Latest news with #summerholidays
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Council 'looking for ways' to extend Abingdon lido's season
A local authority has said it is looking for ways to extended the period of time an outdoor swimming pool is open for, after facing Abbey Meadows outdoor pool, in Abingdon, is not due to reopen until 19 July - and will remain open for the duration of the school summer of Wight Horse District Council, which runs the facility, said running it was "expensive", meaning it needed to be "careful" about how long it stays pool had been at risk of closure in 2015 - but reopened in 2018 after a £1.3m refurbishment. Naomi Richardson, who campaigned to get the pool revamped, previously told the BBC: "I think we can say that it's disappointing - that would be an understatement."I feel very frustrated about the potential that is being wasted, both for the town as a whole and the opportunities that are being denied people to enjoy the facility."In a statement, the council said: "We're looking for ways to lower costs and hope to extend the season in the future."It's important to be careful and to remain within our operating budget so we can continue to open this popular site during the busy summer months, whilst also continuing to support other important services and our most vulnerable residents."In total, the pool will be open for six weeks over the summer holidays. An adjacent splashpad has already Abbey Meadows, most of Oxfordshire's lido's have already reopened to coincide with the unseasonal dry and warm Woodgreen pool and Wallingford's Riverside pool both opened last week, while Hinksey outdoor pool in Oxford reopened at the start of April. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Council 'looking for ways' to extend lido's season
A local authority has said it is looking for ways to extended the period of time an outdoor swimming pool is open for, after facing criticism. The Abbey Meadows outdoor pool, in Abingdon, is not due to reopen until 19 July - and will remain open for the duration of the school summer holidays. Vale of Wight Horse District Council, which runs the facility, said running it was "expensive", meaning it needed to be "careful" about how long it stays open. The pool had been at risk of closure in 2015 - but reopened in 2018 after a £1.3m refurbishment. Naomi Richardson, who campaigned to get the pool revamped, previously told the BBC: "I think we can say that it's disappointing - that would be an understatement. "I feel very frustrated about the potential that is being wasted, both for the town as a whole and the opportunities that are being denied people to enjoy the facility." In a statement, the council said: "We're looking for ways to lower costs and hope to extend the season in the future. "It's important to be careful and to remain within our operating budget so we can continue to open this popular site during the busy summer months, whilst also continuing to support other important services and our most vulnerable residents." In total, the pool will be open for six weeks over the summer holidays. An adjacent splashpad has already reopened. Unlike Abbey Meadows, most of Oxfordshire's lido's have already reopened to coincide with the unseasonal dry and warm weather. Banbury's Woodgreen pool and Wallingford's Riverside pool both opened last week, while Hinksey outdoor pool in Oxford reopened at the start of April. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Council's outdoor pool to stay shut until late July 'Much-loved' lido upgraded ahead of reopening Vale of White Horse District Council
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
These are the 20 cheapest all- inclusive hotels for families this summer
THE Sun travel team has compared prices across all short-haul destinations - and found the 20 cheapest all-inclusive hotels for your family this school summer holidays. From as little as £437pp in resorts across Turkey, Spain, Greece and Tunisia - all of the hotels have availability in late July or August this year. 13 The below deals are all for seven nights with prices based on an all-inclusive stay for two adults and two children. Flights are not included. SPAIN Hotel Palia Don Pedro, Tenerife, £478pp This hotel is in a great location for the price, on Tenerife's south coast. The peaceful location has its own stretch of coastline and is around 20 minutes to the lively Playa de las Americas beach area by car. Rooms have a kitchenette and there is a restaurant, bar and cafe on site, with local food and drink included with your package. As well as a large pool and a kids splash area, there is a program of entertainment for both adults and children, as well as a kids club. Best deal with: Holiday Hypermarket Ilusion Calma Hotel and Spa, Majorca, £496.50pp 13 C'an Pastilla resort in Majorca has one of the best beaches on the island, with golden sand and beautiful bays, glistening with crystal clear water. This simple hotel has modern rooms and daily entertainment, as well as a hassle-free buffet restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Daily entertainment incudes bingo, in-house entertainment shows, karaoke, live DJ, live music, mini-disco, professional shows and quizzes. Best deal with: Love Holidays One of Spain's oldest beach bars that was loved by A-List stars forced to close — as fans say goodbye to €4 beers and sea views BLUESEA Costa Verde, El Arenal, C'an Pastilla, £488.75pp The 3-star BLUESEA Costa