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Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
How I did a luxury holiday in the Maldives for cheaper than a week at Center Parcs
See how an all-inclusive week at a 4-star resort with endless activities compares to the UK holiday park LIFE'S A BEACH How I did a luxury holiday in the Maldives for cheaper than a week at Center Parcs Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) I WAS lucky enough to travel to the Maldives recently – the stunning islands in the Indian Ocean, where the warm waters are teeming with tropical fish and turtles. The destination is - simply put - paradise. 11 Travel writer Sophie Swietochowski spent a week at a luxury all-inclusive resort in the Maldives that costs £1,359pp next June, including flights Credit: Sophie Swietochowski 11 The 4* Sun Siyam Olhuveli, in the South Malé Atoll was surprisingly affordable Credit: Supplied But what surprised me most about my exotic getaway wasn't the white sand beaches or the turquoise waters. It was the affordable price tag. A family holiday in the Maldives, it seems, may even cost you less than an activity-packed getaway at Center Parcs, right here in the UK. The cost of living crisis and newly-introduced taxes have caused the price of UK holidays to soar in recent years, with staycations setting families back eye-watering sums. New data from On the Beach showed that 34 per cent of Brits believe a holiday in one of Europe's beach resorts offers better value for money than a UK break. Depending on which resort you choose, there's endless fun for both kids and adults, as I found during my recent stay at the 4* Sun Siyam Olhuveli, in the South Malé Atoll. A whole week can be spent snorkelling through colourful reefs, sharpening up your racket skills on the tennis court and speeding across the ocean behind the wheel of a car that drives on water. After a short stint here, my opinion on the sleepy honeymoon hotspot had changed completely. There was so much to do that the destination felt somewhat like a Center Parcs, only with much warmer weather AND (here's the key point) it was cheaper – yes, really. 11 Can a luxury holiday in the balmy Maldives really match the great British getaway on price? Sophie has crunched the numbers and says it can Credit: Sophie Swietochowski 11 Non-motorised water sports like kayaking and paddle boarding are included in the price Credit: Supplied So, can a luxury holiday in the balmy Maldives really match the great British getaway on price? I've crunched the numbers and the answer is yes. Center Parcs' Elveden Forest in Suffolk recently opened a number of luxury water lodges, set on its tranquil lake, much like the over-water villas that are synonymous with the Maldives. And much like the Maldives, Center Parcs is also bursting at the seams with activities. Archery classes? Yep. Watersports activities? Plenty of those. Indoor gaming areas? Teens will love that. But all of these activities don't come cheap. And, ultimately, that's what sways the price. 11 Center Parcs' Elveden Forest in Suffolk recently opened a number of luxury water lodges, much like the over-water villas that are synonymous with the Maldives Credit: Getty 11 To stay in one of the resort's new waterside lodges at Elveden Forest in June next year will cost around £5,298 for one week Credit: Center Parcs 11 That's not to say that Center Parcs doesn't have its perks. In terms of activities, the UK adventure holiday company is unbeatable Credit: Alamy Travellers can bag themselves a seven-night all-inclusive break at Sun Siyam Olhuveli for £1,359pp for a family of four travelling in June 2025, outside of the school holidays, with Travelbag. This price includes all flights and speedboat transfers to the resort, too, plus a lot of activities and snorkel gear. It means that kids and parents can wander from their bedroom straight into the ocean or house reef to spot a plethora of fish. The cost above also includes an excursion, such as a sunset cruise where you'll take in breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean (keep your eyes peeled for dolphins). What else? On top of the bucket list experiences, dotted around the resort is a giant chess board, tennis and badminton courts and beach volleyball. Non-motorised water sports like kayaking and paddle boarding, Maldivian themed nights, evening entertainment and weekly prize giveaways are also included in the price above. 11 Travellers can bag themselves a seven-night all-inclusive break at Sun Siyam Olhuveli for £1,359pp for a family of four Credit: Sophie Swietochowski 11 Kids and parents can wander from their bedroom straight into the ocean Credit: Supplied So, for a family of four, the total cost racks up to £5,436, which admittedly does sound steep - and you will have to travel during term time to bag this last-minute deal. But what I love about an all-inclusive is that you don't need to spend a penny when you're there. And with these packages covering nearly every restaurant at the resort as well as certain drinks and cocktails, you're not missing out. Center Parcs, by comparison, looks a similar price at first glance, during the same time of year. A quick search showed that to stay in one of the resort's new waterside lodges at Elveden Forest during the same month next year will cost around £5,298 for one week. This does, however, sleep six guests instead of four - so you'll have room for an extra two kids or you can bring the grandparents along for babysitting duties. Food and drink is not included, though, and nor are most of the activities. And this is where the costs add up pushing it significantly over my Maldives trip. One lasagne will set you back a hefty £17 at Center Parc's Whinfell Forest resort, while a prawn spaghetti costs £18. Multiply that by a family of four and that comes to over £500 for just one meal each across the week. Extras like archery sessions cost from £21pp for 55 minutes, while paintballing costs £47 and kayaking is £15 for a double kayak for 30 minutes, all at Elveden Forest. It's easy to see how the prices can soar. 11 These Maldives package covers nearly every restaurant at the resort as well as certain drinks and cocktails Credit: Sophie Swietochowski 11 This price includes all flights and speedboat transfers to the resort, too, plus a lot of activities and snorkel gear Credit: Supplied That's not to say that Center Parcs doesn't have its perks. In terms of activities, this adventure holiday company is unbeatable and a small Maldivian island simply can't compete on scale. The prices can't exactly be compared like for like, either, with costs varying according to the time of year and number of people visiting. But if you're after something different, where you won't have to panic about spending money when you're there, booking a package further afield could be the way to go. One thing is for sure. The look of sheer excitement on your child's face when they spot their first turtle is something money can't buy.
