The 8 best Luton Airport hotels of 2017

1. Hilton Garden Inn, Luton Airport

As you'll find with pretty much any hotel in the Hilton chain, the Hilton Garden Inn hotel near Luton Airport is a very grand, stylish hotel with a variety of smart, deluxe, modern rooms.

But what puts this hotel at the top of our list of Luton Airport hotels? (Summary)

The room:

Size matters in this hotel. Not only do you get a large, spacious room, you also get a huge, comfortable queen-sized bed and a good-sized bathroom too.

The room itself is tastefully decorated, with plush furnishings and warm pinks, making it luxurious but still homely.

If you fancy a chilled night relaxing in front of the TV, you can couch potato in style as there's a great selection of channels on your Smart LCD TV. There's also tea and coffee making facilities and a refrigerator for all your snacks. If you're like me, this means a glorious evening stuffing your face with all those treats you don't normally allow yourself and binge-watching TV.

Not only is the WiFi free in all rooms, but it's pretty decent too.

The hotel:

This Luton hotel is a favourite with business travellers, so it tends to be very quiet. The rooms are also soundproofed, which means even if it's a little noisy in the hotel, you're unlikely to hear it.

One of the unique selling points of this hotel is its fantastic, complimentary fitness studio, complete with treadmills, cross trainers, bikes, rowing machines and free weights. This doesn't mean you need to use it, but at least you know it's there, right?

The shining star of the show has to be the Pavilion lounge bar downstairs. It's a really cosy, elegant place to relax with your favourite tipple (or two), especially in the winter months when you can sit in front of the glass fireplace.

Breakfast is not included in the price, but if you do fancy a spot of brekkie before you fly, it's £10 each if booked the night before and £15 in the morning. The selection is varied and plentiful and it tastes pretty good too. It's even got a waffle maker!

What's the restaurant like?

Lots of the reviews describe it as either basic or bland; but as long as you don't mind leaving the hotel, this won't be a problem, as there's a handful of highly rated restaurants just down the road.

Anything else you should know about?

The only other notable downside is the hotel's distance from Luton Airport. It's around 3 miles away, so you'll need to get a transfer bus to the terminal after you have dropped your car off at the car park. These take thirteen minutes and are included in the price - not ideal, but not too bad either. One way around this is to book your Luton Airport parking as parking at the hotel instead, which we'll cover more in the parking section below.

If you don't mind the short transfer to the airport and you're not fussed about eating at the hotel restaurant, this hotel is a real winner and will reward you with gorgeous rooms and great facilities. It's our favourite for a reason!

Parking

You have a few options when it comes to parking; park at the hotel the entire time you are away, park in Airparks' secured car park next to the airport or use Swift Meet and Greet. Whichever you choose, parking is included in the overall price.

My advice? Choose to park at the hotel. There's often little difference in the price, but your short transfer to Luton Airport is by a taxi booked and paid for by the hotel. No buses needed.

If you do decide to park with Airparks in the secured car park, you'll park at the hotel overnight and the next morning drive to Airpark's car park. Park your car and hop on the free bus transfer to the airport. It takes 13 minutes and runs every 20.

Alternatively you can use the Swift Meet and Greet service. Park your car at the hotel on the day of your stay, in the morning drive to the drop off point for the Swift Meet and Greet service. You'll be met by a professional driver who will park your car for you while you stroll to the terminal.

2. Hampton by Hilton, Luton Airport

In second place, another contemporary, chic hotel from the well-loved Hilton chain, the Hampton by Hilton at Luton Airport. This hotel is popular for its stylish rooms and is literally round the corner from the airport.

So why choose the Hampton by Hilton? (Summary)

The room:

Sleek, modern and cosy, the newly renovated rooms at this hotel are the perfect place to relax.

For starters, it's very tastefully decorated, with brand-new, homely furnishings and a warm colour scheme to make you feel right at home. There's even some trendy artwork on the walls.

