airbnb rental / hire

This next review isn't of any hotel or B&B or guest house in general but the website that helps you try a new and cheaper way to have a holiday break away.
Airbnb is a site where people around the globe rent out spare rooms, apartments, flats and it is easy to sign up and find what you want where you want.
My wife and myself first used the website in 2015 to stay at a family home renting a room. we had a lovely welcome, big room to ourselves and freedom of the house with breakfast laid on every morning.
Airbnb is a no fuss way of touring where you can get to know the owners of where your staying before you arrive.
The site encourages you to sign up and join (free), as either someone wanting to rent a place or someone looking for somewhere to stay. When doing this you attach a copy of your passport for security and a section to tell those who you maybe staying with a bit about yourself.
Once you have booked a place you get a chance to email direct to owners who are so helpful with any query.
Since we've used the website friends of ours have travelling abroad to Amsterdam and Switzerland finding first class service each time where owners if not living on site were a phone call away for advice or help.
So if you want to try something different and get away from big hotels and average package deals try this site.

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/












https://www.airbnb.co.uk/

Premier Inn Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland

This is the first time that I have written a review for a big hotel chain, I have seen adverts for Premier Inn endless of times on TV but till now never tried them.
I don't know what I expected maybe between cheap hotel to standard or something silly like that.
However...

Photo of hotel taken from harbour wall

We arrived at the historic city of Edinburgh train station, got a taxi straight to the waterfront hotel in Leith and after this realised it is cheaper, faster and easier to get a bus. The hotel is based in a very scenic location with a little harbour front which is just as good at night as in day with lights reflecting on the water.

The hotel has bus stops at entrance and off the harbour walkway also tour bus pick which has a 24hrs ticket which is helpful to pop too and from Edinburgh centre.

On arriving we got there an hour early and was prepared to wait for our room but the staff were more than helpful, radio through to staff on the hotel floor who gave us a room which was ready straight away. After travelling from Ayrshire for hours this was very welcome. The room was better than I expected but as I said earlier wasn't sure what to expect. The room was more than big enough, bright, well decorated, clean plus all what we would need was at hand.

The comfortable bed where we slept even on very hot night

The bed is just like is says in the advert, really comfortable, we arrived at a time when the weather was really hot so staff offered extra flat sheet in case we wanted to just sleep on top which again was thoughtful.

I have stayed in hotels before which is much built like this Premier Inn and found them noisy due to so many rooms, doors and floors but I have to be honest hear apart from once, mainly could hear a pin drop it was so peaceful for a hotel what was full.

Brewers Fayre is attached to the hotel and have an impressive big menu and deals for every day of the week. The food was of high standard and the staff polite and helpful. The only advice is to book evening meals especially Sunday roasts. Talking of food if you wanted to try something else along the harbour wall walkway are two restaurants in walking distance and over the road yet another.

taken from harbour wall you can see the two restaurants just in walking distance from hotel 

It is funny that people try to find fault in places or like others too, and if I had to pick holes there were only two minor points. First was in the room it mentions staff on duty 24/7 which is true they are, it says you can contact them but no phone is provided in the room. I know most people carry mobiles but it just got me that the only phone to contact staff was at the end of a corridor on a wall which wasn't mentioned, we found it by chance. Not that we needed it thou as everything was fine, it's just an observation. The other point was the room is for two, drinks, kettle provided yet very sparing with supplies so we had to go and buy some.

Talking of buying the hotel is in walking distance of Asda supermarket where we topped up with treats and items to help exploring Edinburgh (pack lunches) and it also serves food so we treated ourselves to a cooked breakfast there before heading in to the city. Bus stops and tour buses stop all around the hotel and indeed Leith waterfront so you don't have to walk far to catch up and head off again. We stayed onboard to the tour bus stops at Ocean Terminal which again isn't that far from the hotel, it has massive indoor shopping centre very amazing food/dining area

Food hall at Ocean Terminal with sandpit & merry go round for children

Plus on the 1st floor entrance to the home of The Royal Yacht Britannia which was a fantastic experience and well worth a visit.

