My honest review of the Stansted Airport hotel with a 14-metre wine tower

There’s a lot of hidden costs when you book a budget flight.

That Ryanair plane ticket soon gets a lot more expensive when you add on hand luggage, insurance and seat allocation.

And then there’s the task of getting to and from the airport – especially when you depart or arrive early in the morning, or late at night.

The first Gatwick Express leaves London Victoria at 5.05am and stops running at 23:55pm, while the first Heathrow Express departs from London Paddington (Monday to Saturday) at 4.34am. The last train is at 23.25pm.

That leaves travellers with some rather expensive options: a friend of mine was recently quoted a £110 taxi from Stansted to central London.

An Uber isn’t much better. At the time of writing, a fare from Heathrow to Camden costs £53.99, to Battersea it’s £58.94. And that’s out of surge pricing.

You could, of course, book into an airport hotel. But, is it really worth it?

I recently checked in to the Radisson Blu at Stansted to find out.

First impressions

Tired and hungry, I landed in Stansted at 22.50pm. By the time I’d made it through passport control, time was ticking on, and the tension in the arrivals hall was palpable.

I watched as people furiously scrolled their phones for routes home, and saw faces recoiling in horror at the Uber prices.

Meanwhile, I breezed down to the clearly signposted four-star Radisson Blu.

A short stroll down a ramp and through a covered walk way, meant that I was at reception within about three minutes — according to the hotel, it’s just a 500m walk away.

The lobby area is vast — an atrium with a ceiling that soars to the highest floor of the hotel.

Its centrepiece is a striking 14-metre wine tower — a giant glass wine cabinet, with capacity to store 2,800 bottles.

But despite it’s size, there was still a relaxed, almost cosy buzz about the place. A few night owls sipped drinks on the sofas in the Wine Tower bar, and staff greeted me with a warm smile, despite the late hour.

Check-in was quick and easy, and before long, I was in the lift.

A word of warning for those who are afraid of heights: on the upper floors, the walkways are more like balconies, that look down onto the reception and bar area below. It made my knees feel a tad wobbly…

What’s the room like?

This is obviously not a place you’re planning to spend hours in. It’s somewhere to rest your head and get a good night’s sleep — and that’s exactly what I got.

There are three types of rooms: standard, premium and suites.

The interiors are modern, sleek and inoffensive. The bed was about as vast as the atrium downstairs, and there was a well stocked tea and coffee area.

You can pay extra to have a runway view, but honestly, I’m not sure why you’d bother. The black out blinds are perfect for those of us that can’t handle a glimmer of light when trying to sleep.

The TV has mirror casting, so you can catch up on your favourite Netflix shows after being away. Plus, there’s free WiFi.

For those who immediately want to wash the plane off, the bathroom was clean, with more towels than I’d need for a week.

As I was staying in a premium room, there was a surprising amount of complimentary toiletries available — from toothpaste, to a razor and a comb — more than I’ve seen in many high-end hotels.

The more expensive rooms also include a bathrobe and slippers, as well asa Nespresso coffee machine.

A shout out also goes to the 12pm check out, meaning I was able to get a proper night’s sleep after a late flight.

Food and drink?

Breakfast and dinner are served in Collage, a brasserie-style restaurant. Away from the main atrium, it doesn’t feel like you’re in a hotel eatery, with quirky artwork and exposed brick walls.

It’s classic pub fayre, such as fish and chips, burgers and chicken bites. It is pretty pricey though, with a chicken burger and chips for £22.50, fish and chips for £21.50 and a margarita pizza coming in at £21.

The restaurant closes at 10pm, but the Wine Tower Bar is open until midnight. There’s a similar menu here, with dishes including small plates, such a gyoza for £11.50 and Korean chicken for £12.50, as well as larger mains like lamb kofta for £26.50 and those £21.50 fish and chips.

I’m told that a few years ago, if a bottle of wine was ordered from the bar, the bar staff, or ‘angels’, would strap on a harness, and fly up to retrieve said bottle. Alas, this stopped back in 2008, so I didn’t see anyone take flight when I was there.

If you don’t want to spend on a full meal, you could always grab something at the airport before you check into the hotel. The M&S in arrivals is open 24/7, and the Leon closes at midnight.

Breakfast is served in Collage from 6am to 10am. It’s an impressive buffet situation, with everything from fruit salads, to the all important full English.

And, if you’ve got an earlier flight, there’s also a ‘grab & go’ option, served from 3am — a continental offering including pastries and fruit.

What else?

This hotel stands out from its airport counterparts in that it not only has a gym, but a spa with an indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam room.

I can’t think of a better way to unwind after a flight than booking in for a facial or a massage.

And, even better, the treatments are relatively reasonable, with the both the Full Body Massage and Luxury Spa Facial costing £89 each for 50 minutes.

Guests at the hotel get 20% off treatments at check out too, or 25% off if you book before your stay.

Plus, there’s a nail spa, where you can get a gel manicure for £55.

Okay, how much does it cost?

Standard rooms start at £115, based on two people sharing.

The next day, I was able to hop on the Stansted Express at a civilised hour. If you book in advance, fares start from £9.90 one way back to Liverpool Street.

You don’t have to be a maths whizz to work out that staying in the hotel isn’t technically cheaper than an Uber ride home — however, I’ve never booked a cab that came with a swimming pool and breakfast.

Plus, what you do save on is all the stress that goes with trying to navigate your way back home, alone, late at night.

So, is it worth it? If you’re flying either side of the early hours, absolutely.

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