View Full Version : Gatwick Hotels
OK people, I'm looking for a good hotel to book for an overnight at Gatwick (15 days parking also needed).
Previous 2 trips I have flown Virgin from the South Terminal so stayed at the Hilton.
I need either options for the North Terminal as I'm flying BA this time or whether I can easily get from the Hilton at the South Terminal to the North Terminal?
Any suggestions most welcome [8D]
Briz.
Briz
Most hotels will take you to the airport in the price, or if you have to park off site
the place you park at will also run you to the airport. So it doesnt matter what terminal
you are leaving from
I dont have the address but just do a search on Airport parking, there are lots of hotels
and they all have rooms with parking options.
Chris
Michelle
02-09-2003, 02:53
The nearest hotel for Gatwick North Terminal is Le Meridian, you actually walk through from there to check in departures, it is nearer to walk than the Hilton at South. We always stay at teh Le Meridian each time we go to Florida, they also do teh one night stay over plus teh 15 days parking.
The phone number is 0870 4008494
Kevin and I are staying at Le Meridien on Saturday night before our flight to Orlando on Sunday with parking for 15 nights included. Will let you know when I get back exactly how good it is and how it compares with the other North Terminal hotels. Apparently it is only a 100 metre walk to the North Terminal, so we will check in and then go back to the hotel for breakfast. :D:D
I booked it direct with the hotel and the room plus parking were a whole 50p cheaper doing it this way, rather than booking through any other agency!!
Before now we have used the Renaissance and the Moat House (both fine for family rooms), both at the North Terminal end and they coach you to and from both terminals. Coach runs every 30 minutes and you have to book the time for your trip to the terminals but just queue for the return trip to the hotel.
Le Meridien is great, we use it each time we depart from Gatwick and it starts our holiday. We always check in as early as possible, go back to the hotel for breakfast, then back to our room to let the children watch TV insead of hanging about the airport. We then go from the hotel room through security to the departure lounge and straight onto the plane, wonderful:D
That's exactly what we plan to do Ruth, except I have to allow a little extra time for my Duty Frees!! I always know exactly what I will buy, so no browsing time needed!
For the first time in 12 trips to Orlando and for our holiday in April, I have finally managed to get my wife to agree to spend the night before our holiday in the Hilton Hotel.
For years I have been trying to get her to appreciate that it is far more relaxing to travel down the night before and the next morning check-in, have a light breakfast, relax and then "stroll" through departures and onto the plane.:)
Rather than getting up very early, rushing around at the last minute, the drive to the airport, parking the car, waiting for the bus etc etc.
Good to hear that everyone seems to rave about staying over the night before and I hope that our stay will be just as good. :)
DMC
Funshine
02-09-2003, 12:52
Oh I do have to agree with you DMC!
On our visit in January, I had suggested we book a hotel at Gatwick for the night - which included parking for 15 days too. However, the hotel suggestion was tossed out. What happened - on the morning we were flying to Orlando we woke up at 5am to find 4" of snow had fallen overnight. To add insult the QE2 bridge on M25 was closed due to an accident - a lorry had caught fire!!! [}:)] We had to drive all the way into London to get onto the A2. Admittedly the journey didn't take that long considering the road conditions, but an overnight hotel stay would have been so much more leisurely than the 2+ hour drive through snow, steamed up windscreens and commuters!
Maybe next time?
Hi DMC Secretly I think all that mad rushing about is part of the holiday ritual and I expect your wife will just be rushing about the day before instead of the actual morning, I know I would ! Have a great time on your holiday
The only time that we have ever left getting to the airport until the actual morning of our flight, we have had similar problems to you DMC. I just don't trust the roads and get so wound up about possibly missing the flight. I have to pay for parking, so just add a bit on for the hotel, whichever airport we fly from. We are less than 2 hours from Gatwick, but the M25 is a law unto itself and the only reliable time to drive on it is at about 3am, so you might as well book a hotel. It saves you from almost getting a divorce!! :D:D
Le Meridian seems like the one I want. With 2 toddlers + baggage the nearer I can get the better. I would have done a hotel/ transfer package but that adds a little more hassle.
