RADISSON BLU STANSTED
I
checked into the Radisson Blu Stansted hotel at about 2am, I had just
flown into London Stansted Airport from Bucharest. My flight had
arrived just after midnight, it then took the best part of two hours
to get through passport control and pick up my luggage. Thankfully,
Radisson Blu Stansted is a mere two minute walk from the airport
terminal, the two buildings being connected by a covered walkway.
Built
in 2004, this four star hotel is delightful. Having stayed here
previously on a pre-flight stay, I was well acquainted with the hotel
and its wonderful amenities. Unfortunately, having arrived in the
early hours of the morning, I would not be able to make the most of
these amenities tonight. However, I had every intention of indulging
myself and enjoying all the hotel had to offer, the following day.
But for now, a well earned shower and a good nights sleep in my comfortable, spacious, Business Class room, was all
that was on my mind.
The
facilities at Radisson Blu Stansted are very impressive. This
excellent hotel has 500 rooms and suites to choose from, offering
three styles of décor. Urban rooms are decorated in warm reds and
rich woods, Ocean rooms feature blues and greens, depicting the colours
of the sea, and Chilli rooms are decorated in a vivid mix of vibrant
colours. There are also three classes of room, these include the
standard room which is approximately 25 square metres, and features
free Wi Fi, safe, tea/coffee making facilities, mini-bar, TV and
telephone. The family room consists of two interconnecting rooms, one
with a double bed, and one with twin beds, the family room has all
the features of the standard room, as well as offering the benefit of
two bathrooms. Roll away beds and cots are available on request.
Business Class has everything that the standard and family rooms
have, but also feature luxurious bathrobes and slippers, a daily
newspaper, free in house movies, 24 hour room service, a Nespresso
coffee machine, and access to the Super Breakfast Buffet. Finally,
there are also full, and junior, suites available. The suites include
all the amenities of Business Class, as well as having a separate
living room. There are also rooms available with improved
accessibility, featuring roll in shower, grab bars, audio and visual
warning devices, and wider doorways. Public areas are also accessible
by wheelchair and a wheelchair is available for loan on request.
With
three restaurants on-site, hotel guests are spoilt for choice when it
comes to eating. The Filini restaurant serves wonderful Italian and
Mediterranean dishes, it is also in this well lit and tastefully
decorated restaurant, that the excellent 'Super Breakfast' is served.
The New York Grill serves American Steakhouse specialities, in a
delightfully intimate dining area. Last, but most certainly not
least, is the amazing Angel's Wine Tower Bar. This unique and
mesmerizing venue has a diverse menu which includes burgers, pizza,
salads, and steak. However, for myself, the main draw to this bar is
the Wine Tower, and the Angels who entertain the guests with their
airborne acrobatics, suspended from wires within a glass tower. The
wine Angels are not there just to entertain, they are also there to
retrieve the guests chosen wine from an impressive collection of over
4,000. The wine tower at Radisson Blu Stansted was the first of its
kind in Europe, the only other tower, in Europe, is situated in
Zurich.
For
the guests health and well-being, there is the Pace Health Club. This
on-site gym and spa is free for guests and is also open to public
membership. There is a well equipped gym, a 10 metre long swimming
pool, and a sauna and steam room. There are also treatment rooms
where massages and manicures can be booked, as well as a sunbed room
and tanning tent. Lockers and towels are available within the spa
area. Guests can even book swimming lessons for the children as well
as yoga and aqua aerobic sessions.
For
anyone wishing to use the conference and meeting rooms at Radisson
Blu Stansted, there is a wide choice of 26 rooms, all with natural
light, and all fitted out to the highest standard. There is a
business centre which has fax and printer available, as well as
secretarial services. Total business area measures an impressive
1,300 square metres. The Radisson Blu Brain Box concept is scheduled
to come to Stansted very soon. This innovative business concept is
designed to elevate efficiency and release creativity. The meeting
rooms feature a Break Away area with walls you can write on, vivid
colours, and a flexible furniture layout. Even the menu has been
geared towards creativity. Billed as Brain Food, the food and drink
menu offers optimum nutrition for maximum focus.
Radisson
Blu Stansted is also an excellent venue for weddings. Preferential
discounts can be arranged for the wedding party and guests, and with
a fantastic choice of menu, everyone is assured of a memorable time.
The bride and groom can relax afterwards in the Honeymoon Suite, and
awake the next morning to a wonderful, romantic breakfast in bed.
With the airport just two minutes away, jetting off to some exotic
location for the honeymoon should be no problem.
There
is on-site parking available for up to 200 cars. Guests can arrange
packages which include 4, 8, or 15 day stays. Guests can even arrange
to have their vehicle valeted whilst they are away, ensuring they
return from their holiday or business trip, to a clean car.
Check
in time is 2pm onwards, and check out time is by 12pm. A later check
out time can be arranged, at no extra cost, subject to availability.
There is also an Express Checkout facility, for those in a hurry, and
a Grab and Run breakfast of tea/coffee, fruit, and energy bars
available in the lobby. A 3 hour express laundry service is also
offered.
On
both occasions that I have stayed at Radisson Blu Stansted, it has
involved a flight out of,or into London Stansted airport. However,
the hotel is ideally situated for visiting Essex and Hertfordshire,
as well as London. It would, therefore, be a great location for a
holiday to this area, which has so much to offer the visitor.
After
a good night's sleep in a very large, exceptionally comfortable and
welcoming bed, and having enjoyed an excellent full English
breakfast, followed by some chill out time in the spa, the time came
for me to leave. I left Radisson Blu Stansted much more relaxed and
refreshed than when I arrived in the early hours of the morning, and
considerably more so than had I driven directly home. I could now
arrive home in daylight, at a reasonable hour, feeling that the end
of my holiday had been a enjoyable experience. It really did feel
like my stay at Radisson Blu Stansted had been part of my holiday.
For
more information on Radisson Blu Stansted please visit the hotel's
website:
