The best way to take the stress out of an early morning flight – particularly if you are travelling with children – is a restful, breezy hotel stay the night before. It’s also a brilliant way to get in the holiday mood.
While there are plenty of options to suit all budgets at most major airports, if you want your trip to start with serious style, the Radisson Blu is a great option. We stayed at the brand’s Manchester Airport property ahead of flying to Sweden and though it’s connected to Terminal 1, it doesn’t feel like a functional, stopover spot, more a luxury getaway.
You arrive to a sweeping main entrance separate to the airport before being whizzed up to the foyer where you’re greeted by efficient 24-hour check in staff, a handy little shop and the hotel’s chic restaurant, bar and coffee shop.
Rooms
Rooms range from a standard double to the more premium suites and rooms on the top two floors, where you also get access to the hotel’s executive lounge for complimentary drinks and snacks until 8pm.
We stayed in a executive room with a fabulous runway view that was perfect for a family of three and the prestige rooms also come with a Nespresso machine, robes, loads of space and mineral water.
Food
Radisson Blu’s main place to eat for dinner and breakfast – also with fab runway views – is Collage Restaurant. It’s buzzy and brasserie-style with a wide-ranging menu with plenty of kids options, too. We tried the burrata, seafood linguine and an excellent steak and it also serves champagne by the glass – an excellent treat not found in many four-star properties. For a post-supper tipple, Little M bar is lively with lots of travellers getting into the holiday spirit. Breakfast was a plentiful buffet with lots of healthy options including the house smoothies and is served from 6am.
Facilities
Its biggest draw is the proximity to the airport – all terminals are within 15-minutes away so no taxi or shuttle needed. It could not be more convenient. There is also a pool and wellness centre with fitness classes and spa treatments if you have time. Even thought it’s an “airport hotel” you could easily also stay there for a Manchester city break. Ample parking (at an additional charge) and a large, modern conference facilities make the Radusson Blu a solid, one-stop spot with everything the savvy traveller could possibly need.
Rooms start at about £180 per night with breakfast.
All images courtesy of the property