DMC, the Hilton is a great hotel for the South Terminal.
It's even better if you fly Virgin becuase you have Twilight Check-in so can rid yourself of most of your baggage (and the morning queueing) the night before.
Unless you like spending shed loads I also suggest wandering into the terminal for an evening drink and meal as the prices were a tad expensive.
Enjoy.
Briz.
I think you are absolutely correct in not trusting the M25. It isn't much more expensive to stay overnight with 15 days free parking than pay for just parking. It saves all the worry about getting to Gatwick on time. We usually book through ABC Holiday Extras. Last time we stayed at the Copthorne. The hotel was fine but their shuttle is only hourly, which means if you just miss it on your return as we did you could have up to 50 minutes wait. Le Meridien sounds ideal and I think that will be our preferred choice next time.
Mike.
Hi
As you say the M25 is a total law unto itself, even if there aren't any accidents, on at least 3 occasions even when we have travelled at 5.00 am, we have been delayed by "overnight roadworks" which have resulted in us arriving at Gatwick with a less than "comfortable" time cushion, before our departure.
Even though, I always check Ceefax the night before and again on the morning of departure, just to get the latest information, at no time did it mention any of these 3 problems :(
As for rushing around, I agree that this is all part of the holiday fun and games, even though there are only the 2 of us and "Mrs DMC" always starts packing weeks ahead of time, there are still numerous last minute additions to the "holiday wardrobe" - just how many shoes can a girl wear in 2 weeks !!!!
Then of course there are the last minutes checks to ensure that the windows are all locked and that the various videos are set up correctly to tape our favourite TV programmes whilst we are away ( how sad are we ??? ).
In short, I am sure that it will still be rushed departure, but at least if we are delayed, then we are only losing "sleeping time" the night before, rather than risking missing the "check-in time".
From shopping around the cost of staying in a hotel the night before with the Car Parking included, is not much more than Parking Off Site and getting a bus into the Airport.
Given what we spend on the holiday, it's a very small percentage increase, although "Mrs DMC" says that if we don't stay overnight in a Hotel, she could then have that money to spend going shopping !!!!
I suppose with that logic, that's why Men are from Mars and Woman are from Venus [:o)]
DMC
Oh you lucky folks, to be within driving distance of the major departure airports to consider driving to them, for us it would be a ten-twelve hour drive!! As we were in Cardiff during before and after the holiday last year we drove across the day before. We were staying at the Copthorne and got the hotel and twenty three days parking for less than the parking alone, so go figure. I cannot remember who we booked it through, one of the online companies. The Copthorne was nice enough, and I thought that it would make the holiday travel seem shorter, but I am not convinced and it didn't stop the four am wake-up the next morning.
Like Kissyme I guess you kind of get in to holiday rituals. One of ours is after arriving from Inverness on the morning flight and either checking-in, or if we are travelling with BA or a BA codeshare and have pre-checked luggage not even, we can go to the McDonalds upstairs at the shopping Village bit and have breakfast. Compared to our usual McDonalds in Inverness, where the full Highland interpretation of the concept of fast food is employed it is nice to go to a fast food restaurant where the food service is prompt. Sort of gears us up for what to expect in the States.
On reflection we did enjoy the overnight in the hotel, unfortunately we unless the internal flights are booked as a separate booking we can't usually break the journey on the way down:(. Would be nice if we could, and get an extra day for shopping in London:).
we once missed a flight because of the m25, luckily there was one 5 hours later. I hate
that motorway
Le Meridien is perfect for families. They have lovely family rooms and sometimes you get 2 adjoining rooms instead. I must confess to not eating a light breakfast, I always have a really heavy one :DI usually book via their web site, you can often get a good rate with breakfast for everyone included:)
The last time we flew back our flight from Orlando landed early (6-7am I think) & our flight to Scotland didn't leave until 5 or 6pm so we hired one room as a "daylet". Not too expensive and far better than hanging about the airport with 3 young children after such a long flight ;)
OK, Le Meridien will put a cot in a double room but not in a triple (2 adults and 1 child and 1 infant).
