Do you have trouble sleeping on planes? You won’t if you book into a new hotel in west Wales. Now you can stay the night in a crash-landed business jet powered by mains electricity. It also offers self-catering.
It is parked up behind a gate in a field at Norchard Farm, Redberth, near Tenby, Pembrokeshire. According to the owner, Toby Rhys-Davies, a night there will help you feel more grounded; as well as giving you a taste of the high life; albeit in an old cow field.
Apple Camping is offering overnight accommodation in a £99-per-night converted 1970s nine-seater executive Jetstar, complete with authentic cockpit and swept wings. The decommissioned jet was once used by the film industry.
Apple Camping is offering overnight accommodation in a £99-per-night converted 1970s nine-seater executive Jetstar
“It was fun and games getting it from the breaker’s yard. I had to hire a 30-tonne excavator to get it in situ,” recalls Tenby bored-and-bred Rhys-Davies, who used to work as a trainee fitter in Simpson’s Piccadilly.
His father and grandfather also worked there as trainee tailors. Besides the 12.5-hectare campsite, he also runs an online retail company with his brother.
“We have aviation enthusiasts who love it. Most of our guests book it as a surprise. They say they are going camping in Wales. And when they get here they discover they are going to stay in a VIP jet. Proper jetset glamping!”
Jetstar was one of the first VIP jets to enter service and had a cruising speed of 567mph and a range of 2,500 miles. It was the first private jet you could stand up in.
There are no flight attendants but there is a bar area. The cockpit is fitted with a Bluetooth compatible X-Box console if you want to play computer flight games.
Strip-lighting in the cabin is powered by car batteries. The plane’s double bedroom is premier class with wooden floors. There is a 170cm single bed and a 193cm leather sofa.
The plane boasts an outside shared kitchen and barbecue area; as well as washing line.
Passengers are asked to bring their own towels.
“We have yurts [a portable, round tent] and a gypsy caravan on site. It was a case of something different. We want to be the most unique campsite in the UK.
“Next summer we will have a flying saucer you can stay in. It’s being built by a local builder. He has always wanted to build a UFO. And we hope a lot of people will want to have a holiday in one.”