The Olympic Experience

The 2012 Summer Olympics are on their way which means that throughout London and in surrounding local areas hotels will be packed to capacity, and spaces at these hotels are already starting to fill up! If you’re visiting London during the Olympics or even going to watch then a quick and easy way to avoid missing out on a space is to take advantage of the many Airport hotels that are available around London including Gatwick, Heathrow and even Stansted and Luton. Even though some of these locations are slightly further away from London you will avoid the chaos of inner London and at least you will have a room and roof over your head for your stay.

There are several Gatwick Hotels within walking distance or a few minutes’ drive from Gatwick Airport; the Courtyard Marriot at Gatwick is a short walk from the South Terminal and just a short drive from the North Terminal. The Agora Hotel Gatwick and The Corner House Hotel at Gatwick are within a three or four mile drive from Gatwick. They both offer a complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport and both have restaurants within and around the hotel for added convenience. The hotels are easily reachable by car or public transport from London and the Olympic events. They also offer a direct route into London via the Tube or bus; taxi’s are also available for travel and most concierges will call one for you.

If you are flying into Heathrow Airport, then there are just as many options for booking an airport hotel. The Hilton at Heathrow is within walking distance of the airport terminals and The Ibis London Heathrow Airport Hotel and Radisson Edwardian Heathrow both within five miles of the airport and within fifteen to twenty miles of London itself. Shuttle services are available to and from the airport at both hotels and are near to the London Underground and Mainland train stations. Holiday Inn – Ariel is another hotel that is within a few miles of Heathrow and just fifteen to thirty minutes away from some of the Olympic Events. It is in a great central location for restaurants, the Tube and the airport.

Some of the hotels will be offering special packages closer to the Olympics, it is important to make sure to contact the hotels around the airport and ask them directly for any price changes. The concierge at the hotel may be able to recommend events and must-see sites in and around London. The Airport Hotels are so conveniently located within the hub of London’s public transportation systems that travel is a synch.

Photo Credit – Flickr: Sean MacEntee