Brent Cross break

Until the end of August, the Holiday Inn is offering rooms for pounds 34 a night including breakfast, subject to a two-night minimum.

The catch is that the locations are not the most inspiring: Brno (Czech Republic), Ashford (Kent) and Brent Cross (NW2). But if you go up a grade, to pounds 48, you can enjoy cheap stays in Amsterdam, Lisbon and Paris. Call 0800 897121 (this number is actually in Holland, but is free from the UK).