A HOTEL in Blackpool – just off the famous promenade – offers possibly one of the cheapest rooms in Britain.

MyRoomz Seaview Hotel is right on the beachfront, offering sea views, but charges as little as £18 a night for two adults sharing a room.

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A six-minute walk to the town’s legendary Pleasure Beach Resort, the rooms come with wifi and most offer en-suite bathrooms, as well as flat-screen TVs with satellite channels.

The 2-star hotel offers necessities and it has been the subject of a few unsavoury reviews online, but its manager argues that for that price they are offering great value for money.

And unlike many other hotels in the seaside town – they are fully booked all year round.

Mark Tenfold, general manager at MyRoomz Seaview Hotel, says they keep their prices low because they don’t offer breakfast.

He told Sun Travel: “Most of the rooms are en-suite apart from a few on the ground floor. We also have access for disabled guests, so we cater for lots of different people. And there are plenty of food options nearby. 

“Guests come here for the location – we’re just off the promenade.

“There are 10 rooms in total, and we’re booked up all the time all year round.

“We get all sorts of people staying here. We have long-term guests that are struggling to pay for flats, people looking for a budget break, and people coming for business.”

According to Mark, one of the best things the hotel offers is its sea views.

While they’re not available from every room, he said: “There are hotels nearby that are £100 a night that don’t have the views we have.”

Mark added as general manager of the hotel he’s always around and ready to socialise with guests, unlike other hotels.

He said: “Just check out our reviews on Booking.com – they’re all good, just a couple of bad ones on there from people trying to get their money back.”

Guests come here for the location – we’re just off the promenade

Mark TenfoldGeneral Manager

The reviews are a mixed bag online, but the hotel does come in for high praise from a number of happy guests.

One said: “It was a really nice stay here at the Sea View Hotel, I can’t thank Mark enough – very friendly and helpful with excellent knowledge of the area.”

Free attractions in Blackpool

The resort town is filled with fun (and free!) activities year-round, here are three of The Sun’s top picks.

Stroll along the Prom

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There’s plenty to see and do, from taking a selfie outside the Blackpool Tower to checking out the three piers where entry is free.

Visit Stanley Park

The 390-acre park is open from 9 am daily with free admission and the park’s many activities start at only £1.

Marvel at the Blackpool Illuminations

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The famous lights show costs £2.4 million to stage, the equipment is worth £10 million, and they attract more than 3.5 million visitors to the town every year. Check online to find out display times each year.

Another added: “Stayed from Friday to Monday – staff very helpful and sociable. Room was just right, clean and tidy. Will definitely be going back.”

A third said: “What a bargain, you won’t get anywhere cheaper than £20 a night! Some of the reviews would make you think they paid a lot more, don’t know why people have such high expectations – it was a great stay with lovely staff.”

But some of the other reviews were less than complimentary about their accommodation, with one person saying: “In the top floor room, you had to duck to enter the room, it was okay just to get your head down for 1 night.”

Another said: “Comfy bed, sink in the bedroom, recently decorated (although poorly) but had a great sleep. I could pick it apart on cleanliness but that wasn’t my aim. I always check under bed to make sure I haven’t left anything and found other people’s pants.”

Blackpool highlights

There is no denying how close the hotel is to several hugely popular attractions though, in addition to Blackpool Pleasure Resort.

Sandcastle Waterpark is the UK’s largest indoor water park, with more than 18 slides, and it’s just a four-minute walk away.

And Coral Island, a family-friendly indoor fun park with pirate-themed games and rides, plus a casino with slots and tables, is less than half an hour away.

When it comes to places to eat, Catch Fish and Chips is just next door.

We get all sorts of people staying here. We have long-term guests that are struggling to pay for flats, people looking for a budget break, and people coming for business

Mark TenfoldGeneral Manager

Just a five-minute walk away is Jade Delight, which offers a variety of Chinese delicacies.

Travel writer Catherine Lofthouse travelled to Blackpool with her family recently and said that the town is still a great spot for a weekend break with kids.

She said: “Whether you love a back-to-basics bucket-and-spade beach break, want a thrill a minute at one of the UK’s oldest theme parks or fancy a night on the tiles, there’s everything you need at Blackpool.”

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(credit: Six Senses RiverStone Estate)

Six Senses RiverStone Estate marks the latest milestone in the brand’s thoughtful entry into the Americas market with a growing list of U.S. properties announced for locations including Telluride, South Carolina and Napa Valley. Situated on a sprawling wooded ridge, outside the quaint Western Pennsylvania town of Foxburg, just 90 minutes north of Pittsburgh, the resort will showcase Six Senses’ special brand of sustainable, wellness hospitality. At the confluence of the Allegheny and Clarion rivers, the 1,200 acre estate boasts a history dating back to the early 1800’s.

Scheduled to open in 2028, the wellness-focused resort and branded residences feature 77 guest rooms and 40 residences and is anchored by a majestic three-story stone mansion. Carefully restored by the estate’s former owner, the late Dr. Art Steffee, the 13,000 sq. ft. stone mansion was first constructed in the 1820’s and is set alongside a Victorian carriage house designed by renowned Philadelphia architect Frank Furness. Blending an off-grid vibe with all the luxurious amenities, the comforts are modern and the property will feature a dynamic art program across multiple art disciplines.  

