Almost 60% more UK air travellers booked an on-airport hotel room with HolidayExtras.com between December 2009 and February 2010 compared to the same period last year - despite declining UK airport passenger numbers.

The UK market leader for travel add-ons is attributing the growth to an increase in its range of on-airport hotels, great special winter offers with Hilton hotels, lower room rates, and fantastic partnerships with hotel groups such as Arora Hotels, Intercontinental and Rezidor, as well as the snow disruption experienced during December and January.

The company has also announced a new online service, which offers holidaymakers the chance to break their journey home with a stay at an airport hotel and ties in with traditional airport parking packages.

This new online service, part of the UK market-leader’s ‘hassle-free’ initiative, is ideal for holiday-makers arriving back to the UK late in the evening who are concerned about a long drive home following a stressful or tiring flight.

According to Department for Transport figures, “Driver sleepiness is estimated to account for around one fifth of accidents on major roads, and is responsible for around 300 deaths per year.” Booking into an airport hotel upon return will ensure that drivers are rested and alert for their journey home.

The service allows travellers to park at the hotel or secured car park, and transfer to the airport for check-in. On their return they go direct from the airport to the hotel, stay the night, and pick up their car in the morning for the drive home.

Anthony Clarke Cowell, head of commercial at HolidayExtras.com, said: “We are expanding the choice of airport hotel products for our customers all the time, from price to location to upgrades like pre-booking your dinner, breakfast or a bottle of wine for your room. This growth in on-airport stays demonstrates that we’re giving customers what they want and helping to make our hassle-free promise a reality.”

Check out the range of on-airport hotels available through HolidayExtras.com, many offering exclusive deals. For example, the 3-star Courtyard by Marriott at Gatwick is available from £52.81 room-only on an advance purchase rate*; from £65.00 including eight days parking; and from £85 including 15 days parking with our exclusive Meet and Greet airport parking package.

HolidayExtras.com’s best price guarantee** reassures customers that they are getting the fairest deal. During the last quarter 2,500 price checks were made, with HolidayExtras.com coming out cheaper or the same price as competitors more than 97% of the time.