18 metrolifeextra Tuesday, November 24, 2009 metro extralife RoomServiceToadvertise call(01)6375979 lastminute.comhotels flights holidays citybreaks Keep the world at Bay The Bay Hotel: If you are looking for a relaxing break where you can spoil yourself in luxurious surroundings, look no further than this hotel in Newquay, Cornwall By CHRIS COWLEy bare essentials Where? Newquay, Cornwall, England Star rating: Highlights: Watching the surfers from your balcony window, overlooking the world-famous Fistral Beach Why go there? For the surfing, the beaches, the spa and a place to really chill out Contact: www.newquay-hotels.co.uk/bay Getting there: Air Southwest fly to Newquay from Dublin and Cork (www.airsouthwest.com). A taxi from the airport to the hotel will cost around 17. For more information about Newquay, go to www.visitnewquay.org Bed quality: Staff: Cost: Surf and Spa Weekend (two nights standard accommodation with breakfast; two half-day surf lessons with equipment hire; buffet lunch on Saturday; Fistral Spa membership; yoga lesson Saturday pm; photos on a CD and a goodie bag to take away) from 169 (187) per person. traVel Deals OF tHe WeeK Ski Andorra & Austria Price: Andorra from 289 per person Details: Depart Jan 10, staying in three-star apartments, five sharing Price: Austria from 399 per person Details: Depart Dec 19, seven nights at two-star B&B in Soll Contact: Crystal Ski: (01) 433 1015. www.crystalski.com Las Vegas Price: Four nights for the price of three Details: Five-star Aria Resort & Casino, four nights 639, including return flights with Continental Airlines from Dublin or Shannon, departing Jan 11, 2010. Five-star Vdara Hotel, four nights 599, including return flights from Dublin or Shannon, departing Jan 11, 2010. Contact: Trailfinders Tailormade Holidays (01) 881 4994. www.trailfinders.ie South-west Africa Price: 3,080 Details: Christmas with a difference Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Start in Cape Town and experience desert dunes and the beautiful Okavango waterways, Victoria Falls and wildlife parks. Price includes flights from Heathrow, all transportation, 21 nights B&B (15 camping), some meals, tour guide. Departs Dec 11. Contact: www.explore.co.uk European Hotels Price: Hotels for under 50 Details: Four- and five-star hotels from just 50 per room per night in Milan, Madrid, Amsterdam, Budapest and Prague among others Contact: www.lastminute.com I ts great to be able to get away from it all, whether you want to try new activities or simply put your feet up and relax. Its even better when you can combine the two in a perfect setting that offers the chance to exercise or just pamper yourself in style. The Bay Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, is one such place. Whats so good about it? Sitting in your funky bath, looking out to Fistral Beach where, even on a rainy autumn day, the surfers are still trying to catch that perfect wave. Its decadent enough to make you want to splash out on the enticing array of mineral-rich sea salts on offer from the Bath Butler, who will even send up champagne to enhance your experience! Sure, it costs (from 22.50/25)... but the whole point of being here is to relax and spoil yourself. Top marks to the service then, which was extremely relaxed and friendly throughout from the receptionists to the waiters in the stylish restaurant, where we enjoyed a first-class evening meal overlook- ing the Atlantic coast. And the things we didnt rate: Our room was close to a squeaky door in the hallway outside. By the second night, we had got used to it as, it appears, had the staff otherwise a call to the maintenance team could have fixed it in no time with a squirt of WD40. Still, I wasnt in the complaining mood... until, that is, our luxurious bathroom failed to provide any water on the second morning. A quick call to reception had the problem (an airlock) fixed within 20 minutes, so staff at The Bay get top marks for efficiency, proving that its not what life throws at you but how you deal with it that counts. What else can you do during your stay? Have a treatment at the Fistral Spa, which boasts a swimming pool with massage cannons, a steam room, sauna and nine treatment rooms a great way to unwind and de-stress. For the more energetic, there is a state-of-the-art fitness suite or, if you have always wanted to surf, there is the nearby Quicksil- ver Surf School. For golfers, there is the links course at Newquay Golf Club (green fees from 30/33) or the nearby pitch and putt. Alternatively, you can stroll to Newquay harbour to see the seals, visit the sharks at the aquarium or just explore the rock pools at Fistral Beach the hotel provides a guide so you know what you are looking at. If you venture into town, I can recommend The Chy restaurant, where you can order a top-of-the range burger and posh fish and chips, all for around 13 a head, including drinks. index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html