Jetsettersblog

Five fabulous properties fit for fashionistas on HomeAway.co.uk

With all eyes on the latest trends at London Fashion Week this month, why not treat yourself to a stylish getaway in the capital and rent your own chic city pad. HomeAway Holiday-Rentals, the UK’s largest holiday rentals website, lists more than 550 apartment rentals in London, including plenty of fabulously smart homes located in some of the most fashionable London boroughs. To provide some inspiration for aspiring fashionistas, the site has compiled a list of the top five most trendy London properties available to rent on www.HomeAway.co.uk.

Enjoy stunning views of the city from a penthouse apartment near Kensington Gardens or live in bustling Notting Hill for a week in your very own two-storey loft. Alternatively, find your own slice of peace and quiet in the capital by renting a chic Victorian townhouse overlooking a park in leafy southwest London. Whatever takes your fancy, on HomeAway Holiday-Rentals you can find your perfect home away from home and enjoy more privacy and space to store those shopping bags and designer souvenirs!

So if you’re looking for a shopping break or just a relaxing getaway with your friends check out the properties below or search for London or other destinations on www.HomeAway.co.uk.

Prices quoted are per property per week and correct at the time of going to press. Properties are arranged in order of price, from highest to lowest.

Top 5 stylish properties in London on HomeAway.co.uk

Chic Victorian townhouse in southwest London
7 Bedrooms, Sleeps 13. From £5,000 per week
Overlooking the park this double-fronted Victorian townhouse is fantastic both for easy reach of the West End as well as south-east England. The house has six bedrooms including a fabulous master suite with 20 foot bathroom and walk in shower area plus separate dressing room. The enormous modern kitchen extension with sitting area features a five metre island unit – perfect for catering and can sit 14 or more for supper. The living room has two fireplaces and a library area for relaxing.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p415002

Penthouse apartment with views across London and Hyde Park
4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6. £3,500 per week
Situated in the Lancaster Gate area near Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, this gorgeous, bright apartment is perfectly located to make the most of buzzing London. Featuring large floor to ceiling windows in all rooms and a large reception area with baby grand piano and design furniture, the property also has a balcony decorated with trees and flowers, from where you can enjoy magnificent views of sunsets and the nearby area.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p414907

Elegant West End apartment
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 7. From £3,000 per week
With high ceilings, parquet wood floors and elegant décor throughout, this stunning apartment offers abundant living space and a great location close to Oxford Street and Regents Park. Situated on the third floor of a grand mansion block the property comprises a generously sized reception room with adjoining dining room, kitchen, three double-sized bedrooms, bathroom, shower room and guest cloakroom.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p458348

Two-storey loft house in Nothing Hill
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8. From £2,590 per week
This is a stunning two storey loft house boasting 160sqm of sun filled lateral space. Featuring a spacious room spanning two reception areas, a well appointed kitchen and a dining area for eight, the property has wooden floors throughout and offers three double bedrooms with high quality sprung beds, as well as luxury Egyptian cotton bed linen and towels.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p426316

Loft apartment near Hampstead Heath and Camden
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6. £1,150 per week
This loft conversion is a really impressive, comfortable and romantic place to stay. The main living area is a one off, with wonderful views and tasteful furniture and design. It’s a great place for entertaining with a 42′ plasma screen TV with surround sound. The location is extremely central, close to Camden Town which boasts great pubs, parks, shopping and a great mix of London’s charisma and charm.
www.HomeAway.co.uk/p404931

Starting from 1 March, Gap Adventures’ homestay programme will give and affordable and authentic way to experience Cuba. A world apart from the traditional all-inclusive experience, Gap Adventures is expecting significant interest in the new accommodation option.

“Through homestays; our travellers connect directly with a local family by enjoying home-cooked meals and staying overnight in their home,” says Leah Griffin, Destination Manager, Central America & Caribbean. Griffin says that it is an immersive cultural experience that few travellers get to know.

