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20
Chain Hotels
Many U.S. chains, such as Best Western, Hilton, Sheraton, and Travelodge, are
found throughout Britain. In addition, Britain has a number of leading chains.
Thistle Hotels
(www.thistle.com;
&
0871/376-9099
in the U.K., or
0845/305-
8379) is a decent chain of moderate to upscale hotels. Increasingly, there are small
chains of boutique hotels such as the discreetly stylish
Hotel du Vin
(www.
hotelduvin.com;
&
0845/365-4438
) and the more outrageously stylish
Malmai-
son
(www.malmaison.com;
&
0845/365-4247
) whose properties include a former
church and prison. Both are part of the same group. Von Essen (
www.vonessen
hotels.co.uk
) is a superb group of some of the finest country-house hotels. At the
other end of the scale
Premier Inn
(www.premierinn.com;
&
0870/242-8000
) is
now the U.K.'s largest hotel chain, offering simple quality at low prices.
House Swapping
HomeLink International
(www.homelink.org;
&
800/638-3841
or 954/566-
2687), which costs $119 for a year's membership, is the oldest, largest, and best
home-exchange holiday group in the world. A competitor is
Intervac International
(www.intervac-homeexchange.com;
&
800/756-HOME
[4663]), which costs $100
annually.
Youth Hostels
The
Youth Hostels Association
(www.yha.org.uk;
&
01629/592700
) has more
than 200 hostels in cities, in the countryside, and along the coast. Hostels used to be
known for their stark surroundings, dormitory rooms, and clientele of hardened hik-
ers. However, in recent years they have widened their scope with new properties,
family rooms, good food, and warm welcome. What haven't changed are the loca-
tions, many of which five-star hotels would kill for, not least in Snowdonia.
