CAN YOU SLEEP 💤 AT THE AIRPORT FOR FREE?

A field report from GATWICK AIRPORT SOUTH TERMINAL LANDSIDE

date: 04.21.24

We all need to take a rest from the stresses of travel, but can you sleep a whole night in the airport without paying ANYTHING? I went to Gatwick South terminal to investigate.

I took a spare duvet to the airport on a Sunday evening to see how easy it would be to find a space somewhere in the airport that would let me sleep overnight without being interrupted. It was going to be a big challenge indeed, as most people only manage a few hours of shut-eye before the flight, which is a different thing when you have a plane to board.

Up in the departures area, there were several places that people have marked out for sleep. The airport doesn’t expressly forbid anyone from sleeping in the airport, and most were clearly going somewhere, with a case and the familiar neck pillows that some people still carry around. Some others were probably not travelling anywhere, they had rucksacks rather than wheeled suitcases. I saw  a man with a futon, so clearly it’s not unusual for people to actually camp out and use the airport for free accommodation.

By eleven thirty on Sunday night, there were several people already laid down sleeping on the floor of the departures area,  but it didn’t look very comfortable, the ever present harsh lighting, as well as the noise would mean it would be harder than normal to shut down completely.

The main café nero was still open, but the seats are single and so you wouldn’t be able to get anywhere near horizontal in them.

I considered other spots in the terminal, such as the charging area for mobile phones. This area is surprisingly busy,, and one of the things that makes it desirable for people is that you can feel safe because people leave their phones charging unattended. but of course, the airport knows that people try to sleep on these chairs, so they’ve placed metal headrests which can’t be moved.

The final place I considered for my overnight sleep was the prayer room. Having checked in advance, I learned that it’s open 24hours, making it ideal for an overnight stay. 

Now, because of the heavy doors and the location at the end of the bulding, it’s the warmest area of the airport by far. My first worry was I wouldn’t be allowed in, once someone saw my duvet, In fact, I needn’t have worried,  at least not straight away. the other advantage is that the prayer room is carpeteted. I figured if someone challenged me, I could say that I was bringing in my duvet to use as a prayer mat. At first, I found myself unable to fall asleep. Every time someone opened the door, I’d hear it, and every-time they used the washroom, I heard the pipes rumbling into action. 

But before long, the warmth from the floor and my duvet meant I was hitting REMs after less than an hour and soon I felt myself drifting off. 

As I was still asleep, I was considering that I had won my challenge. But then I heard the door open again, and this time, it wasn’t a pious muslim coming to pray , but one of the guards coming to remove any sleepers from the room. His  exact words were that by sleeping, we were preventing people from using the area for praying. but at four am, it was hard to see that anyone was going to come in to use the room to pray.

With that, I picked up my duvet and looked for one more place to catch the last stage of sleep. There were still people napping by the phone charging area, and the chairs in café nero were all stacked up. The caffe know that in the early hours people want to sleep, so they do this on purpose.

This was going to be difficult, outside the prayer room there is plenty of clear floor space, but the esclators make a loud noise as people reach the top and then loudly wheeled their cases along the concourse. 

By five am, travellers were arriving for the first flights. But I was exhausted. The last place I found was the long soft banquette seats by caffe nero. Bingo . this was comfortable enough and I could streatch my legs out and sleep on my front. Even though the shop was still playing classical music much too loudly on purpose, I was determined to get some zzz’s regardless of the situation.

But this only lasted an hour before someone from Nero’s came along to shout at myself and a lady in a dressing gown. 

‘No sleeping’ she demanded. By this point, I gave up on getting any more sleep. I had been in the airport nearly ten hours and had slept for maybe two hours. 

As I left caffe nero, I saw several armed police and dogs examining the area. I had left at just the right moment. 

Verdict.

Sleeping in the airport is not easy. there is the constant bright light, loud passengers, and the fact that the ambient temperature can be quite cold. All of these things are done because airports would prefer if you didn’t use their space to sleep in. People sleeping rough could be a security hazard. Although not as serious as a terrorist with boxcutters and bleach. I was lucky that no-one ever asked for some ID, and I was afraid I would be escorted. Next time  I need to stay overnight, I’ll book a hotel. these aren’t cheap, of course, but at least it’s a way to be safe and no-one will interrupt you in the middle of the night.