Gap Adventures, the leading independent adventure travel specialist, offers affordable trips of 8, 9, and 15 days for active travellers seeking off the beaten path experiences away from resorts or large groups.

Cuba Libre (CCL) or Central Cuba Adventure (CCCA) 8 days. While both offer ample time in nature and at the beach, the Central Cuba trip provides more time to relax on Cuba’s famed white beaches. Travellers on the Cuba Libre trip can explore the world-famous Robaina tobacco plantation, walk through the pincushion hills, and wander amongst orchids and lush mountain coffee plantations during this weeklong tour through the ‘Garden Province’ of Cuba. Both trips include a local homestay with Cuban families and options to snorkel crystal clear waters full of colourful coral and walk the footsteps of pirates along the Guanahacabibes Peninsula.

Gap Adventures’ 9-day Cuba Explorer (CCCE) trip offers travellers the chance to tour bustling Havana in a vintage car, explore natural Cuba, and take in some historic sites on this comfort service level adventure. In addition to tobacco plantations, travellers can visit the Che monument and take a guided tour on the cobblestone streets of Trinidad. There is also the option to take up salsa with the locals for a truly memorable experience.

For travellers with more time Gap Adventures offers a 15-day Cuba Colonial Adventure (CCC). Travellers can bond with Cuban locals during meals and 10 homestay nights in addition to salsa dancing with the locals in Santiago and Baracoa, the heart and soul of the county’s music. This trip has plenty of options for all tastes and interests, including snorkelling at Ancon Beach, live music at the Casa de la Trova, the Revolution Museum, and hiking in Topes de Collantes National Park.

For up to 20% off select tours including Central Cuba Adventure and Cuba Colonial Adventure to celebrate Gap Adventures’ Season of Adventure visit www.gapadventures.com  or call 0844 272 2040 and book before the 31st March.

Warner Leisure Hotels are inviting guests to come and celebrate the Royal Wedding with a special five night break – promising the royal treatment in the welcoming surroundings of their historic hotels and traditional coastal villages.

During the break you will be served with a complimentary Royal cocktail to toast Prince William and Princess Catherine as you watch them walk down the aisle, afternoon tea complete with wedding cake and a special celebration dinner.

And if you can’t resist raising a glass of champagne to the happy couple it will be served in commemorative champagne flutes – that will be yours to keep as a memento!

Guests will be invited to sign a wedding guest book with their personal comments and well wishes which Warner Leisure Hotels will send to Buckingham Palace.

A spokesperson for Warner Leisure Hotels said, ‘Guests generally arrive for the weekend on a Friday but we have extended these breaks to make sure they don’t miss a moment of the Royal Wedding. And of course, celebrating such a momentous event with family and friends old and new will add to unique atmosphere of the occasion.’

Hotels offering the special five night break include the stately surroundings of Thoresby Hall; Cricket St Thomas (the romantic setting where Admiral Nelson courted Lady Hamilton) or Bodelwyddan Castle with its dramatic views across North Wales. Prices start at £401 per person based on two people sharing a Standard Room for five nights arriving on April 27th.

Or enjoy the wedding by the sea at Corton Coastal Village where a five night break costs from just £237 per person based on two people sharing a Standard Chalet or Sinah Warren Hotel overlooking the sea at Hayling Island (from £355 per person).

All prices quoted include a hearty breakfast and dinner each night of your stay along with a full programme of leisure activities and entertainment. And of course the special celebrations for the wedding are included in the cost.

For bookings and more information call 0800 1 388 399 or click on www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk

14th Feb 2011
For media information and images please contact tom@aboutwords.co.uk / deborah@aboutwords.co.uk or call 01444 235 154

‘Regent Street A Taste Of Spain’ Returns To London’s West End On Sunday 5 June
14 Feb 11
Regent Street A Taste of Spain will return to London’s West End for the 6th consecutive year, to showcase the very best of Britain’s favorite holiday destination. The free Spanish extravaganza takes place on Sunday 5 June from 12 noon until 7pm and will include activities from many of the Spanish regions – food, sports, entertainment, music and more.

