Harry Potter, Batman Themed Lodging? Eviivo Online Links Travelers with Fiction-Fantasy BnBs in UK

Canongate Luxury Apartment in Edinburgh is a Harry Potter themed apartment, complete with a Hogwarts Express carriage room, and a Gryffindor dormitory common room and bedroom. Kitted out with artifacts, including a desk and a mirror both previously owned by J K Rowling herself, this B&B is a delight for any ‘Sirius’ Potter fan.

Britain-based online booking specialist eviivo has compiled an extraordinary selection of fiction-book themed B&Bs in the UK, including Harry Potter, Famous Five and Batman-themed establishments, perfect for fantasy holiday makers who are hunting for their next experience.

“The popularity of theme parks and adventure holidays has increased in recent years, and can turn an average holiday into an exciting and unique experience, but an expensive one,” Ruth Whitehead, a director at eviivo, said “Now, for less than the cost of a family cinema trip to London’s West End, adventurous families can live out the fantasies immortalised in works of fiction with a stay at a B&B.”

Canongate Luxury Apartment in Edinburgh is a Harry Potter themed apartment, complete with a Hogwarts Express carriage room, and a Gryffindor dormitory common room and bedroom. Kitted out with artifacts, including a desk and a mirror both previously owned by J K Rowling herself, this B&B is a delight for any ‘Sirius’ Potter fan.

A sign outside reads ‘Wizards welcome’, but Ruth Whitehead assures potential guests that “muggles will be let through the Dumble-door too!”

Built in the 1700s, the property already has an old and rustic feel and the owner has made numerous creative modifications to evoke J K Rowling’s fantasy world, including authentic bookshelf style wall paper, and an intricate display of potions bottles. One of the rooms boasts a real wood burner, perfect for snuggling up with a hot espresso-patronum.

This magical experience is conveniently located amongst some of Edinburgh’s best Harry Potter tourist spots, including The Elephant House Café where J K Rowling wrote many of her early novels.

For holidaymakers looking for an action comic experience, the ‘Joker Boat’ is a buoy wonder. Docked in Liverpool, this swanky barge was brought over from LA and restored to accommodate 6 people, after originally being made exclusively for Jack Nicholson for his role as the Joker in Batman.

The boat is kitted out in Gotham-style noirish luxury, complete with leather seats, purple velvet bedding and a 3D 52in LCD TV.  It is the perfect cosy spot for a dark Knight.

Making your way from the airport to your accommodation can be the ‘Bane’ of your existence, but in true Hollywood style, the owner is offering an optional chauffeur service from the airport, in the choice of either a Hummer or a Rolls Royce Phantom.

Families looking to escape to the fantasy world of the mid-20^th century British countryside are advised to visit Enid Blyton-inspired Widbrook Barns.  Situated in the middle of the Wiltshire countryside, this accommodation features a tuck shop, an original gypsy bow-top wagon and a shepherds hut, and comes complete with ‘lashings of ginger beer’ and ‘pick ‘n’ mix’, that will fuel any child’s adventures.

Ruth Whitehead added “Fortunately this accommodation sleeps up to 23, so even more than five can have a wonderful time”.

eviivo is a leading online booking specialist for independent hotels and B&Bs across Europe. Through leading-edge technology, hospitality owners can manage their bookings and sell their rooms online in the highly competitive global marketplace on an equal footing with leading international hotel chains.  Its diverse portfolio represents the best of independent hosts and hoteliers with over 6,600 small hotels, B&Bs and vacation rentals across Europe, offering over 60,000 rooms.  Accommodations span B&Bs, guest houses, pubs and inns, restaurants with rooms, serviced apartments, villas and cottages, hostels, and even boats, castles and windmills. For more information visit www.eviivo.com.

 

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Evergreen Inn at Spring Lake on the Jersey Shore Has Fall Promotion

The Evergreen Inn in Spring Lake Heights on the New Jersey shore, has a fall special through Dec. 31.

The Evergreen Inn at the Jersey Shore has a terrific Fall promotion: “Life’s a Beach” is a $150 package that’s free when guests spend any two consecutive nights until December 30, 2013.

