There was a time when things in Britain had sensible names. A chair was a chair, not a component of your "ergonomic workstation," a coffee was a coffee and not a "frappuccino," and if you asked for a "venti americano to go" you would have been goggled at by everyone present. "Accommodation" is a frivolous abasement of "lodgings," and wherever possible, we use the word lodgings. While maintaining our standards we must keep an eye on the industry, however, and "accommodation" has made it, against our best judgement (or judgment, if you're into café americanos) into various places throughout this site. Here's what we mean by our key terms:
These get a bad rap nowadays, and probably many such establishments deserve them: their owners merely out to make a quick buck, and their service squarely aimed at the desperate traveller who has no other choice. Our B&B owners, however, are warm, generous people whose business is also their passion, and whose thoughtful touches and vibrant conversation will transform your holiday from an enjoyable leisure time into a life-affirming experience.
Sometimes you want more privacy, or sea views, or a fully stocked bar. We assess our hotels for all their outstanding attributes and more: we keep an eye out for exceptional service, good taste, and the individuality of the place. Most hotels are small and owner-run so don't automatically expect room service, or porters to take your luggage to your room.
The essentials should be there. But it can be the little things that make a difference to your comfort and happiness: perhaps your favourite pillow, candles to help soften the ambiance if rooms are brightly lit, your own stovetop coffee pot for your perfect breakfast, bubble bath, good maps of the area, board games (check if these are there), a radio.
Some types of accommodation have names specific to the country in which they are found. It will be clear from the description whether the place is self-catering, or hosts multiple guests, or what have you. We promise only that they are unique and idiosyncratic places worthy of your consideration; if you have particular questions we suggest contacting the owner.
Among our collection you’ll find assorted yachts and yurts and other unusual places you might not have thought to stay in, but we assure you that they are included precisely because they are distinctive and thoroughly enjoyable.
The magical thing is that our book sales and website popularity have revealed to me that there are hundreds of thousands of people who feel exactly the same. So we try to be THE guide for those looking for:
You can find out much more about the company, our owners and our ethos elsewhere on this site. Read on »
Alastair Sawday
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