Latest news with #hotels
Entrepreneur
3 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Cut Business Travel Costs for Good with OneAir Elite
Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you'll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. For business owners and professionals who travel often, airfare and hotel costs can quietly erode margins. But what if your travel platform actively worked to lower those expenses—automatically? With OneAir's Lifetime Elite Plan, you get a powerful, AI-driven booking and savings tool for just $59.99 (regularly $790) when you use code FLY30 through July 20. OneAir is designed for individuals who view travel as an investment, not a luxury. The platform scans millions of hotel and flight prices in real time, alerting you when rates drop for trips from your preferred departure airport. You don't have to constantly monitor deals—OneAir does the work for you. It goes one step further: if you've already booked a flight or hotel and the price drops, OneAir's Smart Monitoring automatically rebooks the same itinerary at the lower price and refunds the difference. No more second-guessing whether you should have waited to book. Unlike public travel sites, OneAir gives you access to private, wholesale hotel rates and unpublished flight deals—including premium cabins on over 700 airlines. On average, members save $50 to $150 on flights and $20 to $150 per night on hotels. You'll also earn up to 10% back in OneAir Cash Rewards, which can be applied to future travel. For small business owners, consultants, and remote teams, OneAir is more than a booking tool—it's a cost-cutting asset. With just one trip, the savings can exceed the price of lifetime access. If you're ready to reduce overhead, travel smarter, and save automatically, OneAir Elite is your ticket. Don't miss the opportunity to get a lifetime of flight deals for the one-time payment of $59.99 for OneAir Elite. Use code FLY30 through July 20. OneAir Elite: Lifetime Subscription (Save Money On Your Existing Hotel and Flight Bookings) See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Eyeing a Summer Trip? These Hotels Have Some the Most Gorgeous Water Views in the Country
School's almost out and it's time to hit the beach. You don't have to travel abroad to the South of France or the Amalfi Coast to get gorgeous waterfront views. For PEOPLE's 100 Reason to Love America franchise we rounded up four hotels in coastal U.S. cities to make the list. South Carolina, Maine, California and Florida are all represented below. Scroll on to see the stunning properties worth a Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection, Johns Island, S.C. Enjoy classic southern hospitality with a modern twist at this chic low-country resort located on the banks of the Kiawah River. The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort in Florida This luxury destination on Sarasota's barrier island has its own lagoon where guests can see coral reefs, stingrays and tropical fish up close. The Dunes on the Waterfront, Ogunquit, Maine With its seaside setting, charming cottages and amenities like beach cruisers, it's no wonder rooms go fast at this picturesque spot. Casa Loma Beach Hotel, Laguna Beach, Calif. The cliffside location makes this boutique hotel the perfect place to watch the sunset over Main Beach. Read the original article on People
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
The best hotels in Dublin for a city break in the Irish capital
There's always something going on in Dublin. This is a city where new restaurants and bars seem to pop up every week, alongside the old favourites that have been welcoming patrons for years (centuries, if you take some of the city's oldest pubs into consideration). There are also a huge variety of places to stay, whether you fancy a charming guesthouse in a period building or a cool boutique hotel with a rooftop bar. A word of warning, though – despite there being more hotel rooms on offer than ever (with new spots opening up regularly) the city can often get booked up. It's worth booking at least a few months in advance, particularly if you're travelling in the summer or on a peak weekend. But that said, you can often score a bargain at the last minute, so it's always worth keeping an eye out for great deals. As a hotel-obsessed travel writer who calls Dublin home, I have a hotlist of favourite spots in the city – places where you can rely on enviable interiors, a comfy bed and a big smile at check-in. Because if there's one thing that can be all but guaranteed in this Irish city, it's a warm welcome. Best hotels in Dublin 2025 At a glance 1. The Shelbourne hotel There's nowhere quite like the Shelbourne. The 'Grand Dame of Dublin' opened in 1824, and it still retains