Hotel review: Kunang Kunang Heritage Villas, Langkawi, Malaysia

Address: Lot 1947, A Jalan Pantai Cenang, Kampung Gelam, Langkawi, 07000
Cost per night: Around £82 based on two people sharing with breakfast included

We were on a pretty strict budget for our trip to Malaysia but decided we wanted a little bit of luxury for our last four days. We decided to visit Langkawi and during my research I discovered there isn't an awful lot of things to see and do. It was our one chance to relax so it was the ideal place to book us into a swish hotel.

Kunang Kunang Heritage Villas are located just outside Pantai Cenang which is probably the most touristy place on the island. It's about a five minute drive in a taxi from restaurants, bars and the beach. But as soon as you step foot on the complex you could be a million miles away from the main strip. Consisting of individual wooden villas scattered around a complex, each one comes equipped with free wifi, kettle, tea and coffee, two free bottles of water a day, toiletries, mosquito spray and a private bathroom. You'll find a swish four poster bed complete with a mosquito net with a seating area with a table.

Next to the restaurant is a stunning swimming pool set in a pond surrounded by a few cushioned sun loungers. There is a basket in the shade full of complimentary soft towels and a little wooden structure behind with chairs and a table if you want to escape into the shade. We found the pool was never too busy when we used it, it helps that there is only 8-9 different villas.

Staff at reception couldn't be more helpful and helped us arrange a car so we could explore the island.  We booked one at reception and within a few hours it has arrived. Incredible service! I think it cost us around £17 a day which was an absolute bargain. They also help you hire a scooter but we wasn't brave enough for that! We ate lunch at the restaurant one day, and while it was expensive compared the street food we had been enjoying, it was really tasty. The Rendang curry really hit the spot!

We had a great stay at Kuang Kuang and would recommend it to anyone who wants to get away from it all. You have to be prepared to hire a car though as nothing is within walking distance and it will help to give you some freedom. Keep in mind you'll have to pay a MYR 10 per person as a tourist tax so pop that into your budget.

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Hotel review: Yotel, Gatwick Airport, United Kingdom

As London airports go, Gatwick is probably the furthest away from our house so when we booked a 6am flight to NYC it made sense to stay overnight to avoid the panic of making sure we arrived on time. Enter Yotel*.

Located in the South Terminal by the arrivals area and a two minute walk away from check-in desks, Yotel is the perfect crash pad if you have to catch a flight. You can even use it if you have a long layover or delayed flights as you rent a room by the hour so you can have it for as long as you need it. If you're flying from the North Terminal, then the hotel is just a short shuttle bus ride away.

Offering three different types of compact cabins (standard, premium and premium twin), the rooms are compact yet have everything you need. You'll be able to relax whilst watching telly, take advantage of the free WIFI and help yourself to the complimentary hot drinks from reception. We treated ourselves to a meal at Giraffe opposite but there is also the option of buying snacks, pizzas, paninis and breakfast. The bed transfers from a sofa to a vertical bed in the coolest way - you'll just have to try it out for yourself! So cool!

I'd heard it could be noisy but we didn't have that problem. In fact we had a great night's sleep but then we was at the furthest end of the hotel which could have played a part. We stayed over on a Thursday night and booked the room from 7pm to 3am. The room was pretty small but it did the job and we really didn't need much more space. We stored our suitcases under the bed to maximise the room and the bed in the premium cabin was plenty big enough for two hoggers to share. If I had an early morning flight from Gatwick again then I'd definitely book myself in. It really couldn't be more convenient and helped to keep our stress levels down as knew we didn't have far at all to go to our check-in desk.

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Exploring London: Anna on the Thames, Doubletree Hilton, Docklands

Sometimes London grinds you down. It's all-comsuming, frantic and tiring. But when I get to the river, there's something about being on the water that makes all those feelings disappear and I feel so incredibly lucky to spend most of my time in one of the world's beautiful cities. So as you can imagine, I was pretty happy to receive an invite in my inbox to spend the evening at the new Anna on The Thames terrace at the Doubletree Hilton.

A little bit of Barcelona has sprung up on the riverbank for the summer months. You're greeted with grey sofas, slick black tables and a sprinkling of plump Anna cushions - making it the perfect place to sit back and relax.

Staying put until September, the terrace showcases the best of what Cordoriu Cava has to offer. Choose from various different cavas ranging from sweet Anna Dulce to an Anna Blanc de Blanc. If you're feeling extra fancy opt for a sangria cocktail which I can confirm tastes absolutely delicious. Top marks!

Once you get a bit peckish it's time to try out the tasty tapas menu. We sampled a feast of meatballs smothered in a sweet tomato sauce, a classic potato bravas, bite sized pieces of squid, manchego cheese and jamon mini sandwich (my favourite!) and crispy croquettes. What could be better than some nibbles and a glass of fizz eh?

Thanks for such a lovely evening Doubletree Hilton!

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Hotel review: Beech Hill Country House Hotel, Derry, Northern Ireland

When we were planning our trip to Derry we wanted to stay a few days outside the city. Not too far from family but somewhere that offered a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. Beech Hill Country House soon appeared on our radar. When we mentioned we were staying here, it got rave reviews. People had been to weddings and events here and told us we were in for a treat. And they were right!

Located around a 10 minute drive from the centre of Derry, Beach Hill is an Georgian country house set within wooded countryside. It's no wonder it's a popular venue for weddings and celebrities choose to call it home when they visit. The friendly famous Irish charm was apparent when we checked in and were led to our room, leaving us thinking that nothing would be too much trouble.

