IT'S A FREE WORLD:HOTEL CHAIN Harbour Hotels in the UK is offering families breaks during February midterm where children stay for free and their meals and unlimited soft drinks are free. There's a children's table with snacks, fruit and drinks available all day between meals.
The offer is available in their Salcombe, Sidmouth and St Ives hotels.
Rooms start from as little as £115 (€133) per room, per night with dinner and bed and breakfast. All people need to do is quote “family February half term” when booking their stay.
In their Kings Hotel in Christchurch Harbour, Dorset there’s a deal until February 21st, excluding St Valentine’s Day, offering a free upgrade to the next best available room, a bottle of champagne, full English breakfast and a three-course dinner from £108 (€128) per couple per night.
Catch: kids may stay free during midterm but you still have to factor in travel costs.
Take note: see harbourhotels.co.uk.
* WE GOTa review copy of the Ultimate Guide to Free Lodgingby bicycle touring pro Darren Alff, a downloadable guide to getting free hotel, bed and breakfast and campsite accommodation. The guide costs $27 (£20).
One of his tips is to write a persuasive letter to a hotel or guesthouse to convince them why you deserve a free room.
“Because I’m worth it” won’t quite cut it. You have to offer them something in return – this could be free advertising on your blog, website or upcoming book, or you might be organising an event or talk and undertake to recommend the hotel to people attending. You could also offer a skill – like a one-hour PR or marketing consultation while you are in town on business.
How you structure your letter is important. He includes template letters, including one written by him telling an accommodation provider about his solo cycling expedition from Chicago to New Orleans and asking them to “donate” a room. He mentions his book and his website and offers to give the hotel a mention.
Alff says you should provide the hotel with the date you want the room and that your letter has more impact if there’s a good photo at the top.
Catch: you can see how this could be abused by Walter Mitty types pretending to be writing books or be PR gurus to get a free room.
Take note: see bicycletouring pro.com.
* IRISH FERRIESHaven holidays is offering free peak season upgrade at all Haven Holiday parks from superior to deluxe caravan from July 22nd to September 1st.
It is also offering free entertainment for kids on its three and four-night spring and early summer breaks at Greenacres in north Wales, Cala Gran in Lancashire and Quay West in West Wales – all at a one family price from €299 for up to six people including ferry travel with car.
Free activities range from Coke FC football and mini-fencing to character olympics stage shows, comedy, cabaret, live music and late night discos. There are kids’ clubs for children aged one to 11 years old and activities for the 12 to 16-year-olds as well as family shows, games and events.
Water World offers indoor and outdoor swimming pools with fun splash zones and swimming lessons for five to 12-year-olds.
Catch:Wales and the north of England can be nippy in spring.
Take note:see irishferries.com/haven.
* Found a freebie on holiday? Tell me about it. E-mail emorgan@irishtimes.com
