V-Flyer

Hi folks,

I've just booked a short trip to KRK to meet up with some lovely friends from Dallas, flying Easyjet (no stones please) out of LGW north terminal.

I need a hotel the night before, I've stayed at Premier Inn before and very nice it was. Any other suggestions from the collective?

All recommendations greatly appreciated.
John

We stayed at the Sofitel a couple of years ago for an earlyish flight the next morning. Lovely hotel and just a short stroll to the terminal. They parked our car (included in the rate) and we had the bonus of a view of the monorail which kept junior amused for hours

Hope that helps
L2H

Second vote for the Sofitel, it's always our first choice.

I thought I saw a Hilton Hampton available there recently, is that new? With my gold card going, I think I prefer those over the Hiltons now, given the free brekkie...

Another vote for the Sofitel here too.

Smid wrote:I thought I saw a Hilton Hampton available there recently, is that new? With my gold card going, I think I prefer those over the Hiltons now, given the free brekkie...

It is indeed, a little known fact is that the building that the Premier Inn occupies was originally earmarked to be the Hampton, but for reasons unknown to me Hampton pulled out but I believe the new Hampton is connected to the terminal building whereas you have to cross the road from the Premier Inn.

Used to only be the sofitel onsite wasn't it? Nice to know there's alternatives..

HI Bretty,

Have just stayed at the Premier Inn, and gave it 5 stars on Tripadvisor, it was absolutely superb, its right next to the Soffitel and only a few minutes walk to the terminal, carpark is opposite, (as we preferred to park our own car). You can use their park and fly if you want.

It is very cheap compared to the Soffitel for much better offerings, meals were fantastic a reasonable bar and a breakfast to die for. Ask for a high floor room if you choose it. Hope this helps any more info just ask, Linda y)

Smid wrote:Used to only be the sofitel onsite wasn't it? Nice to know there's alternatives..

And in a few weeks time there will be a new alternative for the south terminal as well. BLOC hotels are opening a property actually INSIDE the terminal. The entrance will be situated by the security check up on the 1st floor, the area they are using used to be the old Spectator House office building on top of the terminal.

I've booked myself and Mrs Amex in there for the night before we fly off in June

AmexVflyer wrote:

Smid wrote:Used to only be the sofitel onsite wasn't it? Nice to know there's alternatives..

And in a few weeks time there will be a new alternative for the south terminal as well. BLOC hotels are opening a property actually INSIDE the terminal. The entrance will be situated by the security check up on the 1st floor, the area they are using used to be the old Spectator House office building on top of the terminal.

I've booked myself and Mrs Amex in there for the night before we fly off in June

Useful to know , flying from the south terminal in June aswell so might book myself in the night before y)

Leanne wrote:Another vote for the Sofitel here too.

The Sofitel works for me; always check for dinner inclusive packages as La Brasserie and Gatwick Oriental both turn out decent food.

The rooms are always immaculate but the bar is, in my opinion, hideously over priced and can get exceptionally busy if a couple of flights are delayed.

Thanks guys. I had thought Sofitel if not Premier Inn, but am also going to check out the new BLOC hotel. As it happens I try not to drive to and from airports these days so we'll be arriving by train. All very helpful though.

@NV43 I find many hotel bars can be overpriced, especially airport hotels. Fortunately I'm not a big drinker and my OH is teetotal, but I do like my grub...

Thanks again all

If money isn't a problem, then the Sofitel by a country mile. Lovely rooms and you can request a runway view room which gives you almost a tower like view of the whole airfield, which I adored.

La Brasserie there is a fantastic restaurant and is AA rosette awarded and is being considered for a Michelin star, although it is pricey.

Well I made a complete boob booking this. I decided to go through lastminute.com and a hotel came up on their "secret hotels" and from the description of the hotel which mentioned a central atrium with lots of light I thought it was the Sofitel, because its description also mentions the atrium. There was a £20 saving so I booked, and found it was the Hilton South Terminal. Not happy. !

Now normally, I hate Hilton hotels, I've not had good experiences in them, especially my last one in Nottingham. But of course it's non-refundable, I called and asked if I could cancel and was told it was non-refundable. So now I'm kicking my own arse for trying to be cheap! n(

Still, this Hilton looks nice... Hope it is okay, it's just not the hotel I wanted

I've stayed at the Hilton a few times now and am back there in a couple of weeks. The Deluxe (and Exec) rooms are all in the newer part of the hotel. They are, or were in the process of renovating the standard rooms. Watch out for the bar prices! Food in the restaurant nearest the lobby is very nice when I've eaten there

Bretty wrote:Well I made a complete boob booking this. I decided to go through lastminute.com and a hotel came up on their "secret hotels" and from the description of the hotel which mentioned a central atrium with lots of light I thought it was the Sofitel, because its description also mentions the atrium. There was a £20 saving so I booked, and found it was the Hilton South Terminal. Not happy. !

