*This Point A Hotel blog post features a gifted press stay at Point A Hotel Kensington Olympia. All views remain my own.
Planning a visit to London can be an expensive job. But as someone who visits several times a month, it's so important to me to find new ways to cut back on costs while still enjoying my trips. Whether it's for work or to visit friends – the same things are important to us all. All we really want is a budget-friendly accommodation that is centrally-located and doesn't sacrifice too much on comfort. Well I'm super excited to share a fab new brand with you guys today after I enjoyed a press stay at their newest hotel last week.
Point A Hotels market themselves as the best budget hotels across London and Scotland. In fact, they're so confident that they offer the best service, for the best price and in the best locations that they even offer a best price guarantee. I actually stayed at their Canary Wharf hotel (paid for by myself) the weekend before my gifted press stay at the new Kensington Olympia branch last weekend. It was a great experience to get to see two different hotels and to experience the same high level of service at each. If you're always looking for a bargain – this could be a great new discovery for your next London trip.
Read: Why a staycation could make the perfect travel gift
When I'm back in the UK, I'm always travelling to and from London for work, events and catching up with friends and family. But it can become expensive very quickly when you're having to find accommodation as well as paying for transport and activities. This is one of the many reasons I was so impressed with Point A Hotels. Both last weekend and this weekend's rooms would normally cost around £80-100 for the night. For those on a budget, this is a pretty good price for a night in the city, especially for the quality of the rooms they provide. It means saving your money for what you really want to be spending it on, while still enjoying a comfortable stay.
Another huge bonus is that Point A Hotels are scattered across the city in top locations. As I mentioned, I previously stayed in the Canary Wharf hotel, and last weekend I was reviewing the brand new Kensington Olympia hotel. But they also have centrally-located hotels all across London City and Glasgow, plus their brand new Point A Edinburgh which opened just a few months ago. For London stays, you can check out hotels at King's Cross St Pancras, Paddington, Liverpool Street and Shoreditch for your next trip.
Read: The perfect foodie's day out around London Bridge
One thing I really loved about Point A Kensington was how chic it was. Sometimes staying in more affordable properties can mean sacrificing the luxe feel, but not at Point A. The Kensington hotel is beautiful both outside and in. While the rooms are compact to allow you a more budget-friendly stay, they remain sleek and elegant, with a modern touch thanks to the mood lighting. Whether you're a solo traveller, or a couple on a budget, Point A have the perfect balance of comfort and modest pricing.
There's one thing that really takes a hotel to the next level, and for me, that's the service. It doesn't matter if I'm paying £80 or £800 for a night. As a paying customer, you deserve to be welcomed and treated well. I couldn't fault the service at either Point A Hotel.
Both members of staff welcomed me with a smile as I walked in the door. They were eager to help by offering a coffee, explaining the hotel layout or even guiding me to the nearest tube station. Not only this, but they took the time to chat and ask for feedback which I think is so important. It really shows the team are working hard to make sure everyone enjoys their stay, and to feel valued as a customer.
Read: Playing tourist in London – my top 10 things to do for a city first-timer
If Point A Hotels sound like the perfect accommodation for you, why not book to stay for your next London visit?
Have you stayed at a Point A Hotel? What's your budget hotel of choice when you visit London?
*This travel sustainably blog post is in collaboration with Opodo
Sustainability – it's the word on everybody's lips these day. But have you considered whether your summer holiday is helping your carbon footprint? It's one of the hardest challenges to try and make sure you travel sustainably when everything in the industry seems to be working against you. It doesn't matter whether you're travelling to Johannesburg, Copenhagen or Ibiza, we all have a duty to do our best. As someone who has been travelling for the last five years, I've found some small ways that can really help reduce your impact on the environment and the local cultures of the places you visit. After all, as travellers, it's not our job to leave our mark on the places we visit. Rather they should be leaving their mark on our hearts. Click here for further information on responsible tourism.
In the five years since I first volunteered at an elephant sanctuary, huge political waves have been made as a result of tourists voting with their wallets. You may think choosing not to have a photo with a chained monkey on the street, or riding an elephant won't change the world. But it does, now the Thai elephant industry has changed to focus on sanctuaries that protect the elephants thanks to tourists. It's not perfect yet, but huge changes result from the decisions you make.
Something we all have the power to do on a daily basis. This covers everything from toiletries and clothing, to food. Start taking responsibility and choose sustainable and even vegan products which have less of an impact. Not only will you be changing your individual impact but you could help push the industry towards more sustainable living.