Spanish regions from as far north as Aragón to Andalucía in the south will participate and bring their special flavours and traditions into town. Valencia, famous for its ‘City of Arts and Sciences,’ will be showcasing its unique combination of city and beach. Visitors can take a glance at what the vibrant capital of Madrid has to offer. Get a burst of sunshine from the sun drenched island of Gran Canaria or culture vultures can find out about Segovia’s rich heritage.

The normally busy Regent Street will be traffic free for the day allowing visitors to sample giant paella from Valencia, watch traditional Spanish dancing on the main stage and visit the exhibiting regions along the famous street. Everyone can enjoy a fun family-friendly party with activities for the little ones, great giveaways, sampling and the chance to win prizes. Even the shops get into the spirit of the day offering exclusive discounts and in store events and promotions.

‘A Taste of Spain’ is touring the country also visiting Liverpool Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 April, Canary Wharf (date tbc), Edinburgh Saturday 16 – Sunday 17 July and for the first time Leeds (Saturday 2 – Sunday 3 July). For more information, please visit the website www.atasteofspain.co.uk or the dedicated Facebook page www.facebook.com/ATasteOfSpain

For those that want to rock the festivals in 21st century style and something other than canvas, Wicked Campers offer festival-goers a funky ‘glamping-on-wheels’ option. With comfortable accommodation and wheels all rolled in to one wicked campervan, they are a perfect accompaniment for the summer festivals in the UK and Europe. And with prices from only £240 for four days’ hire, Wicked Campers are affordable too!

Wicked Campers provide a choice of two-seater and multi-seater vans which seat up to five people, available to hire in the UK and across Europe. Ideal for couples, families or friends, the vans offer more space, more comfort and, crucially, they are waterproof! What’s more each van has plenty of storage space so gig-goers are better equipped to stash their valuables in a secure way.

What makes Wicked Campers unique is that each Toyota van is individually spray-painted like no other – making it a whole lot easier to locate your crash pad at the end of the night! The colourful campervans come complete a large bed, table, camping stools, CD player and/or iPod connection, sink, tap, cool box, crockery, cutlery, pots, pans and a gas stove. For those hiring a multi-seater van, an additional tent is provided.

Compact and easy-to-drive, all Wicked Campers’ vans have automatic transmission, power steering, plus the luxuries of electric windows and a good stereo. They also come with third party insurance and 24-hour roadside assistance, which is valid in the UK and the whole of Europe.

Vans are available for one-way or round-trip hire. Depots are situated in London, Dundee, Belfast, Amsterdam, Munich, Barcelona, Malaga and San Benedetto (Italy).

Prices this summer for four days’ round-trip hire in a two-seater van starts from £240 for travel in the UK or £264 for travel in Europe. Valid from 20 April to 1 October, the price includes pick-up and drop-off from a choice of UK and European depots, insurance for one driver aged 25 and over, unlimited mileage and 24-hour roadside assistance. One way fees apply if picking up/dropping off at a different depot. Congestion charge fees added if applicable.

Visit www.wickedcampers.co.uk  or call 0808 234 8461.

St David’s Food and Craft Festival and
Cawl Cooking Championship of the World and Elsewhere
Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire 5th and 6th March

The Pembrokeshire seaside village of Saundersfoot will be flying the flag for local produce when it celebrates the onset of spring and the Welsh patron saint’s day with its annual St David’s Food and Craft Festival and Cawl Cooking Championship of the World and Elsewhere over the weekend of 5th and 6th March.

On both days there will be demonstrations by celebrity chef Angela Gray and an array of stalls in the heated harbourside marquee offering seasonal Pembrokeshire and Welsh produce to try and buy, along with arts and crafts from local makers.

