For budget and comfortable accommodation near airports, try the Women's Institute magazine, Home & Country (available at newsagents), which has pages of classified adverts for suitable places.
Jane Webb
The Cricketers is a pub in a nearby village where you can stay overnight, park your car cheaply and be taken to and picked up from the airport. It's nothing special, but it's acceptable and fits the bill.
Robert Clark
We took an early flight from Stansted last year, and stayed the night before at the Four Seasons Hotel near Thaxted (tel: 01371 830129), who were happy to let us park our car there for free while we were away. A taxi to the airport cost in the region of £12. We found the hotel in the accommodation guide produced by Uttlesford District (the area around Stansted), available from Saffron Walden Tourist Information Centre (tel: 01799 510444, e-mail: tourism@uttlesford.gov.uk).
Jacqueline Simpson
We obtained a copy of the Stansted information/accommodation guide. This lists a variety of options in towns and villages such as Takeley and Thaxted - hotels and bed and breakfast in private houses with parking and transport to the airport - but do enquire early as the accommodation is limited.
M Bullows
We stayed one night at the Yarrow Guest House, 27 Station Road Felstead, Essex (01371 820878) on returning to Stansted after a holiday in France. We had dropped the car off two weeks previously and were charged 50p per day parking fees. The proprietors arranged a taxi to and from the airport and cost £11 each way. The guest house is about 20 miles from the airport on the A120 (East). The total cost for one night's B&B for two people (double room en suite) parking and taxis was £68.
Pamela Oultram
Superbreak's Airport Hotels brochure (free from 0990 992 993) offers 14 hotels at Gatwick, 19 at Heathrow, 15 at Manchester, plus over 40 properties at other regional airports, cruise and ferry ports, including Stansted. Most of these hotels offer rates inclusive of up to 15 days parking. Overall prices lead in at £22.50 per person per night at the Posthouse Teeside Airport including 15 days car parking. Prices at Heathrow and Gatwick lead in from £23.50pp at the St Giles Hotel and £29pp at the Russ Hill Hotel respectively. Prices cover stays up to September 30 2001 including the early summer booking period. All rooms are guaranteed for late arrivals and are covered by Superbreak's comprehensive price guarantee.
Stuart Wareman