This could mean staying in a self-sustainable property which uses renewable energy such as solar and wind power, and grows it's own food. It could also mean skipping the luxury hotels and choosing to support local businesses or even staying at a homestay. Don't choose Airbnb, instead go and stay with the local people to get a real understanding of the community and to support them individually. You can also find lots of community ventures such as restaurants run by the homeless.
So many don't realise that sunscreen washes off your skin in the ocean and the chemicals in it can be extremely harmful to animals and coral reefs. Apparently around 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen wash into the ocean each year and this can lead to coral bleaching. Choose a biodegradable sunscreen from Holland and Barrett, or choose great brands including Green People, Soleil Toujours, COOLA, Ren and Caudalie.
My favourite one! Stop taking Ubers, stop flying everywhere, stop driving as much. It's so simple when so many countries have fantastic public transport networks. Plus travelling on public transport abroad is much cheaper, it's usually pretty quick and it's part of the experience! If you do fly, why not offset your carbon emissions?
This covers so many different things but the most important thing is taking a step back and appreciating the new culture, without trying to force Western culture on them. This includes dressing appropriately, behaving modestly and conforming to local customs.
This works for both sides – you get to go off the beaten track and explore somewhere untouched. And tourism will benefit in the area from the money you spend, while easing the pressure in more popular countries. Plus you'll usually find these countries are significantly cheaper to travel.
A great way to save money and your carbon footprint. Why travel home and use another flight when you can stay longer and travel by bus or train to the next destination? I'm a big advocate for slow travel and this is the best way to really save money and the planet, plus to really absorb culture.
Water is such a precious resource and travelling makes you so much more aware of how many don't have access to it in the way we do. Treasure it, don't waste it. Be respectful and grateful for what you have, and what others' don't.
Read:
How do you try to reduce your carbon footprint? What is your best tip for those trying to travel sustainably?
Solo travel is one of my favourite topics and I love that this blog has inspired so many of you to try it over the years. If you've been following for a while, you'll know I've spent the last five years solo travelling around the globe, including two longer trips around Europe. I've had a lot of questions over how to plan to solo travel Europe and I wanted to answer them all in one post. If you've always wanted to solo travel but have been put off by the idea that you have to travel far away from home, or spend a fortune to do it – read on.
One of my biggest goals with this travel blog is to make adventure travel more accessible and affordable for you guys. To inspire you to feel ready to travel to the countries I visit, to feel safe doing so and to feel confident that solo travel isn't as scary as you first thought. Whether you want to travel solo, or with friends, this post will help guide you through how to plan transport, meet new people, feel safe abroad and to look stylish while doing it. I'm actually heading on my next European trip next week and can't wait to take you guys along!
For those from the UK, Europe is the most accessible part of the world to plan a long-term trip. For those who find Asia or South America intimidating, or Australia too far, it's a perfect option. You don't have to stray far from home or spend 14 hours on a flight to find some incredible places and a culture that will push you out of your comfort zone. From the volcanic landscapes of Scandinavia, to untouched countryside in Eastern Europe, to the stunning coastline of southern Europe, and of course the mountains in-between. There's something to suit every type of traveller. Even better, with just a few hours of plane, bus or train travel from one part of Europe to another, it couldn't be easier.
For a first-time solo traveller, it's a perfect compromise between getting to see the world, but starting with baby steps. There's less of a language barrier which means you're less likely to feel alone, and more likely to meet some great friends along the way. While the spicy food might scare some out of travelling Asia, who couldn't love real Italian food, Greek mezze and French patisseries? There's so much variety, and if one country isn't your cup of tea, it's easy to hop on a bus and a few hours later be exploring a completely new place. Even for those more experienced travellers, Europe provides such a great melting pot of different cultures and landscapes. You're sure to find a place that captures your heart.
>> READ: How to Prepare for First Time Solo Travel
There are so many different ways to travel solo in Europe – it's all about finding the one to suit your timeframe and your budget. For shorter weekend trips or summer holidays, I've always chosen budget flights with brands like Ryanair or Easyjet. Both are super cheap and fairly reliable, plus they fly to pretty much anywhere in Europe. For longer trips where I'm flexible on time, I've plumped the train or bus as a way to move between countries. I really recommend Flixbus for cheap coach travel, I used them between Slovenia and Berlin and it was such a great way to travel. For those planning a month-long trip or longer, perhaps consider either Interrail or buying/hiring a van to drive around Europe and camp.
The wonderful thing about Europe being right on your doorstep is that it can easily fit into any length of time you have to spare. You don't have to quit your job and fly to the other side of the world. It fits neatly into a weekend away, a holiday from work, or if you can take a month-longer on sabbatical. Over the years, I've taken a lot of shorter weekend trips over to France, Italy and Belgium, and I've taken two week long summer holidays to Greece, Turkey and Cyprus. But I've also spent a month travelling around Europe on two separate occasions which have also been amazing experiences. I would really recommend taking any time you can and choosing a trip that will fit with your timeframe.
