Last-minute Escapes For The Bank Holiday Weekend

Posted: 03/05/12

Katie Jones

Follow: Bank Holiday, Holiday Offers, In The Know, Last Minute Holidays

If you're not much of a forward-planner, then you're probably still wonderering what to do over the long weekend.

So in the spirit of all things last-minute, we've tracked down five of the best escapes and hotel deals on offer over the Bank Holiday. Take a look below for getaway inspiration.

wales Burry Port Harbour. Photo: Discover Carmarthenshire

Where: Carmarthenshire, Wales
When: 5th and 6th May
The lowdown: Celebrate the opening of the 870-mile Welsh Coastal Path with the Big Welsh Coastal Walk event. DiscoverCarmarthenshire.com has launched a new mapped guide to their stretch of the route, just in time for the launch on Saturday. There are eight walks between 3 - 13 km, with plenty of attractions and more importantly, food stops along the way.

Bijou Studio, Corfu. Photo: CV Travel

Where: Corfu
When: 7th May
The lowdown: If you are looking for something more intimate, Bijou Studio in Corfu is still available. It's right next to the beach and nearby tavernas and the views from the villa's terrace boasts to-die-for sea views. There is also a hamper on arrival and a maid service on offer, so you won't have to lift a finger. The villa sleeps 2 and costs £300 per week from CV Travel (price excludes flights and car hire).

amsterdam Amsteram. Photo: EasyJet Holidays

Where: Amsterdam
When: From 4th May
The lowdown: EasyJet holidays is offering purse-friendly city breaks to Amsterdam for two to three-night stays. The city's latest boutique hotel offering, the Notting Hill Amsterdam, is within walking distance of the trendy 'golden bend' (Regularstraat, Rembrandtsplein) and the Museum Quarter is just a stroll to the West. As for the interior, the Notting Hill is a tasteful shabby Dutch chic. Look out for the wall of vintage suitcases as you arrive. Prices start from £336 for flights and accommodation at the Notting Hill for this weekend, departing from London on 4th May 2012 with EasyJet Holidays.

Photo: Malmaison

Where: UK-wide
When: Bank Holiday Monday
The lowdown: The Malmasion hotel group is offering a great discount on room rates this Bank Holiday Monday: Spend £75 in the Brasserie (between two) and stay in a standard room from just £25 (per room). There are 12 hotels included in the offer, from Edinburgh, to Birmingham, to Leeds. Visit www.malmaison.com or call 0845 365 4247 to find out more.

the-bingham Photo: The Bingham

Where: Richmond Bridge, London
When: The Bank Holiday weekend
The lowdown: If you're looking for a five-star fix this weekend, The Bingham is offering a two or three-night stay from £250 per room, per night, including English Breakfast and a three-course lunch or dinner on one of the days, with a bottle of wine. Visit The Bingham to find out more about the offer.

For more hotel inspiration, check out our top 15 rooms with a view below.

