World of Wonders Kremlin Palace, Antalya

Advantages: Lots to do, clean, nice food
Disadvantages: Terrible flight

...Turkey has never been anywhere that I have fancied going on holiday, but in 2006, I took the advice of a travel agent friend and booked for and All Inclusive stay at The Topkapi Palace, departing on 2nd June. Our friend and many of her colleagues had stayed at the hotel and rated it alongside 5 star hotels in The Caribbean. It also had the added bonus of being a direct flight from Newcastle to Antalya. I won't go into detail about the flight as that is another review in itself! After the flight, which was just short of 5 hours, we were very impressed with Antalya airport on arrival as it was new, clean and operated very slickly. Don't forget your £10 note per person on arrival to purchase your visa. We boarded a minibus and were at our hotel within 15 minutes. On arrival, we were greeted by a bell boy who unloaded our cases... Read review

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Advantages: Architechture, good value for moneym not too busy
Disadvantages: bit off the beaten track, not open Saturdays

...and half chic 1930s Art Deco The two halves are melded together to make a very pleasing historic house to visit. The Great Hall was constructed in the 1470s in the reign of Edward IV and was used as a royal palace until the 16th century. It fell into disrepair by the 18th and 19th centuries, with its spectacular Great Hall being used as a barn and then a picturesque ruin. In the 1930s Sir Stephen Courthald and his wife Virginia (commonly known as Ginny) restored the hall to its former glory whilst adding a new wing in the modern Art Deco style. The couple moved out in 1944 due to the effects of World War 2 where it was taken over by the Royal Army Education Corps until 1994 when English Heritage took over ownership of the complete house (the Great hall was already under their care beforehand). I have been meaning to visit Eltham... Read review

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Advantages: Price
Disadvantages: Quality of rooms

...This is another hotel from Accor, the founders of Ibis. However i am reviewing the Etap hotel situated on the outskirts of Paris, within an area known as Kremlin Bicetre. In this area, you have the choice between an Ibis hotel, a Novotel and the Etap, as well as various other smaller establishments, of which the Etap is by far the least expensive. The Etap Hotel Paris Porte D'Italie is split into two buildings; Ouest (west) and Est (east). Whereas the western hotel has 144 rooms, the eastern has 171. However both offer the same value for money. But please remember these are low budget, no frills hotels so don't expect to be living in the lap of luxury! The French Etaps are cheaper than those in the UK and will only set you back 48 Euros (around £33) per room per night. But bear in mind there is a 3 Euro suppliment for the second... Read review

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