Web success

Guardian Unlimited Travel, one of the newest additions to the Guardian's network of websites, has picked up its first award. It won the travel reporting category in the 2001 European Online Journalism awards, held in London on July 5. The site, www.theguardian.com/travel , which launched in February this year, includes an archive of Guardian articles as well as exclusive online content and comprehensive travel guides.

Manchester refit

Malmaison, the contemporary hotel chain, will unveil the completion of a £5.5m refurbishment of its Manchester hotel on Thursday. The refit will create 55 new bedrooms, increasing bedroom capacity from 112 to 167 over five floors, four new meeting rooms, enhanced spa facilities, a redesigned reception, bar and brasserie.

Fair trade launch

Tourism Concern (020-7753 3330, www.tourismconcern.org.uk ), the organisation campaigning for ethical and fair trade tourism, has launched a travel magazine aimed at women who want to put something back into the local communities and destinations they visit on holiday. Writers and interviewees include Anita Roddick, BBC Holiday presenter Sankha Guha and original Castaway heroine Lucy Irvine. The 76-page glossy, Being There, will be distributed through the Body Shop as well as fair trade shops around the UK from this weekend. It costs £1.95 or is free with a £5 purchase at either the Body Shop or members of the British Association of Fair Trade Shops.

Celtic independent

The Celtic Manor Resort in Coldra Woods, Newport, Gwent, has been voted independent hotel of the year for the UK by Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine. Set in 1,400 acres of parkland, the five-star hotel has 400 rooms, 32 suites, four restaurants, two clubs a spa and three championship golf courses. It is a candidate for the Ryder Cup in 2009 and is home to the Welsh Open.

Home comforts

When it comes to packing for a holiday, the first thing in the suitcase for the majority of us is not the bikini, the airport novel or even the suncream. According to a survey conducted for Family Circle magazine, 79% of British holidaymakers admit to taking their own teabags away with them. Half of all travellers take breakfast cereal, more than a quarter pack some tomato ketchup and nearly one in six bother to take their own biscuits.