How would you like to be treated like a VIP when you dropped your car off at the airport? No buses, no long walk to the terminal, no searching for a parking space. That’s a big fat ‘YES’ from me. Well, we almost felt like VIPs when using Purple Parking Meet And Greet Service recently. Now we have two children in tow – and more than twice the baggage – travel is a bit more… challenging, shall we say. So it was a huge relief to have some of the stress associated with travelling taken away when we used the service for the first time for our trip to Oslo and Sweden – departing from Gatwick Airport.
Drop Off
It couldn’t have been simpler to use the service. I printed out the paperwork, we loaded up the car (not forgetting our passports) and when we were ten minutes away from Gatwick, we gave them a call to let them know we were almost there. They told us where to park and we headed to the Short Stay car park. Following signs to passenger drop off, we swung into the lay-by and someone was waiting to take our car away. We unloaded our baggage, found a trolley, got the kids out, signed some paperwork and we were ready to go. It was a very short walk to the lift which took us into the terminal. We were in the check-in queue in a matter of minutes.
What a contrast to our usual experience! We usually park at one of the Long Stay car parks (because they are cheaper) and have to get on one of those shuttle buses, packed with other holiday-makers. No doubt rushing because we are late. This was a welcome change. It was very swift and hassle free…a great start to the holiday (I just wish the rest of our travels could have so easy).
Pick Up
On the way home, as instructed, we waited until we had cleared customs at Gatwick and then we called the number which Purple Parking had provided. They gave us instructions on where to meet. It turns out it was exactly the same place as they dropped us off so couldn’t have been more simple. Our car was in exactly the same condition we had left it with just a few miles extra on it.
Verdict
We will definitely use Purple Parking Meet and Greet service again. It is not just convenient but it usually works out more cost efficient than booking a Short Stay carpark. Having one less stress to think about, before and after, a holiday was a load off our minds and it really felt like we were some kind of VIPs! Who doesn’t want that? So many times we have had to wait in line for a specific bus to take us to our carpark – all the while the children are getting more tired and fed up.
I know what you are thinking, it must be expensive. Well, Purple Parking Meet and Greet offer competitive rates so they are definitely worth checking out next time you are driving and parking at one of the airports they operate. You can get an online quote in seconds. Personally, I would be willing to pay slightly more to have the convenience of the meet and greet service than having to park miles away from the airport and get a bus in, saving precious time and stress.
*We received complimentary Purple Parking Meet and Greet for the purpose of this honest review. All opinions are my own.
I am such a fantastic of meet and Greet services. I’ve found if you’re booking in advance for a shortish stay, it’s often only a tenner or so more and is definitely worth that for lack of stress.
Cathy (Mummytravels) recently posted…How to camp if you hate tents
I agree! Anything that reduces stress I’m a big fan of!
Oh, it’s good to read a review of the service! Stephen had accidentally booked this for our holiday (the Summer Special parking at Gatwick) but cancelled it when he realised he’d have to hand over his keys. Now I can tell him I’ve read a good review of the service.
Mandy recently posted…September: The Month That Was
Oh yes, they were really good. We didn’t really think twice about handing over the keys. Glad it has helped.