displays the payment function if the parking zone is covered by one of the connected providers. The booking can be conveniently paid for using the debit/credit card details stored in the My BMW app. When the vehicle leaves the parking space, the parking booking is automatically terminated.

If per-minute billing is possible in the parking zone, the parking period ends automatically as the customer leaves the parking space. The function is also integrated into the My BMW app. In the “Services & Store” tab, customers can end active bookings, view their parking history and manage their payment methods.

Simple setup of payment services in just a few steps

A single account provides access to convenient payment of parking fees and fuel costs: the BMW ConnectedDrive account or BMW ID. In the vehicle, the customer must log in with their BMW ID and activate the “Parking Payments” and “Refueling Payments” services once. To store the payment method, a QR code is displayed on the central screen in the vehicle so that the payment details can be entered via smartphone. The BMW Group is working together with Parkopedia to provide and expand parking and fuelling services.

ENDS

* The terms and conditions of ryd GmbH for the use of Mobile Fueling must be confirmed upon first use. In vehicles with BMW Operating System 9, the services for fuel and parking payments are part of BMW Digital Premium; in vehicles with BMW Operating System 7, 8 and 8.5, they are part of BMW ConnectedDrive Professional.

** Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland. Other countries will follow successively.

About Parkopedia

Parkopedia is the leading connected car services provider used by automakers, organisations and millions of drivers around the world. Parkopedia helps drivers find and pay for parking, EV charging, fuel and tolls across 90 countries. Parkopedia is also developing highly detailed indoor maps and corresponding algorithms to help drivers and self-driving vehicles navigate to available parking spaces and EV chargers. Visit business.parkopedia.com for more information.

About The BMW Group

With its brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and provider of premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production locations worldwide; the company has a global sales network with representatives in over 140 countries.

Parkopedia Global Media Contact

Adam Calland

Marketing Director

T: +44(0)7838219129

E: adam.calland@parkopedia.com