The Internet Changed Everything

for dating and everything that comes with it; the world is a very different place since the arrival of the internet and online dating.
For example, being able to find someone online who matches your preference is a lot easier when you have powerful search tools that can filter from a range of strict criteria including age, size, and weight.

And it’s even more profound when we consider how it’s affected women in Asian countries.

Think of this: It’s now totally possible to establish a relationship with a girl in Thailand, say, without having to leave your house – something that the internet has made possible. We rarely see something coming along that has this kind of profound effect, and it effects nearly everyone, and probably has changed how we date forever.

if not totally normal, it’s still realistic for a guy who might have few options with his own women, to go down the online path of dating women thousands of miles away.

For Asian women, the internet means that they can be equally selective in finding someone who matches their ideal partner. This means that the internet allows them to be much more careful when looking for a man. Social media lets her find out everything she needs to know about a future match before she needs to meet him. And it makes it harder for the older man to have his pick of the youngest and prettiest women, because they know their value thanks to Instagram, Tiktok and now Only Fans.

Young women in Asia have benefitted from Instagram, which can show their profile all over the world.

It’s a dramatic shift and I think we’re still not aware how much things have changed. For example, before the internet and online dating became perhaps The only way to look for someone, it was still quite possible to make a trip to somewhere with the purpose of just meeting someone in that country, which could work out very well for a man who might have met stunner, or bad;y when he eIded up with someone far below his expectations.
It might still be possible to do this,, but nearly all women would feel safer using the online route – it’s more secure and makes them feel that they can get to know someone, without worrying if they are going to be murdered.

It also means that the chances of finding a young Thai girl as a fifty year old man are raer. Knowing their worth is not a nice phrase, but women can see their value from Instagram when they have thousands of likes from a single post. Yes, there have never been more chances for you to find someone, unfortunately, that’s just as true for all the other lonely guys looking for their dream Asian girl.

Leaving a fawning comment might be a easy, but it won’t make you stand out . You might have good text game, but even the most assured pick up artists will do better in person. You can send sexy messages. Or get to know her online. But true flirtation only happens when you meet face to face. Which is why I think it’s great that you can still grab some amazing women that you meet on the streets in a lot of Asian countries, and you won’t need to have any concerns over cat-fishing or scams.

They’re hot, they’re here, and there’s half a billion of them

Dating can have its downsides  when you live in England but even if you hate local women you can find great ones from abroad. 

None more so than ethnic Chinese!

As universities are filling up with foreign students and those on working holidays, it’s not hard to find willing women to date.

China is not the only country to have blessed us with women but I’m using it as a model because it’s the largest cohort of Asian women in the UK.

So let’s see the positives: Chinese are likely to be well-educated and academic. The girls who come to study will have been educated in Their own country in some of the top schools.

Their english is already good, with some having already taken study abroad programs.

Chinese are sexy, if you aren’t sure, just have a look at any Chinese girl on Instagram. Those who say otherwise just haven’t been able to meet up with any Chinese and haven’t even tried!

With a sassy fashion sense, perfect hair and makeup, you can find a good Chinese girl to date in the most desirable 18-25 range without too much trouble.

Figure wise, you’ll find women across the spectrum of sizes. Taller women tend to be slim, but some are well built too. The best have larger busts than typical Asian women, full lips and more adipose body fat. 

Sex wise they will be keen to please and enjoy sex as much as other women even if their attitude may say otherwise.

With such a shoddy group of local women, I’d say that the Chinese girls have made the most positive impact on the dating market here. They must be the best thing to happen to the UK since the arrival of miniskirts and the first concorde flight.

Seeking.com – Dating younger women has never been easier!

I’ve Changed my mind about seeking.com.

A few months ago, I made a video about seeking.com. I judged the site harshly, saying words to the affect that I thought that the sugar- dating service was little more than an escort site.

