Bargains, rip-offs and sales
A steal
ROOM AT THE INN Heading to London? There's great value to be had at Holiday Inn hotels there for the summer season. A recent weekend booking for two adults and one child in the Holiday Inn Kensington Forum came in at £90 a night in an executive room, including breakfast. Book on www.holiday-inn.co.uk and choose the leisure saver rate.
PARADOR FOUND Get a five-night card from Paradores of Spain and choose from 91 excellent state-run Spanish hotels. There are some seasonal restrictions, but it works out at €85 per room per night for these mostly four-star hotels in off-the-beaten track locations. Book direct on www.parador.es or contact Irish agent Lorna Roberts on 095-23511.
VALUE ADDED Fancy a shopping bill that comes as a nice surprise rather than a nasty shock? Marks & Spencer's summer food discounts can add up to substantial savings. Check out the flagged offers, including four-for-three on some items, free picnic accessories, and money-off vouchers: a combination of savings that cut a recent bill from €91 to €62.
Blow the ssia
Madonna is reported to have one on each side of the Atlantic. It promises to give you a 60-minute workout in just 10 minutes. You can do it in the privacy of your own home. It's legal. What's not to like? Well, the Power-Plate doesn't come cheap: £2,599 to be exact. But it could be money well spent, and you have a little time to save up, as it is on its way to Ireland soon. Check it out on www.power-plate.com, or phone 00-44-2075-867200. And if you still need convincing, have another look at Madonna's new video.
If you spot a sale, a bargain or a rip-off, email salestalk@irish-times.ie. Thanks this week to Conor Goodman, Marie-Claire Digby and Phyl Clarke