V-Flyer

I know a few V-Flyers have used the Hilton at LGW for stays the night before a flight, and am looking for some advice and guidance on same.

We're booked on a Friday VS31 to St Lucia so an 11.45 departure. Flying UC, so CH access. My current plan is rise at ungodly hour on the day, get driven down from Cambs to LGW for early doors at CH.

At the moment I could get a night at the LGW Hilton for 30k HHonors points, with status giving me guaranteed Executive Lounge access. I'm quite tempted to take this up, as it will mean a more relaxed start to the day of the flight itself, still allow early doors at the CH and effectively starts the holiday a day early.

So, the fundamental questions:

- what's the Exec Lounge at the LGW Hilton like? Does it follow the offerings of other Hilton Exec Lounges in the UK in terms of refreshments and opening times?

- what are the options for an evening meal thereabouts? I guess it is limited to the hotel and the terminal?

- for those who do use a hotel the night before a trip, does it make the day itself more relaxing or am I just fooling myself?

Thanks in advance

Paul

With regard to your query, I can only answer the third option and that is to endorse the overnight stay. I do it all the time if I have a morning flight. OK, I'm not as in charge of my destiny as you are in that I am flying into whatever airport rather than driving (and for LGW an overnight is the only option) so I'm at the mercy of the airline. A couple of tight connections (or an accident on the motorway in your instance) can really put the wind up you! :0

With an overnight stay you have a good night's sleep, are not arising at the crack of dawn and therefore less likely to want to sleep on the flight. Ergo, more time at the bar )

I would certainly recommend this as a relaxing start to your holiday.
Being the kind Guy who has to be early for anything, I always have a fear of any travel delays etc.
The Hilton is what you would expect, I'm sure you would be in the newer part. The Exec lounge is pretty basic, opening time should be fine as I remember. Perhaps a Juice / Coffee and then off to the Clubhouse.
The main restaurant is surprisingly good on both service and food. This comes from a very fussy diner.
Regular business travellers may have far more experience than myself, but in the last 5 visits have left me relaxed and ready to start my trip.
Enjoy you holiday

Hi Paul - how you keeping old boy?

When flying out of LGW, we're in a similar position to honey lamb whereby driving isn't an option. Having said that, even if it were, I'd still plump for a stay at the Hilton (as long as you go 'Exec') the night before. It's part of the holiday.

The executive rooms are great and free evening drinks and nibbles in the lounge are the perfect start to your jolly. It also means you can use Twilight Check-In, so the following morning all you have to do is get you and your hand baggage up the CH for breakfast and maybe (just maybe) a cheeky glass or two of Champers...?

Hi Paul,

I know you usually prefer to go on the day, but we have always gone the night before and have only ever stayed at the Hilton. Stayed in all sorts of rooms but the executive ones if I remember are in the other side of the hotel and are really quiet and nice with walk in showers etc.

The meals have always been excellent and we normally go for the 3 course buffet really good value, drinks are quite expensive £5 for a bottle of water.

The twilight check-in is really convenient and quiet we have often been the only ones there y)

Have a great holiday whichever option you choose, regards Linda

Another thumbs up for the overnight stay option - definely elongates the holiday in the eyes of my cherubs...

Must admit we now toddle over to Giraffe in the terminal for dinner, which is a reliable enough option for anyone with kids.

Coming from Glasgow we always stay at an airport hotel the night before, much better than getting the red eye flight that morning. Have also stayed at LGW Hilton and can recommend it.

Definitely go the night before - we always do when flying from Gatwick (we live in Bath). ALthough we favour the Sofitel.

Maybe look at the Sofitel restaurants? Haven't eaten there, but they have a Brasserie and a Chinese.

We live over in North London and once had a bad experience of breaking down on M25 when tavelling to Gatwick. We actually got taken the last couple of miles in a police car which was very helpful. However we now state that no matter what the cost is, we always stay at the LGW Hilton.

The Hilton is a comfortable hotel with good facilities (shame they took the pool away many years back).

Firstly I see it as part of our holiday and it makes for a nice relaxing evening prior to flying off the next day. Also we get to use twilight checkin, saves messing around with cases and boarding cards in the morning

I've stayed in many different types of room at the hotel, we got upgraded once but personally I am just happy to have a nice room with confortable beds and we opt for the
'dinner & breakfast' package. Food is great and there a wide variety of menus.

Whatever choice you make, I'd certainly say go for an overnight at the Hilton

Thanks all for the responses, and a prize of a turn at the new recording studio for HL and Mdvipond for getting to the root of the issue with the reference to the bar and champagne. I know it's not big and it's not clever, but still...

Global44 - I know what you mean about always being early. Drives MrsPJH mad, but given Hev60's experience there's definitely method in it. I also saw a family get turned away for a flight to LAX after being stuck in a jam on the M25; I thought at the time that must have been awful.

Cleared with the taxi chap and MrsPJH, so booked.

Actually, it was the idea of the Twilight Check In, which hadn't entered my thoughts at all, wot won it. I've had this fantasy for a good while of just turning up at the airport with hand luggage, booking a ticket and jetting off somewhere. So, with getting rid of the cases the evening before, this is kind of similar...

We aim to please and suspect you have similar priorities to myself and the good doctor Vipond )

Don't forget the liquids rule, though if you do Twilight check-in. The toiletries in the Hilton are not bad (Evelyn and Crabtree the last time I was there) so you can wave your usual brands good-bye and turn up with a modicum of them to go through security

honey lamb wrote:We aim to please and suspect you have similar priorities to myself and the good doctor Vipond )

Indeed.

honey lamb wrote:Don't forget the liquids rule, though if you do Twilight check-in. The toiletries in the Hilton are not bad (Evelyn and Crabtree the last time I was there) so you can wave your usual brands good-bye and turn up with a modicum of them to go through security

Good point. BTW, Hilton have changed to Peter Thomas Roth for toiletries.

Paul