Page 71 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide: Great Places to Stay in Europe

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G REA T BRI T AI N 71

you can choose, and some open between about noon Public call boxes are plentiful,
hotels make a feature of and 4pm on Sundays. accepting coins, phonecards
offering a wide range, each or credit cards (minimum call
with its distinctive style. Tipping A tip of around charge for the latter is 50p).
15 per cent is the norm for For calls within Britain, dial
BEDROOMSAND waiters, hairdressers and taxi the zero before the area code.
BATHROOMS drivers. A service charge of To call Britain from the US,
10–15 per cent is often added dial 011 44, then the number,
FYOU WANT twin beds, ask to restaurant bills, in addition dropping the initial zero.
Ifor them specifically when to the tip, but the extra rarely
booking. Even the humblest goes to the waiting staff. You Public holidays England and
B&B can have a four-poster can negotiate not to pay the Wales: 1 January; Good Friday;
bed, a great view or some service charge (if you have Easter Monday; first Monday
other interesting feature – it’s ordered expensive wines, for after 1 May; last Monday in
worth asking beforehand. example, which are already May; last Monday in August;
Some hotels in historic subject to a high mark-up) 25 and 26 December.
buildings will have a new but be ready for constern- Scotland: 1 and 2 January;
wing – generally with more ation from the management. 25 December; plus assorted
spacious rooms and better In metropolitan bars and local public holidays.
bathrooms, but less character. cafés the staff may give you
You will usually be given the your change on a tray, hinting BRITAIN PRICE BANDS
choice when you book, but it that donations are welcome.
is worth making sure that you In pubs, the terminology of ON’T BE DISTRACTED by the
state which you prefer. tipping is to say, ‘and a drink Darray of stars, crowns or
Bathrooms generally mean for yourself’ in which case the other symbols of the many
just a bath – specify if you price of a drink will be added hotel awards in Britain. Our
want a shower. into the total for the round. price bands are much simpler,
referring to the price of a
OTHER PRACTICAL Telephoning Hotels are standard double room in high
INFORMATION shameless at racking up the season. Prices usually include
phone charges, defending breakfast and all taxes.
RITISH HOTELIERS seem very themselves by saying that
Bsensitive about ‘no-shows’ they publicize their price per ] below £60
(people who book a room unit charges. Some will even ]] £60–£120
but don’t turn up), and you charge you for using your ]]] £120–£180
may be asked for your credit own charge card for calls. ]]]] above £180
card number or a cheque to
secure the booking. Under
English law, by making a
booking you are entering into
a contract. Hotels are within
their rights to charge you for
the room if you cancel at the
last minute, although they
must try to re-let the room
and are not supposed to
profit from your cancellation.
The English cooked break-
fast, high in cholesterol, is
often a major feature, worth
trying at least once.
Language English, and, in
Wales, Welsh, tend to be the
only languages spoken.
Currency The pound
sterling, written ‘£’.
Shops Generally open from
9:30am–5:30pm Mon–Sat in
the country, and until 6 or
7pm in central London. Banks
are open Mon–Fri; most
closing at 3:30pm, but some
staying open until 4:30 or
5:30pm. Supermarkets and
shops in tourist areas often Lavenham Priory, page 97, in the charming town of Lavenham, Suffolk