Now I’ve been back on the premium sugar-baby site in recent days, and I have different views of seeking.com. It’s all down to how accessible the site is, and how attractive it is from a male point of view.

It may be that the popular apps for dating are still tinder and bumble, but seeking offers much more than these swiping mobile services.

It’s really important to approach online-dating with an open-mind, which is why I came back to Seeking for a fresh perspective. The advantages that seeking has over the former swiping apps are numerous.

Accessibility and attractiveness

Seeking.com lets you choose which members you want to contact, you just search, send them a message, then wait for them to reply.

The robust search function

Seeking lets you choose someone’s age, height, race, and whether they have been verified or not. You can then filter out anyone who doesn’t fit your ideal partner.

Ease of use

The site lets you filter out members who haven’t uploaded photos, or who have not been online recently. You don’t need to worry if they have seen your message either, because seeking gives you a ‘read’ status when the other user has seen your message.

Private photos

This unique feature lets users upload photos that might be more personal, which you request to view. This might be for women who want to find out more about someone before they share their personal photos. It can really add depth to the online interaction, and make you eager to meet the other user in person.

The gift service

Seeking’s other unique feature is the gift service. All users are given the option of creating a wish list where they select items they would like. That’s a great way for you to make a good impression on someone who might live in another country. The site handles the delivery and lets you choose a message too.

Attractive Women and Unique Opportunities

Seeking.com boasts a larger pool of attractive women compared to other apps. Importantly, Seeking facilitates connections between distinct groups of people who might not easily meet in real life.

Remember that every user’s experience can vary, and it’s essential to consider both positive and negative aspects. If you continue using Seeking.com, keep exploring its features and adapt them to your preferences. Happy dating! 🌟🔍

For more detailed information, you can refer to Seeking.com’s official website or read reviews from other users 

Exploring London’s Outer-Suburbs

Worcester Park, on the edge of Kingston, is also part of the Surrey borough of Epsom and Ewell. This charming area of south-west London may not sound very interesting, but its everyday English-ness part is of its appeal.

Start your journey outside the Plough (bus 231 stops here), where there is a lovely green, which proudly hosts a branch of Miller & Carter steakhouse. On the other side, the parade of shops next to the bus stop has a traditional bakery – Plough Bakery – that should be the first place to stop at.

There are always people in here, and you can find bakery items for as little as a pound. Don’t expect flat whites and sourdough, instead, feast on one of the pastries that they will heat up until they are bursting out at the sides. Service is definitely old school, a little a rough even, but all things considered. the quality and choice is ten times better than Greggs (there’s one of these here as well). There are metal chairs outside, should you wish to enjoy your coffee next to the traffic, which is not all that noisy, and the pavements are wide enough anyway.

Osaka (358 Old Malden Road) is an interesting restaurant: the name is Japanese, but the owners are Korean, part of the large diaspora of residents from that country making up the 4.8 percentage of Asians living in the area. At one point, the parade looked like it was becoming run-down, but the shops are now well-looked after, and the steady flow of traffic keeps business ticking over. We’re still technically in Old Malden, as the road name indicates.

Two more stops on the 231, or ten-minute walk past the spacious houses of the main road, we come to Worcester Park Station. Trains for London Waterloo depart every twenty minutes. The road by the station was lowered, and as you leave the station under the bridge, you find yourself in Worcester Park proper.

The main pub, The Brook is more a bar and dining restaurant, and is very busy over the summer. It’s now the only pub in the street after the Worcester Park closed and then mysteriously burned down in a fire. The area has little left to mark the pub, just some fencing with some sedate graffiti to match the area’s quietness.

Central Road is a typical English high street that probably hasn’t changed much since the seventies. There’s a butcher’s, shoe shop, a really good independent fruit shop. Because its a through road connecting to New Malden and Cheam, there’s no ugly shopping center. The main Waitrose store shows the affluence of the area in nearby Cheam and Stoneleigh.

