Last updated: 17 July 2023
We typically travel the local way. Sometimes that’s also known as the hard way. We take local transport, self-guided exploration, and if I’m the one reading the map we get lost, a lot!
However, that style of travel isn’t for everyone. Especially if you’re seeking a short break or chasing the winter sun. You might find you want the extras.
While it might not be a 6 star hotel with an on-demand Butler service, you want the things to make your weekend a little easier. To take the stress out of travel, wholeheartedly enjoy the experience and the things that make travel a little easier.
We recently partnered with Holiday Extras to show you what travelling with the extras looks like. You could almost say, how you can ‘travel better’. We covered the lot – from airport parking and hotels to make that early flight a dream, to lounges and airport transfers at your destination to make that weekend break a breeze.
Read More: A Weekend Break in Paphos, Cyprus
Airport hotel with parking
Of London’s 4 major airports, some have better connections than others. Combine that with where you’re coming from, train timetables and train fares, sometimes it’s just easier to drive.
With a very early scheduled flight, we combined our airport parking with a one-night stay at the Courtyard Marriott just next to Gatwick Airport. Arranging parking was really simple and hassle-free by adding it with the hotel booking.
The Courtyard Marriott Gatwick is a 4 star hotel located just a short 10 min from the Gatwick South terminal. Concerned by the threat of plane noise? We didn’t hear a peep as we stayed in one of the 218 soundproof rooms. Rest assured that no planes will wake you and you’re sure to have a good night’s sleep. I was more than content to kick back and relax before our early flight but not before I took a long soak in the deep bathtub. If you’re looking to get in one last workout before your flight, the onsite fitness centre should have you covered.
Have special needs?
184 ensuite rooms feature an LCD TV, comfortable king size bed, bath with shower overhead and the usual contemporary amenities. However if you have special needs there are 22 junior suites which include a dining table and chairs as well as a sofa bed. 12 accessible rooms across all floors with wider doors and adapted bathrooms suitable for wheelchair users.
Should you feel peckish, in addition to your mini bar there is an onsite bar and Grill restaurant. Serving steaks and burgers til 10.30pm at night, breakfast is available from 6am.
If you don’t feel like the 10 minute walk to the terminal, the hotel is serviced by a cash only shuttle bus service to whizz you around to the terminal. At 4am, we took the bus at a cost of £3 each.
Returning to London there’s a few options to get your car. Walk to the hotel, take the shuttle bus (£3) or have your car delivered to you at the arrivals terminal (£16). We chose to walk.
Verdict: We’re big fans of airport parking. The simplicity of throwing your suitcase in the boot and off you go. It doesn’t get much easier!
Airport Lounge
What if I told you there was a hidden oasis inside the airport. Don’t believe me?
How about a sanctuary with soft plush sofas, reliable WiFi, decent food menu and an open bar.
Tell me more…
Flying a budget airline means you have to pay for any food and drink you want on-board. Often options are limited and sometimes less than appealing. So perhaps forget buying food on-board and put your cash towards a lounge pass.
Why choose an airport lounge?
Each lounge is slightly different. We visited No 1 Lounge (Gatwick South) which had an array of seating both soft and hard seating, work space, childfree space, restaurant and bar. They open at 4am every day. Until 11am, the restaurant serves a breakfast menu. Breaking the overnight fast with options of bacon rolls, porridge, beans on toast, juices, continental options and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.
Our early morning start meant the lounge was basically empty. No queue at the bar to place our order and breakfast was brought to our table in a swift manner. I was still very sleepy and considered curling up on the cosy sofa in the quiet library room with one of the many complimentary magazines and having a snooze. Russ on the other hand was 3 coffees in and happy to jump on the WiFi to catch up on news, Pinterest and his other social channels (Instagram/Twitter)
Verdict: Using a lounge is a pleasant change of pace to the usual chaotic experience of an airport.
Airport transfers
For a short break or quick weekend jaunt do you really want to faff around trying to figure out the local bus route? We stood at a bus stop in Sofia Bulgaria for an hour trying to read the Cyrillic sign. Another hour on the wrong bus, and another hour walking the rest of the way to the hotel.
See More: A Weekend Escape to Sofia, Bulgaria
That time we could have spent elsewhere. Dining in a local restaurant, exploring the city, a museum or gallery.
In Cyprus we used Holiday Extras transfer speedy shuttle service. Sharing a mini van with no more than six people we were transferred from airport to hotel with zero fuss. We chatted to other travellers who were experienced Cyprus travellers and they happily shared some tips and tricks about the best places to explore. As we were on a short weekend break we wanted to make the most of the time we had.
The return shuttle is generally booked 48 hours in advance. We’d need our transfer in less than that so we booked it the same time we were picked up. The return shuttle had us back at Paphos airport with plenty of time to make our return flight.
Verdict
Overall, travelling with these extras made our weekend break all the more enjoyable.
No stress, no hassle, no fuss.
You can book extras like these individually or as a package to make your travel experience that much better.
Disclaimer
Our visit to Paphos was in partnership with our friends at Holiday Extras. Whilst travel & accommodation was provided, all activities in Paphos were selected by us. All opinions expressed in the post, as usual, our own.
