"The UK's Best Hotel Database" (smoothhound.co.uk)

Member Name: pussycat

Product:	smoothhound.co.uk
Date:	31/08/00 (2445 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Covers the whole UK, range of accommodation at a range of prices, discounts, links to other discounted services

Disadvantages: Absolutely none

This is one of the most comprehensive websites that I have ever come across. smoothhound.co.uk claims to be "the UK's best hotel database" and I would have to agree with them.

There have been so many occasions when I have been forced to pick a B&B at random out of a telephone directory without any idea of what it'll be like when I get there - and that has led me to end up in some really dreadful accommodation - but no more.

This gem of a website provides full details of an extensive range of accommodation. If you are looking for any type of holiday or overnight accommodation, this website should be your first stop. It has details of over 10,000 places to stay throughout the UK. The website is extremely flexible and easy to use.

If you know exactly where you want to go, you can click on the name of the town from the alphabetical list or search by town or hotel name. There are some specialist sections on accommodation near airports, self-catering accommodation and golfing holidays. But I find the best way to find a place to stay is to click on the area that you would like to visit on the map which then takes you to a more detailed map so you browse about the area until you find a place that takes your fancy.

The accommodation is listed for each town. There is a detailed description of the accommodation and its facilities including Tourist Board/RAC/AA ratings. Most places have provided colour photographs of the accommodation (inside or out or both) and some even include sample menus and a guide to local attractions.

One you have decided, there is a map of the local area to help you work out your route. Many places have an email link or freephone number. Most importantly, there is frequently a discount for booking through smoothhound which varies according to the individual establishments.

The website also offers links to various services that you might need when planning a break. There
are links to car rental and airlines which also offer a smoothhound discount. Equally, smoothhound also offers a discount phone call scheme and a currency converter. All-in-all, a really useful and comprehensive service.

I have used smoothhound several times now and have yet to be disappointed. We recently had a weekend break in North Wales (which is beautiful) and I arranged everything in advance using smoothhound. The first two places that we stayed were great and the third was totally unbelievable (and they only advertise on smoothhound). A privately run guesthouse in Cameas bay where we paid £35 (less £3.50 smoothhound discount) for our en-suite double room and £5 each for a three course evening meal cooked by the owner's husband, who used to be a chef in a top London restaurant and who provided some of the most marvellous meals going including all freshly baked bread.

Smoothhound has a range of properties to suit all budgets. There are some really plush hotels listed with great facilities and prices to match if you are feeling indulgent, there are plenty of budget priced B&Bs and guest houses from as little as £20 per night and a whole range of places to stay that fall in between the two.

So if you are off on a jaunt, give it a look. It really is a hassle-free way to find a place to stay anywhere in the UK.

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