Our room was spacious, comfortable and tucked away at the back with a gorgeous view of the grounds. It was the perfect place to come back to after a long day sightseeing. The decor isn't the most fashionable but it keeps in with the cosy ambience of the hotel. Too modern and it would look out of place. It's that old-school charm that makes the hotel so appealing.

Breakfast the next day was a feast. We went downstairs to an incredible spread of pastries, cereals, cheeses, fruits, breads and meats - and eyes bigger than our bellies! We piled up our plates before taking a seat, only for a waitress to come over and ask what we would like for our cooked breakfast. I wished I hadn't been so greedy with the pastries now... My boyfriend went for the full Ulster Fry and I opted for the veggie version because who can turn down potato waffles? Not me!

Beech Hill Country House Hotel is a fantastic option if you find yourself in Derry. It's far enough out of the city - only about £4 in a cab! - yet close enough to not feel too cut off. The staff couldn't be more helpful during our stay and really helped to make it enjoyable. The rooms were a great place to relax and rest our weary heads - the bed was so big we couldn't even touch each other! It's somewhere I'll definitely be back to next time I'm visiting as I'd like to try out the afternoon tea.

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Hotel review: Hotel Loft, Bratislava, Slovakia

As I mentioned before, for our trip to Bratislava we got a little bit merry on NYE and decided to throw caution to the wind. I stumbled across Hotel Loft on booking.com and was drawn in by the industrial feel with ultra-modern interiors. The decor felt like it had decor and promoted a homely feel rather than the sterile vibe that hotels sometimes have. After spending two nights in the hotel, I couldn't be happier with our choice.

Located just a ten minute walk from the Old Town, the hotel was in the perfect location. Away from the main hustle and bustle yet close enough to be part of the action. We opted for the premium room which I think it worked out to be only about £25 more than the standard. It was totally worth paying extra. We got to enjoy a free mini bar, incredibly spacious rooms, free wifi and a divine king-sized bed. I adored the industrial vibe of the room with it's brown, neutral tones, making it a joy to come home to each night.

One thing that really caught my attention while researching hotels was the fact the hotel boasted it's very own micro brewery in the grounds. Something we definitely took advantage of while we were there! They offered a more casual pub downstairs with a selection of traditional and European meals. With more than 200 wines on offer as well as their beer Fabrika, you could be in for a long night to try them all! Alternatively, there is a smarter wine bar opposite if you want to be more sophisticated. When the sun is shining they have a great beer garden too! We opted to eat in the beer pub one night and it was really good. Nothing ground-breaking but huge portions of comfort food that was perfect after a long day.

If you ever find yourself in the city of Bratislava, I would wholeheartedly recommend the hotel. It's something a little different from the sterile environments, the staff couldn't be more helpful and it's in a great location. The brewery really gave the hotel something extra special - and I'm not even a beer drinker but I loved it!

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Hotel review: Brody House, Budapest, Hungary

I'm usually one to do holidays on a budget. Cheap flights and cheap apartments so I can have more than one holiday a year. But for this trip I wanted luxury and boutique hotels. So during my weekly browse on Mr and Mrs Smith to see how the other half lives, I stumbled across Brody House. The slightly dilapidated interiors, quirky little features and perfect location had me hook, line and sinker. When I realised the price worked out about £60 a room, per night, I knew I wasn't going to stay anywhere else. Just keep in mind that you will get charged a city tax and VAT upon checkout so you don't have a nasty little shock like we did. But despite this, I still think it offers great value for money and we all deserve a little treat once in a while don't we?

Offering just 11 rooms, the boutique hotel has a similar vibe to the Soho House chain. Each room is named after the artist whose work hangs on the wall, meaning every one is unique. We opted for the Ludo room and boy did we pick well. With a huge soft king size bed and luxurious free-standing roll top bath, it made coming home every night a joy. The room was huge and more than enough space for two people sharing. I loved the waterfall shower tucked behind a rickety wooden screen and the quirky little interiors that made it feel like home. The daily maid service was great and they topped up our towels every day.

After oohing and ahhing at the room, we decided to explore the hotel. And stumbled across the honesty bar. Situated near reception, there are two room with comfy sofas, board games and mix matched wooden tables. Each one boasts an honesty bar filled with every kind of drink you can imagine, nibbles, cocktail book and ice cream in the freezer. The game is to help yourself whenever you fancy but you have to write down what you have so it can be charged to your room at the end of your stay. I loved this idea and we spent a few evenings treating ourselves to a gin before we went out for dinner. The courtyard was a great place to hang out on a warm summer's evening, putting the world to rights.

The hotel also offers a continental breakfast or an al la carte breakfast. Keen to put it to the test, we had it the first morning. It was nice but it not very big and a bit overpriced for what it was so opt for breakfast in the city. The wifi was a little hit and miss which is great if you want to complete switch off. But I had a few work emails I wanted to check and it was a bit annoying.

There is a private members club about a seven minute drive away. We never made it here but I've heard it offers good food, fun entertainment and as a guest of the hotel, you get to visit for free.

This was honestly my favourite place I have ever stayed - EVER! It was homely, quirky and in a great location. It really did feel like a home away from home and I'd recommend it in a heartbeat. It's such a cool concept and one that works so well in a city keen to become hip and happening. I'm tempted to visit Budapest again just so I can have a few nights here!

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