Rooms with a view

Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Cape Town
 Cape Town's Twelve Apostles hotel is built on the rocky shores of the Atlantic ocean, nestled in the middle of a World Heritage Site. The result? Sea views with extra wow-factor. Sea-facing bedrooms aren't the only ones with the view either. Mountain-facing rooms offer spectacular views over the Twelve Apostles mountain range and garden-facing rooms boast their own Jacuzzis. There are also panoramic views over the Atlantic from the Azure restaurant. There's literally no escaping the sea here. Rooms are available from approximately £393 a night. Find out more at <a href="http://www.12apostleshotel.com/" target="_blank">Twelve Apostles</a>.
The Rutland Hotel, Edinburgh
 The Rutland is one of Edinburgh's newest boutique hotels and with its prime city-centre location comes great views of one of Scotland's most famous landmarks, Edinburgh castle. There are only 12 rooms to choose from here, but the two castle rooms are the ones to go for to make the most of the picturesque setting. Rooms are available from £130 a night, find out more at <a href="http://www.therutlandhotel.com/" target="_blank">The Rutland Hotel</a>.
The Flying Boat Club, Tresco, Isles of Scilly
 The views from the Flying Boat Club's beach houses are enough to make you believe you're in the Caribbean but it's Tresco that boasts crystal clear azure waters and white, sandy beaches. There are 12 New England style houses here, and each and everyone faces the beautiful bay, with steps to take you down to the beach in seconds. Paradise really is on your doorstep. From £211 - £634 per night based on 6 people sharing in one of the smaller cottages. Find out more at <a href="http://www.tresco.co.uk/accommodation/flying-boat-club/default.aspx" target="_blank">Tresco's website</a>.
Lux Maldives
 Lux Maldives is probably what most people dream of when they think of a tropical island paradise, only with bucket loads more luxury and a very expensive price tag. Every room has sweeping views of the blue lagoon and beach but it's the Lux Villa that boasts the ultimate five-star view - the infinity plunge pool merges with the lagoon itself and there's a glass floor in the living room for sealife spotting. Sounds great, but we'd happily take one of the beach villas for a fraction of the price. Beach villas are available for £400 per night, find out more at <a href="http://about.luxislandresorts.com/en/maldives/discover-maldives/geography.aspx" target="_blank">Lux Maldives</a>.
Kasbah Bab Ourika, Atlas Mountains, Morocco
 For 360 degree views of the Atlas Mountains, there's no better place to stay than Boutique Souk's Kasbah Bab Ourika. It's only an hour away from Marrakesh, but the peace and quiet and unspoilt scenery leaves guests feeling they are another world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Rooms are 150 Euros a night, based on two people sharing and including breakfast. Find out more at <a href="http://www.boutiquesouk.com/travel_marrakech/mountains_coast_desert/kasbah_bab_ourika.aspx" target="_blank">Boutique Souk</a>.
Lancaster Hotel, London
 London's Lancaster Hotel is located in Lancaster Gate, just a stone's throw away from Hyde Park. It might not be up there with The Ritz or The Connaught in the luxury stakes, but this four-star hotel is one of the tallest in the area and has some of the best views of both the park and the City (guests can choose which outlook they would prefer) in the capital. Rooms start at £159 per night, find out more at the <a href="http://www.lancasterlondon.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Lancaster Hotel</a>.
Rome Cavalieri, Rome
 The Rome Cavalieri is built on one of the city's highest hillsides which means that views from this five-star hotel are literally second to none. Most of the rooms look out on to the Vatican, but for added luxury (a balcony with a hot tub to enjoy the views in), the Penthouse Suite is the only way to go. Just don't ask for the price. Rooms start at approximately 330 Euros a night, find out more at <a href="http://www.romecavalieri.com/" target="_blank">Rome Cavalieri</a>.
Sani Beach Resort, Greece
 The Sani Beach Resort have launched the Juniour Suite Panorama rooms this year, which look just as grand as they sound. Not only do these spacious suites have private pools and balconies, the floor-to-ceiling windows mean that Mount Olympus and the blue Aegean waters can be admired from your bed. Now that's what you call five-star living... Rooms start at 85 Euros a night, find out more at <a href="http://www.sani-resort.com/en_GB" target="_blank">Sani Beach Resort</a>.
St Moritz Hotel, Trebetherick, North Cornwall
 The St Moritz is the epitome of seaside chic. Nestled in trendy Trebetherick in between Polzeath and Rock, this art-deco inspired hotel overlooks some of North Cornwall's most breathtaking coastline, so if you're looking for a staycation with a sea view, it's the place to stay. Cosy doubles and king-sized rooms are perfectly comfortable (stocked with Cowshed bath goodies), but the suites are the ones to book for the views - their huge balconies boast sunbeds and dining tables, with an outlook of Daymer Bay. Rooms are available from £105, find out more at <a href="http://www.stmoritzhotel.co.uk/" target="_blank">St Moritz Hotel</a>.
Mondrian SoHo, New York
 The views of Manhattan are hard to beat at this super hip Soho hotel. Room 2303 on the 23rd floor (it's the tallest hotel in the area) is tipped to be the best for north-facing views of the New York Life Building, Bank of America and the Empire State Building... and it's not even one of the suites! Rooms are available for approximately $459 (£290) a night, find out more at <a href="http://www.mondriansoho.com/en-us/#/home/" target="_blank">Mondrian Soho</a>.
La Minervetta, Sorrento, Italy
 The Amalfi coast is arguably one of the most beautiful regions in Italy, and there's no better place to take in the spectacular surroundings than in Sorrento's most stylish boutique hotel, La Minervetta. Located overlooking Sorrento's harbour, (Mount Vesuvius can even be spotted on the horizon) sea views can be enjoyed from every bedroom here. However, for the ultimate daydreaming spot, book one of the Superior rooms - their giant corner windows might mean that you never get out of bed. Rooms are available from £149 a night, find out more at <a href="http://www.i-escape.com/maison-la-minervetta/" target="_blank">i-escape.com</a>.
The Peninsula Tokyo
 Located in Marunouchi, next to Tokyo's Imperial Palace and Hibiya Park, the luxurious Peninsula is in a great position to admire the cityscape, particularly if you happen to be staying in the suite (where guests can enjoy the skyline from the bath). Find out more at <a href="http://www.peninsula.com/Tokyo/en/default.aspx" target="_blank">The Peninsula, Tokyo</a>.
Banyan Tree Al Wadi, UAE
 The Banyan Tree in the Wadi Khadeja desert is the place to go for an Arabian nights meets five-star hotel-style holiday.  Sand dunes are literally on your doorstep here, but don't think they can't do luxury in the desert. The range of beautifully decorated villas (all complete with private pools) are a far cry from slumming it. From watching the waves in the beachfront huts to spotting camels in the nature reserve whilst the sun goes down, this is a one-of-a-kind hotel with views to match. Villas are available from £440 a night, find out more at <a href="http://www.banyantree.com/en/al_wadi/" target="_blank">Banyan Tree</a>.
Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, Australia
 Positioned overlooking Hanson Bay on Kangaroo Island, this super sleek, contemporary hotel isn't exactly within easy reach of the UK (or Australia for that matter - it's a 30 minute flight to the island from Adelaide), but when it comes to views, they are out-of-this world at this isolated, luxury haven. The Osprey suite is the room to book for the best views in the house, but an unspoilt outlook over the Southern Ocean is probably best admired whilst sipping on a cold drink in the open-plan bar. And the best thing about looking down at the rocky shores from here? The peace and quiet is pure bliss - it's just you and the kangaroos, after all. Rooms are 1,800 AUD (just over £1,000) including all meals, an open bar, in-suite bar, selected Kangaroo Island experiences and island airport transfers. Find out more at <a href="http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/us/luxury-hotels/southern-ocean-lodge" target="_blank">Mr & Mrs Smith</a>.
Viceroy Bali, Ubud, Bali
 The Viceroy is one of Bali's most exclusive tropical retreats, set above the tree-tops overlooking the Petanu River. This secluded setting brings some seriously impressive views of the jungle with it (although this sky-high pad is probably not an obvious choice for those with vertigo), plus five-star luxury at your fingertips: a private swimming pool, a world renowned restaurant and a spa, with equally stunning views. Villas are available from £354, find out more at <a href="http://www.ghotw.com/hotel/spa/viceroy-bali.htm#InfoTabs" target="_blank">Great Hotels of the World</a>.