Before I pay an extra £50 for a family room can someone advise how easy it is to get from the South to the North Terminal.
If it is fairly straight forward then a stay in the Hilton will be in order as I know we can do our 'combo' there.
I heard about a monorail link maybe?
Briz.
caroline
03-09-2003, 12:24
Hi Brizzle
It's really easy to travel between the terminals - there is a a shuttle type monorail that we've never waited more than a couple of minutes for:)
As far as I know there is a Monorail link between the North and South Terminals at Gatwick, but I am not sure how far this is from the Hotel entrance, but it can't be too far.
Might be best to ring the Hotel, they should be able to help with anything like that.
DMC
Hi - we stayed at the Hilton last year and it was great. Lovely room - freedom - we were able to do the twilight check in the evening before. This time we too are booked into Le Meridien and I expect it to be just as good. Takes all the strain out of the start of your adventure.
Lisi
Connecting between the terminals is no big sweat and takes minutes to do. We often have to do it dependant on our domestic/international flight carrier combination.
TonyBlenk
10-09-2003, 11:21
Hi there.
Try the following link which is for Airport Hotels with Car Parking included, and si cheaper than booking direct.
[u]https://www.holidayextras.co.uk/CoastDirect/ABCDirect.ASP?profile=neilson&agent=wx673</u>
If you stay at the Hilton, walk to the South Terminal then catch the 'People Mover' which takes a couple of minutes to the North Terminal. Either the Hilton or Le Meridien are ideal.
Just used the link above for next year, got a family room at the gatwick hilton the night
before we fly out, £120 for 3 adults 2 kids, not a bad price, and we can walk from the
hotel to the airport which is great
A couple of years ago my family stayed at the Ifield Court Hotel in Crawley, with bed and breakfast and up to 3 weeks free car parking.
This a country house style place, very old worldy.
They take you on a 5 minute journey to Gatwick via a country lane (no traffic) to departures and pick you up on your arrival back in the UK. They monitor flight arrivals/departures in the hotel reception.
This was well worth the cost as we had no long journey to the airport on our day of departure.
This is their telephone number if anyone is interested 01293 534807.
note: I am not linked in any way with the hotel, I am just a very satisfied customer.
Funshine
17-09-2003, 17:46
I'm sure all the Gatwick hotels who provide shuttle bus service stop at both North and South terminals.
That sounds really nice,
The reason we are staying at the airport is so that I dont have to drive round the M25 in
Rush hour after a night flight where I might not get much sleep, I did it this year and
didnt enjoy it.
So this year its a cab to the airport after work, twilight checkin, short walk to the
hotel, a small meal perhaps a few drinks then bed. Up in the morning breccie and a short
walk back to the airport.
The price is reasonable and less hassle for me
quote:Originally posted by Funshine
I'm sure all the Gatwick hotels who provide shuttle bus service stop at both North and South terminals.
All the hotels do, some will levy a small charge, others have it
in the price
As we need parking for more than 3 weeks when we are out at Christmas and most of the hotel rates for car parking for more than 15 nights is extreamly expensive on Paul M's recommendation I contacted the Ifield Court Hotel. Their rates seem very resonable (£100 for 1 nights stay plus parking up to 4 weeks) But they are closed New Years day, which is the day we return:(
So need to find if we can get a reasonable priced taxi back from the airport to the hotel. Does anyone have any suggestions, please:)
sunshine state
20-09-2003, 22:13
Have you ever tried getting a mini bus to the airport ive been doing it this way for years now and its know where near as much hassle just thought i would make a point.
caroline
20-09-2003, 23:29
Hi Karen
Airport Cars their number is 01293 562291 - I just called them and they said approx £15
Caroline, thats great. I will make a note and tell my husband.
