News: battle for heads on beds

The best deals, and what's new in English travel

The hotel business, like every aspect of travel, is being shaken up by the internet. Online intermediaries such as Hotels.com and LateRooms.com are offering beds at well below "rack rates". In response, the big hotel chains are coming up with ever-more attractive packages to get heads on beds this spring.

The hotel business, like every aspect of travel, is being shaken up by the internet. Online intermediaries such as Hotels.com and LateRooms.com are offering beds at well below "rack rates". In response, the big hotel chains are coming up with ever-more attractive packages to get heads on beds this spring.

De Vere Hotels has a range of offers at its four-star properties in the Midlands and East Anglia. At Dunston Hall in Norwich, for example, a room in April costs £86 per night for two people, including breakfast, with a supplement from Friday to Sunday of £20 per night. De Vere's University Arms in Cambridge has an Easter special from 2 to 18 April offering two people a two-night stay, with dinner on the first night, for a total of £189. Most stays require a two-night minimum. You can book on 0870 606 3606 quoting "AprOn04", or at www.devereonline.co.uk.

The best-located budget hotel in the capital is the Travel Inn County Hall; it is part of the same building as the Saatchi Gallery, and adjacent to the London Eye. The company's current promotion offers a family room sleeping up to two adults and two under-16s, breakfast for the whole family and a family admission ticket to sights such as the Tower of London (normally £36.50 if you book in advance) or Madame Tussauds (up to £61). Book on 08701 977 171; see www.travelinn.co.uk for more details. At the other end of the scale, Hilton (0870 240 6638; www.hilton.co.uk) has an promotion offering heavily discounted rates until the end of May at its flagship Trafalgar Hilton. Two nights B&B for two people costs £299 - including dinner on the first night. For comparison, the "rack rate", excluding meals, is £199 for a single night.

Until the end of May, you can stay at the four-star Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel for £110 for two, including breakfast. For an extra £80 for two, you can dine at the hotel's acclaimed Michael Caines, restaurant. The hotel says there is limited midweek availability. Call the hotel on 0870 400 7220 or visit www.marriott.co.uk.