• Two $25 massage credits ($50 value) toward an inn house Swedish Massage
• Two gym passes ($40 value) at The Atlantic Club
• Enjoy a dessert/appetizer/glass of wine ($10 value) at several local restaurants
• A $50 ‘gift’ certificate to give to a friend toward a stay at the Evergreen Inn

The Evergreen Inn, which has been called the “Sweetheart of the Jersey Shore,” is conveniently located in Spring Lake Heights, two blocks from Spring Lake and another short walk to the Atlantic Ocean. Owner Laurie Carloni has been hosting guests for 17 years in her 10 room historic bed & breakfast.

The Evergreen Inn’s accommodations reflect the colorful spirit, creativity, privacy and relaxation that have been recognized by Arrington’s for ‘Best Breakfast’ and Trip Advisor for being in the top tiered ‘shore’ properties for Excellence.

What is more, if you don’t want to drive, the inn is minutes from the NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line train station.

Contact The Evergreen Inn, 206 Rt. 71 (corner of Ocean Road), Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey 07762, 732-449-9019, Laurie Carloni, Innkeeper, evergreeninn@verizon.net, www.TheEvergreenInn.com.

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Select Registry Gives Away ‘Vacation of A Lifetime’: Free Nights at Each of 350 Leading Inns

Travelers can win a “vacation of a lifetime” with a new contest from Select Registry Distinguished Inns of North America. The grand prize winner will be entitled to a free night stay at each of the nearly 350 inns and B&B’s in the Select Registry™ portfolio for a full year.

“It’s a dream vacation – an opportunity to explore exciting new places and visit family and friends, with complimentary accommodations at the most celebrated inns and bed and breakfasts throughout the U.S. and Canada,” says Will Carlson, executive director, Select Registry.

To enter the Vacation Of A Lifetime Contest, you register with the Select Registry Golden Quill Loyalty Program at http://www.SelectRegistry.com/GoldenQuill. After that, each of your qualified Golden Quill nights throughout 2012 will count as an additional entry.

One grand prize winner will be entitled to a free night’s lodging at each of the nearly 350 Select Registry inns, B&Bs and boutique hotels throughout North America, redeemable for a full year.

Additionally, three first-place winners each will get a $500 Select Registry Gift Certificate good at all the portfolio’s properties. Five second-place winners will each receive a $250 Select Registry Gift Certificate.

Select Registry’s Vacation Of A Lifetime Contest is open to travelers ages 18 years of age and older in the U.S. and Canada. The promotion ends midnight EST, Dec. 31, 2012, and winners will be announced in early 2013.

Only 350 inns in North America have earned this designation, passing rigorous inspections to gain and then maintain membership.
Former Vacation of a Lifetime winner Lee Willson traveled with his wife, Joyce, from their home in Washington to Select Registry inns in that state as well as in Arizona, California, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C. and British Columbia.

“We stayed at amazing inns in cities and towns where we have friends and relatives,” Willson explains. “Joyce and I like regional cooking and things that are local and unique. We sampled fantastic regional cuisine from the Pacific Northwest all the way to New Orleans and Charleston, and we got our recommendations from the Select Registry innkeepers.

“Unique experiences – that’s what we got at each B&B,” Willson continues, “along with beautiful accommodations and a real feel for the local culture. It truly was the ‘vacation of a lifetime.’”

For a quick video on Select Registry’s Vacation Of A Lifetime Contest and a look at the portfolio’s celebrated inns, visit http://www.selectregistry.com/Vacation-of-a-Lifetime.asp

About Select Registry
Select Registry is a collection of North America’s premier inns. Member properties must pass rigorous, unannounced quality inspections to gain and maintain admission to this elite portfolio. Many of the inns are recipients of coveted industry awards for both service and ambiance, including: Best Small Hotels in the U.S., Top Ten Romantic Inns, Best Breakfast in America, Best Places To Watch the Sun Set, and World’s Best Adventure Lodges. Only 350 of the 20,000 inns and bed and breakfasts in North America have qualified to join this “best-of-the-best” collection. To explore Select Registry inns across North America, visit http://www.selectregistry.com.

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