Hampton by Hilton Stansted Airport | Connected to the Terminal
Connected to the terminal, the 3-star Hampton by Hilton is the closest hotel to Stansted airport. Modern bedrooms, free wifi and breakfast included.
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Why you should book the Hampton by Hilton for your stay at Stansted
Here's the real deal on what the hotel's really like. Is the food a delight or a no-go?
Are the beds the kind you sink into or more of a Princess and the Pea lumpy bumpy vibe? And then there's the big one: breakfast. Are we talking golden yolks or cold, congealed eggs? Fresh pastries or a stale croissant? Let's find out.
Short on time? Let us summarise this guide for you.
I stayed at the Hampton by Hilton at Stansted and honestly, it just makes travelling so much easier. It's right next to the terminal – literally a covered walk away – which is perfect if you've got an early flight. The rooms are comfy and modern, breakfast kicks off at 4am (lifesaver), and the whole place feels fresh and hassle-free. It's a great no-fuss option if you want a smooth start to your trip.
Firstly we found the hotel is very easy to get to as you're simply heading straight to the airport. We just used the hotel postcode for our satnav (or you can use the handy what3words we pop in all our booking confirmations) and we were on our way. When you pull up (if you're parking, the car park is round the back of the hotel) it's good-looking too – smart with a nice glass front around the reception and lounge area, so it's light, bright and airy when you walk through the doors to check in.
Location
This is where the Hampton by Hilton totally shines. It ticks a big ol' box by actually being on the airport grounds – and being only a few minutes walk to the terminal, gives it the ultimate mic drop. We found it super quick and easy, which is exactly what we wanted, walking out bleary-eyed for a 7am flight. All we had to do was head out the front doors (with a takeaway coffee in our hands of course), walk across the road and follow the covered walkway to the left.
In a matter of moments, we were at the airport, ready to brave Security – oh, did we mention we also sell Fast Track Security passes to save those dreaded queues? The Hampton by Hilton really couldn't be any closer.
Food and drink
Aside from the spot-on location, another thing we loved is how relaxed the dining is. No need for reservations or waiting around awkwardly trying to get someone's attention, just grab a table in the lounge area and order at the bar whenever you're ready. You can also head to the restaurant section for waiter service. We took a seat at one of the many comfy booths and went for some nachos, a pizza and a burger – proper comfort food. Another thing to look out for is the daily special the hotel whips up to keep things interesting. Sometimes it's a main, sometimes dessert, sometimes both! Check out the updated specials on the menus dotted around the lounge area.
The long bar is sleek and stylish, but if you're anything like me, you might prefer sinking into a cosy booth or a comfy sofa instead, and there are all those choices right in the hub of the hotel. They have a great choice of beers, spirits and wine, plus refreshing soft drinks too. We went for a chilled beer and an Aperol spritz – yes, they do cocktails too! And if you need to charge up your phone or laptop while you eat and drink, there are plenty of plug sockets around, which is always a win.
There's also a 24-hour snack menu, so if you wake up at 1am with a hankering for a sourdough pizza – you're covered. One thing our team loves is coffee, and the more the better, so having Starbucks coffee available at the bar is great. You can pair your Americano with a freshly baked muffin or cookie, too – ask the team what's available that day, and they'll also be able to help with any allergen info if you need it. Check out the snack fridge at the bar, next to the Starbucks coffee station, so you can grab your favourite snack, cold drink or chocolate bar to go.
Breakfast
Breakfast kicks off at 4am so it's perfect if you're catching the early flight out. Now I have one word for you here – waffles! If you don't make yourself an authentic American waffle, using fresh batter and a very cool American waffle maker while you're here, then what's the point in having breakfast? We found it easy to make – we filled a cup with fresh batter and poured it directly into the waffle maker. They're pretty good drizzled with chocolate too.
Top tip: spray the waffle maker well first, and turn it over as soon as you've closed it up.
Seriously though, the breakfast here is pretty good – not only the waffles. It's included in your stay, (which is always a bonus) and there's a good choice of hot cooked breakfast and continental options. We, of course, had second breakfast – big fan of hobbit-style living here – and the hash browns were crunchy, the sausages were yum, and the scrambled eggs were pretty tasty.
With two rooms next door to each other for breakfast with the exact same breakfast items (yes, there are two waffle makers), there's no worries about FOMO. The hotel knows how popular (and important) your breakfast is, and this helps keep the morning waffle, I mean the morning breakfast, flow going. So you're not all trying to grab the same things at the same time.
Top tip: The tea and coffee is self-serve and there's a big ol' stack of takeaway cups so you can enjoy your favourite hot beverage as you take the short stroll to the terminal.
Rooms
If we had to sum up the rooms at Hampton by Hilton in one word, it'd be comfy. The queen-sized bed? Like a cloud. And the pillows? Well, let's just say it took me ages to decide which one to discard and which one to sleep with, as both were so pluffy and comfy. The kind of bed that makes you hit snooze just one more time (or maybe three), so maybe set multiple alarms on your phone the night before. The room itself is fresh and modern, with chilled-out decor designed to help you get a decent night's sleep.
Top tip: If you fancy a bit of plane spotting, ask reception if they've got any runway-view rooms available!
Everything Else
If you're up for earning that breakfast waffle (because balance, right?), the 24-hour gym has you covered. It's spacious enough so you're not knocking elbows, and with a solid mix of cardio and weights to get you moving. If you're feeling extra motivated, there's even a Peloton bike – so you can push yourself to go that little bit further.
When we stayed here, the one stand-out thing for us (I won't mention the W word again) was the team. They were all super friendly and helpful, which made everything so much easier and more enjoyable. We've all been there with a grumpy bartender where we stand around awkwardly trying to get their attention, but this is most definitely not the case at the Hampton by Hilton. Everyone was so smiley and eager to help, you couldn't help but feel their good mood being passed on.
This is a huge plus in any hotel, but when you've booked this as your stay before heading off on your hard-earned holiday, it's so important. Overall, we'd say this was a great experience and really one to get you in that holiday mood.
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