a feeling of old-world luxury – the doormen are decked out in top hats, the ceilings drip with golden chandeliers and the rooms are kitted out with lust-worthy antiques. This is real special occasion territory, and it also plays a special role in Ireland's history – the Irish Constitution was drafted within these walls in 1922. Address: 27 St Stephen's Green, Dublin, Ireland 2. The Merrion hotel When it comes to sheer, unbridled luxury, you can't beat The Merrion. This is the place to go when you want to evoke that Lord of the Manor vibe, without ever leaving the city. The rooms are the ultimate in comfortable luxury – think plush, kitten-soft beds, corniced ceilings and marble bathrooms. Two-Michelin-starred restaurant Patrick Guilbaud is downstairs, and the pastries served in the Drawing Rooms for afternoon tea are an artistic masterpiece. Their main restaurant, The Garden Room, has an exceptional vegan fine dining menu, too. 3. Brooks Hotel Considering the quite reasonable room rates, there's a real sense of individualised attention to detail at the newly refurbished Brooks Hotel. There's Irish duck feather bedding in the bedrooms, warm and friendly staff and a huge selection of whiskeys behind the bar, from both Ireland and around the world. There's even a 26-seat private cinema, which guests can use when it's not rented out. Meanwhile, their new 62 Drury Street Bar & Brasserie is a great space for a casual bite during the day or a cocktail in the evening. Address: 62 Drury St, Dublin 2, D02 TV06, Ireland 4. Conrad Dublin hotel Still basking in its €14 million renovation, the Conrad Dublin is one of the finest hotels in town. The rooms strike the perfect balance between style and comfort, with an emphasis on Irish heritage – think Foxford woven blankets on the beds and Irish art on the walls. Breakfast is a highlight, with cafetieres on every table and the fluffiest of pancakes cooked to order, as well as free-flowing prosecco for mimosas and a Bloody Mary station to boot. 5. Number 31 hotel If you aren't looking for Number 31, you'll likely walk past it without noticing. Hidden away behind a tall garden wall, this Georgian townhouse is all about sumptuous, classic design, with original features that make architecture nerds weep with joy. There are just 21 bedrooms – opt for one in the townhouse, rather than the modern mews – for their intricately carved ceilings and tall sash windows. The garden between the two is a joy on a sunny day. Address: 31 Leeson Cl, Dublin 2, D02 CP70, Ireland 6. The Dean Dublin hotel If you're in town for a good time, The Dean is the place for you. With a rooftop bar so buzzy it practically vibrates, and an in-house DJ in the lobby, this isn't the spot for a serene night away (so light sleepers be warned), but rather a crash pad for a night of partying. With their own record players and Smeg fridges, the rooms are the epitome of cool, and the Mod Pod rooms are often a steal. 7. The Westbury Hotel A hotel restaurant rarely attracts local diners, but you'll always find Dubliners looking for a bite to eat at The Westbury. There's an opulent Art Deco vibe in Wilde, the light-filled restaurant dripping with greenery, and a sleeker, neighbourhood vibe in Balfes, but both offer exceptional food (and killer cocktails). Afternoon tea in the Gallery is practically an institution, and is excellent for people-watching. 8. The Alex hotel If you're travelling for work, you're often lumbered with a soulless corporate hotel, with a personality as beige as the bedroom walls. Not so at The Alex, a space that's chic while still catering perfectly to business travellers. There's a cool co-working space in the lobby, a coffee shop for quick caffeine fixes and a Mad Men -esque bar for those end-of-day cocktails. Address: 41-47 Fenian St, Dublin, D02 H678, Ireland 9. Aloft Dublin City hotel In the heart of the Liberties, the Aloft is a cool hotel with light-filled rooms, sleek design and a space-age glass exterior. But, really, this place is all about the view – the hotel's reception, along with a sprawling bar and little rooftop terrace, is up on the seventh floor, giving you a panorama of the city. You can see the local cathedrals, various city landmarks and even out to the Dublin Mountains. Dreamy. Address: 1 Mill St, The Liberties, Dublin, D08 XK58, Ireland 10. The Devlin Dublin hotel In the pretty district of Ranelagh, just a short tram ride from the city centre, The Devlin is the place to go if you want to see a different side of Dublin. The rooms are on the smaller side, but stylish and cleverly designed, with a handheld garment steamer and a Dyson hairdryer stored under the bed. Upstairs, cocktail bar Layla's is great for sundowners or a boozy brunch, and there's a teeny Art Deco cinema in the