Might not be about for a bit. Hopefully catch up with everyone soon.
Might not be about for a bit. Hopefully catch up with everyone soon.
Member since:27.01.2005
Reviews:57
Members who trust:32
Aldergrove has changed a lot in the past few months, thanks to a huge facelift in the main hall of the departures area (after security).
Getting to Aldergrove can be difficult if you're not driving (its about £20-25 in a taxi from the city so i've been told). Thankfully I usually get a lift. Parking is more than ample and is well laid out with the spaces being quite generous (I judged this from a Mitsubishi Warrior that parked next to us and I still had loads of room to get out of the car). On entering the terminal its much the same as most medium sized airports, just one big row of check in desks. But the terminal is bright and doesn't feel claustrophobic like some older terminals (even when its packed for the last flight out on a sunday). Once you have checked in you can proceed through to the area before security. There is a food court here with choice to suit most tastes : A pub; Fresh juice bar; Burger King; Cafe/Restaurant
(cooking hot food all day, the menu changes daily. It also sells sandwiches, pastries, cereals, baby meals and beverages) and a coffee shop. All the prices here are roughly what you would expect in an airport (on the expensive side), e.g. Roast chicken with veg and chip was £6.99; scampi and chips £5.99; a ham salad sandwich (wholemeal bread) £3.50. There are two gift shops here, one is really a newsagents (with quite a good pick and mix selection) and an Irish gift shop (lots of guiness items, tourist tack and of course Butlers confectionary which is a must!).
Security itself usually doesn't take long to get through and then its through to the revamped lounge. The main hall now boast a large gift shop (I believe it will be another world shopping store but they didn't have the signage when I was there). This shop takes up most of the main hall with corridors leading off to the left and right to the gates and a small area for seating in front of the store. The store is quite bright and very well laid out. There is a section on the left as you enter the store that is mostly gift items (of American designers), watches, handbags and scarves in a rainbow of colours (all the watches and handbags were £10 and were very good quality). They also had a very good selection of costume and fashion jewellery (which all come with gift boxes). The selection of cosmetics is still probably the 3rd largest next to Heathrow and Gatwick. With lots of 'Airport only' deals on special gift sets. The perfume and cologne sections also seem to have exapnded. The range of drink/tobacco seems to have remained the same with only the top brands being stocked (and some very good deals on champagne). The range for children is quite limited. It consists of a few teddy bears, beanie toys and some travel games but at least with the revamp the toys aren't next to the sweets as they were before! Gadgets and gizmos are quite limited and I was quite disappointed as before the revamp they had a Dixons electronics shop so i was hoping there might be something similar. I was told they would be adding more lines once all the revamp work was completed, so this may have changed now. Also stocked are a very good range of chocolates, confectionary and novelty tourist items as well as a good (but small) range of sunglasses. The staff were very friendly and helpful. I loved this new store and could quite easily spend an hour here but I'm afraid the credit card might take a bit of a hammering!
On moving to the gate areas, these were still the same with one newsagents for the whole area (4 gates). If you are at the gates downstairs these are still untouched and there is still only two vending machines for this area. I must admit these areas downstairs are in dire need for a revamp especially after being so impressed with the shopping upstairs.
All in all if you are flying out of Aldergrove (and your a girl) you'll love it. The shop in the main hall is fantastic and a chance to pick up some really good bargains or presents. If your a bloke then unless its changed (and the gadgets have reappeared) it might be a little boring for you, unless (if you're wise or looking to score some brownie points) you fancy picking up a present for your girlfriend/wife/mother. I'm sure they'd love anything from here and if you ask the staff nicely they'll help you pick something.
If you're flying into Aldergrove, then the baggage hall is just that I'm afraid. There are two carousels and if you are waiting to be picked up, there is a small cafe (similar prices to the cafe in departures) and a sandwich bar (which was quite pricey) and a newsagents. Which by the way sells bouquets of flowers.
The airport is very clean though now that parts have been revamped it makes the older parts look grubby even though the cleaners work very hard to keep the place spotless. The airport staff are very friendly and the airport is laid out to be easily manageable for disabled access (work is going to be done on the arrivals hall to improve disabled access there, at present there is a lift for the disabled).
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Apr 12th, 2005
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