The location: Easy to find as it’s sign-posted as soon as you get to Stansted’s Pink Elephant car park – you can’t miss it.
The check-in: Warm, welcoming reception from the front desk. Check-in was dealt with efficiently in a matter of minutes and our suitcases taken away promptly.
The room: Smallish room but with all mod cons: flatscreen TV, broadband internet, small desk area, tea and coffee-making facilities, iron and ironing board, decent hairdryer and clock/radio/MP3 player. Small bathroom but with good shower, lots of towels and toiletries from La Source. Our room service continental breakfast turned up promptly at 4.30am.
The business: 16 meeting rooms, from boardrooms for six to the largest, the Aubrey Suite, that accommodates 250 theatre-style. All have A/C, wireless internet and plenty of daylight. A business centre is open 8am-7pm; reception handles requests at other times.
The facilities: There's a shuttle to the airport every 30 minutes with a charge of £2 per adult. Its restaurant opens at the ungodly hour of 5am weekends and 6am weekdays, room service is available round the clock, and there is a huge car park. Car parking charges are £5 overnight, £16 per day or a Park and Fly package from £99 for eight days.
The restaurant: Amy’s Restaurant has recently been upgraded. It's a cavernous space cleverly broken up into cosier sections, with tables wide enough apart to offer privacy. Offers an extensive selection of cold and hot buffet items, plus excellent service. I had a very good chicken curry.
The CHECKOUT: Quick and painless, with the staff member double checking items on the bill on my behalf.
The verdict: An efficiently-run, value-for-money hotel with friendly staff and a useful location that takes the hassle out of flying out of Stansted airport.
The details: Rates start from £94 per room per night, including breakfast. Round Coppice Road, Stansted Airport, Essex CM24 ISF. Tel: 01279 680800; see www.hilton.co.uk Gillian Upton