Then there's the excellent bathroom with a hot, powerful - you guessed it - power shower! You could literally spend hours in there.

You also have a 32-inch HDTV, tea/coffee maker and a large, clean Hampton bed; you can kick back with a hot drink and stick the telly on.

Free in all rooms and around the hotel. The majority of people who reviewed the WiFi found they had a good signal and high-speed internet.

Breakfast:

How does a decent, plentiful FREE buffet breakfast sound? That's what we thought.

Tuck into a hot breakfast between 6.30 am and 10 am, or if you have an early flight, start your day with a tasty continental from 4.30 am. It might not be eggs benedict but they do have a waffle machine which makes pretty tasty waffles - highly recommended!

The hotel:

The overall look of this hotel is really quite funky and modern. Decked out in vibrant colours, comfy chairs and bar stalls, the bar is a chilled, comfortable place to grab a drink. It's even got a 24-hour self-service snack area to cure those midnight munchies.

Need to work at the hotel? Whether you're away on business or need to study, this hotel is well equipped for your every need. It has its own 24-hour business centre with a very chic meeting/conference room and some awesome work zones, complete with comfy chairs, desk space, printers, computers and a mini library.

If you prefer to work in the comfort of your room, there's a work desk with an ergonomic chair and even a really handy lap desk for working on the bed.

For all the gym bunnies out there, there's a small but quality 24-hour gym with all the latest equipment. It seems pretty quiet most of the time too.

So, what's the food like?

The biggest downside to this hotel is that it doesn't have a proper restaurant. It only offers a small, simple menu of light meals and snacks, which you order at the bar. That said, it's not bad food, so if you do just fancy some basic grub, it'll do the job!

Parking

Included in the price of this hotel is parking at the Airparks secured car park at Luton airport.

Simply park at the hotel overnight, drive to the car park in the morning and once you've parked up, get a 13 minute transfer to the terminal; all included in the price.

Alternatively you can use the Swift Meet and Greet service. On the day of your stay you can park at the hotel car park and in the morning drive to the Swift Meet and Greet drop off area where you will be met by a driver who will park your car for you.

3. Holiday Inn Express, Luton Airport

The Holiday Inn Express is the nearest hotel to Luton airport and easily the best budget hotel on this list. It takes just 5-10 minutes to walk to the airport and only 3 minutes by the free airport shuttle, making it perfect for families with young kids.

Let's take a closer look. (Summary)

The room:

Despite being so close you can see the airfield from your window, thanks to the triple glazed windows, the rooms are very quiet.

They're not as large or as luxurious as the rooms in the Hilton Garden Inn and the Hampton by Hilton, but they're of a really high standard for a budget hotel.

Modern, clean and bright, they do everything you need them to do. Big, comfy bed to sleep on; a 32-inch TV with Freeview for entertainment; clean, relatively modern bathroom and even a mini sofa/sofa bed - ideal for families.

Recently refurbished, they even include new USB ports and power sockets by your bed and a power shower in the bathroom. The grey, white and red colour scheme is quite cosy and relaxing too.

Don't get too excited, but there is also an iron in the room for any crumpled or neglected outfits.

You'll need to log in to access the WiFi, but after that, it's fast and free everywhere in the hotel!

The hotel:

It's only a 3-star, so it doesn't have a fitness studio or anything fancy, but it does have a much better restaurant than the Hampton by Hilton or the Hilton Garden Inn.

Meals are reasonably good value and the food is thought to be either "ok" or "good". It's not fine dining but if you're hungry and you like pub food, you should be quite happy.

There is also a large, comfortable bar area with sofas and chairs for a refreshing drink or coffee. Nothing to write home about, but it will do the trick!

Breakfast:

Who can deny a free breakfast? It might not have the biggest or best selection of breakfast items, but it is a self-service buffet, so just pick out what you fancy.