Our stay at the Premier Inn in Leith was a relaxing wonderful stay, some say it is expensive but as they say, you pay for what you get and this gave 100% top class service from all the staff that works there. It is a bus ride away from Edinburgh so you can leave your car in the hotel car park and forget the stress of driving. In Leith itself, you'll be surprised how big it is when you start travelling within and it too contains lots of history and places of interest.

Will I use a Premier Inn again YES as we both have already planned a visit to another Scottish location.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portreeves

Portreeves is a hidden treasure within the historic town of Arundel, it has very modern style self catering apartments and also B&B. It is family run by a very pleasant couple who are both helpful and welcoming. The apartments are close to the railway station (walking distance), bus stops including if staying long term a free bus ride to Bognor supermarket.

It has off road parking and in walking distance to local Co Op and of course Arundel itself and the wonderful historic castle.

The rear garden is so peaceful with easy access from whatever apartment you book and the river Arun runs behind the garden with outstanding views and ideal for walks or a picnic.

The apartments have every thing you need catered for to have a pleasant stay. In fact we felt like home soon as we settled as it is that homely.

The owners have clearly put a lot of thought into what a guest needs for a stay from washing machine, even milk in the fridge with some selection of teas & coffee to start you off. Also a very well detailed book with various Take Away's, restaurants, with menus, prices and places to visit so you can plan your stay in the comfort of the apartment.

Even thou the apartments are off The Causeway in Arundel which is a busy road near a round about you just wouldn't know it for how peaceful it is within the apartment.

The apartment has a bedroom which can be a double bed or two singles which has it's own front door and toilet shower room, the lounge has a comfortable sofa that can also be a pull out double bed. The lounge has table to seat four and TV and just off entrance a fully fitted, fully equipped kitchen.
My wife & I enjoyed every second of our stay here as its just in the right position to be relaxed but not too far from the castle.

www.porteeves.co.uk

  

 

 

The Merton Guest House

The Merton Guest House in Broadwater, Worthing is situated just outside Worthing's town centre and the entrance to Broadwater shopping parade. This place has special memories to my wife and I as it was here she first stayed when we met over 4 years ago. Since she first stayed there it has changed owners but this hasn't changed the Guest House as the new couple who run it are so friendly and helpful just like the previous owners. It has off road parking and close to many places to eat out and easy route to either the beach or the Sussex Downs National Park. The second time we used The Merton was for our wedding. My wife and her family stayed here and the owners made things flow so easy on what you can imagine be a stressful day. All her family they placed on the same floor with the big suite for our wedding night close by also.

Luxury suite where we spent our wedding night

 

 

A photo shoot was taken around the house as well as the use of the beautiful garden at the rear,

 

 

The beautiful garden at rear with places to relax during the evening

 

As it is bed and breakfast I cannot leave out the breakfast, like you expect you are offered a choice of cereals, hot drinks or juices and various cooked breakfasts by the owners in a friendly family way. We all felt more than relaxed here and found time went just too fast

The dining room

This Guest house has been awarded 4stars more than once and once you stay there you know they are well deserved. you will find nothing is too much trouble for the lovely owners to make your stay special

 

 

Old Loans Inn

The Old Loans Inn can be found in Troons Scotland, outside it is modern, stylish and once inside it is bigger than it looked. My wife and I had an over night stay there with an evening meal included which we both were looking forward too. The reception is small but leads into the much larger part of the Inn where we were informed of the where abouts of our room. Once entering the room it looked pretty much like any hotel we had stayed in, lay out the same, furniture the same, wi fi available, TV etc.

What we both laughed at was on it's table for two near the window was a small plate with 2 small apples on it with a very small bottle of water in front. We felt "why?" and who has the bottle as it was clear they couldn't spread to 2 bottles. We unpacked and looked for the kettle to find it was within the wardrobe plugged in and instead of a generous choice of drink options and biscuits we found just 2 cookies and a few tea bags and coffee sachets.

When it came to evening meal in its restaurant downstairs we found it very busy and had a big selection to choose. However, things didn't go to plan as our sweet was delivered first then taken away then our main course came and was wrong. As we had already waited so long we decided to keep the wrong option. Once finished our sweet returned, the same ones, now almost melted so we were not happy. My wife ordered another drink that never arrived. In fact she still jokes about still waiting.

