In the current economic climate, more and more people are choosing to stay in the UK for holidays and short breaks. There are many different options available when considering ideas for a cheap break, and why travel abroad especially given the added stress of ash clouds and the constant publicity about lost luggage and flight delays!

The UK has a great deal to offer any traveller and one great way to explore this country is to take advantage of cheap hotel deals.

When looking at hotel deals, it is easy to become baffled by the choice available and by the savings promised. One main decision is whether you wish to stay in a large, corporate, chain hotel or a small, individual, independent hotel. A lot of this choice boils down to what you want from your short break and from the hotel itself. A well known, corporate hotel may provide you with the reassurance that your hotel room will be just like the ones you have stayed in before but the level of personal service, and commonly, the quality of the food can be lacking. However, such hotels can be useful if you wish to be centrally located within a city for shopping or sightseeing.

An independent hotel can often provide you with an ideal base for exploring, whilst also providing you with more attention to detail and dedicated service. However, it may be off putting to travel to a hotel you have never heard of, or if you have been unable to read those oh so important trip advisor reviews!

Hotel stays may be favourable to people who do not want the hassle of self catering, or more importantly, the washing up! Indeed, a high number of hotels have AA rosettes for their fine dining and many hotel chefs are award winning.

Many hotels are now very accommodating if you wish to travel with pets or if you have special requirements. You should confirm what facilities are available at the hotel before you book.

Cheap hotel accommodation that is also of a good quality and recommended can be hard to come by, but there are companies that have found a solution. Members to stay at many excellent hotels across the UK and Ireland, paying only for their evening meal and breakfast; therefore receiving their hotel room for free! This is just one of the hotel deals that are around at the present. And if all else fails there is always camping, just avoid the cows as I found to my cost.