Now normally, I hate Hilton hotels, I've not had good experiences in them, especially my last one in Nottingham. But of course it's non-refundable, I called and asked if I could cancel and was told it was non-refundable. So now I'm kicking my own arse for trying to be cheap! n(

Still, this Hilton looks nice... Hope it is okay, it's just not the hotel I wanted

Well john ,we know what's happened here don't we !!'
After nearly missing out on the LHR sofitel a few weeks back you've dived straight in feet first haven't you !!!. Lol
Seriously though I'm sure it will be fine even though it's not the one you wanted .
Good excuse to book another jaunt I think

The Hilton at the South Terminal is fine. The newer Executive rooms are much better although has been said, they are in the process of renovating the original ones.

We usually get an upgrade to an Exec room if you have any status.

The executive lounge provides a quiet space as well and the breakfasts in the restaurant downstairs can set you up for the day.

The lobby and bars can get quite busy as they seem to get any delayed flights etc, but overall, there are many, many worse hotels around. (and of course its a very short stroll to the terminal if you want a wonder)

David

I personally don't think there is anything wrong with the Hilton either more so if you've managed to get a bargain.

Thanks folks, I've had a look and it looks nice. I'm just not keen on the brand from past experience. I've booked a standard room and don't have status with them, but as my OH says, it's just one night. I'm sure it will be fine.

Ta,
John

Blacky1 wrote:
Well john ,we know what's happened here don't we !!'
After nearly missing out on the LHR sofitel a few weeks back you've dived straight in feet first haven't you !!!. Lol
Seriously though I'm sure it will be fine even though it's not the one you wanted .
Good excuse to book another jaunt I think

Lol you're right Blacky, I jumped straight in, misled by the hotel descriptions. The description of the "secret hotel" closely matched the description of the Sofitel, and completely mismatched that of the Hilton.

Never mind, a £20 saving is a saving. I just swore I'd never stay in a Hilton again after my last experience.

Cheers,
John

Bretty wrote:Never mind, a £20 saving is a saving. I just swore I'd never stay in a Hilton again after my last experience.

I've used the Hilton chain as standard for work for the past 7 years. They're in effect a franchise, and sometimes their QC comes up short. There are some properties I hate and will never, ever, use again in my livelong day, and some I love and would be happy to live in.

Basically, they can't all be tarred with the same brush. The Gatwick Hilton will be fine for a night. Overpriced for both food and drink in my opinion (though that goes for all hotels), but there are some options in the terminal and a picnic can always be sourced from M&S.

Bretty wrote:Well I made a complete boob booking this. I decided to go through lastminute.com and a hotel came up on their "secret hotels" and from the description of the hotel which mentioned a central atrium with lots of light I thought it was the Sofitel, because its description also mentions the atrium. There was a £20 saving so I booked, and found it was the Hilton South Terminal. Not happy. !

Now normally, I hate Hilton hotels, I've not had good experiences in them, especially my last one in Nottingham. But of course it's non-refundable, I called and asked if I could cancel and was told it was non-refundable. So now I'm kicking my own arse for trying to be cheap! n(

Still, this Hilton looks nice... Hope it is okay, it's just not the hotel I wanted

Don't be too unhappy, its one of the better Hiltons, and far better than the one in Nottingham, which is a bit sub standard. Like all hiltons, the bar and restaurants is expensive, but there's a wetherspoons in the south terminal (north terminal outside departure eating options are more limited).

I'd not be that bothered about being in the south terminal, its not that far between the two, what with the monorail getting you there. Its not Heathrow Terminal shift (well, more T3 to T1).

I'm feeling more calm about this now thanks guys. The Nottingham Hilton is very sub standard indeed!
Thanks again

I agree, it is one of the better ones, especially if you can be accommodated in the club rooms.

I have HH status so stay at this one when we are flying from LGW. I love the close proximity to the airport (don't we love that buzz) but agree the drink/food is overpriced, but it's a short walk to the terminal to sit and eat/drink and people watch on any wallet.

This may cheer you up.

http://www.headforpoints.com/2014/03/20 ... /#comments