Aviator – a Hotel by TAG

First impression: As you drive up to Aviator, the first thing you notice is the very modern design of the hotel– it's really fantastic and provides a massive wow factor. Then once you've parked in the large car park, you enter the hotel and immediately are hit by the striking central staircase and the white circular floors, which reminded me of the Guggenheim museum in New York. The hotel is very impressive and will definitely impress your clients massively. It was also very noticeable how friendly and warm the welcome was from the award winning concierge team

Parking: There is parking for 169 cars. Located to the rear of the hotel and it was free to use. The hotel also offers a valet service.

Coach / Bus Pick-up Location at hotel: Coaches can pick-up / drop off right outside the front entrance with plenty of space to wait in the large car park at the rear of the hotel if required.

Lobby: As mentioned above the lobby is dominated by the design of the staircase and the circular floors above. As you enter the hotel, the concierge desk is to your right and the fab One Eleven Restaurant, which is in the style of an American diner, is to the left of the entrance. The reception desk is located on the first floor.

Wi-fi: The wi-fi in the hotel is terrific. It is free to use and is very simple to access.

Number of floors: 4

Bedrooms: There are 169 bedrooms in the hotel, including 19 suites which are mostly located on the 4th floor.

I stayed in a suite on the 4th floor and I have to say that it was absolutely fantastic. One of the nicest and most contemporary bedrooms in the UK that I’ve ever stayed in. Not only was it spacious with its own dressing room, lounge area and large bedroom but it was really tastefully decorated, and although very modern, it was also really super comfortable. In addition to all of this it also had two large flat screen TVs with a fab entertainment package and a knockout view of Farnborough airfield. Trust me on this one, it was really memorable and would have a fantastic wow factor for your clients.

Fitness gym: Yes, located on the ground floor and had numerous cardio machines.

Spa: Yes, but in the form of two treatment rooms which are available Friday to Sunday.

Swimming Pool: No

RESTAURANTS & BARS

There’s one bar and two restaurants at Aviator, as well as the fabulous 19^th century pub ‘The Swan’ which is only a five-minute walk from the hotel.

The Sky Bar is a lovely place to be – very atmospheric with super comfortable furniture. Perfect to spend your late nights, whilst staying at Aviator. I believe they do a mean cocktail in there – I definitely need to sample one of those next time I’m here!

The fabulously chilled ‘One Eleven Restaurant’ on the ground floor, has an American diner feel to it, complete with stateside inspired meals on the menu. In fact, they regularly take inspiration from different cities and change up their menu with specials from that area. I had lunch here and it was really, really good. Exactly my kind of place.

The other restaurant at Aviator is the two rosette Brasserie on the ground floor. This was high end dining at its very best. Complete with a mixture of regular tables, booths and a private dining room, the layout was excellent with views of the airfield dominating one side of the room. I had dinner (steak – wow!) and breakfast and they were both terrific. To put it succinctly: super relaxed ambience, amazing food and great service. Thoroughly recommended all round.

The Swan is owned by Aviator and is a fantastic alternative venue for your groups in terms of a unique off site dining experience. As well as private dining up to 100 people, the Swan can also offer more relaxed outdoor dining with pizzeria ovens and BBQs available. .

The meeting rooms at Aviator were, as you would expect, modern, stylish and excellent with many different options available. The ground floor was the home to the majority of the meeting rooms, which all use an area called the ‘Events Lobby’ for catering and registration. I really liked this spot – lots of natural light and lots of flexibility – exactly what event organisers need. There are also a couple of other options on the 4^th floor of the Sky Lounge and the 4^th floor atrium – more of those later.

It is also worth pointing out that all rooms had ‘Click share’ installed so that after a quick installation of some software, anyone in the room is able to share a presentation or information to the main screen in the room. Very useful! Some rooms also had smart interactive flipcharts where information written can be shared electronically with the whole room via an App – love this!

Ground floor meeting rooms

Wright Room

This is the largest of the meeting rooms at Aviator and offers lots of set-up options. As well as having lots of natural light with floor to ceiling windows, it also has its own private lawn outside the room – perfect for those summer meetings or team building events. It is also possible to split the room into two as there are room dividers built in. Like all Aviator meeting rooms, technology plays a big part with ceiling projectors, integrated Bose sound systems, free wi-fi and iPod connectivity. It is also good to note that this room also allows access to a car, for any automotive events!

Natural light: Yes

Size: 100 Sq.M

Theatre: 110

Classroom: 48

Cabaret: 80

Dinner: 96

Reception: 150

Boardroom: 40

U-shape: 40

Location: Ground floor

AV Equipment included: Ceiling projectors, screens, integrated Bose sound systems, free wi-fi and iPod connectivity

Earhart Room

Located right next to the event lobby, this ground floor meeting room was really nice with lots of flexibility. Although not on the airfield side of the building, it still benefitted from lots of natural light, room dividers if required and super smart technology.

Natural light: Yes

Size: 60 Sq.M

Theatre: 45

Classroom: 24

Cabaret: 24

Dinner: 44

Reception: 40

Boardroom: 15

U-shape: 18

Location: Ground floor

AV Equipment included: Ceiling projectors, screens, integrated Bose sound systems, free wi-fi and iPod connectivity

Lindbergh Room

This smaller boardroom is located next door to the Earhart room and also enjoys natural light. Perfect to be used as a boardroom, for private dining or as a breakout room.

Natural light: Yes

Size: 30 Sq.M

Theatre: 20

Classroom: 12

Cabaret: 6

Dinner: 12

Boardroom: 12

Location: Ground floor

AV Equipment included: Flat screen TV, integrated Bose sound systems, free wi-fi and iPod connectivity

Bleriot Room

This smaller boardroom is located on the airfield side of the building between the Wright and the Cody rooms. It enjoys natural light with floor to ceiling windows and delegates are able to access the private lawn / terrace outside the room. Perfect to be used as a boardroom, for private dining or as a breakout room.

Natural light: Yes

Size: 30 Sq.M

Theatre: 20

Classroom: 12

Cabaret: 6

Dinner: 12

Boardroom: 12

Location: Ground floor

AV Equipment included: Flat screen TV, integrated Bose sound systems, free wi-fi and iPod connectivity

Brasserie

The Brasserie can be hired for exclusive use for larger dinners – the restaurant has lots of natural daylight.

Natural light: Yes

Dinner: 150

Location: Ground floor

One Eleven

The informal restaurant One Eleven can also be used exclusively for a small boardroom or as a private dining room on request.

Natural light: Yes

Dinner: 30

Boardroom: 14

Location: Ground floor

Fourth floor meeting rooms

Sky Lounge / 4^th Floor Atrium

Located on the top floor of the hotel, the Sky Lounge / 4^th floor atrium is a glorious space and is perfect for holding a reception, dinner or conference – with the added bonus of superb views of the airfield. Very glamorous.

Natural light: Yes

Size: 200 Sq.M (when combined with 4^th floor atrium)

Theatre: 80

Classroom: 40

Cabaret: 60

Dinner: 88

Reception: 130

Boardroom: 25

U-shape: 30

Location: Fourth floor

AV Equipment included: Large flat screen TV, integrated Bose sound systems, free wi-fi and iPod connectivity