The Irish Sun
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Restaurant goes viral for serving up the world's most ‘disgusting pudding' – can you tell what's wrong?
A RESTAURANT has gone viral after serving up 'detergent sponges' and 'dishwater' as deserts. The weird desserts served at KANTIN at The Granary in Malaysia aren't actually cleaning supplies and dirty water - they are actually edible desserts and drinks. Advertisement 4 The dessert and drink cost just over £4 Credit: Instagram/@kantingranary 4 The restaurant's media team makes it look like the drink is served directly from the sink Credit: Instagram/@kantingranary The hyper-realistic dessert looks like a sponge that has just been used to wash the plates out the back of the restaurant. And when it is served, it even includes the soapy suds and a garnishing of detergent, that looks like washing up liquid. But all of this is actually edible. The dessert consists of a yellow and green sponge cake, cleverly decorated to look like a dish-cleaning sponge. Advertisement Read more on restaurants The actual flavours include a lemon butter sponge with English orange marmalade, topped with a lemon foam. The 'detergent' is pandan lime syrup. To go with the dessert, guests get a complimentary cup of 'dishwater' that servers claim is 'curry flavoured' due to the staff just having their team meal - which was a chicken curry. In reality, the drink is a mix of turmeric, ginger water and coconut oil . Advertisement Most read in News Travel Customers have been left shocked with how realistic it looks, with one person commenting on social media: "Omg. It really does look like sponge! You got the lil foam on it too!" The dessert - originally part of an April Fool's prank offering - will be served in the restaurant until the beginning of June. 'World's best burger' finally returns to UK after nearly a DECADE of fans begging 'this is a need, not a want' The dessert also only costs £4.73. The restaurant also serves a variety of other - more normal - dishes, and was award a Traveller's Choice Award from Tripadvisor in 2024. Advertisement According to Tripadvisor, visitors should: "EAT AT YOUR OWN RISK! EVERYTHING IS ADDICTIVE!" The restaurant is located in a historical building - The Granary - which was built back in 1885. The venue serves Sarawakian food with a twist of innovation. Also, a popular Hong Kong restaurant that's famous for its 'delicious' menu will soon open its first UK site. Advertisement Plus, The Sun's Sophie Swietochowski headed 4 The restaurant calls it a 'prank dessert' Credit: Instagram/@kantingranary 4 The sponge is actually lemon, marmalade and lime flavoured and the drink is a mix of turmeric, coconut and ginger Credit: Instagram/@kantingranary
Scottish Sun
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Restaurant goes viral for serving up the world's most ‘disgusting pudding' – can you tell what's wrong?
