Latest news with #familyfriendly
Forbes
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Head To These Hotels On The Coast Of Maine This Sumer
Inn by the Sea Inn by the Sea The coast of Maine is my idea of what summertime is all about, from clambakes on the rocky shore to falling asleep to the sound of seagulls. Here are three of my favorite resorts. Just seven miles from Portland's Old Port, Inn by the Sea gets my vote for the best example of understated luxury on the Maine coast. The property, bathed in sea breezes and wisps of morning fog, overlooks Crescent Beach, a mile-long stretch of coastline. You reach the beach via a boardwalk through a wooded grove and discover a strand that's perfect for shelling, long walks, and yes, swimming when the cold waters warm up a bit. I love the rooms here, which are bright, artfully decorated, and elegantly appointed. There are 62 of them, as well as Garden Suites, Loft Suites, Beach Suites, and Cove Suites, many of them offering ocean views. Inn by the Sea is renowned for being both kid-friendly and dog-friendly, and the Inn's restaurant, Sea Glass, has long been one of the state's top restaurants, continuing to uphold its culinary excellence under its new chef, Ramiz Jasic. If wandering through the property's extensive perennial gardens isn't calming enough, there's a pool and a spa for deep relaxation. A short drive away is Portland Head Light, the state's best-known lighthouse, famously depicted by Edward Hopper. Bluebird Ocean Point Inn Bluebird Ocean Point Inn Set in Boothbay Harbor's Ocean Point community overlooking Card Cove, The Bluebird Ocean Point Inn is a good base for exploring Midcoast Maine. The interiors of the Bluebird Ocean Point Inn were designed by Elder & Ash. Accommodations include king and double queen rooms in the nine cottages, as well as suites and multi-bedroom suites. There's plenty of dining in town, but the hotel offers the Ocean Point Kitchen and OPK Bar on-site. Boothbay is the essence of the Maine coast and the heart of the Midcoast Region, a haven for sailors and the gateway to Monhegan Island, which lies about 10 miles offshore. The town is filled with shops, boutiques, and restaurants, and offers the Maine State Aquarium and the nationally acclaimed Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Chebeague island Inn Chebeague island Inn Chebeague Island lies off the coast of Yarmouth, which is located just north of Portland. Accessible via a 20-minute ferry ride, Chebeague is about three and a half miles long and about half that wide at its widest point. The home of about 400 year-round residents, who include fishermen and lobstermen, it's long been a haven for those seeking peace, quiet and an escape from the heat, a world away from Portland. The Chebeague Island Inn dates back to the 1920s and has one of the most inviting porches you will find anywhere on the Atlantic seaboard. The lawn has Adirondack chairs and slopes down to Casco Bay. There is the nine-hole Great Chebeague Golf Course, clay tennis courts, lawn games, and a fire pit. Hamilton Beach is a 10-minute stroll away. Now affiliated with two of Portland's best restaurants, Twelve and Evo Kitchen + Bar, the food at the hotel restaurant is a high point of any stay. As for the guest rooms, they're painted white, flooded with light, and very simply designed. There's WiFi, but no TVs or phones. Nor is there any air conditioning. You just leave your windows open for the cool sea breezes.
Zawya
14 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
DCT and Rotana unveil summer campaign to drive regional tourism and cement Abu Dhabi's year-round appeal
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Building on the strategic collaboration announced at Arabian Travel Market 2025, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Rotana, the Middle East's leading hospitality company, have now unveiled the first phase of their joint initiative to boost summer tourism to the emirate. This partnership aims to address seasonal travel lulls and strengthen Abu Dhabi's positioning as a dynamic, year-round destination. With Rotana's strong regional appeal and global loyalty network, the collaboration is primed to drive bookings across Abu Dhabi's diverse source markets, particularly the GCC. Summer Campaign: Stay More, Pay Less From June through August, guests staying at Rotana properties in Abu Dhabi can enjoy an exclusive 'Stay 3, Pay 2' summer offer. For every three consecutive nights booked, the third night is free. For longer stays, the offer continues (e.g., stay 6, pay 4), creating greater value the longer guests stay. The summer promotion also includes: Free stays and dining for children across all room categories Complimentary extra beds for kids, making it ideal for families Access to curated leisure experiences at participating Rotana hotels in Abu Dhabi Driving Summer Tourism Through Strategic Synergy This campaign is a key activation of the DCT-Rotana partnership, designed to stimulate travel during the traditionally quiet summer months, reinforce Abu Dhabi's appeal as a family-friendly destination, and encourage direct bookings through exclusive incentives. Eddy Tannous, COO, Rotana said: 'As a homegrown brand deeply rooted in the region, we are proud to partner with DCT Abu Dhabi on a campaign that supports the broader vision of positioning Abu Dhabi as a year-round destination. Through this initiative, we are combining strengths to deliver both economic impact and exceptional guest value, reaffirming our commitment to driving tourism growth in the emirate.' A Partnership Shaping the Future of Travel