The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
HYATT REGENCY LONDON THE CHURCHILL London
WHERE AND WHY: If shopping is your thing, then there’s probably no better spot to stay than The Churchill, near London’s bustling Oxford Street.
It’s close enough to take the plunge, with Selfridges just a five-minute stroll away, yet somehow also an escape from it, lying opposite leafy Portman Square.
Marble Arch Tube is round the corner with Bond Street on the Elizabeth line close too.
Our room looking over the square was spacious and bright, with a huge bed.
We popped into the business lounge for a drink before a night on the town and reflected on the more illustrious characters who’d shared these same four walls. Barack Obama stayed in 2008 on his pre-election presidential campaign, and met Tony Blair here.
ON THE MENU: The ground floor Montagu restaurant has charming and super-friendly waiting staff. I started with pan-seared scallops (£24) while my wife tucked into Cornish fish cake (£22). My rib-eye steak (£38) left me too satisfied for dessert (and barely able to walk) while on the other side of the table, the lamb rump (£32) was demolished with gusto. Breakfast is a traditional buffet featuring everything from cereals to eggs cooked to order.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Stroll along the fringe of nearby Hyde Park to Notting Hill. Portobello Road market is at the top end and if you want to eyeball how the other half live, go south to Holland Park.
The Design Museum is worth an hour poking about some of the quirky designs. Pop round the corner and take a peek at adjoining mansions owned by Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and Robbie Williams.
WAKE UP CALL: A king room starts at £400 a night. hyatt.com
By Nigel Wiskar
THE idea that cruising solely suits elderly travellers is a misconception. Increasingly, ships are being built to attract younger customers, and allinclusive prices can be an economical option for families on a budget.
Thrilling zipwires and flumes rival anything found in a theme park and there are enough games to absorb impatient minds for 24 hours a day.
But it’s not only kids who benefit – the experience is relaxing for parents too. With trained staff on hand, children can run wild while adults dine or relax in the spa. Activities aimed at elderly travellers also make cruises viable for a multi-generational break, if grandparents are keen to tag along.
Best of all, there are ships and destinations to suit all types of travellers. Here are a few likely to please everyone in the clan...
BEST FOR... GRANTING KIDS WISHES
A Disney trip to France
Eat, sleep and revel in childhood fantasies on one of Disney Cruise Line’s ships. Once onboard, kids aged between three and 12 can meet their favourite characters from the worlds of Marvel, Star Wars, Disney and Pixar, while having fun at deck parties, playing games and watching musicals.
From late July to September 2025, the Disney Fantasy will spend a season in Europe doing three, four and five-night voyages from Southampton. Enjoy a full-length retelling of Anna and Elsa’s adventures in Frozen, featuring state-of-the-art technology, elaborate costumes and puppetry, and sing-a-long to favourite tunes from Aladdin, The Lion King and Mary Poppins.
Goofy’s Sports Deck features miniature golf, basketball and shuffleboard and there are eight pools for making a splash – including one shaped like Mickey Mouse and a twisting water coaster that extends over the side of the boat. Expect explosive entertainment with the first fireworks at sea.
■ How: A three-night cruise to Cherbourg, France, costs from £3,102.90 for a family of four. Departs August 22, 2025. Visit disneycruise.disney.go.com
BEST FOR... ISLAND HOPPING
A Greek odyssey on
Norwegian Getaway
With a cluster of stops all different in style but equally enchanting, the Greek Islands are best explored by boat. Children with short attention spans can be easily entertained with a different port every day.
Step back several thousand years by delving into archaeological sites on Heraklion on the east coast of Crete, including the Minoan Palace of Knossos. Wander through narrow lanes with beaming white houses on Mykonos and learn about Greek mythology while exploring the semi-submerged, crescent-shaped caldera of Santorini.
Between shore visits, plenty to enjoy onboard there’s with an
Aquapark featuring five waterslides, video arcade and multi-level sports complex with a rope course and games courts. Extend the holiday with stays on the Greek mainland at capital city Athens and Thessaloniki on the Aegean coast.
■ How: A 14-night holiday including a B&B stay in Athens, a sevennight cruise on Norwegian Getaway and five nights’ half board in Thessaloniki and flights from Gatwick costs from £2,299pp (based on a family of two adults and two children under 11 sharing). Departs August 16. Visit cooptravel.co.uk
BEST FOR... A STRESS-FREE BREAK
An exotic adventure with Ambassador Cruise Line
If taking young children on planes is a headache, opt for a hassle-free nofly cruise. Departing from eight regional UK ports, including Belfast, Bristol, Falmouth, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Dundee, Newcastle and London, Ambassador Cruise Line aims to please all ages, with themed party nights, fancy dress competitions, crafting, a Taylor Swift tribute act and Festival Deck Fest.
Departing from London Tilbury, flagship vessel Ambience also hosts twice-nightly shows at two-tier entertainment venue The Palladium, choir classes and game shows – ideal for a multi-generational break.
Up the ante by covering off two continents on a 12-night Iberian Treasures & North Africa voyage, stopping in Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar and Morocco.
■ How: From £1,719 per adult based on two adults sharing an inside cabin, plus kids go for £99 each. Visit ambassadorcruiseline.com
BEST FOR... NATURAL DISCOVERIES
An expedition cruise to Patagonia Cruises can be educational as well