Plus, The Sun's Sophie Swietochowski headed on a secret food tour taking you around a capital city DISH UP Restaurant goes viral for serving up the world's most 'disgusting pudding' – can you tell what's wrong? A RESTAURANT has gone viral after serving up 'detergent sponges' and 'dishwater' as deserts. The weird desserts served at KANTIN at The Granary in Malaysia aren't actually cleaning supplies and dirty water - they are actually edible desserts and drinks. 4 The dessert and drink cost just over £4 Credit: Instagram/@kantingranary 4 The restaurant's media team makes it look like the drink is served directly from the sink Credit: Instagram/@kantingranary The hyper-realistic dessert looks like a sponge that has just been used to wash the plates out the back of the restaurant. And when it is served, it even includes the soapy suds and a garnishing of detergent, that looks like washing up liquid. But all of this is actually edible. The dessert consists of a yellow and green sponge cake, cleverly decorated to look like a dish-cleaning sponge. The actual flavours include a lemon butter sponge with English orange marmalade, topped with a lemon foam. The 'detergent' is pandan lime syrup. To go with the dessert, guests get a complimentary cup of 'dishwater' that servers claim is 'curry flavoured' due to the staff just having their team meal - which was a chicken curry. In reality, the drink is a mix of turmeric, ginger water and coconut oil. Customers have been left shocked with how realistic it looks, with one person commenting on social media: "Omg. It really does look like sponge! You got the lil foam on it too!" The dessert - originally part of an April Fool's prank offering - will be served in the restaurant until the beginning of June. 'World's best burger' finally returns to UK after nearly a DECADE of fans begging 'this is a need, not a want' The dessert also only costs £4.73. The restaurant also serves a variety of other - more normal - dishes, and was award a Traveller's Choice Award from Tripadvisor in 2024. According to Tripadvisor, visitors should: "EAT AT YOUR OWN RISK! EVERYTHING IS ADDICTIVE!" The restaurant is located in a historical building - The Granary - which was built back in 1885. The venue serves Sarawakian food with a twist of innovation. Also, a popular Hong Kong restaurant that's famous for its 'delicious' menu will soon open its first UK site. Plus, The Sun's Sophie Swietochowski headed on a secret food tour taking you around a capital city – it should be on everyone's bucket list. 4 The restaurant calls it a 'prank dessert' Credit: Instagram/@kantingranary
Scottish Sun
28-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
English holiday resort dubbed a ‘posh Center Parcs for less money' has 18th century manor house and 40 kids activities
A HOLIDAY resort in the UK has been compared to a fancy Center Parcs "without all of the extra costs" - and it's cheaper in the summer holidays. Previously called Highbullen Hotel, it reopened in 2023 as The Mole Resort. 7 A holiday resort in the UK has been called a fancier Center Parcs without the cost Credit: Instagram 7 There is an indoor and outdoor swimming pool Credit: Instagram 7 Families can choose from more than 40 activities The resort has more than 40 activities to choose from, for both adults and kids. And unlike Center Parcs, lots of them are all included in the price. This includes sports such as tennis, pickleball and football, as well as petanque and croquet. Kids will also love the Trim Trail, an outdoor obstacle course, as well as the wooden kids playground and indoor games room. Fitness classes such as yoga and aqua fit are on offer, along with walking and running routes. A gym and sauna are also onsite, with both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Premium activities that cost extra include everything from archery and axe throwing to bushcraft skills and pottery painting. And in the evenings kids can enjoy everything from movie nights to bingo and quiz. For when you get hungry, there is a restaurant on-site which serves everything from breakfast to dinner as well as snacks and cream teas. Or you can order a meal pack to be delivered to your door, with book prepared meals or ingredients for breakfast and BBQs. First images revealed of Center Parcs Scotland village When it comes to staying onsite, there are the wooden lodges with views over the valley, as well as hotel rooms in the Manor House. And we've found that stays are cheaper than when staying at Center Parcs. For example, a four-night stay on June 9 for a family can be found for £500 at The Mole Resort. The same dates for a Center Parcs holiday costs £629 for the four nights. Even in the summer holidays, a four-night stay starts from £1,400 at the Mole Resort, while Center Parc starts from £1,549. 7 Tennis, football, croquet and fitness classes are some of the activities on offer Credit: Instagram 7 Archery and axe throwing are some of the premium activities Credit: Instagram 7 The lodges have amazing views over the valley Credit: Instagram When you factor in the free activities at The Mole Resort, it is a much bigger saving. People have raved about the resort for being a fancier Center Pacs. One person wrote: "Probably the best resort in the south! "We've been to quiet a few lodges and holiday parks including Center Parcs and this is by far the most luxurious." Another agreed: "I'd say this place is a posh version of Center Parcs." A third added: "The resort is like Center Parcs without the charges for all the extras." Other praised it for not being overcrowded or busy either. What is it like to stay at The Mole Resort The Sun's Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski visited shortly after it reopened. The activity resort truly showcases the pretty patch of British countryside it occupies — from its rustic wooden lodges overlooking vast landscapes, through to its deer observatory, perched on a steep hill with shutters that open out on to