Before you even enter the Avaitor, you realise that this is more than a dressed-up Travel Lodge substitute; shaped like the propellor of a plane, its exterior is a remarkable piece of design in itself and is sleek and undulating like a pilot's scarf rippling in the breeze. Located at TAG Farnborough in Hampshire - an airport that caters mainly to business travellers and private jets, darling - the Aviator, owned and run by the people behind the Malmaison and Dakota chains, is sure to attract a classy clientele who demand only the very best from their airport accommodation. Inside are 150 stylish rooms spread over three shiny floors, with a further 19 suites found on the fourth floor. Each room is furnished with every conceivable luxury, including BOSE sound systems, flatscreen TVs, WiFi Internet access, king-size beds, oversized baths and power-showers. Indeed, if you can't unwind after a long flight here than you may as well opt for potent drinks from either of the hotel's two in-house bars to knock you out. Those who would like a bite to eat before they hit the sack can do so from the Brasserie, which serves uncomplicated seasonal food that doesn't taste remotely like airport fare. Other than that, the Aviator's lobby is pretty damn impressive, too; crowned by a central atrium that swirls upwards to reveal three floors, it's the epitome of sexy. While the Aviator may not be in a more convenient airport such as Gatwick or Heathrow, we've a sneaking suspicion that guests may come from far and wide to check out this place - whether they've got their passports with them or not.
www.aviatorfarnborough.co.uk / Images: Aviator Farnborough