Unusual places to stay

Enjoy a gothic glory in Whitby, a slice of faded 30s seaside glamour, or a family hotel with leg-pulling ownersBeach Sun Retreat, Dymchurch, KentNo need to rely on the notoriously fickle British weather when you book into this beach retreat in Kent ? it comes with its own sunshine. Among the more unusual features of this stylish three-bedroom property, just a short stroll from the beach in Dymchurch, is a "real sunlight room" kitted out with the latest hi-tech sun simulators, which filter harmful UVA emissions down to a safe level while allowing you to benefit from the health-boosting properties of the sun's rays. Relax in a lounger and soak up the St Tropez vibe while admiring the floor-to-ceiling murals of beach scenes and fake palm trees. When the sun "sets", you can watch a movie in your own private cinema room ? complete with popcorn machine ? or play DJ on the vinyl decks in the party room. Who needs Ibiza when you've got Dymchurch?? Sleeps five, from �1,200 per week, holidaylettings.co.uk/174840Walpole Bay Hotel, Margate, KentThis grand old dame of the Thanet coast may have seen better days, but she still oozes quirky character and charm, from the art nouveau terrace to the 1927 trellis-gated lift. That this Edwardian gem is still standing is entirely due to the tenacity of colourful owner Jane Bishop, who has created a little time capsule on the outskirts of town. Mannequins in vintage costumes, fossils dug up from the Kent coast, old photographs and random items of 20th-century memorabilia fill every available nook and cranny ? a collection which hotelier Alex Polizzi failed to dislodge when she visited the Walpole for Channel 5's The Hotel Inspector. It's that rarest of finds: a seaside hotel which has yet to succumb to corporate blandness or a boutique makeover, and long may it continue.? Doubles from �65, 01843 221703, walpolebayhotel.co.ukVickers Romany caravan, near Ellesmere, ShropshireHorse-drawn wooden Gypsy caravans are 10 a penny at glampsites these days. For real novelty factor, not to mention a healthy dose of bling, check into a Vickers Waggon, a more recent model of caravan which was made exclusively for Gypsy families from the 1950s to 1970s. You'll find this prime specimen ? all polished mirror, cut glass, chrome and stainless steel ? sparkling in a peaceful corner of Shropshire's "lake district", near Ellesmere. Guests have access to 60 acres of historic parkland, including their own private lake and rowing boat. The Waggon is the latest addition to Under the Thatch's portfolio of characterful accommodation, so there's still plenty of availability for August and September. There's an old Showman's Waggon on the same site which can sleep a further two guests.? From �159 for a two-night stay, sleeps two, 0844 500 5101, underthethatch.co.uk/vickersFrogg Manor Hotel, Broxton, near ChesterFrogg Manor is the hotel equivalent of Marmite ? you either love it or hate it, as testified by the reviews on TripAdvisor, which range from bewildered disapproval to undying devotion. "Bonkers but brilliant" is a fairly typical comment from one happy reviewer, charmed by the slightly barmy owner John Sykes (who often sports a brown fedora), nostalgic ambience and great food. It's certainly a one-off, the owner cultivating an air of genteel eccentricity in the comfortable and cluttered surroundings of this old manor house. Pre-dinner drinks are served in front of a roaring fire to a soundtrack of music from the 1930s, and after dinner, guests are encouraged to dance in the hotel's party room. Choose between one of the cosy bedrooms (chintz is not a dirty word in this corner of south-west Cheshire) or a lavishly appointed cedar treehouse in the grounds.? Doubles from �98 B&B, 01829 782629, froggmanorhotel.co.ukWest Usk Lighthouse, Newport, GwentTo call the West Usk Lighthouse quirky is something of an understatement. It's at the end of a bumpy track, on a marshy expanse of reclaimed land where wild horses roam, but it's not just the building that's unusual. Danielle, the landlady, offers her guests past-life regression therapy and hypnosis, while husband Frank holds the world record for the longest float in a flotation tank (24 hours, since you ask). There's a tank out the back should you feel the urge to beat the record. Even if alternative therapies are not your thing, this Grade II-listed building is worth a visit for its attractive, wedge-shaped rooms, stunning views across the Bristol Channel, memorable sunrises and sunsets, and its sense of otherworldliness. The wishing well, resident Dalek (signed by Jon Pertwee) and rooftop hot tub are just the icing on the cake.? Doubles from �90, body and healing therapies from �45, 01633 810126, westusklighthouse.co.ukThe Evesham Hotel, Evesham, WorcestershireThe Evesham Hotel's proprietor, John Jenkinson, is fond of comedy ties, off-beat jokes and greeting guests with a furry toy orangutan wrapped around his neck, but if you can get past that without feeling the urge to flee to the nearest Travelodge, you'll find a welcoming and exceptionally family-friendly hotel set in rambling grounds, which children of all ages will love. What it lacks in style and polish it more than makes up for with friendly service and wonky humour (think simulated fart noises and a stack of Beanos in the toilets, and giant teddy bear key fobs). Several of the rooms are themed: so expect leopard-skin rugs in the Africa room, a mosaic headboard in the Gaud� room and a fish tank in the Tropical room. Love or loathe the quips and quirks, you are bound to have a memorable stay ? and you can't say that about a Travelodge.? Twins/doubles from �123, family suites from �167, including breakfast, though children under 12 staying with two adults on a B&B basis are charged �2 for every year of their life, 01386 765566, eveshamhotel.com40 Winks, Stepney Green, LondonHats off to interior designer David Carter for creating a little oasis of colour and drama on a decidedly dreary stretch of the Mile End Road, in east London. Used as a location for fashion and lifestyle shoots, this elegant 18th-century townhouse recently added another string to its bow, as one of London's most flamboyant and off-the-wall B&Bs. Dramatic and decadent, with a smattering of beautiful objets and two guest rooms, the decor at 40 Winks is the very antithesis of bland, beige boutiqueyness, and is attracting a loyal following among "creative types".? Doubles �95 and �140, 020-7790 0259, 40winks.orgBats and Broomsticks, Whitby, North YorkshireYou don't have to be a goth or a gorehound to enjoy a stay at Whitby's (and quite possibly Britain's) only Gothic-themed guesthouse, but an appreciation of bats, coffins and ornate candelabra will certainly help. "Normals" and Goths alike love the attention to detail at this well-run B&B, where four-poster beds come as standard and even the rubber ducks in the bathroom have horns. Breakfast is served by candlelight to a soundtrack of the Damned and Siouxsie and the Banshees, and the helpful owners, Tish and Kev, are only too happy to help you plan a Dracula-themed walking tour of Whitby ? where the ship that brought the vampire to England ran aground. Book well in advance if you are hoping to stay during one of the town's regular Goth weekends.? Doubles from �65, 01947 605659HotelsShort breaksYorkshireKentWorcesterLondonUnited KingdomJoanne O'Connorguardian.co.uk © 2011 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

hiking holidays Finland hiking holidays Kuusamo hiking Kuusamo hiking holidays