The cooked breakfast is open between 6.30 am and 9.30 am, whilst coffee, cereal and toast is available from 4 am for the earlier fliers.

Parking:

There are three different Luton airport hotel and parking options here: Airparks, Swift Meet and Greet, or ShortRun.

If you choose to park with Airparks head straight to the car park and drop off your car. You then get a transfer bus to the hotel, which takes 13 minutes and runs every 20, and then either walk, which takes 10 minutes, or hop on a shuttle to the terminal in the morning.

Or, with Swift Meet and Greet, drive directly there to drop off your car, you and then catch a bus to the hotel for £1.30 per person, or walk there in about 10 minutes. Call Swift when you return and they'll bring your car to the terminal.

With parking at ShortRun, you park at the hotel overnight and then drive to the car park in the morning. It's just a free, 5 minute bus transfer to the terminal.

I personally think ShortRun is quicker and easier, but there are only 71 spaces for 147 rooms in the hotel car park, so it really depends on the timing of your stay. The safe bet is probably parking at Airparks, especially if there's airport traffic.

4. Holiday Inn, Luton Airport

The Luton Holiday Inn is one of the nearest hotels to Luton Airport. It comes at a very affordable price and you can always rely on Holiday Inn to provide a solid experience from arrival to departure. (Summary)

The room

The air-conditioned rooms at the Luton Holiday Inn aren't the most gadget filled on our list but do come equipped with Freeview TV and free WiFi. That's entertainment sorted. You can get the kettle on while you're at it - there's plenty of tea and coffee available.

It's clear the rooms have been refurbished fairly recently, boasting a clean, modern look with wet room style bathrooms throughout.

As with all Holiday Inns, you have the luxury of choosing your pillow type, soft or firm. This, combined with a comfy bed and blackout curtains, allows for the lightest of sleepers to gain some much-needed rest.

The hotel

The hotel is perfectly positioned for Luton Airport travellers, with the terminal just a 15 minute walk away.

The restaurant and bar offer food options that cater for all needs, but be warned: they have received mixed reviews. Selection, price and quality have all been criticised. The bar offers a lighter menu, handy for those on the go. If you're a connoisseur, perhaps eating out wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Taking the kids? You’re in luck, under 13’s eat free!

One for the fitness fanatics - the Holiday Inn houses a 24-hour gym. A great opportunity to burn off that breakfast before you fly.

Breakfast comes in buffet form, with cooked and continental options all just £9.95 per person.

Parking

Luton Airport parking is available with Airparks, where you leave your car at Airparks prior to check-in. A free transfer bus will take you to the Holiday Inn, while the guys at Luton Airparks take care of your car. Buses run every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day.

In the morning you can grab the Airparks bus again, or if you're feeling energetic, why not walk the 15-minute journey to the terminal?

Alternatively you can use the Swift Meet and Greet service. Head directly to the Short Stay car park to drop your car off with the Swift driver they will park your car for you while you head to the hotel to check-in. You can walk to the terminal in about 12 minutes, get a taxi for £8 or catch the bus for £1.30 per person. When you return call Swift and they'll have your car ready for you.

5. Holiday Inn South M1 Jct 9, Luton Airport

The Holiday Inn South is the most family-friendly Luton airport hotel on this list. It offers budget, no-frills rooms just off the M1 Jct 9 and 7 miles from the airport.

What makes it 5th on our list? (Summary)

The room:

In true budget hotel style, the room is pretty basic. But, it does provide everything you need and is clean and comfortable.

It's got your usual flatscreen TV and tea/coffee facilities for a quiet night in, blackout curtains and a choice of firm and soft pillows to help you get the perfect night's sleep and even a bath for you to soak away the stress of the week.

Some people think the room's a bit tired, so if you're a fan of modern rooms, you might prefer to book one of the other Holiday Inns or Luton airport hotels on this list.

Free of charge and available in your room. Internet speed is pretty good in most rooms.

