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Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Stunning European island beats Caribbean for having world's best beach
Famed for its pastel pink sand and crystal-clear waters, it's hard to believe that the world's best beach is only four hours from the UK - and you can grab return flights in July for just £80 You don't need to jet over to the other side of the world to find sugar-like sand and crystal-clear waters. In fact, the best beach is much closer to the UK than you'd think. Earlier this year, review site Tripadvisor revealed its Travellers Choice Awards after analysing more than eight million listings over a 12-month period. It found that nothing could quite compare to the idyllic Elafonissi Beach, located on the Greek island of Crete. Famed for its pastel pink sand (believed to be caused by tiny fragments of seashells) and cobalt waters, Elafonissi Beach outranked dream Caribbean destinations such as Eagle Beach in Aruba and Playa Varadero in Cuba. The stunning beach, which is part of a protected nature reserve, looks like something straight out of a postcard - and makes for the perfect Instagram snap. Whether you want to spend the day basking under the sun with a good book, or prefer to cool yourself in the shallow lagoon - this beach really does offer something for everyone. Surrounded by a lush forest of cedar trees, the coastline is also a great spot for hikers and nature lovers alike. "This place is not overrated!" hailed one traveller who visited the beach back in April. "It's a short walk to get to this superb beach [from the car park] and it's quite special because of its many lagoons. A real little jewel! The water is super transparent and turquoise." Another person agreed, branding the beach 'wonderful'. It's the best beach I have seen," they wrote. "[The] water is very clean and fantastic for children. I want to come back there every year." A third added: "I'm in love with this place - it's one of my favourites. I recommend it to all the people who want to visit... the water was amazing." Of course, even the world's best beach can't impress everybody - and Elafonisi has garnered some negative attention, mainly around its €5 car park. "Can't get anywhere near the beach!" moaned one traveller, who dubbed the high parking fee a 'tourist scam'. Another agreed, scathing: "When we went to Elafonisi the water was not crystal clear (it was actually impossible to see the ground), and the sand was not pink. There was a crazy [amount of] people and when we came there all the sun beds and parasols had been occupied." Kristen Dalton of Tripadvisor hailed its Travellers' Choice Awards for reflecting the voices of 'millions of global travellers' and helping guide people to plan their 'best trip yet'. "In my family, beaches aren't just for sunbathing - we like to get out and explore!" she added. "The diversity of this year's winners really showcases everything that a beach trip can have to offer. Whether it's strolling the beautiful pink sand beaches of our world winner, Elafonissi beach, in Greece, experiencing breath-taking vistas in Indonesia, whale watching in Hawaii or diving in magical bioluminescent waters in Thailand - there really is something for everyone." If you're keen to check the beach out this year, you can fly to Crete directly from most major UK airports - including Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Bristol, and Bournemouth. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab return fares for as little as £80 in July. Accommodation on the island is equally affordable, with plenty of hostels and no-thrill hotels to meet the tightest of budgets. For example, a week's stay (Monday, July 7-14) at Studio Peacock will only set you back £215. This is based on two adults sharing a double bed in a one-bedroom apartment. However, if you're after something a little more luxurious, you have to check out Naiades Boutique Hotel. Located right on the beachfront, this adults-only resort is the epitome of chic and comes with free breakfast every morning. A Deluxe Suite with your own outdoor jacuzzi costs £1,563 on the exact same dates. Do you have a story to share? Email us at yourmirror@ for a chance to be featured.
Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful island with world-class beach, 34C weather and 94p beer
One island in the Philippines is home to a world-class beach, 34C weather in May, and prices are so cheap it's been named one of the best value destinations for Brits A holiday spot with a top beach, balmy climes, and budget-friendly brews is the dream for many - and this stunning island in the Philippines ticks all the boxes. Panay Island, basking in average temperatures of up to 34C in May, boasts one of the globe's most exquisite beaches. TripAdvisor's Travellers Choice Awards have crowned the island's White Beach as one of the Best of the Best, lavishing it with a stellar 4.4 out of five stars on the travel review site. Discussing White Beach, the travel firm said: "Boracay's most popular beach draws a crowd for good reasons: soft white sand, turquoise waters, and amazing sunsets. "It's a great place to swim and snorkel, and when you've worked up an appetite, lots of local dining and drinking joints are just steps away." And when it comes to enjoying a tipple at one of the local haunts, your wallet won't feel the pinch – a pint will only set you back 94p, and a three-course meal for two in the Philippines averages at a mere £16. Visitors to White Beach concur that the sandy expanse is worthy of its lauded status. A tourist commented: "Still the island paradise and no wonder that it is one of the best beaches in the world.", reports the Express. "The crystal clear water and pure powdery white sand stretching to approximately 3 km makes it an ideal to explore the island from end to end. It has a variety of restaurants, local shops and food spots to just stay, lie down and rejuvenate. Lots of activities from sun up to sun down." One visitor who dropped by earlier in the year said: "Amazing and beautiful beach, lovely soft sand, warm sea, even in January. Nice local shops. I have been to many beaches all over the world and this is one of the best. "Definitely worth a visit to this one. Great for swimming getting some sun or just chilling out." Aside from the stunning beach, the island boasts cultural and historical treasures like the Jaro Cathedral, a Romanesque Revival monument that dates back to 1587. From Panay, island hopping to nearby destinations such as Maraison Island, Guimaras, and Lakawon Island is a breeze. For those enamoured with history, the island also houses Aklan, touted as the oldest province in the Philippines. With a host of locals offering guide services, Aklan presents an unparalleled opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the island's rich heritage while enjoying its natural splendour.
The Independent
29-04-2025
- The Independent
Here are the 10 best hotels in the world, according to Tripadvisor – and one is in London
Tripadvisor has revealed its pick of the best hotels in its annual Travellers Choice Awards – and one is in London. The travel platform analysed 12 months of review data from over 1.6 million hotels listed on the site to identify the highest rated hotels in the world for 2025. Winners span 10 categories from the definitive Top Hotels, through to All-Inclusive, B&Bs and Inns, Family-Friendly, Luxury, Small and Boutique and Pet-Friendly. Three new subcategories have also been announced this year: One of a Kind, Treat Yourself and a special one-off 25th anniversary list. In total, over 100 UK hotels were named Best of the Best this year, with 11 placing on world lists. Claiming the title of the number one hotel in the world for 2025 is Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya in Tulum, Mexico, which also secured the world number one spot in the All-Inclusive and Treat Yourself categories. Reviewers remarked on the resort's impressive spa and wellness centre and selection of pools. In second place came Vietnam 's Grandvrio Ocean Resort Danang, with India 's Gokulam Grand Turtle on the Beach resort following in third. In sixth place – and the UK's top hotel – is St. Ermin's Hotel in London, which was ranked second in Europe and sixth in the world. Located in the heart of St James, the hotel is part of Marriott's Autograph Collection. Of the top 10 hotels in the UK, six were in London, with other winners found in Oxfordshire, Jersey, Derry and Liverpool. And in the new One of a Kind category, which aims to highlight the world's most unique properties, Edinburgh's Fingal Hotel – a converted Northern Lighthouse Board ship – was ranked the UK's number one. 'Tripadvisor's Best of the Best Hotels captures the opinions of millions of travellers worldwide and offers trusted guidance for travellers to plan their best stays,' said Kristen Dalton, Tripadvisor president. 'Known for their outstanding hospitality, premium amenities and prime locations, Tripadvisor's Best of the Best Hotels stand out as top choices in their respective destinations and across the globe.' Top 10 hotels in the World Top 10 hotels in the UK