Thank you so much :):):)
caroline
21-09-2003, 02:09
You're welcome:)
Thank you for all your tips about the digital camera:)
Funshine
21-09-2003, 14:53
We've used the Gatwick Express (Essex based one) before but unfortunately found we travelled all around the countryside picking up other passengers before we left Essex, same again on our return - which was probably worse as we just wanted to get home after the overnight flight. We felt for the time it took to get to the airport on the bus we could have been at Gatwick, checked in and had our breakfast. It is a useful service, certainly if there is a group (5+) and quite reasonably priced, but we just felt it was very long winded.
We had a great stay at Le Meridien. We checked in, found the room and then Kevin took the car to the long-term car park which was included in our rate.
We were lucky and had a corner room with a king bed, number 680 (I think that was the number) and we were high enough up to be able to have a good view of the runways over the North Terminal. The whole of one wall was window, so we left the curtains open and were able to just sit and relax with a glass (or two!!) of wine and watch the planes landing and taking off into the late evening, whilst planning what we intended to do to our villa over the next 12 days!! Couldn't hear any of the noise either. We ate dinner at Garfunkels in the North Terminal, and that was very pleasant too.
Walking across in the morning to check-in was very easy. We did this early, almost as soon as the desks opened, and then went for a leisurely breakfast. Our flight out was at 11.15am
I would definitely use this hotel again. It was a lovely way to start our holiday.
On our return we simply got the NCP/Flightline bus to the long-term car park and were on our way home within an hour of landing.
were hoping to do the same Carla, let the kids watch the planes etc from the room
while we sit back and relax
Im just back having stayed at Le Meridien - great hotel I thought, better than the Hilton - no hassle with the parking either and so nice to start your holiday off in a relaxed mood. BA didn't do a twilight check in though but we had a great flight - half full.
Lisi
Gillian-B
01-10-2003, 20:00
I think that the Le Meridien is the best airport to stay at Gatwick. It's really convenient for both terminals and the hotel is really nice (especially if you can get a corner room like Carla :)).
As an alternative, I like the Effingham Park in Copthorne. The downside is you need to use their shuttle to get back and forth to the airport, but the hotel is great (especially if you can get a room with a balcony overlooking the golf course). Also, parking can actually be at the hotel which means you don't have to take your overnight bag on the plane as hand luggage if you're flying Virgin and used twilight check-in. The Effingham Park is around £40-£50 cheaper than Le Meridien's price with 15 days parking (via www.holidayextras.co.uk) and the saving could be used to get a taxi back to the hotel on the return journey to pick up the car (but beware weekday rush hour on the M23 :().
Funshine
02-10-2003, 01:23
We've booked a room at the Europa Hotel, Gatwick. Would you believe it was cheaper to book the hotel room which included 15 days car parking than tobook just the car parking. Hotel + 15 days car park = £89.55 + £3.50 for extra day £93.05 (discounted as I'm an AA member), car park only for 16 days £106.25!
weve booked a family room at the Hilton, Wasnt a bad price £120 if you consider were attached
to the south terminal
Hi all.
We're looking for at least 19 days parking. My usual Hotel Reservation company and the link above seem only to offer 15. I'm sure they used to offer "up to 21 days" but can't find anything about it. Do you know if they can arrange extra days parking or do you need to go to the Hotel direct.
Many thanks
Sarah.
They will be able to help Sarah, but you may not be able to do it online, as all sites only seem to offer 8 or 15 days via the internet. You'll probably have to call them instead.
As Carla has said, you will need to contact them on the phone. I did find APH in Crawley
did it online, worked out about £140 for 21 days.
Many thanks. I'll see what they come up with.
Kind Regards
Sarah.
I just did a search on 'Gatwick Parking' Sorry I deleted the link as we are sorted now
Chris
Thanks for the info:D
I take it if I find a good deal, it's okay to "name-drop" in a post? Being new to the Forum, I didn't want to offend.;)[8D]
Kind Regards
Sarah.
Im sure it is, as we are all searching for a better deal. I booked all next years flights
from a name drop on here. The park tickets from this site were the best deal I could
find as well, The car hire from here is one of the cheapest as well.
