Luxury for less this Autumn

Looking for a little luxury this Autumn? This can be a magical time of year – a time when the tourist trail is less hammered, yet the scenery and countryside is as beautiful as ever. Here’s a handful of great ideas if you’re looking for luxury on a budget, whether you’re happy to stay at home in the UK or preferring the relatively sunnier climes of Barcelona. Rooms for £1 You can’t get much for £1 these days, but Guildford’s Radisson Blu designer hotel (which has been featured in the cream of style bibles thanks to Rabih Hage’s stunning interiors) is giving away 111 rooms for £1 to celebrate its first birthday on 29th September 2012. Simply send the hotel a birthday card with the requested date of stay and full contact details and the first 111 pulled out the sack will receive a confirmation. Stays can be taken between 29th October 2012 up to the hotel’s 2nd birthday (28th September 2013). A luxury home rental for less This Autumn, Vive Unique, the boutique home rental website, offers a collection of unique and stylish apartments, penthouses and townhouses, available to rent nightly in Barcelona.  Prices are often less than the cost of a comparable hotel and guests can enquire about a range of ‘In Home Services’ including fridge fills, airport pickup and a maid service, amongst others.  It’s a fun way to travel and one which offers a more authentic and local view of a city, from the luxury of a designer home. With the summer crowds returning home and a warm and sunny climate averaging 20 degrees, Autumn is great time of year to visit Barcelona.  The city  comes to life with popular festivals and cultural events, including The International Jazz Music Festival and ‘All Saints Day’ or ‘La Castanyada’ (a festival to celebrate and remember loved ones)which takes place on the weekend of 31st October to1st November 2012. Vive Unique has some fabulous homes available in Barcelona, including this one, sleeping 8, at £56 per person, per night. Couples may like this chic retreat in the city centre, from £160 per night. Go glamping The Dandelion Hideaway puts the glam into glamping with en suite roll top baths and super comfy beds in their collection of six vintage chic canvas cottages, which sleep six. Set on a working farm, there is lots to do from looking after the hens and collecting the eggs, to grooming the Shetland ponies, watching the goats being milked and learning about running a farm from Farmer John. Leave the high technology world behind, dine and bathe by candlelight and wind up the gramophone for entertainment.  Nearby attractions include the excellent Battle of Bosworth sites, which has guided walks of the Battlefields in September and October and the National Forest where you can hire bikes. Just now there are golden autumn sunsets and hedgerows filled with blackberries. A canvas cottage sleeping up to 6 in three bedrooms (so bring Granny and Grandpa too) costs from £394 for a 3 night weekend starting Friday or £534 for a week.