The biggest question of all and there are so many answers. For those who are unsure of where might appeal to them the most, I've put together some small itineraries below that might suit different interests. These are just a guide, you can of course add places or remove some if you've already been. I would also recommend keeping your plans flexible if you're doing a longer trip as you may find you hear about awesome places from other travellers along the way.
Some of my favourite European cities include Budapest, Prague, Rome, Berlin, Brussels, Amsterdam. But why stop there? You could easily city-hop your way around Europe and wake up in a new place every few days. Check out Porto and Lisbon, or Bucharest, Athens or even Bratislava.
If you love the ocean, there's no doubt you'll be wanting to visit Greece and Italy's Amalfi Coast for crystal clear water and stunning coastline. But why not get away from the crowds and head to Portugal for surf and lazy beach days?
For those who love a touch of elegance and class to their trips, why not head for some of the more glamorous parts of Europe. Why not try a long weekend in Milan, pop over to Lake Como or Venice? Pop over to Paris for the weekend by using the Eurostar, or even Zurich for luxury shopping.
Often forgotten about in favour of more well-known countries, Eastern Europe is a perfect place to get away and find some untouched landscapes. Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic are absolutely stunning and a lot less busy than nearby cousins like Croatia. However, If the picturesque coastlines of Croatia are what captivate you the most, exploring the country by sea could be an unforgettable experience. For solo female travellers looking to immerse themselves in Croatia's splendour, sailing along the Adriatic can be an enriching and empowering experience. The journey along the Dalmatian coast, whether on a small, intimate vessel or by taking luxury coastal cruises in Croatia, offers a unique blend of freedom, comfort, and adventure. It's an opportunity to navigate the crystal-clear waters at your own pace, discover secluded beaches, and connect with the local culture and cuisine in a setting that's both safe and sociable. This approach to travel not only enhances the beauty of the landscapes but also fosters a sense of independence and camaraderie among fellow adventurers.If you have even more time to explore, why not head south towards Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania for views that will blow your mind.
A trip I would love to one day experience. Why not head up north via Denmark and then spend the rest of the summer free camping and exploring the countryside of Norway, Finland and Sweden? It's free to camp wherever you like and the landscape is breathtaking. Plus it's a good place to get off the beaten track and avoid the crowds.
This is such a fun way to travel Europe and I really recommend picking a rough area to explore. When I travelled Europe by van, I started in Germany, went to Prague and drove through the Czech Republic, headed down to Austria and visited Vienna and Salzburg. After stopping in Munich, I headed to the mountains and through Liechtenstein, before driving to Switzerland. The final days were spent driving up through France, the Black Forest in Germany and home. It was an epic road trip and one I really recommend, we managed it in 3-4 weeks.
Always the biggest topic when it comes to travelling solo and particularly as a woman. Safety should always be your number one priority. However, you should never let safety concerns prevent you from travelling. Particularly as most safety warnings come from people who have no idea what they're talking about. Don't listen to anyone who tries to make you feel like the world is a dangerous place. People aren't actually out to con you and steal from you, to assault you or take advantage. Hun, trust me, I've spent five years travelling the world solo and the worst thing that has happened is a car crash.
I know more people who have been mugged in London than anywhere else in the world, more women who have been sexually assaulted on a night out in a UK club on a weekly basis than have been harmed abroad. The truth is, as long as you keep your wits about you, don't let yourself get overwhelmed and stay focused and alert, you're going to be fine.
Travel safety is no different to safety at home – and if you're a woman I'm sure you're already well-versed. One of my biggest tips that goes against what we've been taught all our lives – talk to strangers! It sounds strange, but growing up we are taught not to trust anyone. Actually most of the people in this world are kind and genuine and just want to help you. By talking to complete strangers your instincts become stronger and clearer, and you are less likely to end up in dangerous situations.
>> READ: How to Safely Solo Travel as a Woman – a Solo Travel Expert
One of the biggest questions I get asked about travelling solo – don't you get lonely? And the truth is, no. I'm constantly surrounded by people. If anything, travelling solo opens you up even more to making new friends on the road. It makes you vulnerable, and what do vulnerable people do? We either grow bolder and stronger, or we cling to others who appear so. Either way, travelling solo helps bring people together because you're not the only one who's alone. So many people travel solo and they're all just looking for a friend to share the experience with. So why not be that friend?
>> READ: 11 Best Adventure Solo Tours for Women