Hope this helps
Chris
Funshine
20-10-2003, 23:08
Just reporting back on our stay at the Europa Hotel. Very nice accommodation, very reasonably priced, airport 12 minutes away by their courtesy bus at no extra charge. When we came home they sent a taxi to collect us from the airport at no extra charge. We had 15 days car parking with the hotel room but had stayed for 16 and there was no extra to pay. Car remained in the hotel car park for the duration and we kept our keys, unlike other hotels who insist on having the keys to move the cars to long stay car parks outside of the airport area.
Only negative - the food in the bar was extremely expensive. Two sandwiches, a portion of chips, a bottle of lager and a bacardi breezer came to £19.78! Which I suppose that made up for the extra day car parking.
chrizzy100
20-10-2003, 23:47
quote:Originally posted by Funshine
Just reporting back on our stay at the Europa Hotel. Very nice accommodation, very reasonably priced, airport 12 minutes away by their courtesy bus at no extra charge. When we came home they sent a taxi to collect us from the airport at no extra charge. We had 15 days car parking with the hotel room but had stayed for 16 and there was no extra to pay. Car remained in the hotel car park for the duration and we kept our keys, unlike other hotels who insist on having the keys to move the cars to long stay car parks outside of the airport area.
Only negative - the food in the bar was extremely expensive. Two sandwiches, a portion of chips, a bottle of lager and a bacardi breezer came to £19.78! Which I suppose that made up for the extra day car parking.
We only have a few hours flying time to Orlando from here...but the fuss before hand makes it a long trip....I can't get my son on one of the local planes...a small 6 person one ..after seeing one crash out the airport into the carpark for Job Lot.....in winter we have snow and ice....and in summer to much traffic....making an hour or twos normal drive to Boston last up to 6 hours if you're very unlucky.....it was fun coming over from England....I don't know why we don't find it fun now.....:(
We drive to Orlando most of the time...its about 20 hours driving time....so I look on it this way....that it can take with flying time and hanging around in the airport....up to....12 hours to get to Orlando and if we drive without stopping it takes 20...at very little cost....
In the end I plumped for the Gatwick Travel Lodge at £91 for nights stay (and a night of free parking) and 15 days parking.
Pretty reasonable and I save £80 rather than stay in Le Meridien.
Brizzle
we always use the travel-inn very close to north terminal. Basic and after the recent refurb very nice. Prices for 2 bigguns is normally under £50. Main reason for chosing these........
I get free parking at gatwick airport.:D [:p] (head office is based here).
Kickstart
21-10-2003, 16:51
I feel really guilty, we live in Reigate and it only takes us 10 mins to get to Gatwick in a cab (£10 there, £15 back). We have even suggested to friends going from Gatwick to park their car in our drive (or road) and get a cab instead of parking.
One problem that the local council is trying to clamp down on is illegal off-site parking. It's a big problem around here. A friend of ours has a neighbour who uses his house to park cars. In the summer there are up to 50 cars a day arriving and departing. People coming back on late flights will be picking cars up at 1 am in the morning.
What the owners don't realise is that once they have flown off their cars are moved from the nice hard standing by the house to be parked in a farmers field for 2 weeks and then brought back the day before. There have been cases of cars being damaged and broken into because there is no real security involved.
So watch out for those really cheap deals.
For anyone staying at hotels off site the taxi service at Gatwick is excellent, if a little expensive, I've never had to wait more than 5 mins for a cab.
The monorail shuttle goes from North to South terminals every 5 minutes, helpful when you park at the wrong terminal, North is nearly all BA, South everyone else.
