To me it's simple - if you don't like Ryanair, don't fly them!!! Fly first class on a legacy carrier to another airport and get a chauffeured limousine to your destination.
If you wanted to check-in bags and get priority boarding, couldn't you have just gone to the check-in desk and paid for it there instead of paying £200 on a phone call?! You can also add them on the website as well, which it clearly states when completing your booking.