Now in its 11th year, the Cawl Cooking Championship of the World and Elsewhere takes place between 11am and 3pm on Saturday, 5th March. The contest is judged on the vote of the public who are invited to go ‘cwm cawling’ around the ten local eateries taking part. To enter you need to buy a commemorative keepsake cawl bowl from the Saundersfoot Chamber for Tourism stall in the marquee, then fill up your bowl with the tasty Welsh delicacy and cast your vote for the most delicious dish.

For more information visit www.visit-saundersfoot.com or for details of where to stay and other things to see and do check out www.visitpembrokeshire.com , or call 0844 888 5115 for a free visitor guide.

Leading up to the Royal Wedding on 29 April, 2011, Swissôtel The Howard, London now offers couples the experience to be treated like a King and Queen for one weekend and a chance to escape reality.

The ‘Weekend with a Royal Twist’ at Swissôtel The Howard, London can be booked from 1st March, 2011 until 1st May, 2011. Linked to the wedding date of Prince William & Kate Middleton, the package will be priced at £2904, 11 and includes the following: Accommodation for two in a Grand River View Room (including breakfast), a bottle of Théophile Roederer champagne on the room upon arrival, a Royal-tea for two at the Mauve Lounge & Bar, a beauty treatment (hair, nails & facial/make-up or massage for the queen and hair and massage for the king) at the Aveda flagship store at Covent Garden and a royal menu for two at the hotel’s 12 Temple Place Restaurant. The highlight is a horse carriage trip around the city to Westminster Abbey to see where the Royal Wedding will take place.

Additional booking options are extra room nights, professional photo shootings of the couple in the room and royal nanny entertainment for the little ones. In combination with the royal package parents can add the ‘Little Princess Package’ (for 3-8 years) or the ‘Princess of Pop’ Package (for 8-17 years) to their booking (charges upon request).

Swissôtel The Howard, London is a five star hotel with an outstanding riverside setting and panoramic views across London’s famous skyline stretching from the Houses of Parliament to Tower Bridge. The 189 hotel rooms and suites reflect a contemporary and sophisticated style. Set in the heart of London close to Covent Garden with its bars, restaurants and theatres, the hotel is ideally located for business and leisure guests. For more information visit www.swissotel.com/london

When the children are happy on holiday, mum and dad are happy too, and a host of exciting new free activities at Keycamp’s kids’ clubs this summer mean there’s sure to be smiles all round.

From superhero training to pirate parties and magic master-classes for little ones, as well as time for older kids and teens to chill out with people their own age, Keycamp kids’ clubs offer an array supervised activities for children to get active and make new friends.

The perfect solution for children with energy to burn, Leo’s Fun Station offers treasure hunts, nature trails and even Leo’s world of wizardry, guaranteed to cast a spell over 4-6 year olds. For slightly older kids, Mac’s Fun Station for 7-9 year olds provides arts and craft activities, sports competitions and magic classes by the bucket-load.

The Station steps up the action and adventure for 9-12 year olds with murder mystery games, survivor activities and extreme Halloween for chills and thrills! Meanwhile, Base club offers teenagers the perfect balance of organised activities and freedom with pizza evenings, beach parties, and shopping trips.

Best of all, the clubs which are specifically tailored for different age groups, run six days a week and are completely free for all Keycamp holidaymakers.

Non-stop Fun for Kids at La Grande Métairie
Its non-stop action for kids at La Grande Métairie in Southern Brittany, as this superb parc has a waterpark with chutes and slides, adventure courses, helicopter rides, paintballing and horse riding, as well as Keycamp’s fantastic childrens’ clubs including Leo’s Fun Station, Mac’s Fun Station, The Station and Base.

A wealth of splendid beaches, Carnac’s famous ancient standing stones and the traditional Breton town of Auray make superb days out for all the family.

A seven night break at La Grande Métairie from 24 August for a family of two adults and up to four children staying in a Villanova mobile home will cost just £971 including a return Dover to Calais ferry crossing.

Children Rule at Le Clarys-Plage
Just a short stroll from white sandy beaches and with a host of family attractions on the doorstep, Le Clarys Plage on France’s stunning Vendée coast is the perfect spot to enjoy Keycamp’s new childrens’ club activities including Leo’s Fun Station, Mac’s Fun Station and The Station.

