Last minute holidays

This week we're looking at bargain hotel stays around Ireland, flight only deals to the UK from our lesser-spotted airports and some last minute sun.

By Robert Carry

Last minute sun

Latedeals.ie has its regular array of summer sun holidays, although this week and as usual, they are almost criminally cheap. Here are some of the choice cuts:

• Turkey, Gumbet. Hotel Destan, bed and breakfast, seven nights, departing 2 September, from Dublin. €309.

• Ibiza, San Antonio Bay. Hotel Puchet, bed and breakfast, seven nights, departing 1 September, from Belfast. €353.

• Lanzarote, Puerto del Carmen.  Balcon del Mar, self-catering, seven nights, 13 September, from Dublin. €412.

• Crete, Piskopiano. Frida Apartments, self-catering, seven nights, departing 10 September, from Dublin. €364.

• Gran Canaria, Puerto Rico. Colina Mar Apartments, self-catering, seven nights, departing 11 September, from Cork. €399.

• Menorca, Cala'n Forcat. Roc Oasis Park, self-catering, seven nights, departing 10 September, from Dublin. €379.

Click here for more details.

UK flight deals

While most of us are within touching distance of Ireland’s main airports, Aer Arann is fighting the good fight for citizens living beyond our three biggest cities who want to go to the UK. So, here are some of the deals up for grabs:

• Kerry to Manchester – €39 (one way incl. tax).

• Donegal to Glasgow – €39 (one way incl. tax).

• Waterford to Birmingham – €47 (one way incl. tax).

• Waterford to Manchester – €47 (one way incl. tax).

• Waterford London (Luton) – €47 (one way incl. tax).

• Galway to Edinburgh – €47 (one way incl. tax).

• Galway to Manchester – €47 (one way incl. tax).

• Galway to London (Luton) – €47 (one way incl. tax).

Click here for more information.

Irish hotel discounts

Cork

• Four star Imperial Hotel. Stay four nights, from €74 and save 25 per cent.

• Three star Maldron Hotel & Leisure Centre. Stay two nights from €59 and save 15 per cent.

Limerick

• Four star Clarion Hotel. Stay three nights from €59 and save 25 per cent on your last night.

• Four star Absolute Hotel & Spa. Stay two nights from €63 and save 20 per cent.

• Four star Carlton Castletroy Park Hotel. Stay three nights and pay for two at €59.

Dublin

• Three star Grand Canal Hotel. Stay two nights from €88 and save 15 per cent.

• Four star Maldron Hotel & Leisure Club. Stay three nights from €69 save 15 per cent.

Click here for more information.

Last minute UK hotel deals

Hotels.com also has an interesting feature on its site, which allows you to book hotel stays at literally the last minute. Deals flash up on the site in the final hours before they expire, many of which feature massive savings. Well worth keeping an eye on if you’re planning a late trip across the water. Click here for more information.

Island spa resort deal

The famed Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa are offering a series of seasonal deals for those of you who feel you’ve earned a pampering:

Couple Break

Two nights at the Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa in deluxe ocean view room, dinner on one evening in the Gulfstream Restaurant and a Seawater Bath in the Island Spa. €250 pps.

Surf Deal

Two nights in a deluxe ocean view room, full Irish buffet breakfast each morning and a two-hour lesson with the West Cork Surf School on Inchydoney Beach. €225 pps.

Spa Package

Two nights with full Irish buffet breakfast each morning with dinner on one evening in the Gulfstream Restaurant.  You also get two seawater spa treatments and unrestricted access to the heated seawater therapy pool, sauna, steam room, gym and relaxation areas. €329 pps.

Click here for more information.

Secret Hotels

www.lastminute.ie is running their famous ‘Secret Hotels’ offer again this week. The deal is they will hook you up with a stay in a four or five star hotel in Dublin or in any number of UK cities for a knock-down price.

The catch is, the hotels don’t want it known that they are practically giving some rooms away while charging others top dollar. But although you don’t get to know the name of the hotel you will be staying in until you’ve booked, you can rest assured it will be a swanky little number. Click here for more information.