We don’t know about you, but we regret booking early morning flights almost as soon as the money has left our account. Even though they are ideal for making the most out of a 48-hour trip, that crack of dawn wake-up call can cause a lot of anxiety.
Which is where the airport hotel traditionally steps in. But before you conjure up images of impersonal, stale bedrooms, in a boring, run-of-the-mill chain, let us tell you about the Bloc hotel – aka the only place we want to stay when we’re at Gatwick Airport for a 6am flight.
After checking-in at the unassuming front desk, you are whisked to your (king size) bed for the night, which is thankfully (although perhaps dangerously) comfortable. Rooms are sleek and modern, with loads of technical trickery, from an iPad where you can control the lights, temperature and curtains, to a flat-screen Sky telly and Nespresso coffee machine. The bathroom has an impressive monsoon style rain-shower, plus Giorgio Armani toiletries. Views are of the runways – something we hadn’t experienced at an airport hotel before – but don’t worry, it’s still blissfully quiet.
Convenience-wise, you really couldn’t get much closer to the departure gates, with the hotel located within the South Terminal itself. Staff are approachable and helpful, as well as being around 24 hours, meaning that you can talk to a human being at 4am if necessary rather than figuring it out for yourself. That said, the ability to check out of your room on your iPad was a welcome novelty.
So next time you’re dreading that 2am wake-up call to get to the airport for 4.30am, just book the Bloc.