Bloc Hotel for the win!
There used to be a time when the thought of staying at an airport hotel would be unthinkable. I always imagined it to be 3 star quality – offering the basic amenities – a pre-flight bed – with no design quality whatsoever. The only advantage would be that it would be easy and convenient to get to one’s gate of departure.
However, it seems that hotels are looking to up their game at airport locations, and for that I’m super thankful.
On the outbound portion of my trip, I stayed at Gatwick’s Yotel Hotel to crash for a few hours before checking into my AirBnB. The capsule hotel best advantage is that you can book it for 4 hours minimum, but the size of the room would slowly make you feel cabin fever-y. Especially if you’re faced with a long haul flight.
On the return portion of my Berlin to London trip, I booked a room at the Bloc Hotel in Gatwick’s south terminal. Chic, spacious yet cozy, and affordable. Every Bloc Hotel room offers free WIFI, king sized beds, Roca monsoon drench shower, ambient Artemide lighting technology, Samsung LED smart TV, and a Samsung Galaxy tablet that controls the blinds, mood lighting and climate control.
Bonus! Gatwick stores were opened 24 hours, so I could just head out to eat or shop whenever I like!
By the time my flight from Berlin had landed, it was around 9ish, so I did not feel like I needed to go back out to London. Instead, I had hot shower, chilled, watched some telly and got some sleep.
The best feeling? Knowing that I don’t have to rush like mad to get to the airport on time for my flight. I just had to check out via tablet, drop off the keys and walk to my departure gate.
I’m an airport hotel convert, thanks to Bloc Hotel.
5/29 – As much as I’m now a believer of well designed airport capsule hotels, I’ve also become a believer in economy plus services on long haul flights. If you can afford the $80-$100 upgrade one way (depending on the airline) – and I do know that I’m lucky – then I say, yes! Do it!
Not only do you get more privileges, such as priority check-in, priority boarding, priority baggage handling, and other perks (eg. welcome kit, small bottle of wine). But what trumps all of that is your seat selection offers more legroom, pitch and width, which makes all the difference for an enjoyable flight.
At the risk of sounding like a total princess, I know being five foot nothing (ok, five two and a half), I should have nothing to gripe about, but seats with leg room still make a difference – even at my height. Especially on a long ass flight.
Maybe I’m just getting old (get off my porch!), but a little leg room is a luxury that is a must for me for any flight over 6 hours. (it’s a grey area even at the 5 or 6 hours mark). With air travel sucking nowadays – passengers packed in like sardines – one must find small ways to feel civilized. (without busting the bank)
No Comments