The hotel:

Complete with a swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and a gym, the Holiday Inn Luton South offers a fantastic variety of facilities included in the price. Perfect for tiring out the kids and perfect for a relaxing start to your holiday.

There are some reports that the swimming pool isn't always open and that the facilities are a bit dated, but for the price you pay, can you really complain?

If you're staying with more time to spare or fancy a bit of a day trip, this hotel is in a great location for nearby attractions. It's just down the road from ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Stockwood Discovery Centre and Woodside Animal Farm and Leisure Park.

For dinner, there's a decent quality a-la-carte restaurant on-site which serves a good selection of pub food. There's also room service 24 hours a day and a few highly rated restaurants in the nearby area if the restaurant doesn't quite take your fancy.

If you prefer a more liquid dinner, there's a very casual, chilled out bar.

Remember: breakfast is not included in this package. It's available for £10 per person from 6.30 am to 9.30 am on weekdays and 7.30 am to 10.30 am at weekends.

Parking:

The parking included with this Luton hotel and parking package is with Airparks and is a pretty easy ride.

Simply park at the hotel overnight and pick up your Airparks parking voucher from reception. In the morning, drive to Airparks car park, park up and then get on one of the 24-hour transfer buses to the terminal. Transfers take 13 minutes and are included in the price.

Alternatively you can use the Swift Meet and Greet service. On the day of your stay you can park at the hotel car park free of charge, in the morning drive to the Short Stay car park where you'll be met by your driver; hand over your keys and stroll to the terminal in 7 minutes.

6. Ibis, Luton Airport

The Luton Ibis is a 2-star hotel within walking distance of the airport, just 10 minutes. It's well priced and offers a great start to a holiday for those on a budget.

So, what did we think? (Summary)

The room:

If you're looking for a spacious, gadget-filled, luxurious room, you're in the wrong place. The Ibis offers you your typical airport hotel experience. What can you expect for a 2-star hotel? It's comfortable, the rooms are clean and it's very affordable.

If you're a light sleeper I would pack some ear plugs, proximity to the airport can come at a slightly noisy cost in some of the rooms.

More importantly, tea and coffee facilities are included, isn't that what we all care about? If you're like me and love a tea, go and ask reception for an inevitable refill of tea and milk, they'll happily oblige.

My advice... Put the kettle on, log in to the free WiFi and enjoy some of your favourite box sets. That should be enough to drown out the aeroplane noise overhead.

The hotel:

This hotel is a firm favourite of Luton airport travellers, given its position. The option to choose between walking to the airport or jumping on a short shuttle service sets it apart from a lot of hotels nearby. A stress-free morning before departure is almost a guarantee.

The Ibis has a spacious bar area and its own restaurant. Fogg's restaurant, branded to take you on a worldwide taste bud journey, offers a select menu, which won't win any Michelin stars anytime soon. But as with everything else in this hotel, is more than adequate for the price. The portions are good, and the service is excellent.

The buffet breakfast isn't included in the price, but comes in at a moderate £8.95 per person. Not bad for all you can eat!

Parking:

Parking is available offsite with Luton Airparks, a secured car park close to the airport. Transfers from Airparks are provided 24 hours a day, taking about 15 minutes, traffic dependant.

Or, if you prefer, you can use the Swift Meet and Greet service. Drop your car off at the Swift Meet and Greet area, you'll be met by a professional driver who will park your car for you, and then you can walk to the terminal in about 7 minutes.

If parking isn't an issue, transfers are available from the hotel between 5 am- 11 pm and cost just £1.30 each way. Money well spent.

7. Aubrey Park, Luton Airport

The Aubrey Park hotel is an idyllic 3-star hotel in the nearby countryside of Redbourn, 9 miles away from the airport. It offers a peaceful, romantic stay away from the noise and bustle of Luton airport, ideal for couples and families with young children. (Summary)

The room:

Rooms are lovely, modern and much more expensive looking than you would expect for the price.

