Holiday Extras Holiday Review

Holiday Extra's motto is

"We take the hassle , you take the holiday"

The Park Inn Heathrow is one of the nearest hotels to terminals 1,2 and 3 and being so close is essential especially when you are flying long haul.The hotel was extremely easy to find , though do make sure you put the full address into your sat nav.

We had opted to include the parking when we stayed here , so upon check in we handed over the car keys so the car could be collected by Maple Manor Parking within 12 hours. Our car was securely parked off site and was waiting for us on our return from Washington D.C .

The beds were clean soft and comfortable , though I'd have like to have seen mattress protectors which is pretty much standard in all other hotels . The room was smart , modern and serviceable just what you need before your flight the next day. Quiet oh so quiet saying that you are right next to an airport , well that be why you'll be stopping there anyway !!

There was a small problem initially with our room key card however this was rectified and we swapped rooms. We were given complimentary drinks as a way of sorry , you really couldn't fault the personal service. A smooth start to your holiday is essential for a memorable holiday.

The day of the flight we made sure we woke up in time , you can request a wake up call if you do wish. Breakfast is available at the hotel but I can't comment on this as we didn't partake in this.

I wouldn't choose this hotel for getting into central London but for a stop before or after a holiday it is top notch.

We took the Hopper buses to the airport which was £8 each return ,it is 50p cheaper if you buy them from the machines at the hotel , you can either buy a single ticket or return per adult , children 15 and under travel free with their parents.and the driver will help you with your cases if you are struggling. I believe there is a free bus that runs near the petrol station opposite to the hotel.

After being dropped off by the Hopper bus we checked in and then after making our way though airport security delayed only by my bag * why is it always my bag ? thankfully the delays wasn't too long and the tuts of my family were soon quietened  by the time we got to the airport lounge. 

No. 1 lounge - Terminal 3

This is where I could channel my inner Bond Villain but curses I didn't have the obligatory cat to sit there and stroke . If you saw me in the lunch then I am sorry if you saw me spinning around in the chairs ~ actually not sorry !

There was was once an associated boredom with having to wait around in the airport before your hotel , there is only so many times you can spare yourself with the fragrances and drink the samples in the duty free shop.  And there there is the spotless boutiques which are a shoppers dream if life was in fact an open wallet but alas it is not ! Worry not through now you can have the option of luxurious airport lounges and it is an option I go for every time where I can !

Now where do you go do you go to the library , the snug , the luxury cinema , the bar the dining room , treat yourself to a treatment  at the Travel Spa ( for which there is an extra charge)

There is so much going on in the lounge that you might never want to leave there any computers, televisions, wifi , newspapers, magazines luxury cinema as previously mentioned and kids room. You can even shower her if you need to and there are toilet facilities as well.

I know it should be a plate but it is Artisan trendy!

 And any how it was jolly tasty and it was included with the price of the lounge , there are various menu option depending on the time of the day , children are very well catered for with the food  as the lounge has an la carte menu.

Your flights aren't announced any loud speaker instead you have to keep your beady eye on the information board , well you aren't going to be so silly as to miss your flight are you  ?

You can even have wine if you so wish , champagne however is a payable extra , the lounge left us all in a positive mood before our 8 hour flight to Washington D.C.

I wouldn't hesitate to use Holidays Extras again and of course there is a handy little app so you have all your travel extra information in one place. The cost for the lounge is £30 per adult and for children the cost is £15.

Thank you to Holiday Extras for allowing me to review the hotel , the parking and the lounge.

Travelling On a Lemonade Budget

Travelling on a lemonade budget but maintaining the champagne lifestyle , alas No I am not whisking you off to Bali or Mauritius ! We are back on the case of fragile travelling in the UK if you do look around there are places to visit that are either free or £5 or under with children often free. So when said child safely deposited at his holiday job it was off on an adventure with £10 only in my purse , I am not quite sure if my husband is sighing or just breathing heavily when I announce we are off , then again lately my hearing isn't the best. We drove to Shepshead Watermill was a mere 20 minutes from my doorstep by car and oh my what a beauteous place it was and totally and utterly free. I like free things I do but if there is something to buy /donate I always make sure that I do this.

The mill is only open on set open days at is a private venture so please do check but you set off the 14th September is the last open day so keep your diaries free, the day we went there was a car meet there of BMW 's and there were some very beautiful cars there old and new. The mill has one of the most beautiful mill settings I have seen in a long time and reminds me of George Elliots book a Mill on the Floss.

Cat To The Grind Stone

Just a little note to let you know that the Everest #petsinwindows competition is still on !

The cats have been settling back after us being away and are back up to their usual tricks which one of those includes coming in through the cat flap and then expecting the front door to be opened upon command. We all know that cats keeps us and it is never the other way around , I do say that the cats being on the window sills does hamper my house work efforts so that is why I have to drink so much tea. Well that is my excuse  reason anyway !


My jet lag has gone now but it took a good 5 days to get over it and I am already looking at the holiday for next year but that really depends at what my sons school throws at us !

#PetsInWindows

So why don't you pop over and enter. Everest will give £5 to the RSPCA (registered charity number 219099) for everyone that enters, up to a maximum of £5,000. You can enter online here  or using the hashtag #petsinwindows via twitter.


Disclosure I have since dusted since the cat got off the window sill ~ I will be compensated for these posts ~ and I promise the cats with get a soft toy.

You can follow Everest Home Improvements on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date on their latest deals and offers, and should also check out their top quality double glazing.

Silent Sunday Photo August

A Blog Is Like A Butterfly

A blog is like a butterfly a rare and gentle thing, well depending on what you are blogging about. Now I don't stress about what I do any more I just do it , if I want to blog everyday I will . I have a following of which I'm glad , sometimes blogging is hard and I feel like throwing in the towel  but I don't I relax rest and rewind.

Blogging is a support net work  / diary for me but others it might be something different. Once I think I was on the dark side of stressing about my blog stats , I'm sure if there was a blogger t shirt that said " knickers to stats " I 'd wear it. 

Choosing a blog to read is like magazine selection there is so much choice. And if you read mine then thank you , I'm very grateful.

Through blogging I have lost much ~ friendship wise due to my depression but you can't please all the people all the time. The upside I've a huge support of friends who have got my back and like wise.

People need to remember a blog is like a butterfly a rare and gentle thing.