An old school Costa, an essential part of any suburban high street

Signs that you are still in London come with the proliferation of kebab and vape shops, but once you reach the hill, things change. There’s a lovely camera shop where you can research the best digital cameras to buy (CAMERA CONTINENTAL), watch shop (Hendy’s ) and some of the best value nail salons anywhere (Amy’s Nails).

That’s more than enough to make it worth your while to come here, and if you want to stop for a bite, there are cafes at every other shop (Costa, Starbucks, all the usual suspects). On the other hand, most of the restaurants are local Chinese and Indians. At The Chef, you can get cracking takeaway for not much more than £7 a main of ribs or egg-fried rice.

Here we have our favourite Chinese Takeaway, where the chef has probably been here since the restaurant opened in the 70s.

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“Experience Hong Kong on a Budget: The Best Youth Hostels to Stay In”

There’s no doubting the fact that Hong Kong is a difficult city for the budget traveller. Most hotels offer very high room rates and room sizes are much smaller than you would normally receive in other cites.

Yet Hong Kong has so much variety. the city is home to several youth hostels situated across the island. The hostels I stayed in were all a part of the YHA organization, and you can have a sense of security knowing that they will have to meet basic standards of accommodation.

You might not imagine there being many rural youth hostels in Hong Kong. or hostels in general. but the city is home to many youth hostels. the most famous is in SHAM SHUI PO. The site is a former social housing block that was renovated to make the current building that houses the youth hostel. Part of the building has been given over to a museum which documents the history of the city when the street housing caught fire. it was the Mei Ho House that was built to house some of the residents who had lost their homes in the fire that left 30,000 people homeless.

the other prominent hostel is located on the city’s Lantau island. most of it is is rural, and you will see the Buddha Statue at the bottom. Although the hostel is basic, there are advantages to staying in this location. For a start, there are several barbecue points dotted in the outside area, which are ideal for warm and dry weather. the bedrooms are basic, but when you are staying here you find that this is all you need.

perhaps another ideal rural hostel is located close to Kennedy Town, the furthest point in Hong Kong Island. The Jockey Club in Mount Davis is reached up a steep climb along a mountain path. Once you reach the top you are afforded incredible three-sixty views of the city. Although there was heavy rain the weekend I stayed at Mount Davis, I appreciated being in the sturdy accommodation that was clearly designed for all weathers, and may even have been designed to withstand bombing.

The final hostel I want to point out to you is the Bradbury Jockey Club. the hostel is at Tai Po close to Plover Cove Reservoir. With the interior painted in bright yellow, it s a very colourful place. With it’s nearby outdoor sports area, it’s like Friday the thirteenth , but without all the killing.
it’s worth noting that the country hotels in Hong Kong often include kitchens where you can prepare food on the hotplates. there are not many places to buy food, so If you are staying here it would be ideal if you come with some supplies.

Booking the youth Hostels.
All hostels mentioned in this article can be booked through booking platforms such as Booking.com , but if you use the Youth hostel Association website you can choose which dorms to stay in, you have the convenience of contacting the hostel directly when you book. it’s also possible to book at a discounted rate by selecting the members’ discount.

Unlocking the Wonders of Taipei: A Comprehensive Guide for Travellers

Taipei, a city that may not resonate as much with visitors as Shanghai, Tokyo or Seoul, should not be ignored when it comes to Asia. Curiously, the city has gone under the radar, yet when it comes to food and historic culture the capital of Taiwan punches above it’s weight.

This bustling metropolis offers a plethora of experiences that cater to every traveler’s interest. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the must-visit attractions, top-notch dining spots, and essential tips for an unforgettable trip to Taipei.

Exploring Taipei 101: Asia’s Tallest Skyscraper

A trip to Taipei isn’t complete without a visit to the iconic Taipei 101. Soaring 508 meters into the sky, this architectural marvel provides breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Don’t forget to explore the luxury shopping mall inside and take a stroll through the adjacent Elephant Mountain for stunning photos.

designed to look like the lucky number eight in Chinese, TAIPEI 101 is the tallest skyscraper in Asia.