The flat local countryside is ideal for exploring by bike, while an array of watersports are on offer at the local beaches, and an experience of traditional France can be had at the village of Apremont with its Renaissance Castle remains.

A seven night break at Le Clarys-Plage from 24 August for a family of two adults and up to four children staying in a Villanova mobile home will cost just £857, a return Dover to Calais ferry crossing.

Alternative ferry crossings or fly-drive packages can be arranged at a supplement.

For further information, or to book, call Keycamp on 0844 406 0319 or visit www.keycamp.co.uk

Luxury family travel specialist, Scott Dunn has announced the opening two new Scott Dunn children’s clubs at Aphrodite Hills, Cyprus and Daios Cove, Crete for summer 2011.

Exclusive to guests of Scott Dunn, the brand new children’s clubs will offer childcare for Scott Dunn’s younger guests from 4 months up to 13 years old.

Operated and managed by Scott Dunn’s experienced childcare experts working with handpicked and fully qualified UK nannies, the new summer children’s clubs will be stocked with the latest toys, books and games ready for the first junior guests in May 2011.

To launch the new children’s clubs, Scott Dunn is offering an introductory special offer of one complimentary children’s club place per family stay saving up to £305.

Andrew Dunn, Scott Dunn’s founder commented; “To complement Pine Cliffs, our incredibly successful children’s club in the Algarve, we are delighted to announce the first of what we hope will be many new additions to our childcare offering in Europe over the next few years. We are looking forward to working closely with Aphrodite Hills and Daios Cove to create the perfect family holiday experience for our guests.”

Scott Dunn’s children’s club nannies work to strict nanny to child ratios to ensure the child’s safety and well-being at all times: Starfish (4 months to 2 years) one nanny to every two children, Dolphins (3-5 years) one nanny to three children, Sharks (6-8 years) one nanny to four children and Barracudas (9-13 years) one nanny to six children. Private nannies and babysitters are also available upon request.

Each day is fun-filled with a huge variety of organised activities from face painting, model making, t-shirt painting, story-telling and baking, through to treasure hunts, water sports, tennis and archery.

Lunchtimes are considered important – Scott Dunn’s nannies provide a fresh, daily prepared, homemade lunch for all children in their care, as well as delicious purees for younger babies, catering for all dietary requirements and allergies.

New Scott Dunn children’s club at Aphrodite Hills, Cyprus

New for 2011, Scott Dunn has handpicked a selection of luxury villas and townhouses, all with their own private pools, spread over the rolling hillside of the Aphrodite Hills Resort – serviced by Scott Dunn’s dedicated team and resort manager.

The new Scott Dunn children’s club is located in a private villa with its own private pool and gardens. The resort also has a fantastic playground complete with zip wires, climbing structures, wobbly wheels, swings and as well as horse-riding stables and nature trails.

With the children well cared for, Mums and Dads can enjoy complimentary access to the spa, complimentary beach shuttle and discounted green fees at Aphrodite Hill’s award-winning golf course – exclusive to Scott Dunn guests. A Scott Dunn chef will also be on hand for in-villa private dining.

Scott Dunn offers family holidays to Aphrodite Hills from £975 per adult and £805 per child, based on a family of four staying in a two-bedroom Junior villa with private pool on a self-catering basis, including return British Airways flights private transfers, the services of a Scott Dunn resort manager, arrival hamper and exclusive resort extras. Scott Dunn children’s club places from £205 per child.

Special early booking offer – 15 per cent early booking offer and one complimentary place at the Scott Dunn children’s club, minimum stay seven nights. Book by 01 May.

www.scottdunn.com/aphrodite

New Scott Dunn Children’s Club at Daios Cove, Crete

Nestled into the hillside of a private bay, Daios Cove is one of the latest luxury family-friendly resorts in Crete. It is set in a spectacular location and the resort itself is modern and contemporary in design.

