Radisson Blu Hotel, East Midlands Airport: Review & Logistics

If you are planning an overnight stay before or after a flight from East Midlands Airport, the Radisson Blu Hotel is the closest full-service option — roughly 800 metres from the terminal, a walkable distance according to the hotel’s official site (Radisson Hotels). This review focuses on the practical logistics that matter most for pre-flight travellers: parking, breakfast timing, shuttle service, and how the property compares with nearby alternatives.

Last checked: 2026-09-12

Property: Radisson Blu Hotel, East Midlands Airport · Location: Pegasus Business Park, adjacent to East Midlands Airport · Airport distance: 800 m (approx. 0.5 mi) · Star rating: 4-star · Headline amenities: State-of-the-art leisure club, free high-speed WiFi, stylish restaurant · Booking hook: Save up to 20% with 28-day advance booking

How far is the Radisson Blu hotel from East Midlands Airport?

The official Radisson Hotels website places the property at Herald Way, Pegasus Business Park — about 800 metres from the terminal. That’s roughly a 10‑minute walk on foot, though most pre‑flight guests choose the hotel’s shuttle or a short drive. The airport’s own hotel listing describes the Radisson Blu as “ecofriendly” and “about five minutes” from the terminal (East Midlands Airport).

Walking is feasible if you have light luggage; the route follows the airport access road with a pedestrian path. For travellers with heavy suitcases or early departures, the shuttle (discussed below) is the practical choice.

The bottom line: The Radisson Blu’s proximity means you can easily reach the terminal without a taxi — a clear advantage for an overnight pre‑flight stay.

Does Radisson Blu East Midlands have a shuttle bus service to the airport?

Multiple third‑party park‑sleep‑fly providers (Purple Parking, Airparks, Holiday Extras) state that a free shuttle bus runs between the hotel and the terminal every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, taking about 2–5 minutes (Airparks; Purple Parking). However, a standard hotel‑only listing on Travelocity notes that the airport “does not provide an official airport shuttle service” as a hotel amenity (Travelocity).

The discrepancy suggests that shuttle availability depends on the booking channel. TripAdvisor contributors report that when you book directly with the hotel, the shuttle is free; otherwise it may cost £3 per person each way (TripAdvisor). Reviewers from 2025 describe the shuttle as reliable, especially when pre‑booked as part of a package.

The catch: If you book a standard room via a general OTA, you may not automatically receive shuttle access. Park‑sleep‑fly packages from specialist sites are more likely to include the transfer.

What restaurants are available at the Radisson Blu East Midlands Airport?

On‑site dining centres on the Runway Brasserie, described by Booking.com as a “stylish restaurant” (Booking.com). The main breakfast buffet is served there, but dinner and evening meals are also available. Menu specifics and prices are not stated in the provided sources, so guests should check directly with the hotel for current dinner offerings.

For early departures, the hotel provides a grab‑and‑go breakfast from around 03:00, typically consisting of fruit, cereal bars, water, tea and coffee set up in the lobby (Purple Parking). This is a valuable option for passengers with flights before the main breakfast service starts.

What to watch: The grab‑and‑go is lighter than the full buffet; if you want a hot meal before an early flight, the main buffet begins at 06:30 (weekdays).

Is breakfast included at Radisson Blu?

Breakfast at the Radisson Blu East Midlands is not automatically included in every rate. Airparks explicitly warns that many park‑sleep‑fly packages are room‑only, and breakfast is a paid extra (Airparks). When not included, the full English and continental buffet — with eggs cooked to order — costs approximately £19.95 per person and is served from 06:30 to 10:00/10:30 on weekdays (Hotels.com).

For guests who book a bed‑and‑breakfast rate or a package that includes breakfast, the setup is described as “exceptional” on trivago. The key is to verify breakfast inclusion before confirming the booking — especially if you are travelling with a group or have specific dietary needs.

Why this matters: A family of four could pay nearly £80 for breakfast. Checking the rate type can save that cost if you opt for a B&B package.

Is Radisson Blu a 5 star hotel?

No. The Radisson Blu Hotel, East Midlands Airport is consistently listed as a 4‑star property on platforms such as trivago. The Radisson Blu brand sits above the standard Radisson tier within the Radisson Hotel Group, but it stops short of 5‑star luxury. Guest reviews on TripAdvisor frequently praise the comfort and spaciousness of the rooms — one reviewer called the hotel “lovely” and “well located” — but the star rating reflects a business‑class rather than ultra‑luxury experience.

The distinction matters for travellers comparing this property with, for example, the Hilton East Midlands Airport Hotel, which is also 4‑star. Neither property claims a 5‑star rating.

The pattern: For a pre‑flight stopover, a 4‑star property typically offers sufficient amenities (restaurant, leisure club, free WiFi) without the premium price of a 5‑star hotel.

Specifications: Radisson Blu Hotel, East Midlands Airport

Best suited for…

• Travelers with early‑morning flights – the 800‑m walk and 03:00 grab‑and‑go breakfast make catch‑up sleep feasible.
• Business travelers – free WiFi, a leisure club, and a central location near the airport are useful for work trips.
• Travelers arriving by car – on‑site parking with barrier and CCTV is available; park‑sleep‑fly packages can include parking for the duration of the trip.
• Guests wanting on‑site dining – the Runway Brasserie serves dinner and breakfast, and the grab‑and‑go covers very early departures.

Alternatives at East Midlands Airport

Two nearby hotels frequently appear in related searches: the Leonardo Hotel East Midlands Airport and the Hilton East Midlands Airport Hotel. Both are within the airport perimeter. The Leonardo offers similar proximity but has fewer on‑site dining options; the Hilton provides its own shuttle and a full‑service restaurant. Detailed comparison data is limited in the provided sources, so guests should check each property’s official site for current rates and inclusions.

“Guests continually comment on its excellence. It’s a full English and continental, with eggs made to order.”

– Holiday Extras editorial description, Airport-hotel package provider

“Hotel itself is lovely, great staff and the breakfast is good as was the drop off and pick up service for East Midlands Airport.”

– Holiday Extras customer review summary, Verified customer quoted by Holiday Extras

Frequently asked questions