Immerse Yourself in History at National Palace Museum

Delve into Taiwan’s rich history at the National Palace Museum, home to an extensive collection of Chinese imperial artefacts. Discover ancient ceramics, jade carvings, and exquisite paintings that date back thousands of years.

Taipei’s Culinary Delights: Night Markets Galore

Taipei’s night markets are a culinary adventure waiting to be explored. From the bustling Shilin Night Market to the local favorite Raohe Street Night Market, you’ll find an array of mouthwatering street food options. Don’t miss out on the famous stinky tofu and beef noodle soup! The market was shown in S03, E1 of Fresh off The Boat.

Tranquility in the Heart of Chaos: Longshan Temple

Escape the urban hustle and bustle at Longshan Temple, a spiritual oasis nestled in the heart of Taipei. Admire the intricate architecture, participate in traditional ceremonies, and soak in the serene atmosphere.

Day Trip to Jiufen: A Spirited Journey through Time

For a taste of old-world Taiwan, embark on a day trip to Jiufen. This charming hillside village, famous for its narrow alleyways and tea houses, inspired the animated film Spirited Away. Don’t forget to sample traditional tea and enjoy the stunning coastal views.

Navigating Taipei: Essential Tips for Travelers

  1. Transportation: Taipei boasts an efficient MRT system, making it easy to get around. Consider purchasing an EasyCard for seamless travel on public transportation.
  2. Language: While Mandarin is the official language, English is widely understood, especially in tourist areas.
  3. Weather: Taipei experiences a subtropical climate. Visit between October and April for cooler, more comfortable weather.
  4. Currency: The New Taiwan Dollar (TWD) is the local currency. ATMs are widely available for cash withdrawal.
  5. Safety: Taipei is known for its safety. However, exercise standard precautions, such as safeguarding belongings in crowded areas.
  6. Population: 2.646 million

Conclusion

Taipei, with its unique blend of tradition and modernity, promises an unforgettable travel experience. Whether you’re captivated by towering skyscrapers or enticed by delectable street food, Taipei has something for everyone. So, pack your bags and embark on an adventure in this captivating city!

A Rough First Month In Guangzhou

If you are just arriving in Hong Kong and need to transit to Guangzhou there are some things you should try to avoid. Number one would be to make sure that you have some rest at the airport. Maybe a couple of hours in the airport bar, especially after your 12-hour flight. 

If you are heading for China, may I suggest you take a train? You really don’t want to have to drag yourself and your luggage to the 3hours + bus, with a one hour wait at the border in Shenzhen. If this is the first time in China, you really must try to book a hotel where the staff can speak English. 

Unfortunately, I was guilty of all of these. Although in my defence, I hadn’t booked the bus or the hotel. These were arranged by my employer, and I had little say in the matter. 

When you sign up with a teach abroad programme, your head gets full of wild ideas of trekking the Himalayas, the great wall of China, exotic romance. But the first couple of days were spent doing mundane tasks that amazed me only in that they were done with the most mind-numbing bureaucracy imaginable.

That terrible bus journey, all the way from Hong Kong to the inner city of Guangzhou , made me realise how much concrete I was going to see. Not only that but the place looked like Korea did before it became cool. 

After eventually finding the hotel (tip: for gods sake choose somewhere central)I then had to think about eating. What’s that smell? When you can breathe something other than pollution, you’ll see that food is all around you. You choose between eating in one of the cheap canteen style places, or somewhere more upmarket, like a shopping mall restaurant. the first meal I had was some kind of beef offal noodles and it was totally delicious.

I thought I had come to the wrong place…

After the first night in Guangzhou, I was soon to discover just how total and all encompassing tool the Chinese system was. It seems that all long-term visitors are required to submit to detailed medical checks. This could not be done at a small private clinic, but a vast public building. The main task was to process us as quick as possible. This meant that the blood tests were carried out in the open, not behind closed doors. It’s more efficient, though less private way of carrying out procedures. In less than two hours, I was given kidney, lung, heart and urinary tests. This was done with the maximum of efficiency and the minimum of bedside manner or privacy. Yet they msut have taken care of 250 +arrivals that morning alone. I was forced to admit the sheer task of it was something to admire. 