basement, too. 11. The Wilder hotel With its gorgeous red brick exterior, plush rooms and stylishly cosy bar, The Wilder is the perfect hideaway in the city. All of the spaces are residents-only, so there's a pleasing aura of calm to the hotel, even though it's only a short walk from the city centre. Each night, turndown service comes with a bedtime story of sorts, in the form of a book of Irish fairy tales or The Complete Short Stories by Oscar Wilde left on your pillow. Why trust us The hotels featured in this list have been carefully selected by The Independent's expert travel writers, each with a deep knowledge of the destinations they cover. Our contributors either live in these locations or visit frequently, ensuring a personal and informed perspective. When picking which hotels to include, they consider their own experience staying in the hotels and evaluate location, facilities, service and all the other details that make for an exceptional stay for all types of traveller. FAQs When is the best time to visit Dublin? Like the rest of Ireland, the best time to visit Dublin for warmer weather, less rainfall, and sunnier days is in the summer months, between June and August. For a trip to the city without the crowds, visit in the shoulder seasons in spring and autumn, when hotel prices are also likely cheaper. Dublin comes alive on one of Ireland's biggest national holidays, St Patrick's Day in March, when parades with colourful floats are held in the streets and arts and culture events are put on in the city to celebrate the annual saint day. Merrion Square, lined with Georgian architecture, the trendy Liberties and the bustling Temple Bar are popular areas to stay in Dublin.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Transport secretary confirms HS2 delay, calling the project an 'appalling mess'
Update: Date: 13:09 BST Title: Has the government reduced asylum hotels to 'just over 200'? Content: By Tom Edgington Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner claimed the government had reduced the number of hotels used to house asylum seekers since coming to power. She said: '400 hotels [under the Conservatives] which we've reduced to just over 200 hotels in the first 12 months of us being in government'. It's hard to test Rayner's claim though because the Home Office does not routinely make this data available. Earlier this year, BBC Verify submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request for the data. The response revealed that hotel use peaked at 398 in September 2023, under the previous Conservative government. When Labour came to power, that number had reduced to 212. However, our FOI showed the number had increased to 218 in December 2024. It is possible that the number has reduced to 'just over 200' since then - as Rayner claims - but this is not available to check on the Home Office website. BBC Verify has contacted the Home Office and asked them to provide the latest figures. Update: Date: 13:05 BST Title: Mistakes were made in delivery of HS2, shadow transport secretary says Content: Shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon is next up in the House of Commons to speak. He says "mistakes were made" in the delivery of HS2. Bacon says costs more than doubled and the project was "repeatedly delayed". "It has long been apparent that HS2 was not going according to plan," he says. He describes a report that was released under the previous government that raised "serious concerns" about the HS2 project. As a result of that, the-then government announced the cancellation of the northern leg of HS2, with money being diverted to a "multitude of transport projects". He concludes by addressing the planning system in general, noting legal challenges HS2 faced. He asks whether the government is looking at ways to minimise legal challenges when it comes to national infrastructure. Update: Date: 12:58 BST Title: HS2 project an 'appalling mess but we will sort it out' - transport secretary Content: Heidi Alexander says the level of failure in the HS2 project cannot stand. "We will learn the lessons of the past 15 years, and restore our reputation of delivering world-class infrastructure projects," she says to a relatively empty chamber. "Billions of pounds of taxpayers' money has been wasted by constant scope changes, ineffective contracts and bad management," she says, adding that there are also allegations of fraud. "It is an appalling mess, but it is one we will sort out," she adds. Update: Date: 12:55 BST Title: Transport secretary says government accepts all recommendations after HS2 review Content: Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is delivering her statement in the Commons on HS2. She says that a government-commissioned review led by senior infrastructure