How do you start your holiday?

zagfles

squirrelchops wrote: »

Agree - I see the one bonus of earning a decent wage is that I won't do flights at rubbish times, I will pay a bit more if necessary and will book a hotel at the airport too to relax the night before. I also treat myself to valet parking as I hate waiting when I come home and just want to get on the journey home!

Yes, and airport hotels are surprisingly cheap too, last few I've stayed at (in UK and abroad) were around £30 a night.

lady1964

squirrelchops wrote: »

May I ask which B & B this is? We had a good stay at a hotel a couple of years back but am always on the look out for tips.

Cumberland House in Horley. We've stayed there maybe 8 or 9 times and it really is lovely, it's no.3 on Trip Advisor listings for Horley. There is a pub literally 3 minutes walk away called Ye Old Six Bells, the B&B hosts will book a table for their guests if they want dinner there. The breakfasts are really scrummy with great rooms. There are ongoing renovations but they aren't disruptive at all to guests.

Doshwaster

squirrelchops wrote: »

May I ask which B & B this is? We had a good stay at a hotel a couple of years back but am always on the look out for tips.

I also like an overnight stay before a trip. It feels like your holiday starts a day early and you don't have to get so stressed about driving to the airport before dawn.

There are loads of B&Bs around Gatwick. The fierce competition keeps prices low. I have stopped in many over the years and I don't think I have ever paid more than £50 for a night's stay plus a weeks parking (sometimes if I have a late flight back I will stop in the hotel on the return so I can enjoy a few drinks on the plan)

Personally, if I'm only going to be in the B&B for a few hours sleep then I'm really not that bothered with the facilities as long as it has a bed, shower and is clean.

With Heathrow, I find that the better deals tend to be in the big chain hotels rather than the B&Bs. Prices are higher than Gatwick but if you shop around you can always get some good last minute deals as unless there is a strike or snowstorm there is always a load of spare capacity.

tigerbob85

My partner and I have used the Premier Inn at Gatwick (Manor Royal down Fleming Way) several times the night before early morning flights; clean, smart, decent bar, and quick transfer to Gatwick.

Don't have a car but removes all the early morning rushing around for us on trains, and feels like an early start to the hols! Book early and you can get rooms for as little as £30.

worried_jim

Having a brilliant time!

Clairewell

Yeah Gulluk!! We love it, and have an apartment there! Hope you are having a great time. Lovely place for a beer at Ela's or pizza with Berkhans family at Berkhans restaurant! Miss it !!

worried_jim

Clairewell wrote: »

Yeah Gulluk!! We love it, and have an apartment there! Hope you are having a great time. Lovely place for a beer at Ela's or pizza with Berkhans family at Berkhans restaurant! Miss it !!

Just been to Berkans! Now in the broken barrel having a gin and tonic!

silvercar

If we can we get an early flight out of Heathrow. Book (our by now) trusted cabbie to take us to the airport (about 40 mins). Fast track check-in and security, straight into the lounge for breakfast. Either fast line first onto the plane (if we think there will be a scramble for luggage space) or if it is a quiet flight, last onto the plane.

Anything less than 4-5 hours and its an economy flight, anything longer and it is usually business class booked with Avios.

Fast track and lounge access due to OH's gold card, whatever seats we are in.

theonlywayisup

shrimper1 wrote: »

Living in the west country the choices are not great especially slightly out of season

It's not about where you are, it's about flight times. We travel up the night before and fly at a sensible time. But we only use scheduled airlines and fly from LHR or LGW.

West country living, doesn't mean you have to fly at 3am.

To the OP. I maximise our cards to collect flying miles with VS. We fly UC and use their clubhouse as our holiday start. We do this paying a flexible economy ticket and upgrading with miles, or simply buying the ticket with miles.

ironed_out

Living on the Isle of Wight, my holiday begins when we get on the ferry. We always book an early flight, and used to mess about getting the midnight ferry, then getting a taxi, hanging round the airport for 4 hours before check in.

NOW, we get off the catamaran and travel up to LGW by train. Once at Gatwick, we check our cases in, go to one of the pubs in the airport and get our dinner, then make our way to Travelodge central. Have a good nights sleep and then go and get some breakfast at the airport, buy our lunch to take on board, and have quick wander round whilst waiting for boarding. Love it! :beer: