Starting Your Vacation in Style

We’re only 40 minutes’ drive from the airport we usually fly from, but as our flights are usually in the morning, and rush hour can easily double that time, or worse if there’s an accident, we never take the risk of getting stuck in traffic. We’ve heard horror stories from friends who thought they’d left enough time, only to find themselves racing to check-in, clear security, and then catch their flight.

If you are looking at an airport hotel, it all comes down to location. Some airports will have a hotel on-site, meaning you’re just a short walk away from the terminal. Examples include our very own London Gatwick, Orlando, which is home to the Hyatt, and we also enjoyed our stay at the Fairmont at Vancouver after our Alaskan cruise. It makes for a much more relaxed start to the day, if your destination is just a short stroll away.

Admittedly, you need to be careful with such companies, as there are some rogue ones out there, so always check for customer reviews before booking, but they can really help the start and end of your vacation to be as smooth as possible. There is nothing better than driving up, and being met at the terminal building, leaving your car in safe hands, and heading off. It really is a relaxing way to start things off.

Talking of relaxing, it’s also worth exploring whether your airport has a lounge that’s available to the paying public. Airlines often have lounges for their business or first class passengers, but these days, more airports are adding in lounges that you anyone can enjoy – for the right price of course! As with many other things, it’s worth doing your research, as some will include food and drink in the price, and you may even be able to indulge in an adult beverage without having to pay extra.

Orlando International Airport - Hyatt Hotel

The view from our room in the Hyatt.

Aside from that, it’s often worth it for the relative peace and quiet you’ll find in a lounge. They tend to offer comfortable seating, power points for any electrical devices that may need topping up before your flight, and some may also have other amenities. This can include showers, special areas for children and/or teenagers, and maybe even a games area. In one lounge, we’ve come across a billiards table before. You do need to check when you enter however what the arrangements are with boarding calls, as it still remains your responsibility to get to your gate on time. Sometimes they ask you which flight you’re on, and reception staff may come to you, but you can’t rely on that. We usually try to grab a seat with an easy view of the departure boards, so that we’re always kept updated.

There’s no doubt that if you’re starting your vacation at an airport, it can be stressful, with luggage check-in, security checks, and most importantly, making your flight. However, we’ve found over the years that a combination of airport hotels, valet parking and airport lounges can help to take the stress away, and ensure you start your vacation in a relaxed mood before you jet off to wherever is your happy place.

About the Author: Cheryl is the author of the e-book, PassPorter's Walt Disney World for British Holidaymakers, and is the co-author of PassPorter's Disney Vacation Club Guide: For Members and Members-To-Be. Cheryl and husband Mark live in England and love to travel, particularly to Disney, and they have travelled around the world, taking in a number of Disney cruises, Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Aulani in Hawai'i, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney and Hong Kong Disneyland on the way. Click here to view more of Cheryl's articles!