delivery adviser James Stewart was a "tough independent look at how the Department for Transport and Government delivers major projects". She adds that the government accepts all of its recommendations. She says the government are already delivering on those, especially on addressing five key areas. She lists them as: Talking about a separate assessment by Mark Wild, she says she sees "no route by which trains can be running by 2033 as planned". "It gives me no pleasure to deliver news like this," she adds. Update: Date: 12:47 BST Title: Key takeaways from grooming gangs report - a recap Content: Becky MortonPolitical reporter Shadow home secretary Chris Philp quizzed deputy prime minister Angela Rayner on the government's response to grooming gangs in his first set of questions during PMQs. As a reminder, a review into abuse carried out by grooming gangs in England and Wales was published on Saturday. The government asked Baroness Casey to carry out the audit, examining existing data and evidence on the nature and scale of group-based child sexual abuse, in January. Here are some of its key findings and recommendations: For more on the report, you can read my piece here. Update: Date: 12:44 BST Title: HS2 will be delayed again, transport secretary expected to say Content: Pivoting to the HS2 update now, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is speaking in the Commons - she's expected to says the high speed railway will be delayed beyond its target date of 2033. There is "no reasonable way to deliver" the railway line on schedule and within budget, she is expected to say. She is likely to say that that Mike Brown, the former commissioner of Transport for London, has been appointed the new chair of HS2 Ltd. Update: Date: 12:41 BST Title: A deceptively polite tone to start - but it didn't last Content: Helen CattPolitical correspondent They started out with a deceptively restrained and polite tone, as Chris Philp raised the experiences of grooming gang victims and asked for assurances about the scope of the planned inquiry. That tone didn't last. The ensuing exchanges led the Labour backbencher Sarah Champion to criticise 'point scoring on all sides'. As a former Home Office Minister, Philp was on solid turf prodding the government over grooming gangs and over small boat crossings, a situation which Downing Street has this week said is 'deteriorating'. He didn't really manage to wrong foot Angela Rayner. As he is a former Home Office minister, it was all too easy for her to point to the Conservatives' own record and label him as a 'Johnny come lately' who hadn't solved problems when in power. Update: Date: 12:39 BST Title: SNP challenges Rayner on 'disability cuts' Content: The SNP's deputy Westminster leader Pete Wishart says the government is today introducing legislation that, he claims, will "push another 250,000 people into poverty". He asks if Labour MPs will lose the whip if they vote against "disability cuts". Rayner says Labour is committed to ending child poverty, and runs through measures they have taken on the issue, including "free school meals" and a "living wage rise". She then accuses the SNP of "decades of failure". Update: Date: 12:36 BST Title: Rotherham MP calls out 'point scoring' on both sides Content: Brian WheelerReporting from the House of Commons Silence as Labour's Sarah Champion, the Rotherham MP who has campaigned on behalf of grooming gang victims and had been calling for an inquiry, asks her says she has been 'floored' by the point scoring 'on all sides' on this issue. Update: Date: 12:35 BST Title: Lib Dems quiz Rayner on UK's position on Israel-Iran war Content: Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper asks a question about Donald Trump possibly leading the US to join the war between Israel and Iran. She begins her question by saying the UK "blindly followed the US" in the 2003 Iraq war. If the US joins the conflict between Israel and Iran, she asks, will the Labour government promise not to "blindly follow" the US into war "again". Rayner says the UK agrees with Trump that Iran must never have nuclear weapons, and continues to support a "diplomatic approach". Update: Date: 12:31 BST Title: Starmer on his way back to the UK now Content: Chris MasonPolitical editor Meanwhile, here on the prime minister's plane, we are an hour-ish from getting back to the UK from the G7 Summit in Canada. While Angela Rayner answers questions, Keir Starmer grabs a late breakfast after a few hours broken sleep over the Canadian tundra, Greenland ice and Atlantic water. International diplomacy done - for now. There is a Nato Summit in the Netherlands next week and the Middle East related phone calls are relentless. Domestic politics returns. Update: Date: 12:29 BST Title: 