We were planning a fortnights oversees holiday, flying out of Manchester Airport and were considering the cheapest way to get to the airport. We decided we wanted to go in our own car and leave it at the airport, but found that car parking was quite expensive. Amazingly, we found that for only a few pounds more than the airport charges for parking for a fortnight, we were able to add an extra night to our holiday by staying at the 5* Manchester Airport Radisson SAS hotel, with free car parking included!

So what was it like?

Location: Could not be bettered for our purposes. It is situated at the intersection of two moving walkways, one which leads to Terminal One and one to Terminal Two. I don't know about you, but we love exploring the airport and maybe parting with a bit of the holiday spending money while we're there, so staying at the Radisson, we were right in the middle of it, while our bags and everything were safely locked up in the hotel. I joked to the wife that I could go down and check in in my dressing gown and slippers!

Rooms: The rooms were on four floors and each floor had a theme, Scandinavian, Oriental, Italian and Maritime. There are also luxury business class rooms on the top floor. We stayed in an Oriental room, which the receptionist confided were the nicest rooms. It certainly was a very nice and comfortable room. The oriental theming was light - no futons or anything like that - we were afraid that we would be sleeping on the floor! But no - the room had all the furniture you would expect including a very comfortable double bed and good folding bed for our five year old. The room was also equipped with a fax machine, modem point, safe, satellite TV, hairdryer, tea and coffee making facilities, trouser press and mini-bar. We could also order feature films on a pay basis. The room wasn't however as spacious as the ones in another Radisson that we stayed in abroad.

Hotel facilities: The hotel has a very well equipped health centre featuring a well equipped gym, sauna, steamroom and solarium and an indoor heated swimming pool.

Restaurants: There were a number of eating options including the Phileas Fogg Restaurant which overlooked the runways, and the less formal Runway Bar, which we tried and found to provide good quality at reasonable prices. Alternatively, you have the many food outlets at the airport to choose from so if McDonalds or Pizza Hut is more your thing, you're well catered for.

Staff: We found the staff friendly and helpful. Our flight out was delayed and the staff arranged for us to keep hour room for a few hours extra for no extra charge.

All in all, we enjoyed the night that we spent at the Radisson, making full use of it's excellent facilities and location. We would particularly recommend this hotel to people who would otherwise use airport parking or use a taxi to the airport - you might find you can add a night to your holiday for very little extra. Don't book with Radisson directly - we got a cheaper price through Superbreak.com.

Recommended: Yes