Verde hotel is located in a quiet area of the popular resort of El Arenal, on the south coast of Mallorca. The marina and beach are about a 15-minute walk from the hotel. It's a great location for couples and families looking for a nice location and value for money. In the evening, El Arenal has a vibrant nightlife, with clubs, discos and beach bars along the coast. Best deal with: Love Holidays Villa Mandi, Tenerife £519pp 13 This pretty resort backs on to a golf course and there are two outside pools and two baby splash pads. You will also be just a 10-minute drive to Los Cristianos resort area, Vistasur beach and the Siam Park waterpark. The buffet restaurant has a great variety of food options, but the most lively spot for food is the beach bar, which has a great atmosphere. Best deal with: Holiday Hypermarket BlueSea Don Jaime, Cala Millor, Majorca, £556.20pp The 3-star BLUESEA Don Jaime hotel is situated in the picturesque Cala Millor resort, Majorca. This budget-friendly resort has a decent-sized pool, small games area and bright, recently updated rooms. The beautiful sandy beach is just a five-minute walk from the hotel, which is a top spot with white sand and activities like bike rental and watersports. Best deal with: Travel Supermarket Magic Cristal Park, Benidorm, £562.60pp For a brilliant, budget option, this hotel feels more upmarket than others in its price range. There is an indoor and outdoor pool, large sun deck and a roof terrace with seating and games. It's very family friendly, with plenty to keep kids entertained and give you a relaxing break from childcare. There's a fully equipped outdoor playground, a games room with table football and games consoles, as well as an action-packed kids' club. Best deal with: Travel Supermarket BLUESEA Gran Playa, Sa Coma, Majorca, £567.34 pp 13 This modern hotel has an impressive pool, kids club and playground, with live music and themed nights in the evening. Just a short walk from Sa Coma, known for its beautiful beach and lively promenade, there is plenty to keep the whole family entertained. The buffet restaurant has a good range of options at breakfast, lunch and dinner, with indoor and outdoor seating. Rooms are bright and spacious, many have balconies. Best deal with: Travel Supermarket Marina Elite Resort, Los Caideros, Gran Canaria, £591.71 pp 13 This hotel is right on the coast, overlooking Balito Beach, just outside Puerto Rico. A five-minute cab ride into the town will get you to one of Gran Canaria's top-rated beaches, as well as a choice of great restaurants. However, the all-inclusive buffet at the hotel is good, with a choice of two restaurants in summer season, a pool bar and snack bar. Best deal with: Travel Supermarket Hotel Avenida, Benidorm £620pp This lively hotel has a lot going on with a full entertainment programme and a show cooking kitchen, where you can learn to make local cuisine. The onsite bar has a great atmosphere, often with live music playing. On select nights, you can even take line dancing classes. By day, the pool and roof terrace offer ample places to relax and kids can take part in daily activities and games. Best deal with: Holiday Hypermarket TUNISIA El Mouradi Club Selima, Port el Kantaoui, £444.25pp This resort is in a stunning location, right on the beach. The all-inclusive buffet has tables that stretch onto the golden sand and excellent quality food for the bargain price. There are two beautiful outdoor pools as well as an indoor exercise pool. The fun kids' club is included for children aged 4-12 years and there is a daily activity programme and a playground. Families can also play table tennis, mini golf and beach volleyball, and watersports include kayaking, jet skis and canoeing. There is an evening show and live music in the lounge, plus a nightclub for after-dark entertainment. Best deal with: Love Holidays Neptunia Beach, Skanes, £462.25pp This resort offers a lot for its three-star rating and the price, and is set along a private sandy beach in Skanes. There is a large pool and water slides, as well as a kids club and beach activities such as football, volleyball and pedalos. The area is quiet, but just 15 minutes along the coast is a lively strip with shopping, restaurants and bars, if you want to venture out. Best deal with: Love Holidays Eden Club, Skanes, £464.75 This sunny little spot is a great choice for families who want to relax, multi-generational families and groups. The location is ideal and the resort has an upbeat, holiday atmosphere. There is a private beach and well-maintened gardens which make it feel like a far more luxurious resort. Children can enjoy the kids club and large pool and you can also use the pool and slides at the hotel's sister resort down the road. Best deal with: Love Holidays TURKEY KRISS Hotel Ortakent, Aegean Coast, £437.50pp 13 Just a five minute walk from the beach and the harbour, this friendly resort has a local feel about it, with plenty on offer for families. The accommodation is surrounded by beautiful gardens and the restaurants have seating areas lined with plants and flowers or on a large sun terrace. There is no kids club, but plenty for families to do together, including two pools. Best deal with: Love Holidays Mc Beach Resort Hotel, Konaklı, Antalya, £505.72 13 This beachfront hotel has spacious rooms, many with sea views. You are just steps away from a sunny golden sand beach, yet walking distances back to the hotel bar and cafe for all-inclusive