'Johnny Come Lately,' Rayner gets in the final word Content: Brian WheelerReporting from the House of Commons Rayner dubs Chris Philp a 'Johnny Come Lately' as she has the final word in her clash with the shadow home was a spirited debut by Philp but didn't really shift the dial. Update: Date: 12:28 BST Title: I take no lectures from the Tories, Rayner says Content: For his final question, shadow home secretary Philp pushes on scrapping the Human Rights Act. Philp asks: "Why does the government side with foreign criminals and not the British public?" Rayner replies saying Philp and the Tories had "14 years of failure" before adding: "I take no lectures". This video can not be played 'Her mission to rebuild Britain is not going very well' - Philp jabs. Update: Date: 12:26 BST Title: Fiery clash between Rayner and Philp over immigration and housing Content: This video can not be played In a fiery retort, Philp says he doesn't know how Rayner has the "brass neck" to say Labour is getting illegal immigration under control. Amid raucous shouts, the speaker calls for quiet. Philp says Home Office suppliers are offering above market deals to landlords to get hold of their properties for people who have arrived in the UK on small boats. He says this is happening while "hard-pressed" young people struggle to rent and buy. Why are you prioritising this, he asks. Rayner says immigration increased fourfold under the previous Conservative government, causing a backlog that led to the use of 400 asylum hotels to house immigrants that cost £1m a day. She says the government has reduced that number to "just over 200 hundred hotels" in the first 12 months of the year, adding Labour have started building the homes the Tories "failed" to deliver. Update: Date: 12:23 BST Title: Jabs fly between the two deputy PMs Content: Brian WheelerReporting from the House of Commons Chris Philp jabs his finger on his folder as he accuses Rayner of having a 'brass neck'. MPs on both sides seem to be enjoying this knockabout. Update: Date: 12:22 BST Title: Philp challenges Rayner on scrapping Rwanda scheme Content: Philp says that since the Rwanda plan was scrapped, illegal immigration across the Channel has gone up by more than 30%. So far this year, 2025 has been the "worst" for illegal crossings, he says before asking if Rayner now accepts a removals deterrent is needed. Rayner disputes Philp's claims that the Rwanda scheme deterred small boat crossings. "It's absolute rubbish," she says. She says the Tories lost control of borders and Labour is taking control. Update: Date: 12:19 BST Title: Rayner accuses Tories of losing 'control of our borders' Content: Philp is up again and is now addressing small boat crossings across the English Channel. He says a "significant number" of grooming gang perpetrators were non-UK nationals or were asylum seekers. He asks Rayner if she accepts the "small boat crisis" is an issue of public safety as well as immigration. Rayner says her government has overseen major arrests to tackle people smuggling gangs. In the past month alone, she says, a ringleader who smuggled 4,000 migrants had been jailed for 25 years. She then points directly across the aisle at Philp. "He was the man at the heart of the Home Office when immigration soared, we lost control of our borders," she says. Update: Date: 12:16 BST Title: Philp asks if PM will apologise for accusing Tories of 'jumping on a far-right bandwagon' Content: Shadow home secretary Philp gets back to his feet for a second time and presses the government on grooming gangs. "I do have to raise the language the prime minister used in January," Philp says, noting that Starmer accused the Tories of "jumping on a far-right bandwagon". Philp asks Rayner if she will apologise for what the prime minister said. Rayner says Starmer acted and brought actions in 2012, and says the data from the previous Conservative government was "inaccurate" and "not complete". Update: Date: 12:14 BST Title: Inquiry into grooming gangs will have statutory powers - Rayner Content: This video can not be played Rayner thanks Philp for his "tone", adding it is right to look at what happened over the last few decades regarding the grooming gangs, to restore the confidence people need in the inquiry. We will take that forward "at speed," she says. She adds the inquiry, led by Baroness Casey, will be "independent, have statutory powers" and will implement the Jay report - an independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham. Update: Date: 12:11 BST Title: Philp questions Rayner on grooming gangs Content: This video can not be played Shadow home secretary Philp begins by saying that yesterday he and his party leader met with survivors of the "rape gang scandal". He says the survivors told them that authorities "deliberately covered up the systematic rape of young girls and some boys by gangs of predominantly Pakistani-heritage men". He says the survivors said they would only have confidence in an inquiry that is independently led and has full statutory powers, and he asks Rayner if she can give those assurances.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Telegraph