(credit: Six Senses RiverStone Estate)

Guests and owners will experience the Six Senses ethos of wellness and sustainability through their offerings and will be welcomed into a community for connection and reflection. “Six Senses RiverStone Estate will provide an enchanting canvas for new layers of wellness programming, creative cuisine, meaningful connections, and leaps of faith into new discoveries,” said Neil Jacobs, CEO, of Six Senses, which is part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio.

From the over 50 miles of trails and seven miles of riverfront to the 16,000 sq. ft. Six Senses Spa, the country estate will promote wellness through all of its offerings. Guests can partake in leisurely hiking, biking and foraging or book a high-tech wellness experience or signature treatment at the Spa with scenic views. The property will also boast a 4,500 sq. ft. fitness center that will tackle everything from preparation to recovery for new and seasoned athletes. Outside the center, a 25-meter pool welcomes swimmers of all ages with a range of leisure programming and relaxed energy. On property is also an equestrian center which is home to a 22,000 sq. ft. indoor riding arena, 36 stalls with heated floors and quiet corners for an equine therapy program.

(credit: Six Senses RiverStone Estate)

Wellness is extended as well to its food and beverage program as the cuisine will emphasize local and organic produce and game. Guests can indulge in house-made ice cream or dig into a jar of maple syrup produced onsite from the property’s 5,000+ maple trees. Along with its specialty restaurant, a central courtyard with smaller tasting bars and an Orchard Alley pop-up experience will provide additional dining options.

“Six Senses RiverStone Estate will be a peaceful refuge for guests to experience mental, physical and spiritual connection. We are stewards of the property for generations to come and share in the Six Senses ethos of sustainability, nurturing and conserving land, and revitalizing the Foxburg community. After spending time on this magical property, we knew we needed to share it with the world,” concluded Six Senses Riverstone Estate Ownership Partner, Saji Daniel.

A MAN who’s racked up over 31,000 hours in the air has revealed a lesser-known holiday destination in Europe is one of his favourite places to visit.

Fred Finn, 84 is the Guinness World Record holder for being the most travelled man – his time in the air equates to one hour for every day he’s been alive – and among the lesser-known places in the world he recommends visiting is Georgia.

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Having crossed hundreds of borders and flown in some of the most iconic aircraft of all time, including 718 flights on Concorde, the travel fanatic has a fair few recommendations when it comes to places to visit.

Fred’s travelled to all corners of the globe, but Georgia is one of the places in Europe he enjoys most.

He told Sun Travel: “People don’t really know about Georgia.

“Kutaisi has tremendous history and Batumi on the coast is like the Monaco of the Black Sea.

“The food is good, the dancing they do is fantastic. It’s got the highest mountain in Europe, it’s got villages and lakes. It’s also very hospitable there.

“And it’s the oldest wine producing country in the world, they’ve been doing it 5,000 years.”

The Saperavi grape is a native Georgian grape variety that is used to make many of the country’s most well-known wines.

Fred explained its a red grape that’s red or black the whole way through.

Not like grapes you get in the UK that are white in the centre.

He said: “This is what makes the wine superlative.”

Georgia also has a local drink called Chacha, a distilled white wine drink.

Fred explained: “It’s probably about 80 percent proof, but it’s actually quite pleasant.”

Georgia is considered a budget-friendly destination with cheap food and low-cost activities, especially compared to Monaco.

Ukraine was another one of Fred’s favourite lesser-known places to visit before the war started.

He said: “I love it because of its tremendous history and my family are also from there.

“It’s lots older than its neighbour that’s causing it a war – it’s 700 years older than Russia – so the history there is fantastic.

“Kyiv turned 1500 years old a month or so ago, I think it’s probably the most beautiful city in Europe. I love it.

“When Ukraine wins this war, it will be another nice place to go.”

Fred has now written a book called Sonic Boom where he shares the incredible journeys he’s undertaken over the years, as well as the evolution of commercial aviation and its impact on global culture.

The book is available for pre-order now here.

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Former Chief Pilot and Director of British Airways, Al Bridger has shared how food on flights has changed through the years in his book Flavour of Flight: The Food and Drink of British Airways.

THE tiny Scottish island of Cumbrae has the UK’s smallest cathedral – and it’s just a eight-minute ferry journey from the mainland.

Located on the Ayrshire Coast in Western Scotland, Cumbrae, also known as Great Cumbrae, is just four miles long and two miles wide.

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It is perhaps because of its small size that Cumbrae is overlooked compared to other more well-known isles like Skye, Islay and Mull.

The island is home to just 1,500 residents, with day-trippers visiting Cumbrae from the likes of Glasgow in the summer months.

Despite its small size, Cumbrae is often regarded as Scotland’s “most accessible island” because it takes just 10 minutes to reach the island via ferry from the mainland.

Ferry company Caledonian MacBrayne operates a direct service between Largs in North Ayrshire and Millport, Cumbrae’s only town.

