Airports are lively places, but with the stress of check-ins, passport controls, security lines, and boarding gates, we rarely have time to truly enjoy them. The Aviator Hotel offers a completely new perspective on this experience, and is rated the 2nd best hotel in the country for 2024, by Trip Advisor.
Located opposite Farnborough Airport, the UK’s largest business aviation airport, it’s a destination in its own right. The Hampshire airfield mainly serves private jets, making it ideal for spotting some of the most expensive and exclusive planes. Prepare to see Gulfstreams, Bombardiers, Embraers, Cessnas, and, if you are lucky, jumbo jets such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 taking off right in front of you.
Sky high elegance
But it’s not the soaring backdrop that makes this hotel so charming. Aviator is not just a convenient place to stay before a flight like every other airport hotel, it’s completely unique and exudes class and timeless glamour.
The luxury concept was created by the prominent Scottish hotelier Ken McCulloch, who sadly passed away recently. Alongside his wife, designer Amanda Rosa, he transformed a brownfield site formerly occupied by the RAF Farnborough officers’ building into one of the most beautiful hotels in Europe 16 years ago.
The sleek futuristic exterior design was commissioned by Robin Partington of Hamiltons, known for leading the design of The Gherkin in London. You can tell this project was aviation-inspired, embracing everything that’s cool, romantic, and dazzling about flying.
From the stylish, metallic exterior architecturally designed to replicate an aircraft propeller when viewed from above to the stunning atrium with its white curved staircase and striking resemblance to an aircraft engine. Even the lifts are lined in stitched leather and have windows with screens behind showing moving clouds like being on a plane. The stylish décor embraces the golden era of aviation and James Bond movies.
Throughout all these years Aviator has been welcoming high-profile politicians, celebrities and aviation experts vising Farnborough International Airshow or using the hotel as an entry point for their trips to the country. The attentive stuff were very discreet about their clientele and named only a few VIP guests, such as Angelina Jolie, Lewis Hamilton and in one stay the whole cast of the Game of Thrones.
First class experience
First entering the hotel you’re welcomed by the striking main atrium and a grand central staircase that leads to the welcome desk – perhaps another aviation nod that gives the feeling of embarking onto a plane. Look skyward, a balcony spirals above you for three more tiers and at this time of the year, filled with festive decorations.
The ‘propellers’ of the building contain the 169 rooms, divided into 19 Sky Suites, 12 Aviator Studios, and 138 Aviator Rooms. Rest assured, there is no economy class here. All rooms are timeless, elegant and very classy with a rich combination of nice wood and metal accents that feels both modern and vintage at the same time. You’ll find more aviation touches like the ornaments, propeller-style taps in the bathroom and photos of planes on the walls. James Bond would be very happy staying here.
A main difference between the rooms is the view, which is either airside or residential. We stayed in one of the Sky Suites on the fourth floor, facing the runway, and loved watching the planes take off and land from the balcony. Despite the proximity to the runway the rooms are well sound insulated and whisper quiet with the doors closed. For us, even in the middle of winter we kept the doors open so we could hear the engine roar from the planes!
The suite was packed with amenities including bathrobes, slippers, luxury toiletries, mini-bar, coffee machine, automatic blinds, walk-in wardrobe, comfy sofa, chaise lounge, huge bed and two TVs. The large en suite bathroom included a walk-in rain shower and bathtub, with some rooms offering another TV you can watch while soaking in a bubble bath.
Gastronomic ascent
After working up an appetite plane spotting all afternoon Aviator fortunately includes two restaurants and a bar. The Brasserie continues the journey of grandeur with a high-end dining experience in a beautiful venue, featuring modern European cuisine from head chef Allan Pickett (formerly of Galvin Bistro de Luxe).
During our stay, the Winter set menu included starters such as hot smoked trout with celeriac purée, caperberries, and sourdough bread, and chicken terrine with roasted red pepper, dill mayonnaise, and sourdough. The mains included delicious pan-roasted sea bass with white bean stew and crayfish sweetcorn dressing, and overnight braised blade of beef with fries and peppercorn sauce. We finished our meal with roasted fig Eton mess and tiramisu.
One Eleven is more casual dining with a relaxed American-inspired theme, or come back in summer for alfresco dining at the Terrace so you enjoy the planes while eating. The hotel also serves exquisite afternoon tea and hosts wine tastings.
After dinner, you can head to the Sky Bar with stunning views over the runway and ample opportunity to sip cocktails with a pilot or two.
Festive offer
Christmas makes a stay at Aviator extra special with festive touches all over the hotel and is surprisingly more affordable with rooms starting from £109 a night – which is unbelievable for one of the best hotels in the country.
The holiday package includes a sweet treat and selection of gifts on arrival, an excellent breakfast, festive cocktail, and most importantly late checkout meaning you can have even more opportunities to spot airplanes.
Aviator is one of our favourite hotels we’ve ever stayed at and 2nd place for best hotel may even be a bit modest.
More information about the Aviator Hotel and the Christmas package can be found here.
Image credits: © Aviator Hotel, Travel with Style