‘People want peace, not poolside tantrums': The rise of child-free holidays
A summer's morning, just after 9am, and something astonishing is happening: I am still in bed. In the six years since I have had children, this is entirely unheard of. There are no elephantine footsteps charging towards my bedroom; no clammy, jammy hands clawing at my covers; no piercing shrieks of 'Muuuuuum!' over cornflakes and toast. The silence – aside from birds chirruping through my open window – is deliciously deafening. I am, of course, not at home (where my harried husband is wrangling our two children through the morning rigmarole entirely solo) – but have spent the night at an adults-only hotel, one of a growing number of properties, both in the UK and abroad, that specifically ban under-16s. Statistics suggest there are now more than 1,000 such hotels, B&Bs and holiday resorts worldwide, driven by demand from child-free and solo travellers – not to mention parents who, like me, adore their offspring, but sometimes dream of getting far, far away from them. But that dream could be under threat due to a recent challenge under French law, which suggests the 'no-kids trend' could amount to 'violence against children' under equalities legislation. Laurence Rossignol, a socialist senator, is reportedly planning to introduce a Private Member's Bill to make it illegal to ban children from French hotels, restaurants and campsites – a move which could have dramatic repercussions for child-free venues around the world. This doesn't trouble Frank Lawrenson, the owner of Rectory Manor in Great Waldingfield, a picturesque village in rural Suffolk, which has been grown-ups-only since 2022. Indeed, Frank says he would have cut children from the guest list earlier, if only he hadn't had several of his own. 'Children can be so hard to manage, especially in a property like this,' says Frank, 58, who inherited the sprawling Georgian rectory – on a site that dates back 2,000 years – and turned it into a hotel, now a five-star country retreat with a swimming pool, tennis court and croquet lawn, in 2014. 'We wanted it to feel like a haven, and if you have children running around screaming, that's certainly not peaceful,' he adds. 'The policy is one of the main reasons guests choose to stay here.' He and his fiancée, Georgina, 48, have six children between them, now aged 18 to 23, and they first banned under-13s when their youngest turned 13. The lower age limit increased incrementally each year. Although both loved hosting families with younger guests, they decided it 'didn't suit the house' – certainly, there are sharp edges, uneven stairs and breakable ornaments everywhere. 'You might get a perfectly sweet two-year-old banging her spoon on the breakfast table and ruining the tranquillity for everyone else,' says Georgina. 'People come to escape. Even the best-behaved children can get on your nerves – especially when they're not your own.' The hotel seems to lavish in a sort of hedonism that simply wouldn't be possible with children around. Cut-glass decanters of whisky and gin adorn every room. Flames crackle perilously from open fireplaces. The artwork is eclectic and, in some quarters, verging on risqué. My room contains a roll-top bath, perched – somewhat incongruously – on a thick pile carpet. Quite delightfully, the property's motto, emblazoned on my key fob, is an Italian phrase – ' Non si vive solo per soffrire ' – which translates as 'One doesn't live only to suffer.' As a long-suffering, sleep-deprived, permanently frazzled parent, I could certainly get on board with that. Travel experts say adults-only hotels are part of a growing trend – dating back as far as the 1970s, when they first appeared in the Caribbean, and spreading to Spain and France in the early 2000s. But it's only in the past five years that they've really started booming in Britain, with mainstream holiday companies – such as Warner and Scott Dunn – now offering adults-only options. Online, you'll find copious Mumsnet threads devoted to child-free holidays, as well as luxury travel round-ups of five-star resorts that proudly ban children. According to Google Trends, searches for 'adults-only holidays' have soared in popularity since 2020. 'I've seen this trend gain real momentum,' says Liz Taylor, a hospitality and luxury brand consultant with 30 years' experience. 