The seaside town is home to the Cathedral of the Isles, which claims to be the UK’s smallest cathedral.

Designed by architect William Butterfield, the Cathedral of the Isles was built in 1851, with worshippers flocking there ever since.

Hidden behind a cluster of trees, the cathedral is just a seven-minute walk from the heart of Millport.

Holidaymakers can learn more about the history of Cumbrae at the Museum of Cumbraes, which has a mixture of permanent and temporary exhibitions.

Located in Garrison House, entry into the museum is free.

Cycling is another key tourist activity, with visitors able to cycle around the entire circumference of the island in under two hours.

Visitors will be able to take in views of the North Ayrshire Coast and the Isle of Bute.

Cumbrae has a sandy beach that is popular with families, surfers and canoeists.

A large painted, plastic, crocodile sits on a rock at the beach, which is considered to be a good spot for crab hunting.

There’s also Newton Beach – an award-winning beach that’s said to have fine white sand.

Wildlife-watching boat trips also take place around the island with daily sightings of Seals, Oyster Catchers, Gannets, Cormorants in the surrounding waters.

Holidaymakers who don’t want to get the ferry back to Largs on the same day will be able to stay overnight at a handful of hotels.

Stays at the Millport Pier Hotel start from £90 per night, based on two people sharing a room.

There are plenty of other lesser-known islands to explore in Scotland.

OTHER ISLANDS TO VISIT IN SCOTLAND

Isle of Erraid

The tiny, and stunningly beautiful, Inner Hebridean Isle of Erraid is tidal island, just a mile square located just off the tip of the Ross of Mull.

For an hour or two either side of low tide, it’s linked to the mainland by a broad expanse of sand which you can cross.

It’s been home to a small group of members of the Findhorn Foundation for over 40 years after they were given it by Dutch owners the Van der Sluis’ to look after, on condition that for one month during the summer, they would return to enjoy the freedom and adventure of the island.

A small group of intrepid members moved to the island, restored the cottages and started a spiritual community. But Erraid’s major claim to fame is its inspiration for the famous novel ‘Kidnapped’ by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Foula

The island of Foula really is remote. Found 20 miles west of the Shetland and 100 miles from the mainland, it was known in Roman times as ‘Ultima Thule,’ which roughly translates as ‘the edge of the world.’ In 1936, the classic movie of the same name was made there.

So what do you get in return for making the effort to get to Foula? It’s not big, at just five square miles, but it is dramatic, with one of the highest sheer sea cliffs in Britain, Da Kame, standing at an impressive 1,233ft.

It’s home to around just 35 islanders, mostly crofters who make a living from farming the rare and colourful Foula sheep. Its old Norse name was Fugla-ey, meaning ‘bird island’’. It’s still a haven for sea and moorland birds, including Great Skua, which divebomb anyone walking too close to their nests, so be careful!

A Brit is the leader of a remote island in the middle of the ocean – and claims it’s the smallest country in the world.

Michael Bates became the leader of “Sealand”, a platform 7.5 miles off the Suffolk coast when his dad Roy died in 1991.

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A LUXURY train company that offers day trips across the UK has been named the best train journey in the world.

The British Pullman is a fully restored 1920s train that was designed over a century ago to accommodate passengers accustomed to comfort and opulence.

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And the train still oozes decadence today.

Its 11 carriages feature art deco-style interiors, antique upholstery, and vintage lighting.

Intricate artwork can be seen throughout the train, including magnificent mosaics on the bathroom floors.

Fine dining experiences are served up to guests and there’s a strict dress code to maintain its elegant atmosphere.

While enjoying delicious food and admiring the train’s beautiful interior, passengers can enjoy views of the English countryside and coast.

The British Pullman A Belmond Train was crowned best train journey in the world in Conde Nast Traveller’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards.

The awards recognise all areas of the travel industry, from hotels and resorts to airlines, airports, cruises, cities and more.

Based in the South East of England, The British Pullman regularly departs from London Victoria and travels year-round to a wide variety of destinations, including Kent, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey.

Passengers are welcomed onboard by a uniformed train steward and seated at tables adorned with crisp white linen and sparkling tableware.

They can then enjoy a variety of meals, including brunch, champagne afternoon tea, or a gourmet dinner. 

The train’s chef John Freeman has been part of the British Pullman team nearly two decades.

Having fallen in love with the challenges and fun of cooking onboard a moving train, John serves up food using British produce sourced from the very farms and fields by which the train passes. 

Vegan and vegetarian options are also available.

Destinations include Bath and Oxford, but there are also trips solely focused on afternoon tea and Sunday lunch.

Prices start from £400 per passenger on a table for two.

A British hotel was also a winner in the Conde Nast Traveller awards.

Raffles London at The OWO placed 33 in the best hotels in the world list.

Sun Travel’s favourite train journeys in the world

Sun Travel’s journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.

Davos to Geneva, Switzerland

“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire

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Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen

“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey

London to Paris by Eurostar

“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski

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Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail

“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton

Beijing to Ulaanbatar

“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray

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