Buried deep in the rolling countryside of North-West Essex is London Stansted Airport. Ditch the pre-flight stress and bed down in a nearby hotel before you fly – these are the best Stansted Airport hotels.
Flying from London Stansted? This is a popular airport for heading to destinations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and North America.
While this airport is within easy reach of London via the M11 and trains from London Liverpool Street, sometimes a super-early flight means you need to stay at a hotel nearby.
That’s where we come in. Read on to discover the best Stansted Airport hotels.
Best Stansted Airport Hotels: At a Glance
| Best Stansted Hotels – Top Picks | Hotel |
| Best Overall Stansted Airport Hotel | The Linden |
| Best Boutique Hotel Near Stansted Airport | The Green Man Boutique Hotel |
| Best Budget Hotel Near Stansted Airport | DeSalis Hotel |
| Best Stansted Airport Hotel for Parking | Hampton by Hilton |
Best Hotels Near Stansted Airport
Hampton by Hilton
££
The Hampton by Hilton is a five-minute walk from the Terminal building. While this means there’s no complimentary shuttle, the accommodation more than makes up for this.
From a soft seated chair to the flat-screen TV and alarm clock radio, convenience matches the comfort of the room. We love their full-sized shower, luxurious fluffy towels, and complimentary toiletries, while their breakfast comes included with the price.
If you’re there during the evening, the lounge bar is a great place to grab a drink and kick back, although if you’re looking for something more active, the state-of-the-art gym and fitness centre will tick your boxes.
Radisson Blu Hotel
££
Radisson Blu is one of the closest hotels to Stansted Airport, connected to the Terminal building by a covered walkway.
The hotel offers parking for your entire stay, and the rooms provide outstanding comfort with Wifi, cable TV, and hot drink makers. If you want food or drink, room service is available 24/7.
There are a couple of outstanding restaurants, with Collage Restaurant offering British pub grub classics such as fish & chips.
At the same time, Station 169 harks back to the airport’s historic World War II existence. Inspired by the US Army Air Force, the best American dishes, burgers, and vibes are available to enjoy.
Premier Inn
£
Less than 1½ miles from the Terminal building is the Premier Inn, the ideal budget hotel that offers parking. Although this and the shuttle come at a price, it’s one we think is well worth paying for its convenience.
The usual Premier Inn comfort and convenience come as standard with the King size Hypnos bed, and the plush duvet provides one of the best nights’ sleep you’ll get. Each room has Wifi and HD TV with more than 80 channels.
Next door is the Thyme Bar & Grill, which serves the hotel’s excellent breakfast, although again, this comes at an additional price.
Novotel
££
The Novotel London Stansted is just over a six-minute drive from the terminal building via the A120. It comes with Wifi, air conditioning, flat-screen TV with more than just the usual Freeview offerings.
If you need to work out, the fitness centre is the place to be, with modern high-tech equipment open 24 hours a day for guests. The hotel restaurant provides some of the best global cuisine and an excellent children’s menu, perfect for young families.
Best of all is the free Airport Shuttle, which runs to a timetable but offers quick and easy transfers to the Terminal building.
Holiday Inn Express
££
Holiday Inn Express is an IHG hotel that is less than five minutes via the free airport shuttle to the terminal building and has all the comfort and convenience associated with this excellent mid-budget brand.
Each room has additional bedding, walk-in power showers, a coffee maker, and blackout curtains to ensure the perfect night’s sleep. The excellent all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast will set you up for the day ahead, while the Lobby Bar provides a relaxed place for some evening chill-out.
DeSalis Hotel
£
The DeSalis Hotel is an outstanding option for travellers on a budget, only two miles from the terminal building.
Although affordable, the hotel offers awesome hospitality and service, particularly in the Italo-American Monsoon Restaurant, while the hotel bar has all your fave cocktails and spirits until long after dark.
There is a range of rooms available, from the simple single room for the solo traveller to the rich opulence of the Jacuzzi Room, which, yes, has a stunning tub.
Each room has plasma screen TVs, coffee machines, and space to work. There is a round-the-clock airport transfer with an additional charge.
Old Thatch
££
The Old Thatch is a stunning thatched guest house in the tiny hamlet of Bambers Green. A 17th Century Grade II listed home is a peaceful property with rooms named after wild game birds that can be seen strutting around the garden.
Although the property is near the airport, there is no residual noise from planes. With the Bamber Green Circuit walk, which is approximately 3 miles long, there’s plenty of space to chill and relax before you visit the chaos of the airport.
Rooms are beautifully designed and decorated, with light and airy colours and furnishings blending with the beautiful period building features. Parking is also available for £5 per night, with airport transfers available.
The Linden
£££
The nearby village of Stansted Mountfitchet is home to The Linden, one of the most stunning hotels in Essex, never mind the vicinity of the airport. It offers nine exquisitely decorated individually designed bedrooms that focus on comfort and decor, reflecting the building’s heritage.
Stansted Mountfitchet station is a five-minute walk from the hotel, with services regularly to the airport, Stratford, Liverpool Street, and Cambridge. We loved the rich colours of the decor, the stunning bathrooms, and the beautifully curated A la Carte breakfast menu, the perfect way to start the day!
Green Man
££
A couple of miles from Stansted Airport is The Green Man Boutique Hotel, a small five-room tavern that dates back to the early 17th Century. Each guest room is designed and furnished to blend seamlessly into its historical surroundings, yet with mod cons, such as high-speed Wifi throughout.
The hotel’s dining room at The Heritage Restaurant provides a range of continental and full English breakfast choices. At the same time, lunch and dinner are served with the usual range of pub/restaurant faves, from light bites and sandwiches to fish & chips and burgers.
Fair warning: rooms are limited, so book well in advance if the Green Man tickles your palette.
Saracens Head
££
The Saracens Head Hotel is a beautiful 15th Century boutique inn that has 30 rooms and is fully deserving of its four-star rating. Each room is furnished to the highest standards, with plush armchairs, king-size beds, roll-top baths, and period Olde-English beams.
The breakfast is one of the best you’ll find in the area, with everything sourced from local providers. At the same time, the restaurant and bar provide somewhere for you to relax and eat, and if you’re into your gin, choose from one of their more than 50 gin selections.
The hotel is in Dunmow town centre, about 6½ miles from Stansted, but a comfortable 10-15 minute drive.
Practical Tips to Consider Before Booking Your London Stansted Accommodation
- If you’re staying on the airport site, most hotels have shuttle services to the Terminal building. However, this isn’t the case for every hotel; some require additional charges. Check before booking what the situation concerning Airport transfers is. Allow plenty of time to make your transfer and book in advance.
- If you’re staying outside the airport site in one of the surrounding villages, check with your hotel to see if they’ll allow you to leave your car overnight. You can grab an Uber or taxi to the airport, while guests staying nearby Stansted Mountfitchet can jump on a train and be at the Terminal within a few minutes.
