Radisson Hotel Group has announced the debut of its luxury lifestyle brand, Radisson Collection, in India with the opening of Radisson Collection Hotel & Spa, Riverfront Srinagar.

Thailand’s capital boasts countless ‘big attractions’ but move away from the well-beaten track and you will find some hidden gems: how to extract venom from a snake for example (do not try at home!) and the story of Jim Thompson, the US millionaire who disappeared without a trace leaving behind one of the biggest brands in the world!

A North African hotel which faced partial closure following last year’s devastating Moroccan earthquake, will open six brand new Riads this July with a full re opening later this year. The Kasbah Tamadot, part of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Limited Edition stable of properties, is synonymous with Berber hospitality and will reopen in full on 15th October.

As you enter the lobby at Blackpool’s Imperial Hotel it is hard to deny that you are following in the footsteps of political greatness and, as you check in, you wonder whether or not you will hear the tattyfilarious tones of Ken Dodd or one of his mother-in-law jokes!

The bedroom suites at Oulton Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort on the outskirts of Leeds, West Yorkshire, have been upgraded as part of an improvement programme. Seven suites, including the up-market Richmond Castle Suite, famed for its modern glamour, have been given a makeover.

HolidayPirates have got a 52% saving on a 7 night all-inclusive stay at the beautiful 5* Crown Paradise Club Cancun, Mexico with return flights from Manchester and checked bags for £878. The best-value departure date available is 18th March but other dates also available.

“You might want to turn the roaming off on your phone,” said our Estonian host, Herling Mesi, as we sped across frozen Lake Peipsi at Varnja, just a short car ride from the centre of Tartu. “The Russian border’s only 15km away,” she continued, “right in the centre of the lake, and even though we are only 3km from the shore, Russian telecom may pick up your phone signal.

A Cornwall hotel has introduced a ‘Children Should Be Seen (And Not Paid For) package to coincide with the Easter holidays. The St Moritz Hotel + Cowshed Spa, in Trebetherick, near Rock and Polzeath, already has a dedicated kids club with its unique Mini Moritz programme of daily activities.

The Brackenrigg Inn overlooking Ullswater in the Lake District will re-open on April 22nd as the first step in a three-year makeover transformation. The hostelry is just five minutes’ walk from its ‘sister’ outlet: Another Place, The Lake.

A former Scottish clan shooting lodge on Skye has partnered with the island’s newest distillery to market a whisky-themed stay package. Kinloch Lodge has joined forces with Torabhaig Distillery – 10 years old this year - to introduce its new whisky-themed package, so that the duo can showcase both the hotel and distillery, which are set in the wild landscapes of of the Scottish island.

The Selman Marrakech in Morocco has announced a partnership with acclaimed two-star Michelin chef Jean-François Piège who will take charge of the culinary direction of the restaurants in spring 2024.

Luxury Travel Intelligence (LTI) has named the world’s top luxury hotels of 2023. LTI is a members-only organisation that provides digital reporting for affluent travellers. It said: “Extraordinarily, three of the top four new properties come from renowned jewellers and watchmakers, Bulgari and Chopard.

Jet2holidays has launched ‘Smashing Through the Snow’, a very merry online competition giving travellers the opportunity to win one of 13 festive holidays. Between now and Christmas Day customers have a daily chance and just 30 seconds, in which to smash through Santa’s presents and amass as many points as possible, avoiding point deducting ‘coal’ on the way!

Launching in Q2 2024, Odera, will be the first luxury boutique hotel of its kind on the unspoilt Greek island of Tinos. Sitting in a secluded bay with a private beach amongst the island’s dramatic landscape, the hotel will comprise 77 rooms and pool suites, an expansive spa and private beach club.

The Greek destination of Symi has been added to Jet2’s flight roster out of Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) starting next summer. Holidaymakers will be able to access the new destination from LBA between 6th April and 31st October via Rhodes Airport. There will be up to four weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday) operating during peak periods.

Florence boutique hotel, Calimala The East - formerly known as Hotel Calimala- is about to get another point on the compass: Calimala The West! The acquisition of a 19th-century Gothic-style building originally built by Italian architect Pietro Maria Bardi in Florence’s Centro Storico neighbourhood, means the hotel now has an additional 65 rooms.

Independent family-owned coach holiday group, Daish’s Holidays has strengthened the management team at its Esplanade Hotel in Scarborough with three new appointments. The new recruits have more than 40 years’ hospitality experience between them, including global experience in Egypt, Italy and India. Joe Devassy joins as general manager and will oversee a 36-strong team at the 73-bed hotel.

As Paris continues to battle its bed bug infestation, advice is at hand to put paid to the activities of any determined critters eager to cross the Channel! The French capital is preparing to welcome visitors to the 2024 Summer Olympics, however, footage has gone viral of bugs not just on beds but on public transport, in cinemas and hospitals.

Ever considered Cyprus as a late-summer/autumn destination? With temperatures still high enough for sunbathing and the sea still warm, it's a great short-haul destination for those who want sun and stuff to do!

‘Nuha’, a pioneering virtual hospitality concierge powered by ChatGPT, has launched in Dubai, making it the first of its type in the UAE. The cutting-edge AI system, conceptualized and developed in-house, has made its grand debut at the iconic Address Downtown Hotel. The move makes Address Hotels and Resorts the UAE's first luxury Hospitality Group to leverage AI in this way.

If Paris is passé and Hurghada’s history then perhaps the next girlie trip should be to the lost horizons of Shangri-La and Asia? While many might not immediately think of the Far East as their first choice for a girls getaway, this enchanting continent holds a treasure trove of hidden gems waiting to be explored.

Chic bohemian hotel, Kensho Ornos is inviting travellers to the island of Mykonos, to sample its five-star hospitality and award winning ‘chef with flair’, Ippokratis Anagnostelis.

When you spot Welsh Bass baritone, Bryn Terfel queuing his way through Geneva customs en-route to one of Switzerland’s most famous ski resorts, with little more than sheet music and a robust overnight bag, questions must be asked!

Gourmet Getaways have been put on the menu by the Hilton Lake Como in Italy. From candlelight concerts and a regional street food pop-up showcasing the very best of Italian cuisine to poolside gelato and a new experimental cocktail menu at signature restaurant bar Terrazza 241, the lakeside paradise is the ultimate choice for a gourmet getaway this season.

Single parents can qualify for a £100 discount on Red Sea Holidays bookings to Egypt this summer. The company, the UK’s largest independent tour operator to the land of the Pharaohs, has introduced a ‘Solo Parent Save’ offer.

The lady sitting next to me at breakfast was dressed in flamboyant, vibrant colours with more than a little African fashion flair. I couldn’t help myself. “I have to say, you look fantastic,” I said, watching as her pearly white teeth stretched the width of her face. “Why thank you,” she said. But, before my curiosity could interrogate further, her follow-up sentence explained everything.