Manchester survival guide: how to avoid airport hell Bewley's Hotel Manchester Airport (bewleyshotels.com) is the most convenient budget hotel. It operates a free shuttle bus to all three terminals, and is five minutes" walk to Terminals 1 and 3. Family rooms sleeping four, with two double beds, cost from £70 room only; also affordable stay-and-park packages, and a reasonably priced restaurant. Best upmarket choice is the stylish Radisson Blu Manchester Airport (radissonblu.co.uk), connected to Terminals 1 and 2 by covered walkways. Standard rooms sleep three; for a family of four, you need two connecting rooms (from £130 room only). There's an indoor swimming pool. Check-in and security Some airlines (check with yours) let you drop off your bags the evening before your flight at Manchester airport - worth considering if staying near the airport and you have an early flight. Families with children in buggies can use one of the FastTrack lanes through security free. Otherwise, FastTrack, which needs to be booked, costs £3.50 per person. Bring your own plastic bags to take toiletries through security - you'll pay £1 for two bags at the airport. The new Friendly Guide service, which provides a chaperone from your arrival at the airport through to the departure gate, costs £50 for a party of up to four people. All options listed are after security. Terminal 1 Best for families for a full meal is funky Giraffe: main courses on children's menu £4.25-£5.95. The new Grain Loft has sound pods that allow guests to listen to their own iPod playlists while eating. Terminal 2 Best family option for a full meal is Frankie & Benny's: affordable Italian-American meals, £4.95 for two-course children's daytime menus and unlimited soft drinks. The Observatory Bar, with expansive views over aircraft stands, is a good place for a drink. Terminal 3 Trattoria Milano is a good family-friendly bet: £5.95 for pizza or pasta on the kids" menu, including a glass of milk or juice. Otherwise, head for the Food Village. Also check for meal-deal vouchers at manchesterairport.co.uk/Profile/MAN/Vouchers. An engaging quiz and puzzle book for children, with checklists of things to spot, can be picked up from airport information desks. Each terminal has a smart Escape Lounge, welcoming families with children aged six and older: pre-booked £17.49, children 6-11 £9.99, including snacks and drinks. The airport's only free-to-access children's play area is in Terminal 2, next to gate 213. Two Zoodle by WHSmith shops - child-orientated stores selling books, toys, games and gadgets - have opened this year, after security at Terminals 1 and 2. If you get to the airport early, you could visit the Runway Visitor Park (open 8am-7pm or 8pm in summer; free; parking from £3), five minutes" drive from the terminals. It offers excellent aircraft viewing, a children's play area and tours of aircraft including, for a fee, a Concorde (needs booking). For more information visit: manchesterairport.co.uk