'Holidays have become more than a luxury – they're a lifeline. People want peace. They want to switch off. And, let's be honest, that's hard to do when you're dodging poolside tantrums or trying to enjoy a cocktail during a toddler's tea party.' Emma Latham, a Cheshire-based luxury travel planner, agrees. 'Not long ago, the only 'adults-only' offering in a resort might have been the later dinner setting,' she says. 'Today, we're seeing entire properties or dedicated areas within larger resorts designated specially for adult guests.' This, she explains, appeals to all sorts of holidaymakers – whether parents escaping their offspring for short getaways, couples without children who prefer to avoid family-focused environments, or empty nesters who want to enjoy their peace and quiet. Margaret and Jonathan Evans, from Pontypridd, are among the last. 'Since our youngest daughter left home last year, we wouldn't dream of staying anywhere that accepts children,' says Margaret, 67. 'It was hard enough going on holiday when our three were younger – always worrying about mealtimes, and whether they'd break anything or fall over. We couldn't switch off.' Geoff and Linda Banks, from Fleet, Hampshire, agree. 'I'd be so cross if the holiday I'd looked forward to for months was ruined by noisy children haring around the place,' says Geoff, 54. 'I just wish they did adults-only flights as well.' Staff members, too, say they prefer working at child-free properties – not only is there less mess to contend with, but they're not expected to act as makeshift babysitters. At Rectory Manor, the closest I come to youth in my 24-hour sojourn is 18-year-old waiter Cyrus, who serves a top-notch cooked breakfast, and tells me: 'When we allowed kids, the swimming pool was an issue – people were nipping to the mini-bar and expecting staff members to watch their children splashing about while they were gone. If anything had happened, we'd have been responsible.' Of course, the adults-only privilege comes at a premium: my weekday night away, plus breakfast, comes to £219. 'If you consider how much you would pay for a family of four to stay at a hotel for a week, would you pay the same amount for just two of you if it were an adult-only hotel? The answer seems to be yes,' says Aled Evans, a travel specialist at Our Local Tour. 'I most certainly would be willing to pay for it,' adds Raj Gill, a travel expert and the editor-at-large of Upscale Living magazine. 'I feel most people would be happy to pay extra to have a restful and relaxing holiday.' Consequently, holiday venues are reaping the rewards – both financial and reputational – of going adults-only. 'If a hotel or tour operator can differentiate itself and appeal to a certain demographic, then it has a market advantage,' Evans explains. There are, however, risks – not least alienating long-term guests who go on to have families and find themselves unwelcome. Frank Lawrenson admits that when he banned under-16s in 2022, there were some regulars – who had previously stayed with their children – who weren't happy about the change. 'It was sad, but ultimately for the best,' he says. But as the tide turns against children in Britain, do properties need to consider the legal ramifications of banning younger guests? In France, certainly, the 'no kids' policy seems to fly close to the wind, and the issue has reared its head in California, where a swath of stunning ocean-front properties – catering only to adults – have recently opened, prompting critics to question whether they contravene Section 51 of the state's Civil Code, which prevents discrimination. In the UK, under the Equality Act 2010, it is illegal to discriminate against someone because of their age when providing goods and services – but there are exceptions. If a service is genuinely 'adults only' – such as a spa treatment, sports competition or nightclub – this is justifiable, as it relates to the nature of the service. This, it seems, would equally apply to holiday properties that cater solely to grown-ups. 'I doubt there are any legal issues,' says Taylor. 'We're talking about creating environments tailored to specific needs and preferences. It's about choice; not exclusion.' Gill agrees – but says the onus rests on hotels, B&Bs and resorts to inform prospective guests of their policy. 'As long as the rules are clearly laid out from the off, and the age limits and boundaries are established, then I do not see any future issues,' she adds. Nor, it must be said, do I. Still reclining in my four-poster bed, contemplating whether to go for a morning swim or a leisurely breakfast, I find myself searching online for another child-free break – perhaps swapping sunny Suffolk for Bali or the Bahamas – with my husband in tow, this time. Non si vive solo per soffrire, after all…
