Airport Hotels Near East Midlands – Walk & Parking Guide

East Midlands Airport (EMA) handles around four million passengers each year, and two hotels – the Leonardo Hotel and the Radisson Blu – sit directly beside the terminal, offering walking times of roughly three to five minutes. Combined hotel‑and‑parking packages can start at about £50 for a room plus eight days’ parking, according to Holiday Extras, making them a practical alternative for travellers who want to skip the official car‑park charges. This guide compares both on‑site hotels, reviews walking routes, parking deals and budget options, so you can decide which option fits your trip.

Last checked: 2026-07-07

Hotel: Leonardo Hotel East Midlands Airport · Distance to terminal: 5-minute walk · On-site parking: Yes – 350 spaces, Park & Fly packages · Rooms: 164 · Hotel: Radisson Blu Hotel East Midlands Airport · Distance to terminal: Adjacent (just beside EMA)

Are there hotels near East Midlands Airport?

Yes. Two hotels are directly adjacent to the terminal: the Leonardo Hotel and the Radisson Blu Hotel. According to the airport’s official hotel page, both are marketed as “on‑airport” options. A third hotel, the Express by Holiday Inn, sits about one mile away and is often sold as a hotel‑plus‑parking package by comparison sites such as TravelSupermarket.

A traveller on the Skytrax review site noted that the longest walk inside the terminal is “no less than 10 mins at max”, which complements the hotel claims of 3–5 minute strolls from the on‑site properties. For anyone who wants to be steps from check‑in, the two adjacent hotels are the only choices.

The bottom line: If you need to be within a five‑minute walk of the terminal, the Leonardo and Radisson Blu are your only realistic options at East Midlands Airport.

Number of hotels directly adjacent

As of November 2024, the East Midlands Airport website lists exactly two properties as “on‑airport”: the Leonardo East Midlands Airport and the Radisson Blu Hotel East Midlands Airport. No other hotel is advertised as being within walking distance of the terminal.

Overview of Leonardo Hotel and Radisson Blu

The Leonardo Hotel offers 164 rooms, a Park & Fly package with 350 parking spaces, and a walking time of about three minutes to the terminal, per the airport’s own comparison page. The Radisson Blu sits just beside the airport off the M1 motorway in Castle Donington. It has paid on‑site parking and is commonly used by travellers who prioritise immediate proximity.

Can you stay overnight at East Midlands Airport?

Yes, but the experience differs depending on whether you sleep in the terminal or book a hotel room. The official airport does not have sleeping pods or designated rest areas, though the general advice from guides like Remitly is that terminal sleeping is possible but “not comfortable”. For a proper bed, the Leonardo and Radisson Blu both offer overnight rooms; the Leonardo also sells Park & Fly packages that bundle a night’s stay with up to two weeks’ parking.

Holiday Extras notes that its combined packages “start at just £50”, which works out at roughly £6.25 per day for eight days’ parking plus the room. That represents a significant saving compared with official Mid Stay and Short Stay drive‑up tariffs that can hit £40–£45 per day without pre‑booking.

“Our combined packages start at just £50, which works out at just £6.25 per day for 8 days parking (plus a comfy overnight stay, of course).”

– Holiday Extras marketing copy

The implication: Booking a hotel‑with‑parking package can undercut official airport parking rates by more than 70% for a week‑long trip, assuming you pre‑book.

Sleeping in the terminal vs. hotel rooms

No dedicated sleep facilities exist inside the terminal. A few travellers report using benches or floor space, but the airport environment is not designed for overnight camping. By contrast, the two on‑airport hotels offer standard guest rooms with ensuite bathrooms, blackout curtains and early‑morning wake‑up calls, making them the reliable choice for early flights.

Park & Fly packages for overnight parking

The Leonardo Hotel is the only adjacent hotel that explicitly sells Park & Fly packages. According to the airport’s hotel page, the Leonardo provides 350 dedicated parking spaces for guests who book a room with parking included. The Radisson Blu charges separately for parking, so the total cost can climb if you need long‑term storage.

Can you walk from Leonardo hotel to East Midlands Airport?

Yes, the walk takes about three to five minutes. The official East Midlands Airport site states that the Leonardo is a “3‑minute walk” from the terminal. A reviewer on Skytrax confirmed that the internal walking distances at EMA are short, so the hotel‑to‑check‑in journey is straightforward for most passengers.