They have all the mod cons: flat screen TV, room service, iron, tea and coffee and a rather nice, modern bathroom. You also get a very pretty view of the gardens.

But what about the beds? They're all most of us really care about. Well, in this hotel, they're big and comfy, so you're sure to get a good night's kip. That's if your partner doesn't snore, of course.

Unfortunately, there are some downsides. The room doesn't have air conditioning, which might be a problem in the summer months, and it's likely to be quite small.

WiFi is free and pretty good. You should be able to browse and stream freely in your room, no problem.

The hotel:

Whilst the rooms and the exterior both give the appearance of luxury, ultimately this is still a budget hotel. There are no fancy facilities like a gym or pool, but it does have a brasserie serving some really yummy food.

The menu in the brasserie is varied and mouthwatering: offering everything from your simple burger to a whole roasted partridge. The atmosphere is warm and relaxed, and the restaurant looks out onto the garden.

For coffees and cocktails, there's a bar and lounge for you to cosy up in. Or if you'd prefer a bit of fresh air, there's an attractive garden for you to explore.

As for breakfast, the free, cooked buffet is pretty darn good too. Served between 6.45 am and 10 am on weekdays and 7.30 am and 10.30 am at the weekend.

Parking:

Three options. Park at the hotel, park with Airparks or use Swift Meet and Greet.

As with most of their Luton airport hotel with parking deals, parking with Airparks means parking overnight at the hotel (for free) and then driving to the car park the next morning. That's when you'll jump on your transfer to the airport, which only takes about 15 minutes and is part of the package. This tends to be the cheaper option.

For a smoother experience, book parking at the hotel. Your car stays in the hotel car park the entire time, and you simply travel in the taxi booked by the hotel to Luton airport. The taxi is included in the price, but on the way back, you'll need to foot the £25 taxi bill to the hotel.

Or, for the ultimate in ease, park overnight at the hotel (free of charge), then drive to the airport in the morning where a professional Swift driver will park your car for you. You can just walk to the terminal without worrying about transfers or finding a parking space.

8. easyHotel, Luton Airport

The Luton airport easyHotel is a no-thrills, low-cost overnight stay before you fly. If your primary concern is cost-saving, this could be the choice for you. (Summary)

The room

Well, where do we start? The rooms at the easyHotel epitomise cosy. They're definitely the smallest of any of the rooms on this list (standard room is 9/11.5 sq metres), and come with very few amenities included. Yes, that means no tea and coffee facilities - but towels are included, and they've managed to squeeze a TV into every room.

If you're desperate to fulfil that caffeine craving, there is a coffee machine in the lobby, accompanied by a snack vending machine.

The bathrooms have an aeroplane feel in true easyJet style, they're compact, clean and very orange. I can deal with that for one night.

Beware: some of the rooms do not have windows, but a few quid extra will get you one.

The hotel

You'll not be surprised to hear that the easyHotel doesn't have a bar or restaurant on-site. Don't worry, there's a number of great restaurants nearby - check out the Luton Mall which has a great selection.

My breakfast advice would be to head back over to the Mall, it's packed with shops and cafes, and will cost you far less than eating at the airport.

WiFi is free for 30 minutes, allowing you enough time to catch up on emails, or check your flight information.

Parking

Parking isn't available on-site. The hotel recommends you use Bute Street shoppers car park, at the back of the hotel. This car park is free between 6 am and 8 am, a bonus if you're arriving/departing between those times. We'd advise researching other parking options in case this one's full.

Airport parking packages are available with Luton Airparks, a secured offsite car park. You'll need to drive about 10 minutes to get to Airparks, from there free transfers run every 20 minutes and take about 13 minutes.

Alternatively you can use the Swift Meet and Greet service. Park overnight in the multi-storey car park. On the day of travel drive to the airport where a professional Swift driver will park your car for you while you stroll to the terminal.