Back at the hotel, I was starting to appreciate the extra touches that were available. A pool would have been a boon on the stuffy afternoons. In Guangzhou, the heat stays on the ground , and never moves from morning to night .

I was subjected to a battery of tests on my first day.

But the hotel offered a gym, and a laundry room And every afternoon, staff laid out fresh cakes and fruit in the restaurant area. There were still surprises when it came to breakfast. Sometimes , there would be croissants, other times not. Egg came hard boiled or fried. And there were only a couple of cereal options. 

It was fun to open up the large steaming serving dishes and think of what to have. There was a choice of rice porridge, and several condiments that seemed to make the bland dish jump alive with flavour. 

I followed my cue from the mostly Chinese diners.  Every so often I would spot a non-Chinese face, this was extremely rare however. They were mostly as bemused by the situation as I was . the situation was not like t standard international hotel that could have been anywhere. Instead, this was strictly a Chinese hotel that made few allowances for non-locals.

Another shock was seeing that the bedrooms on one side of the building did not come with an outward facing window. The only opening window opened to the landing, the only air flow then came from opening the door, and the air-condioning. If you’re a light sleeper, you’ll find it difficult to sleep if the bed is near the AC unit. 

My first impression of China was extremely negative. Partly this was my fault. If you go to a country knowing nothing beyond some loose ideas from what you’ve heard or seen, you are going to be surprised. In my case, I believed that reading too much would possibly cause me to have ideas that China was worse than it really was,. 

In any case, you don’t really know how it’s going to feel until you live in a country. And however much you can read, when you get there the place you come to is often not the one that you pictured.

On my third night, I took a walk to the Pearl River Bridge. Across the street next to the underground metro is a giant shopping mall. It was full of teenagers, dressed in their best clothes and seeming to be moving around, excitedly taking photos, milling in and out of shops but never buying anything. It was a common sight wherever I went in the next few weeks. A few scrappy street vendors selling things on skewers, but inside, teens waited in front of restuaurants for a seat inside. The old Chinese style was giving way to shiny comsumerism. 

There were coffee shops, American fast food restaurants alongside more traditional Chinese tearooms and roast duck restaurants.

I walked past stalls selling durian and piles of CROCS. Inside the old restaurants sat mostly older men, their chaests bared,  smoking and eating from steaming cauldrons. Most of these restaunts only had signs in Chinese. But I could tell from the shiny pictures what I was going to be given. At one beef noodle restaurant, I paid less than two pounds for a glossy bowl of beef soup, vegetables and rice. 

I went in to a gleaming Starbucks occupying a prime location next to the Pearl River. Coffee was marketed as a luxury product, with prices to match. One medium freshly brewed coffee was nearly double the price of my noodles. None of the well-heeled locals seemed to mind. 

The Canton Tower, a recent addition to the city (finished in 2008) was brightly lit and stood out from the boxy grey towers.  Right next to it is another major Guangzhou landmark. The National Theatre, designed by Zaha Hadid, was one of several new buildings by so-called star-chitects. the sloping steel concrete design looks like the body of a giant whale. Inside, the walls represent the pebbles smoothed by the Pearl River, all very poetic.

China may be currently facing a mass retirement with the largest group of pensioners in history, but with the easing of the one child rule, there are babies, children, and teens everywhere. And whilst the young are squeezing themselves into packed subway trains, their elders live a slower life, pushing babies in strollers between dancing Tai Chi in the park. 

At night I read more about China’s history. In 1979, Deng Xiaopeng singed reforms allowing limited free trade in China. Wham played the first rock concert EVER in 1985 a few years before THE LAST EMPEROR was filmed in the Forbidden City. A period of modernisation led to the democratic uprising that was brutally crushed. But nothing could stop the rapid industrialisation. A country that hadn’t changed for centuries hosted the Olympics and had the highest steel production in the world, rising to 1 billion tonnes in 2015. 

I suddenly had to reformulate everything I thought I knew and develop a new understanding, and it was going to take much longer than a few weeks.

