Stansted is not everyone's first choice of London airports, but with Ryan Air selling cheap tickets from there it's worth flying out of from. Problem is, it's often a pain to be picked up by friends or family due to its proximity. Nonetheless there are hotels available with easy 5 minute bus links so you can get a nights sleep if arriving very late back to the UK as we did. It's a Holiday Inn Express, it's clean, it's close to the airport, they have free wi-fi, and a free breakfast before 10am. £3 each way shuttle bus (BAY 21) from the terminal to the hotel. So all in all its a suitable option if arriving late. Our only issue was, for £72 a night its expensive for what your getting. Your paying extra for the proximity to Stansted, and we found that all the hotels round that area have done the same, so your stuck paying that kind of price.

Overall, the premier inn was excellent, the staff are very friendly and helpful, the place was spotlessly clean and the bed was possibly the most comfy in the world. Probably the best thing about the place is the food. We had both dinner and breakfast and not a bad word could be said about it. We highly recommended getting one of the burgers and the cooked breakfast. We would rate the place 9.5/10. It would get 10/10 but there were a few problems....... The free wifi is useless and disconnects every 5 minutes. The mirror is not above the dressing table. There is no shaver point in bathroom. Only one plug socket by the bed, which also is at the opposite side to the bedside table.

Arrived from Stansted late at night for an overnigh stay with my grown up family of 4. We had a very early connection the next day Taxi service excellent. Room ready, note on the door, perfectly peapared.The house cat did an excellent job of welcoming us! We just settled down to a comedy show on the telly, a cup of tea and an evening home from home. The region looks gerat, next time I will stay longer. The value for money and the proximity to the airport is perfect. We were delighted!

Didn't visit much of the facilities in the hotel, other than our room and breakfast. However, what we saw looked excellent and modern. We ate breakfast in, I think, the main restaurant or breakfast room. This was large and very roomy, no tripping over fellow guests. And the breakfast selection was both varied and delicious. Had no trouble finding our away around, for those parts we did visit.

Fantastically easy to get to terminal (3 minutes walk). Parking deal very good. Hotel food pricey but you can go into the terminal next door and buy some excellent takeaway from M & S including wine to enjoy in your room for a 1/4 of the price! Go earlier in the day to enjoy the facilities of the hotel

As we only stayed for a couple of hours during the night, I can't say much about the village itself. What I can say, though, is that you couldn't walk the distance to the airport. You definitely have to take a taxi. The impression I got was that Takeley wouldn't be the place to spend an entire holiday, but for people who need a room in the vicinity of Stansted Airport it is totally o.k.