What Sophie Said

Amazing as being away last week was, you have to return to reality. On the most part things are good but life has a way of sometimes throwing the not-so-good in your face just to remind you you're back! Last Saturday was one of those days... I got home with a full food shop to find I apparently no longer have a freezer shelf. The cleaner was doing her usual trick of slamming every door and crashing the hoover into everything while talking on her phone at full volume. I had to chase O2 for the FIFTH time about an ongoing issue. I had a frustrating email about an incident from a few weeks ago which I won't go into. I realised I'd spent slightly more than expected this month - not to the extreme, but enough to be annoying as I like to stick to my budget and plans. Things like this kept popping up all day, as if reminding me that my week away was over. I guess it's all a case of perspective, isn't it? Things that would normally be a bit annoying are hugel...

January is a long month. It can also be a pretty miserable one – payday was ages ago, the weather isn’t summery, and people are struggling to stick to their resolutions. So when Hotels.com offered up an amazing January sale, it seemed rude to ignore the opportunity for a bit of luxury to help the journey to the end of the month. Doubletree by Hilton, Docklands Riverside is a beautiful hotel. I’ve stayed at the London Ealing Doubletree before, and have to say my second visit to the hotel group was no disappointment. The hotel comprises of two of three separate buildings, right by the river, joined by tunnels that feel like you’re on a luxury cruise ship. The communal areas are huge, with enormous windows letting in natural light, complete with exposed brick walls and wooden details. My reservation was for a Queen room, and I have to admit I was unimpressed to find a bed you’d barely call a double in the room. On returning to the check-in desk, it was confirmed the b...