Staying at an airport hotel seems to have become my favourite way to start off a holiday, especially when we have to get up at a ridiculously early hour for our flight. Not only does it make the start of a trip so much less stressful but it also means we can technically start the trip a day early!
As soon as I came across Windfalls Boutique Hotel, a small luxury guest house just a short drive from Gatwick Airport, I knew this was where I wanted to stay the night before our trip to Gibraltar. Each of the five rooms looked like pure luxury decorated in calming colours with huge four poster beds. It looked like the perfect place to start off our relaxing break.
We stayed in the Lily room, the smallest of the five rooms but still just as beautiful with pretty pastel colours and vintage décor giving it it’s luxury feel, and silk sheets covering the bed that looked oh so comfy. The skylight looked out into the leafy garden and flooded the room with lots of light.
Having read other reviews before our stay, I was so excited about the complimentary afternoon tea that other guests had been treated to so you can imagine my disappointment when there were no scones to be seen. Instead, we hopped in the car and went for a little drive. We decided to pass on eating out at one of the nearby country pubs and instead stocked up on some snacks for a little picnic back at the hotel where we could relax in the beautiful big garden, hang out with the chickens and act like big kids on the swing.
When the evening started to get a bit chilly, we made our way inside and settled down with a book on the sofas in the lounge. With soft soothing music playing in the background, scents of vanilla from candles and incense surrounding us and the Asian style décor around the room, I could easily have convinced myself that we were in a plush hotel in Thailand about to go for a wonderful massage. It was so chilled and peaceful. A feeling of serenity came over me and it was the perfect way to relax before a trip instead of the stressing and rushing around that we would usually be doing at home.
Wanting to get a good night’s sleep before our early flight, we headed up to the room for bed but the huge tub was so inviting that we just had to chill out in a hot soothing bubble bath first.
It was pretty difficult to pull ourselves out of the bed in the dark so early the next morning but the relaxing evening we had had and the fact that the bed was so super cosy and fluffy, had left us feeling completely refreshed.
As our flight was so early we didn’t get a chance to try out the delicious sounding breakfasts but the website and other guests had mentioned the little packed breakfasts that had been put together for them to take away but, like the afternoon tea, unfortunately there was no sign of this either.
Being only a short 10 minute drive from Gatwick Airport meant that we got plenty of extra sleep so we both felt wide awake as we made our way to the airport by taxi. Our car would be safe and sound waiting at the hotel for us on our return – a bonus being able to save on airport parking.
While I was slightly disappointed that we hadn’t been treated to afternoon tea or breakfast (yes yes, you know how much I like my food!) , this little boutique hotel was a lovely one night getaway. The gorgeous luxurious rooms would make it the perfect place to begin a honeymoon or a romantic break or, like us, for those just wanting a little bit of luxury before a trip.
Have you stayed in an airport hotel before? Let me know which is your favourite in the comments below!
Thank you to Windfalls Boutique Hotel who gave us a discounted media rate. We had a lovely relaxing stay!
Mama Ayla's Adventures 
PRE-holiday? lol! it’s a tough life hey? 😛
Any excuse to make the holiday longer! 😉
Shame about the tea but it sounds like you found the perfect cute place to stay near Gatwick! Much better than a standard Ibis or Travelodge 🙂 I’m lucky that living in Victoria, we’re literally 30 an hour by the Gatwick Express so it’s always very easy for us.
Lots of love,
Angie
SilverSpoon London
Much better than your normal run of the mill hotel! We’re only an hour’s drive from Gatwick but I’d rather spend that extra hour in bed than being tired in the car so it suits us well! 🙂
What a lovely hotel! I totally agree – there’s nothing worse than being stressed right before your holiday. Mum and I will be doing something similar when we travel to Marrakesh later this year – though as we’re flying from Stanstead airport I think it’s going to be a budget hotel unless I can find a boutique one!
Lauren xx | The Lifestyle Diaries
We stayed in the Hilton at Stanstead which we thought was awful so as long as you don’t stay there I’m sure you’ll be fine! When are you going to Marrakech? We’re going in October and I absolutely cannot wait! 🙂
Love it, a pre holiday. If I have a super early flight I prefer staying in an airport hotel which is a lot more basic than this.
Zoe | Love and Limoncello
I’m tried some basic ones too but we decided to go for a bit of luxury this time. Airport hotels are just the best!
I’m glad you liked it lovely! Such a shame about the lack of afternoon tea & brekkie though! 😦
I am a big fan of boutique hotels over chain ones!
Simone | The Aussie Flashpacker
Yes totally – I much prefer smaller independent hotels and restaurants. So much more character and friendly service 🙂
Ohhhh this is too cute! I love the vintage look, it looks so cosy!
Too bad they didnt have scones and that you guys couldn’t eat their breakfast.
It was super cosy and cute! I almost didn’t want to leave the room!
hahaha I understand why 😀
Now this is the way to start a holiday! Ours usually begins with the two of us running around like mad things while the taxi waits outside! Maybe we should try something like this next time 😉
That is exactly the reason why I love airport hotels! No rushing, no stressing and no panicking. I’d definitely recommend trying one out next time you have an early morning flight 🙂