By Adam Raphael Two Devon seaside hotels less than five miles apart as the crow flies. Both overlook great beaches and have idyllic views. The first has been owned and personally run by the same family for more than four decades. The second is a hotel which has been given a stylish revamp by its… Read more
By Adam Raphael Everyone loves them, but who is dishing them out and on what basis are they awarded? The hospitality business, like every other industry, enjoys spreading gongs around. They are a way of making friends and rewarding the talented. Prizes are fun, but should be regarded with a sceptical eye because picking winners… Read more
By Adam Raphael Fancy a deal? The two blonde hucksters on either side of the Atlantic who claim to be masters of the art are not alone. Twice a month, the Guide emails its readers with great-value special offers to stay at its selected hotels, inns and B&Bs. These are proving popular, with the leading… Read more
Traditionally this spot is given to horror tales from Guide readers. This month, Lisa Lovell from Romney Bay House, Littlestone, Kent, gives a glimpse of life from the other side of hospitality. Mr & Mrs H arrive and are shown to their room. An hour or so later Mr H is running down the stairs… Read more
Guest post by Mark Hodson, 101 Holidays If you’re looking for somewhere different to stay this year, beyond the excellent recommendations in The Good Hotel Guide, here’s a selection of 10 ideas hand-picked by the team at 101 Holidays, from a homestay in Borneo to a private island in the Seychelles. Who doesn’t dream about… Read more
By Adam Raphael Most of us have follies. Mine is the irresistible itch of an early adopter. Two years ago, I put down a deposit on a Tesla Model 3. Assuming that the company’s erratic genius, Elon Musk, can manufacture it, it is due to arrive any day. That raises the issue of where to… Read more
By Adam Raphael In an era of corporate hospitality, big data and commission payments, the Guide’s mission to promote outstanding small independent hotels is needed more than ever. But our task is getting harder because of the way Google ruthlessly manipulates its search results to maximise its profits. The Guide’s business model is simple. An… Read more
By Adam Raphael Many years ago, as a young journalist, I was asked by Punch, the satirical magazine, to spill the beans. In ‘Confessions of Motoring Correspondent’, I listed all the gifts I had been offered and accepted on the dubious basis that no one in their right mind could think it was worthwhile to… Read more
By Adam Raphael The Guide gets its fair share of praise and brickbats. Please see ABOUT US page for herograms. We don’t list complaints; perhaps just as well. But recently, I received a query from a reader who was puzzled by the Guide’s GIFT VOUCHER scheme. ‘Giving a free copy of the Guide is no… Read more