CarolAnn
11-09-2004, 16:28
we used Le Meridian Gatwick North Terminal in April this year and did the parking. It was great.The walk through from there to check in departures was a bonus. We plan to stay at the Le Meridian again next April, only thing last time was we forgot that we were flying back from Miami and we landed at Heathrow, Doh [msnembarrased][msntongue]Got it sorted from Miami with a phone call, thankfully :)
We love staying the night before at an airport hotel. It really starts the holiday off as I can relax and know that there is nothing more to do but get on the 'plane the next morning. I'm afraid that if we didn't I am one of these people who has to go through the house like a dose of salts before we leave, (you know, the must change your underwear in case you are knocked down by a bus syndrome)
[}:)]so unless we did go 24 hours before, I might well be re-cleaning the kitchen floor, or tumbling the last load of washing when I should be getting on the 'plane.:D
We have stayed several times at the Hilton, and they often have specials on ABC Holiday extras site. It is so easy to get up and walk to the terminal, and it is very easy to get to the other terminal. We have also stayed at Le Meridian, and its very comfortable and convenient.
Many hotels outside of the airport use the Airport shuttle buses and there is a charge for that, per person. Not all hotels have their own free shuttle.
But we think hotel and parking are a real bargain as it usually costs less than just the parking alone, and you get a lovely room, the chance to swim in the swimming pool, plus, best of all, being able to see the 'planes taking off and landing out of the window so we can say 'its going to be us tomorrow!
We recently stayed at the Marriot at Heathrow where there are no hotels on airport - hotel and 15 days parking for just over £80. It was brilliant, and we even got upgraded to the executive floor complete with executive lounge. We always get our own taxi the next morning so that we do not have to get luggage on and off a shuttle bus (and we are always loaded with bits and pieces for the villa)It's cheaper than going on the shuttle and less bother as we can order it for exactly when we need it - we like to be at the airport really early and some shuttles don't start until after 6.00 am
To find out about the hotels, and what they offer - cost of extra days parking for instance, just go to www.holidayextras.co.uk and all the information is there for each hotel - what facilities, cost of breakfast etc. Even if you don't book through them its helpful to know what the hotel is like and you can compare prices.
Oh dear, just talking about all this makes me excited and wishing we had another trip booked - even with Ivan in the offing!
Whatever you choose, have a great time![8D]
Ellie
Cruella DeVilla
11-09-2004, 21:59
Stayed in the Jarvis at Gatwick in the past as we lived, at the time, 3 hours away and did not want to get up in the middle of the night to travel. Also included in the fee was the parking so was worth it for us. Like to get in the holiday mood with a couple of drinks and a chill the night before, then a nice big breakfast to set you up for the day then someone else driving us to the airport who knows exactly where to go. Cost us £97 double room and 17 days parking.
We do the same when we fly from Gatwick, a little B & B called Staith House. We go down the afternoon before , do the twighlight check in then go and book in at where we are staying, Off out for a nice meal then breakfast the next morning at a more sociable hour and taxi to the south terminal and away. Thats what we are doing when we go in October you get the car parking and nice comfortable room for around £80, what could be better.
paul1672
12-09-2004, 18:02
is the virgin bag check-in point at gatwick airport closed during the evening?
as i'm hoping to check-in online before leaving for gatwick early evening and arriving at about 10pm to check the bags in before retiring to the hotel.
is this possible?
Paul
From memory it closes at 9pm
[:0]Friends just came back from Turkey, to be met by Manager of hotel that they left their car with. Four cars had been burnt out and others damaged. Arson suspected.
It's one of the large chains.
We have stayed at the Moat house, YUK, blood on all the sheets in the family room. Renaissance,very nice, staying again in Feb. The thistle, poky little rooms. The Hilton, very convenient. Normally book with Superbreak.com as they normal have the best deals. 2 rooms Feb 15 days parking £172. inc.
Karen[msnsmile2]
John Rocke
14-09-2004, 18:27
slightly off topic but there are two quite good websites for planning your journeys. The RAC at www.rac.co.uk is good and The Highways Agency has a very up to date one. If you are intending to travel the M25, even at off peak hours, it can help to check for roadworks 2 or 3 days before you intend to travel. Most night time closures happen over more than one night.
jr
I still think Staith House is great. It is clean you get a continental breakie the family rooms are en-suite. We pay £84 and that includes the car parking for 14 nights.