Where to stay? Well, what’s your idea of the perfect accommodation for your holiday?
How about five star ***** luxury all the way? An army of people ready and willing to cater to your every whim? Someone to offer a glass of champagne – even before you knew you wanted one? Soft lights, softer music and exquisitely cooked fine food?
Yes – Yorkshire has all that!
Perhaps cosy cottage accommodation miles from anywhere would suit you more? Log fire crackling in the hearth, its all enveloping warmth snuggling and cosetting you all over? Relaxing after your invigorating walk over the wild moors in March? A warm glow exuding from inside out as a heartwarming, fulfilling beef stew hits all the right places? No one around except those you love?
Yorkshire has all that too!
Whatever your choice of where to stay – Yorkshire has it! From wildly extravagant, footballer and WAGs lifestyle choices of five star decadence to realistically affordable family holiday hotel. From comfortable cottage on the moors to two person tent in the middle of a field in the Dales. From these extremes and including everything between, there’s some where to stay that will suit everyone down to the ground.
Hotel holidays
How do I know which hotel is best? For many years the Automobile Association (AA) has compiled and published lists of holiday and catering establishments. Rating them usually with a system of stars, these lists have, over the years, helped thousands of travellers decide where to stay. Lately the systems seem to have become more extensive, but they have explained everything here to help.
AA Star Ratings
Some holiday booking web sites, such as Expedia.com, now include reviews posted by people who have actually stayed in the hotel they are reviewing. These reviews can be useful in finding a good hotel and avoiding one that's, shall we say, not so good. But I wouldn't want to rely on them totally. For example, someone who is ranting about the terrible service or poor food may just be someone who is impossible to please no matter what. Similarly a raving report may be just from someone who likes to see their words in print. Mind you, a hundred percent praise from a dozen or so visitors might be enough to convince me to give the hotel a try - especially if they have a great offer on!
Other “Sit back and let others do the work” options Yorkshire has many options when you're thinking about where to stay.
Many guest houses offer bed and breakfast plus an evening meal. This lets you forget totally about catering except for a light snack at lunch time. Indeed, should you be heading into the great outdoors, away from shops and cafes, they’ll likely be prepared to supply a packed lunch. A picnic, perched on a boulder miles from anywhere and free of strangers holds a great attraction for me. How about you?
Public Houses – pubs – and old coaching inns are often the centre of village life and can be lively places. They could be your answer to the question of where to stay. You’ll find many offering bed and breakfast in quaint, unique surroundings. Often having an excellent kitchen they can provide good traditional fare for a lunch time or evening meal. They are popular with walkers, cyclists and visitors of all kinds.
Farmhouse bed and breakfast accommodation is traditionally excellent value for money. Popular with families – most kids love to be among the farm animals! These are often run as a sideline by the farmer’s wife and offer a great way to be “part of the family” - albeit in a small way. This is often also true of the private house bed and breakfast.
I must admit that for me, just setting off and driving in the car, only looking for bed and breakfast in the late afternoon is a great way to enjoy a holiday. The attraction is in not knowing from day to day where to stay each night. Of course, having the children along, you would probably feel the need of booking ahead just to make sure of a bed for each of you each night. Perhaps this idea is good for singles or couples but not families? Unless you’re an adventurous family of course!
Another possibility, perhaps, may be a holiday aboard a hotel boat! What are hotel boats I hear you ask? Well, they are either narrow boats or wide beam canal boats that potter up and down the beautifully picturesque waterways of Yorkshire. As their name suggests, they are run, usually by their owners, in the same manner as a hotel. Often the terms are all inclusive. Guests are encouraged to relax and enjoy the tranquility of the passing scenery. You’ll find that most offer five, six or seven nights holidays. Good value for money as you’re enjoying both accommodation and a means of travel. Looking for a peaceful, relaxing holiday? This way could be for you!
Advertisement
Holiday Apartment North York Moors
Two bedroom holiday apartment first floor (no lift, sorry!) £25 for a weekend. £75 full week.
Great sea views! Click here for photo
Self Catering Many people much prefer the freedom of a self catering holiday to the relatively regimented hotel or bed and breakast type.
What is self catering? Well, my good friend Roger over at Holiday Cottages Ltd – based in Skipton, North Yorkshire has a little article outlining 'six of the best' benefits of a self catering holiday. OK, running a successful self catering, holiday cottage letting agency does tend to make him a little biased towards the idea. But you may relate to some of the thoughts.
Click here
to open a new window and read Roger’s article. (Close the window to return. I’ll wait here for you.)
Holiday Cottages Hiring a self catering holiday cottage is a great way to get yourself cosy, well fitted accommodation, at a reasonable price and in the area where you want to spend your holiday. Browsing the brochure or online web site of a reputable agency could easily solve your problem of where to stay.
Other self catering options Renting a holiday cottage or apartment is not the only way to enjoy a self catering holiday.
It may not be your way. It may not fit with your budget. Maybe you and your family want to be entertained and take part in fun and games?
Here are some other self catering options:
Chalet on a holiday park.
Caravan on a holiday park
Camping - a holiday under canvas.
Motorhome - this ticks two boxes for it gives you your accommodation and also your way of getting around.
Canal narrow boat - this again ticks two boxes - where to stay plus your mode of transport
As you know, planning for your holiday can be a fun part of it too. Not only where to go. But what to do and what to see. Where to stay though, is perhaps the most important because if you're unhappy with your accommodation it is very likely to mar your entire holiday. So - choose carefully! No matter where you decide to stay, I hope you really have a great time.
Why not sign up for your copy of Yorkshire Allsorts, my free ezine (newsletter)? Click here to stay in touch. Be sure to claim your free gift when you confirm your free subscription. Full details here
ADD TO YOUR SOCIAL BOOKMARKS: BlinkDel.icio.usDiggFurlSimpyGoogleTechnoratiY! MyWeb
At HolidayCotts.co.uk you'll find an exceptional range of self catering holiday cottages. From the Peak District in Derbyshire through the Yorkshire Dales, Moors and Coast, Lancashire, Durham, the Lake District and Cumbria we have some of the most magnificent scenery, the prettiest villages and the most stunning stately homes in the country. In amongst all this are our holiday properties, from rustic farmhouses through to luxury apartments we have a range to suit both your taste and your pocket.
Can't find what you're looking for? Use the search box and find it. To find it on the Yorkshire-Visitors-Guide website, be sure to select the right radio button. Happy searching!
You'll find a great range of books, maps, music and dvds - all with a Yorkshire theme - at the Yorkshire Visitors Guide Store within Amazon! Why not pop over and check out the bargains? (Click in the box below to open a new window)