Questions about our hotels

What kind of hotels will I be staying in?

We search out small, family-run hotels, with great regional cuisine, and hoteliers who take a genuine interest in their guests. All our hotels are special, but in lots of different ways. So we have historic castles, old manor houses, working farms, stylish villas and converted convents with wonderful cloisters and hidden courtyards. As there is no direct British equivalent of many classifications, the broad expression 'hotels' includes all the different sorts of accommodation we use from family run auberges to ***** luxury hotels. [Back to the top]

What meals can I expect?

Breakfast is either continental style or a buffet breakfast - check the individual holiday pages for details. Dinner is nearly always included, except in a few places where there's a good choice of local restaurants and we think it's best to leave dinner to you. For your evening meal (see the individual holiday pages for details), we encourage chefs to offer the dishes they do best, that are most typically regional, and that rely least on the deep freeze. Where there is a middle budget menu of a consistently good standard, we arrange for it to be offered. Otherwise, dinner will be a specially-prepared fixed menu. Whichever the arrangement, one thing is always the same - if you don't like what's on the menu, just say, and alternatives will be offered. [Back to the top]

What are the arrangements for lunch?

On group guided holidays, lunch (either a picnic or at the hotel) is mostly included. If there's an inexpensive fun option en route (tapas bars in Mallorca, for example, or Berber inns in Morocco) we'll use it. On independent holidays, lunch is left to you. Shopping in open-air markets for interesting hams, cheeses, and tempting little cakes is fun! [Back to the top]

Do your hotels cater for vegetarians?

Good vegetarian cooking is offered, with southern countries, and places near the sea, generally doing best. Just let us know when booking, and do say whether you eat fish. [Back to the top]

Do the hotels have pools?

Many of our hotels have pools, or swimming facilities nearby. In our winter hotels there is often the choice of heated pool, jacuzzi or sauna to relax in after a day in the snow. [Back to the top]

Are single rooms or family rooms available?

Single rooms are usually available - some with no single supplement. Occasionally we may offer sole occupancy of a double room due to the size or style of the hotel. Please note that single rooms just confer privacy, and may be of a lower standard than twins. In Europe, people requesting a room for three will often be given a twin our douible with an extra bed, which may be cramped. In Norway, twin beds are universal: most hotel rooms have a sofa bed for a third person - and we can sometimes get larger family rooms. Just tell us of your requirements when booking. [Back to the top]

Do your hotels cater for special meal requiremnets

Yes, all of our hotels will do their best to cater for special meal requirements, including vegetarian, Gluten free and no-dairy meals. Please advise our sales team at the time of making your reservation to ensure the hotels can prepare for your arrival. [Back to the top]