Hotel or Airbnb? Why it’s not such an easy decision to make.

You’d think there would be no contest because Airbnbs are nearly always cheaper than a hotel in any category. But it’s not so simple as one being cheaper than others. We know from experience that using a hotel can be more amenable than staying in an airbnb.

Location

Hotels are often in more convenient locations that can be accessed easily. Whereas airbnbs can be in all kinds of far-off places and certainly won’t be listed on any tourist map… you can be led astray when booking an airbnb due to misleading titles and location information, but hotels will always show their actual address, meaning it’s much easier to choose somewhere in a central location.

Price vs Added Extras

Whilst airbnbs are mostly cheaper than most hotels in a 4 or 5 star range, you’re getting certain amenities when you stay in a hotel that airbnbs can’t provide. Are you looking for a gym, pool or rooftop bar where you can meet other travellers? You’re better off staying in a hotel or a hostel , where these are likely to be available. Are brand new sheets, air-conditioning a priority? Hotels are likely to work better for you.

On the other hand, staying in an Airbnb could work out if you are looking to build relationship with the host and learn about the area. Then again, there is nothing like being able to consult the concierge of a hotel who will know the local area and so can give you all the information to get around the area.

Finding the ‘right’ airbnb

The hard part is finding the appropriate Airbnb for you and the best located property. Most major cities have accepted Airbnb for short term lets, meaning that anyone with a property can list it as a ‘holiday home’. It doesn’t even need to be a property that they own and may just be a property that they sublet. This is clearly not necessarily a good thing. Take major cities like London or Paris, which have the highest number of airbnbs. Travelers looking to save some money might end up somewhere with no proper facilities, transport links or any hospitality to speak of.

Blame the Airbnb review system, which makes it difficult for users to write anything less than glowing reviews. We don’t know why guests can be more honest when it comes to reviewing a hotel. But something about visiting someone’s house, perhaps meeting the owners means that most if not all guests feel obliged to leave glowing reviews for what was just an ordinary stay in an average home with nothing to recopmmend it. A case in point is a stay in Ibiza. Whilst some reviews clearly indicate that the host is not a nice woman, the honest reviews are overwhelmed by the sycophantic reviews which somehow suggest that the host is the nicest woman ever, even whilst she can’t be because she has a list of things you can’t do that is as long as the property description. 

The negative effect that Airbnb has on local communities

Staying in airbnbs has shown me that not everyone has what it takes to be a good host. But what may be an even stronger reason not to use airbnbs is the effect they have on communities. If landlords think they can earn more renting out their rooms to overseas visitors ,rather than locals, they will do so. It then makes it harder for hotels – which have a beneficial relationship to communites – to, a, find guests, but also to pay the taxes and staff’s wages. This may ultimately be why it’s better to stay in hotels than airbnbs, especially in poorer countries which rely on foreign visitors to stay in hotels.

Unimpressed with Hilton Bankside London

http://<a href=”https://tp.media/click?shmarker=415286&promo_id=4491&source_type=banner&type=click&campaign_id=155&trs=214028″ target=”_blank”> <img src=”https://c155.travelpayouts.com/content?promo_id=4491&shmarker=415286&type=init&trs=214028″ width=”160″ height=”600″ alt=”Hilton Points”> </a>

Located near the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s globe, Bankside is one of the Hilton’s most well-reviewed hotels in London. With a google average score of 4.6, it rates highly for customer satisfaction and service and general experience.

I booked at stay in February, using the ‘points and cash option’. A typical points redemption for a standard room is between 60-90,000 honours points. That puts it at the higher end of the brand’s portfolio, but it’s not the most expensive hotel per night.

The stay

I arrived at the hotel a little earlier than 2pm. There were several people at the reception at separate desks.

There was no one greeting at the door which was a little strange. In nearly all of the five star London hotels there is at least one if not two door staff.

The receptionist found my booking and asked for a card to enter into the system. I find this one of the more irritating aspects of staying in Hilton hotels.

