Hotels

Barcelona-based graphic designers Agusti Juste and Eva Calduch have just launched Behomm, a new home exchange community geared at designers and visual artists.

The concept of home swapping is not a new phenomenon but what’s unique about Behomm is that it’s the first home exchange platform that focuses purely on properties belonging to a diverse range of creative professionals including art directors, fashion stylists and architects.

Have you ever spotted something in a hotel and wished it was for sale? Toiletries and bathrobes aside it’s not very common that you come across a hotel or bed and breakfast where you can literally buy everything. At Montpellier House, a five bedroom self-catering townhouse in the heart of Cheltenham, you can do just that and believe me, especially if you’re a fan of antiques, you will want to.

Few holiday homes can boast their own private suspension bridge, but that’s exactly what awaits when you book a stay at The House in the Sea. Accessed via a 100 ft Edwardian clifftop footbridge, the property sits on Towan Island, an iconic Cornish landmark that will be familiar to many visitors to Newquay. It was until recently a private home, but has been newly unveiled following an eight month restyling project and is now available to let through Unique Homestays.

A welcome that involves a perfectly chilled glass of Blanquette de Limoux, the local sparkling wine, and canapés is always going to be a winner in my eyes. And that’s what greeted us when we arrived at 42 rue Victor Hugo, a charming guest house in the medieval city of Carcassonne in south-west France. It certainly was a relaxing way to kick off a short break.

by Anna McKittrick

Much as I love city breaks they can often leave you feeling like you’re in need of another holiday. Montpellier, in the south of France, strikes the perfect balance, combining the cosmopolitan culture of city life yet it’s only six miles from the Mediterranean Sea. And don’t get me started on the amazing vineyards that are within touching distance of Montpellier…

If you’re planning a weekend break this Spring the Cambridge area now has two new hotel destinations to offer. The House Collection, a new boutique hotel group, have just unveiled their first hotel in the historic cathedral city of Ely and plans are well underway to open a second in Newmarket later in the Spring. Poets House in Ely opened its doors earlier this week. There are 21 elegant and individually styled rooms in sophisticated shades of grey, with freestanding copper baths and Bulgari toiletries. Here’s a taste of what to expect.