the damp, quiet woodland below where wildlife flourishes. We were staying in a Valley View lodge, which certainly lived up to its name, propped up on tall stilts and offering uninterrupted views of a patchwork fields, and grazing cows. Having our fridge pre-stocked with breakfast goodies, such as fresh milk, bread, butter, eggs, veg and bacon, meant that we could spend less time at the on-site farm shop and more hours getting stuck into the stuff that makes the Mole Resort so special — the never-ending list of activities on offer. If you're visiting with kids, there are parent-and-child sessions for archery and axe-throwing, plus there's foot golf, tennis, pickleball, football and nature classes such as fire-lighting, bird box-crafting and den-building. More of a wellness warrior? There's an indoor and outdoor pool, as well as a spa offering all the standard massages and facials, through to reiki therapy and hopi ear candles. The place was serenely empty for the time of year and we barely passed another soul until we reached Pebbleridge Kitchen — dishing up fresh crab sarnies to the hungry punters. We've also rounded up some other Center Parcs alternative holiday resorts in the UK. And here's how you could save more than £1,000 by going to Center Parcs in Europe - even including flights. 7 Even in the summer, the resort is cheaper than Center Parcs by at least £100 a week Credit: Mole Resort
The Irish Sun
28-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
English holiday resort dubbed a ‘posh Center Parcs for less money' has 18th century manor house and 40 kids activities
A HOLIDAY resort in the UK has been compared to a fancy Center Parcs "without all of the extra costs" - and it's cheaper in the summer holidays. Previously called Highbullen Hotel, it reopened in 2023 as The Mole Resort. 7 A holiday resort in the UK has been called a fancier Center Parcs without the cost Credit: Instagram 7 There is an indoor and outdoor swimming pool Credit: Instagram 7 Families can choose from more than 40 activities The resort has more than 40 activities to choose from, for both adults and kids. And unlike Center Parcs, lots of them are all included in the price. This includes sports such as tennis, pickleball and football , as well as petanque and croquet. Kids will also love the Trim Trail, an outdoor obstacle course, as well as the wooden kids playground and indoor games room. Read more on holiday parks Fitness classes such as yoga and aqua fit are on offer, along with walking and running routes. A gym and sauna are also onsite, with both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Premium activities that cost extra include everything from archery and axe throwing to bushcraft skills and pottery painting. And in the evenings kids can enjoy everything from movie nights to bingo and quiz. Most read in News Travel For when you get hungry, there is a restaurant on-site which serves everything from breakfast to dinner as well as snacks and cream teas. Or you can order a meal pack to be delivered to your door, with book prepared meals or ingredients for breakfast and BBQs. First images revealed of Center Parcs Scotland village When it comes to staying onsite, there are the wooden lodges with views over the valley, as well as hotel rooms in the Manor House. And we've found that stays are cheaper than when staying at Center Parcs. For example, a four-night stay on June 9 for a family can be found for £500 at The Mole Resort. The same dates for a Even in the summer holidays , a four-night stay starts from £1,400 at the Mole Resort, while Center Parc starts from £1,549. 7 Tennis, football, croquet and fitness classes are some of the activities on offer Credit: Instagram 7 Archery and axe throwing are some of the premium activities Credit: Instagram 7 The lodges have amazing views over the valley Credit: Instagram When you factor in the free activities at The Mole Resort, it is a much bigger saving. People have raved about the resort for being a fancier One person wrote: "Probably the best resort in the south! "We've been to quiet a few lodges and holiday parks including Center Parcs and this is by far the most luxurious." Another agreed: "I'd say this place is a posh version of Center Parcs." A third added: "The resort is like Other praised it for not being overcrowded or busy either. What is it like to stay at The Mole Resort The Sun's Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski visited shortly after it reopened. The activity resort truly showcases the pretty patch of British countryside it occupies — from its rustic wooden lodges overlooking vast landscapes, through to its deer observatory, perched on a steep hill with shutters that open out on to the damp, quiet woodland below where wildlife flourishes. We were staying in a Valley View lodge, which certainly lived up to its name, propped up on tall stilts and offering uninterrupted views of a patchwork fields, and grazing cows. Having our fridge pre-stocked with breakfast goodies, such as fresh milk, bread, butter, eggs, veg and bacon, meant that we could spend less time at the on-site farm shop and more hours getting stuck into the stuff that makes the Mole Resort so special — the never-ending list of activities on offer. If you're visiting with kids, there are parent-and-child sessions for archery and axe-throwing, plus there's foot golf, tennis, pickleball, football and nature classes such as fire-lighting, bird box-crafting and den-building. More of a wellness warrior? There's an indoor and outdoor pool, as well as a spa offering all the standard massages and facials, through to reiki therapy and hopi ear candles. The place was serenely empty for the time of year and we barely passed another soul until we reached Pebbleridge Kitchen — dishing up fresh crab sarnies to the hungry punters. We've also rounded up some other And here's how you could 7 Even in the summer, the resort is cheaper than Center Parcs by at least £100 a week Credit: Mole Resort