If guests are not relaxing by their own private pool, the resort features a wealth of facilities including an outdoor infinity pool, children’s pool, two tennis courts, a fitness centre, spa and three restaurants, as well its own beach with a water sports and dive centre.

Scott Dunn offers seven-night family holidays to Daios Cove from £1,060 per adult and £675 per child based on a family of four sharing two interconnecting deluxe double rooms on a bed and breakfast basis including return private transfers. Scott Dunn children’s club places from £205 per child.

Special early booking offer – 15 per cent early booking offer and one complimentary place at the Scott Dunn children’s club, minimum stay seven nights. Book by 01 May.

www.scottdunn.com/daioscove

For more information call 020 8682 5040 and visit www.scottdunn.com/kidsclubs  for full details of Scott Dunn’s exclusive summer children’s clubs across Europe.

PRETTY LITTLE PRINCESS AT THE SWISS CASTLE

London, February 2011 – The dream of almost every little girl is to be a princess – just like Kate Middleton turns into Princess Catherine on 29 April, 2011. Swissôtel The Howard, London now offers the ‘Pretty little Princess’ Package, fulfilling every wish of an aspiring princess between the age of 3 and 8 years old.

Swissôtel The Howard, London will turn its premises into an imaginative five star princess castle as of 1st March, 2011 until 1st June, 2011 where little ‘princesses’ will be treated like royalty. Upon arrival, the princess will be welcomed with a bottle of Babycham (non-alcoholic champagne for kids) and a Princess Afternoon Tea. The day then starts with getting dressed: A pink princess dress with matching fur cape, handbag, glitter shoes and silver tiara is waiting for the First Lady in the hotel. The bed will be made with princess-style linens from Laura Ashley and the bathroom equipped with all sorts of Princess amenities wrapped in a pink colored wash bag. Furthermore, the little princess will be provided with pink slippers, a princess snow globe and a princess jewellery music box to collect all royal treasures. In order to avoid any boredom, her ‘Highness at Swissôtel The Howard, London’ will be spoilt with other amenities, such as a “do it your own” princess mirror and princess doll set, a Princess book, a Cinderella DVD, a Princess sticker book and a princess secret diary to write about the royal secrets. The highlight is a trip on a horse-drawn carriage to Westminster Abbey to see where the ‘real’ princess is getting married. The package includes one room night in a Grand River View Room (incl. breakfast) and is charged at the meaningful price of £2904,11.

Additional booking options are extra room nights for the princess and her parents and professional royal nanny entertainment in the role of a ‘Queen’ taking care of the successor (charges upon request).

Swissôtel The Howard, London is a five star hotel with an outstanding riverside setting and panoramic views across London’s famous skyline stretching from the Houses of Parliament to Tower Bridge. The 189 hotel rooms and suites reflect a contemporary and sophisticated style. Set in the heart of London close to Covent Garden with its bars, restaurants and theatres, the hotel is ideally located for business and leisure guests. For more information visit www.swissotel.com/london

Cruising overnight from Harwich, enjoy some scrumptious food in the onboard restaurants and a drink in the bar before settling down in your en suite cabin to watch a family film.

Spend the next day exploring the museums of Esbjerg, alternatively head to the beach for a stroll or take a short ferry ride to the island of Fanø, a haven for wildlife before returning to the ship for a delicious evening meal and a peaceful nights sleep.

Next day, after a scrumptious breakfast transfer by coach by Legoland which has activities to suit all ages including the Viking’s River Splash roller coaster and Lego safari sure to leave the whole family feeling exhilarated! After a day of fun return to the ship for your cruise home.

What’s Included:

- 3 nights on board ship in an en suite cabin
- Dinner on the first night
- Breakfast on first morning
- Time to explore Esbjerg
- Return coach transfers to Legoland
- Entrance to Legoland
- Departs Harwich 01 May and 23 Oct 2011

To book visit www.dfds.co.uk/legoland  or call 0871 882 0885