 

After our meal we returned to our room got ready for bed and relaxed in front of their TV which has very few channel options. Late evening when we about to retire the phone rang saying they made a mistake over our meal price. They asked if we could return to the restaurant and my wife explained we were in bed they still expected us to return. We asked if it could be sorted in the morning in which they replied "no". In the end a waitress banged on our door after the extra money for the wrong food we were given. To top this disaster of an evening at 2am we were woken by the receipt being put under our door. 

Even thou The Old Loans Inn looks nice we both found the service and the attitude very disappointing. We may of stayed on a bad day by needless to say we both won't be returning again.

The Caledonian Hotel

The Caledonian Hotel in the beautiful bay of Oban is deceptive at first look as the outside exterior looks old and worn but within it has had a major update and modern look. Especially the reception and entrance hall, café and restaurant and lifts.

bar / café

café

restaurant

The staircases are so big and have a nautical look to them as if your climbing some cruise liners grand stairway.

grand stairs

 

In some parts guests may find the hotel needs repairs but it makes up for it in the top quality antique furniture throughout each bedrooms. Each room has everything you need with wi fi and a very old stylish décor to suit the Hotels age 

within our bedroom

The hotel is near Oban's train station plus bus stops opposite, including the bays tour bus. The pier is also right across the road which includes shops and places to eat. The view from the front bedroom windows over look the stunning Oban Bay which at night is just as beautiful as the day but with lights and reflections bouncing off the claim water.

In fact some nights we turned the TV off and the lights and just lay on the bed looking at the view by night just so relaxing 

view at night from bedroom

 

The hotel food was as expected in such a tasteful hotel however we decided on only using it's breakfast facilities purely due to Oban having so many places to eat out even thou we could of booked an evening meal.  The breakfast we were offered had a massive range of self service as well as cooked breakfasts. Staff were polite and helpful and served cooked breakfast to our private table.

view from front bedroom window

 

We both found the hotel an ideal base for our long weekend break as everything was so close by and it was comfortable and friendly and that is all you need for a great stay

view from one of the bedroom windows

 

 

 

  

Keppels Head Hotel

The Keppels Head Hotel, what a historical treat it was to stay here. Based in Portsmouth not far from the historical Dock Yard which is home to The HMS Victory, The Mary Rose and not forgetting HMS Warrior which you see from the windows of hotel rooms at the front of the building. 

 

The hotel was once owned by an Admiral and a lot of it's features within are from this era in our history. Some may say it needs attention, repair or updating but this would just ruin the feel of this lovely hotel. As you enter reception the pure detail is like walking in to history and all the staff are so friendly and helpful.

reception

The lift is very dated but we both found this very fitting the history of the hotel. it is clear if you want modern hotels with modern mod cons then don't book here. However if your visiting Portsmouth for it's history this is the place to stay as you really get the feel of living back in the 1800s when this hotel was originally built.

dinning room

The dinning room is outstanding the detail in the ceiling alone, even thou it needs work still looks amazing. The service is fantastic you can get choice of breakfast from counter but also staff will wait on you for various options of cooked breakfast.

dinning room ceiling

 

My wife and I have stayed here more than once as we love the atmosphere of just being there the friendly staff and the views are totally awesome. Over looking Portsmouth train station, bus terminal and just from the bedroom window viewing HMS Warrior to the right and Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower to the left. Not naturally being nosy we found watching life go by out the windows mesmerising. At night the sun would set through the HMS Warrior looking so beautiful even ITV's weather loved the photo below

view from bedroom window

The hotel has wi fi which states only in the bar downstairs but we found after connecting with password it was fine to connect in our room. The bar is staffed by reception and we found we got close to the staff laughing and joking and enjoying a few drinks before retiring each night.

nautical bar pump in bar 

 

I like to be honest so I admit some may stay here and pick holes at lack of repairs around the hotel and it's need for updating but really we found none of that important as the lovely stay out numbered any little moans some may have. It isn't just close to the docks and all major transport but also to Gunwarf Quays and near the ferry to the Isle of Wight.

This is a special little historic gem and my wife and I know we will be staying again

view from bedroom window