As part of DCT Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030, the partnership with Rotana underscores the emirate's commitment to sustained, collaborative growth. It is one of several recent alliances formed to enhance Abu Dhabi's global profile, increase visitor numbers, and deliver seamless, tailored experiences across key international and regional markets. For more information, visit: To learn more about Abu Dhabi, visit: About Rotana Rotana is one of the region's leading hospitality companies, founded in Abu Dhabi in 1992. It manages a portfolio of over 114 properties in operation and under development across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Türkiye. Known for its commitment to quality and guest satisfaction, Rotana operates six distinct brands: Rotana Hotels & Resorts, Centro Hotels, Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts, Arjaan Hotel Apartments, Edge by Rotana, and The Residences by Rotana. As a member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), Rotana is part of the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty program—one of the world's largest for independent hotel brands—offering guests exclusive benefits at more than 900 hotels in nearly 100 countries. With its brand promise of 'Treasured Time', Rotana continues to expand its presence across key markets while delivering trusted hospitality experiences. For more information, please visit
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong Airlines to expand pet-in-cabin service, with bookings full till November
Hong Kong Airlines is looking to expand a newly launched service that allows passengers to bring their pets into cabins to more destinations, as strong demand has led to bookings being filled until mid-November. Advertisement In an exclusive interview with the Post earlier this week, the carrier's president Jeff Sun Jianfeng revealed plans to expand its pet-in-cabin service, as well as to introduce new family-friendly products that would benefit toddlers, children and the elderly, in a bid to woo customers as an 'all-accommodating' airline in Hong Kong. 'We've been brewing with this pet-friendly service idea for a long time as a lot of pet lovers treat their furry companions as family members and cannot bear to part with them when going overseas,' he said. 'When we upgrade our services, we strive to satisfy our customers in all aspects. With this in mind, we pushed for this pet-in-cabin product as the first and only such home-based service in Hong Kong. 'This also further strengthens Hong Kong Airlines as an animal-friendly carrier.' Advertisement The new service, launched in February and currently only available on flights to Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, costs HK$8,800 (US$1,120) per pet, on top of the owner's airfare, and allows passengers to bring dogs and cats into the cabin, provided they keep the animals under the seat in front of them.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
‘More natural, harmonious and effortlessly laid-back than any British country hotel I've stayed in'
Most often when I review places for this column, I'm on my own. But to test a hotel to its limits, taking along my grandchildren does the trick. Max (aged three) is my secret weapon. When I popped in to see them at home recently, Max was absent. 'I'm afraid, Gran Gran,' said his sister Olive (five, but beyond her years), 'he's in thinking time again.' Thinking time is the family euphemism for 'he's been sent to his room for biting the au pair on the leg'. Biting au pairs is to be frowned on, but frankly, I don't blame Max for his very public tantrum – more a sit-in protest I like to think – at the previous 'family friendly' hotel we went to together. Our accommodation was like a barracks: we had to pay extra to use the pool (a nasty habit creeping onto the hotel scene), with highly restricted children's swim times; and the general atmosphere was as warm as dried toast. Louma, by contrast, felt like walking through the pearly gates into hotel heaven. Where is this paradise? On Dorset's Jurassic Coast, in a rebuilt south-facing farmhouse and barns set in 100 acres of vineyards and farmland, with a mesmerising and truly sensational view across rolling fields to the sea at Charmouth. The description is accurate – a happy combination of lavish (£30 million) if unshowy spending on the project and its gentle evolution. The owners are Louis and Emma (hence Louma) Steyn – he, the son of the late South African insurance tycoon, philanthropist and friend of Nelson Mandela Douw Steyn; she from the English countryside. When Louis and Emma found this lovely fold of Marshwood Vale in 2019, they bought it for themselves and their three children. Gradually, however, and with a close-knit team, they devised a way of sharing it more widely – first as a private retreat, latterly as a hotel open to all. The result is a place that feels more natural, harmonious and effortlessly laid-back than any British country hotel I have ever stayed in. It has echoes of Soho Farmhouse and The Newt (in Somerset), but those places feel like constructs set in unreal bubbles compared with Louma, which feels part of life. They do things differently here. Rates are for two nights minimum and full board, and before your stay, someone (in our case, Laura) will contact you to arrange your bespoke itinerary. Itinerary? Is this place regimented? No; I told you, it's heaven. Our schedule included blissful bespoke massages from spa director Björn and his small team; yoga and craniosacral treatments on the upper floor of a remote, sea-facing barn; riding (the on-site stables with 20 horses are run by the delightful Sandford family); mini Land Rovers for the kids; wine tasting; and complimentary vineyard and farmyard tours. We also swam in the indoor and outdoor pools, took saunas, used the gym and playground and strolled on the enchanting, hand-built elevated wooden Woodland Walk above carpets of bluebells. Ask Olive and Max what they loved most about Louma and they would tell you it was the tadpoles in the pretty pond, temporarily forgetting about meeting all the farm animals or their first horse ride. Story and puzzle books for them to keep were set out on their bunkbeds; they could swim at any time; run down to see the lambs; drag their grandmother to the swings and slide; and play with toys and other children while the grown-ups sipped Louma sparkling rosé and Special Cuvée. They were gloriously happy – and so was I, revelling in the harmonious good looks and stretch-out comfort of the spacious public areas and bedrooms (including two charming shepherd huts); the friendliness of the local staff; and not least, the delicate and prettily presented food, classic with a twist. Menus are short, so a couple of dinners here is about right before the desire to eat elsewhere sets in. As for Max: at his cheeky, happy, imaginative best, the only hint of thinking time was when he was told he was leaving. Like me, he had fallen under the spell of this intuitive, uplifting, kind and restorative retreat. Doubles from £650, including breakfast, lunch and dinner; Champenhayes Lane, Wootton Fitzpaine, Bridport, Dorset DT6 6DF (01308 800298)
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'Exciting' London pub reopens after refurb with 8,000 sq ft garden
A newly reopened pub has unveiled an 8,000 sq ft garden as part of a £1 million investment. The Hammersmith Belle, leased by Belle Pubs & Hotels, has completed the latest stage of its major refurbishment, creating a garden area for 300 people. This includes beach huts, a children's play area with a castle, and an all-weather outdoor sports pergola featuring TVs for live sports viewings. Official ribbon cutting by Rosie Gilligan (2nd left), Councillor Zarar Qayyum (3rd left) and Shooting Starz Lexie Crag (left) and Jacob Cham (right) (Image: Helen Jones) The pub, located on King Street in Hammersmith, underwent a complete renovation and reopened in January 2025 after being the Hampshire Hog before and an Indian restaurant. Councillor Zarar Qayyum, cabinet member for enterprise and skills, and Saracens and England rugby player Rosie Galligan officially opened the garden on May 24. The grand opening was marked by a weekend-long garden party with food and drink tastings, children's face painting, and a jazz band performance. The pub is a short walk from Hammersmith and Ravenscourt Park stations, as well as the soon-to-be-opened Civic Centre. Childrens castle climbing frame at The Hammersmith Belle (Image: Helen Jones) As a community-focused pub, the Hammersmith Belle is gaining a reputation as a family-friendly, sports fan, and dog-friendly establishment, welcoming visitors throughout the day and evening, both on weekdays and weekends. Jane White, managing director of Belle Pubs & Hotels, said: "We're excited to be unveiling our wonderful pub garden which we hope will become a popular destination for families, groups of friends and sports fans throughout the summer. "My grandmother lived in Hammersmith, just around the corner from the pub, and I have fond memories of visiting the local area during the summer holidays. "We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming, fun community pub the whole family can enjoy. "And with our new garden, we look forward to welcoming even more customers to the Hammersmith Belle. "All we need now is for the British weather to stay kind to us." Inside, the pub has been transformed into a charming space, featuring an interior adorned with red and pink silk roses on the walls and artificial ivy and flowers on the ceiling. David Evans and Jane White celebrate garden launch at The Hammersmith Belle (Image: Helen Jones) A well-stocked bar offers a variety of drinks, including keg beer and cider taps, and a menu of family favourite meals from breakfast to dinner, including a traditional Sunday roast. For sports fans, the pub boasts multiple TV screens and two super screens showing a variety of live national and international sporting events, from football and rugby to Formula One and cricket. Additionally, there's a Bull Hitters Winmau-branded darts lounge with five oches, making it a destination venue for darts enthusiasts. The pub was originally licensed in the 17th century as the Hog. It was renamed the Hampshire Hog before becoming an Indian restaurant. It reopened in January 2025 after being taken over by Belle Pubs & Hotels. The Hammersmith Belle is part of an area in Hammersmith benefiting from a revival, supported by local efforts to enhance the late-night economy and improve the streetscape. The pub is next to the new Civic Campus and the new Hammersmith Highline. Phase three of the £1 million refurbishment plan is expected to include the addition of 14 bed-and-breakfast accommodation rooms, planned for later this year. Mr Qayyum, said: "The Hammersmith Belle is a great pub and a much-loved part of Hammersmith's late-night economy. "We're committed to growing our late-night economy in Hammersmith & Fulham as it plays a vital role in providing jobs, attracting visitors, and offering social connection. "Not only will it support our thriving hospitality industry but it will also benefit the wider borough economy too."