snacks during the day. The pool area is impressive, with a waterpark for both adults and kids. Food is great quality with the buffet restaurant set alongside the pool, offering a more elegant ambiance than the usual all-inclusive set up. Best deal with: Travel Supermarket MOROCCO Caribbean Village Agador, Agadir, Morocco, £472.50 pp 13 This large hotel complex is a top choice for families wanting a budget beach break, with almost guarenteed sun. The resort is alongside a private, sandy beach, with sun beds and parasols for guests to use. There is a choice of outdoor pools, including a fun kids pool and a spa. The all-inclusive is spread over five specialty restaurants and includes refreshing cocktails in a choice of bars. Best deal with: Love Holidays GREECE Mitsis Belvedere, Corfu, £562.18pp Perched on a hillside with stunning views of the Ionian Sea, this hotel manages to incorporate family fun with a charming Greek getaway. The pool and sun terrace is a highlight. The hotel's buffet restaurant has a great mix of local, Greek favourites and international options. There are also two bars to grab an inclusive drink during the day or evening. The beach in front of the hotel is hidden in a secluded cove with crystal clear, calm waters that are ideal for kids to play in. Best deal with: Travel Supermarket Filerimos Village Hotel, Rhodes, £683.32pp This 4-star resort is a beautiful resort, with lagoons and pools weaving around the resort and surrounded by lush gardens. Rhodes Town, with its historic Old Town and Acropolis, is a 15-minute drive away. Nature lovers can explore Butterfly Valley, while the fascinating Filerimos Mountain is also very close by. At the hotel, there is a good buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a pool cafe and bar. Best deal with: Travel Supermarket Rodos White Boutique Hotel, Rhodes Town, £482.50pp This is a simple, yet sleek hotel, which can be found right in the middle of town, so ideal for families that want a mix of city break and beach. This hotel is also well suited to child-free guests, with its design-led style. There is a cool pool and an all-inclusive buffet that is small, but good quality. There is also a poolside bar and live music in the evenings Best deal with: Love Holidays Amira Hotel Rhodes, £496.50pp Just ten minutes from Rhodes Town, this simple hotel comes at a great deal with a games room, kids club and full entertainment programme. All rooms come with a balcony or terrace offering garden or pool views and family rooms are available for bigger groups. The hotel and sun terrace looks over a pretty cove, with beds and parasols on the beach. Best deal with: Love Holidays Georgia Apartments, Rhodes, £502pp 13 This small resort is charming with lots of character and has a very local feel to it. This is a quieter option for families who want a more authentic experience and a home away from home. The food is excellent and there's a weekly Greek night, with folk music and dancing. The area is lovely and just a 15-minute walk from the pretty village of Afandou, which has a long and uncrowded sandy beach.
The Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The 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 7 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 7 7 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
Fox News
25-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Airbnb deploys 'anti-party technology' for Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends
Starting right about now, Americans are enjoying the first of several summer holiday weekends — with some people celebrating with more than just a simple barbecue or quiet get-together. As a result, Airbnb says it is looking to crack down on those who may be thinking of throwing "disruptive" parties this summer. The booking site announced it will be rolling out "anti-party technology" during Memorial Day weekend as well as the July 4 weekend, according to a company press release. "Our anti-party technology is designed to help identify and prevent certain attempts to book one-to-two-night stays in entire home listings that could be higher risk for a disruptive party," the company noted. Airbnb lists different examples of actions it says would make for a "disruptive party" with open-invite gatherings. The California-based company listed a number of "disturbances" that could arise in surrounding communities. These can include excessive noise, visitors, trash, smoking and parking nuisances, trespassing and vandalism — as well as advertising listings using "party-friendly" or "event-friendly" terminology. The technology, introduced in 2020, blocked or redirected 51,000 people from booking entire home listings over the 2024 holiday weekends due to these offenses. A massive 45.1 million Americans are set to travel at least 50 miles from their home during the long Memorial Day weekend, AAA announced. Of the millions of Americans traveling, AAA predicts 3.61 million will be flying, 39.4 million will drive, and just over two million will be taking other forms of transportation. Last year, Texas, Florida, and California were noted as the states with the most flagged guests suspected of "disruptive" parties. Airbnb told Fox News Digital earlier this week, "These measures announced this week are specifically for Memorial Day and July 4 weekends. If guests believe they were unfairly affected by these measures, we encourage them to reach out to our Community Support team directly."
