Hotel review: Radisson Blu, London Stansted Airport

Location: This is by far the nearest hotel to the terminal itself – just a two-minute stroll away under a covered glass walkway. It’s tucked behind the terminal building, next to the airport car parks.

Rooms: There are 500 bedrooms in the modern, glass-fronted hotel. Standard rooms come in three designs – urban, ocean and chilli – and the only real difference is in the decor. All are spacious and modern, with free wireless internet, widescreen TVs, tea and coffee facilities and three-hour turnaround laundry service.

Business-class rooms have added extras, including a bathrobe, slippers, mineral water, newspapers, a Nespresso coffee machine, free in-house movies and a full breakfast buffet. There are suites too, for those who want to start their holiday in style.

Facilities: Clients can get their holidays off to a suitably flying start by having a drink in Angel’s Wine Tower Bar. This huge, blue-lit structure is visible as soon as you enter the lobby – a roof-high glass case storing 4,000 bottles of wine.

Gymnastic-looking ‘bar angels’ fly up on high-wires to retrieve the bottle you’ve ordered, bringing a touch of Vegas to Stansted. The wine can be enjoyed on its own, or accompanied by light meals, pizzas or pasta.

The New York Grill and Bar is low-lit and atmospheric for an airport hotel restaurant, with vast portions of Stateside favourites – juicy steaks, barbecued pork ribs and delicious US-style desserts.

There are lighter veggie options and fish dishes for those who don’t want to fly on a heavy meal. Or choose Filini; an Italian restaurant by night offering fresh risottos, grilled fish and antipasti, and the location for the breakfast buffet in the mornings. There’s a business centre, spa, gym, steam room and swimming pool, and parking spaces for 200-plus cars.

Parking starts at £10 per night and the hotel offers car parking packages for longer durations.

Book it: From £105 per room per night.

On the web: radissonblu.co.uk/hotel-stanstedairport