Stay in a stylish hotel-hostel in Iceland, take classic afternoon tea in London, and the deals of the week
Take me there: Hlemmur Square, Reykjavik
Is it a hostel? Is it a hotel? It's both! Hlemmur Square is the latest example of a new breed of hybrid accommodation combining the lively communal areas of a hostel with the amenities of a hotel. Depending on your budget you can bed down in a stylish shared dorm or a luxe hotel room with terrace. All guests get to mingle in the bar, Japaneserestaurant, cinema and games room. It's the brainchild of Klaus Ortlieb, who's behind hip New York hangouts the Gotham Hotel and Standard East Village. Quirky "extras"include live lobby music and a team of Icelandic horses on standbyfor carriage tours. Bunks from €16, hotel rooms from €250 (hlemmursquare.com).
It's a good time to... take afternoon tea
Afternoon tea at a posh hotel once consisted of cucumber sandwiches, scones and a pot of tea. This summer the tradition has had a revamp with London's most famous landmarks offering high tea with a twist.
If you like your scones served with a dollop of politics then head to the Houses of Parliament, which is offering afternoon tea as an add-on to its guided tours. Nibble on sandwiches in the elegant surroundings of the Pugin Room in the House of Commons (until 24 August, parliament.uk/visiting).
A rock'n'roll take on this genteel tradition is being served up at the Royal Horseguards hotel, which has created a "Rolling Scones" menu to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of Britain's best-loved bands, complete with Keith's Coconut Maroons and "Brown Sugar" pecan pie (24-30 June, guoman.com).
Everlasting gobstoppers and Wonka bars will make an appearance at the new themed teatimes in the Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel to mark the launch of the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory stage musical this summer (chesterfieldmayfair.com).
And, finally, take the concept of high tea to a whole new level on the 32nd floor restaurant of the Centre Point building (paramount.uk.net).
Give me a break: the week's best deals
Summer hotel Hats off to Four Pillars Hotels. While most places hike prices for the school hols, they are offering great summer deals at six Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire properties, including the family-friendly Cotswold Water Park hotel. The longer you stay, the better value it becomes, with a five-night break costing from £38pp per night for dinner and B&B. Children stay for free (four-summer.co.uk)
Five-star Cyprus Summer may not even have got started yet but Sovereign Luxury Travel is encouraging holidaymakers to plan ahead with some enticing discounts on autumn escapes. Couples save up to £790 and bag a complimentary upgrade to half-board on a five-star break to the Annabelle Hotel in Paphos. A week costs from £849pp including flights (sovereign.com)