The route uses a dedicated footpath that connects the hotel entrance directly to the terminal building. No shuttle is needed, and the path is well‑lit, which is useful for early‑morning departures. For passengers with reduced mobility, the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s accessibility assessment notes designated seating and signage around the airport, but the walking route itself is not described in detail.

“The walk to the gate is very short and the longest you’ll have to walk is no less than 10 mins at max.”

– Skytrax airport reviewer

What this means: The Leonardo is genuinely walkable to the terminal – no shuttle, no waiting – making it the best choice for travellers who dislike bus transfers.

Walking route and duration

The footpath from the Leonardo hotel lobby to the terminal entrance is signposted and level. Guests report that even with luggage the walk takes no more than five minutes. The airport’s own hotel comparison page confirms “walking time of about 3 minutes”.

Alternative shuttle or taxi

If you prefer not to walk, a taxi from the hotel to the terminal costs roughly £5–£10, but given the short distance, most guests walk. No dedicated hotel shuttle operates for the Leonardo because it is on‑site.

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

The Radisson Blu is described as “just beside” the airport by the East Midlands Airport website. It sits off the M1 motorway in Castle Donington, and its front door is a short walk from the terminal – comparable to the Leonardo’s distance, though perhaps a minute or two longer. The hotel has paid on‑site parking, which is convenient for drivers who want to keep their car at the hotel rather than in the airport car parks.

A Facebook user in an airport parking discussion noted that “Mid Stay 3 is literally a 5 min walk max (with small kids!)”, suggesting that the official car parks near the terminal are also walkable, but the Radisson Blu eliminates the need to cross a car park to reach the building.

The trade‑off: The Radisson Blu is essentially as close as the Leonardo, but its parking costs extra, so it may suit travellers who don’t need long‑term parking and prefer a hotel right at the airport.

Location relative to terminal

The Radisson Blu is located within the airport perimeter. The property is accessed from the M1 junction 24, and its rear boundary runs alongside the terminal access road. Walking directions are straightforward: guests exit the hotel lobby and follow the footpath toward the terminal, a journey of about three to four minutes.

Parking and access

Parking at the Radisson Blu is managed separately from the airport’s official car parks. The hotel charges a daily fee for overnight parking; long‑term stay rates are available but must be booked directly. Some travellers on TripAdvisor have questioned whether hotel car parks are as secure as the monitored official airport car parks, though specific security data for the Radisson Blu is not publicly available.

Comparison table: Leonardo vs. Radisson Blu

Best for…

• Budget‑conscious travellers: The cheapest hotel‑with‑parking option is often the Express by Holiday Inn (one mile away), with rates from about £31 via Holiday Extras. The Leonardo’s starting price of £64 is higher but includes the proximity benefit.
• Travelers wanting walking distance: Both the Leonardo and Radisson Blu are within a five‑minute walk of the terminal. No shuttle, no waiting.
• Travelers needing free parking: The Leonardo’s Park & Fly packages include up to 14 days’ parking at no extra charge. The Radisson Blu charges separately for parking.
• Travelers relying on shuttle: For off‑airport hotels such as the Express by Holiday Inn or Hilton, a shuttle or taxi is required. Neither the Leonardo nor the Radisson Blu needs one.

Pricing band overview

Prices for airport hotel rooms at East Midlands Airport range from about £31 per night (cheapest package deals via Holiday Extras) to £85+ for a standard room at the Hilton. The Leonardo’s direct rate on the airport site starts at £64, but online booking through the airport’s own platform can offer “up to 40% off standard rates”.

For hotel‑and‑parking packages, the headline deals start around £50 total for eight days’ parking plus one night (Holiday Extras). That works out at roughly £6.25 per day for parking, compared with £40–£45 per day for official Mid Stay/Short Stay drive‑up parking.

Location and getting there

East Midlands Airport is located off the M1 motorway (junction 24) in Castle Donington, Derbyshire. Both the Leonardo and Radisson Blu are accessed from the same airport entrance road; signage directs drivers to hotel parking. For passengers not driving, the airport is served by regular buses from Derby, Leicester, Nottingham and Loughborough, with a stop at the terminal. From the bus stop, both hotels are a short walk.

If arriving by train, the nearest station is East Midlands Parkway, about 2.5 miles from the airport. A taxi from the station costs roughly £10–£15.

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