The check-in

I asked if they had any twin beds available and I was told that they were very busy and couldn’t offer one. I was given room number 236. I looked around for someone to help me carry my luggage to the room, and I then gave my room key to one of the staff in the lobby. I was taken aback when he thought I was checking out of the hotel. If had been paying attention he would have noticed that I was checking in just two minutes earlier.

I’m not sure if it’s their policy but not assisiting customers with luggage is very unwelcoming.

I was shown the lifts and found the room.

I needed to swipe the key to access the floor number. It’s bizarre that Hilton need to do this. You would think they would easily be able to distinguish genuine guests from intruders.

The Room

The room was a standard room, with some design features I quite liked. But there was a separate floor area that wasn’t particularly comfortable. The bath room had a walk in shower, but no bath. There were the standard fixed toiletries on the wall, with no disposable toiletries that you might have been given before the no-plastic rule.

The hotel had a hidden closet that is part of the streamlined design of the hotel, but it would have been nice if the closet was easier to access. There was an ironing board, iron, and hairdryer in a box on the desk. Stangely, there were no dressing gowns in the room . a real disappointment. I rang housekeeping to ask them where I could find a robe and they couldn’t tell me. I found this quite upsetting.

The room had a kettle with some teabags, instant coffee and two packs of biscuits. I was really hoping that they would have some espresso pods, but it wasn’t to be…. This would distinguish hotel from lower cost brands such as DoubleTree and Garden Inns.

The Bar

The hotel has an open and airy bar/restaurant in the ground floor. Coming in, it was not clear to us where we could sit. It didn’t feel like it was a bar or a restaurant and more like they were trying to fit both into the same space.

I started to film the empty area on my phone but was quickly approached by the member of staff on duty who wanted to know what I was doing. It was quite upsetting to be spoken to like this. I explained that I wanted to record the bar for a video, he seemed satisfied by this explantion.

The bar menu had a usual drinks menu, and we didn’t want any of the food. I made a point of ordering the Valentine’s cocktail which was strong and well-mixed, but a little pricey at 12 pounds, My partner ordered the sparkling rose. The bar is running a promotion with Chapel Down, but unfortunately, they had already run out of it, the manager was unable to explain when they would have any bottles delivered.

The bed

I felt that the bed was certainly a higher quality than that of other Hilton brands. I got a reasonable night’s sleep. In the morning, I went down to the restaurant for breakfast. At 9.20, I had probably chosen the busiest time of all for breakfast.

Breakfast

Staff led me to my table and explained some of the choices available.

The food was artistically displayed. I took my phone out and was ready to record the display. Sadly, I wasn’t able to film very much as two members of staff hurried over to ask me to stop filming right away. I was quite annoyed at this point. One of the reasons that I stay in hotels is to record the experience for myself and other guests. If I can’t do this , I will be less willing to use Hilton Hotels.

Price

It was £20 for the full breakfast. That’s a lot. But do note you can order bespoke items from the kitchen, such as home-made waffles, and omelettes. I tried both, and the omelette was really superb. I certainly didn’t need to order any more eggs after that. The other selections of food were very much in line with what you would expect to see. Maybe they could add something uniquely British, such as a Chelsea bun or an eccles cake?

Pool and Gym

After making a video in the room. I went back down to tuse the fitness area. There is a gym and a swimming pool. The gymn was empty, so I was able to get a good workout done.

Then it was into the pool, this was quiet too. Hilton have designed a very impressive pool that is the highlight of the hotel. It’s lit in such away that the area feels bigger than it is. It’s just a pool, there is no sauna. It wasn’t a problem for me as I wanted to swim and that’s what I did.

Checking out

I left my key with reception and I was on my way. To be honest, the staff could have treated me with more gratitude, I expect after the phone filming incident they were happy to see me leave. In fact, felt that the staff could have been more proactive and helpful during my stay.

Verdict

I’m not in love with this hotel. It’s small, the design isn’t very impressive. If you are a first time visitor, it will be a good first place to stay but bear in mind you will be miles from decent shops. There are many hotels nearby that may offer better value, so look around.

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