Orlando or Atlanta for 2016

We holiday in South Carolina, just over the border from Savannah. We have 2015 sorted and are now planning 2016

Last twice, and again this year, we have flown to Orlando and driven up 330 miles the following day. We use miles to upgrade to Upper for the flights.
I live about 30 miles from Heathrow and 45 from Gatwick and because we travel in the winter like to stay at an airport hotel the night before the flight. We currently use the Hilton at Gatwick as it is a walk to the terminal. Similarly, we use the Hyatt Regency at Orlando because it is in the terminal.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on the following:

Airport hotels at Heathrow and ease of getting to the terminal. Do you use the drive through check in?

Aircraft for the Atlanta route. I like the cosy Gatwick 747 Upper but it's not easy getting a reward flight. We have again managed 6A&K for our up coming flight.

Airport hotel at Atlanta. Marriott Gateway looks like the best option as it is on the route to the car hire area by train.

At the moment Atlanta seems to have a lot of advantages.
Shorter and therefore cheaper taxi at this end.
Less miles to upgrade. 40000 each instead of 50000
280 v 330 mile drive at the US end.

Dick D

Sounds like you've already made up your mind Dick!

Atlanta = LHR which is closer to home and has DTCI, a better Clubhouse and Revivals when you get back
Atlanta = closer to destination
Atlanta = fewer miles to upgrade and - hopefully - more reward seats (although UC is apparently performing extremely well on that route, hence the decision to quickly add a second daily rotation)

The only drawback is Atlanta uses the A330 but UC really ain't that bad!

Airport hotels at LHR - there are none actually in the central terminal area - most of them are on the Bath Road, some overlooking the northern runway if that appeals, but all an easy 5-10 minute cab ride away from DTCI. Other V-Flyers recommend the Sofitel which is at T5 but a quick (and free) HEX train ride away or the Hilton which is at T4 and similarly connected via train.

Airport hotels at Atlanta - yes either the Marriott Gateway or the adjacent Springhill Suites are both handy for the SkyTrain to the terminal and connections to the MARTA station for trains downtown. All the other hotels would involve a shuttle bus or cab ride to the airport.

I visited Texas using the atlanta UC route. I actually used the Delta option on the outbound flight to ATL and way VERY impressed with the UC (or well business class) on that flight. Not as funky as virgin but way more options and it seemed much more modern! (VS4045)

On arrival and also few months later on return i used the marriot gatewaty. VERY convenient indeed. there are 3 stops on the train. 1 terminal, 2 the hotel, 3 the rental center. So you can go from rental center in 1 stop to the hotel and next day 1 stop to the airport. I even went to airport twice during stay at the hotel as there are (imo) nicer lunch/breakfast etc. options there. takes about 5min max all in all..

On return with Virgin it was the one with the horrible narrow seats and hardly any space and where you have no privacy Altho it was the 'newer'version of it. I never would advice anyone that flight.. (VS104)

Thanks both.
Gumshoe, I had a preference for the Atlanta route but since Itisme's post I have read an awful lot of bad reviews about the 330 Upper cabin, so I think I'll stick with the Gatwick Orlando route and put up with the extra hours drive.
This year, because I couldn't get a return flight reward on the Saturday we are doing a stop over in St. Augustine for one night so I don't think the drive will be any problem.
Dick D

I have read an awful lot of bad reviews about the 330 Upper cabin,

Slightly OT, I don't think the 330 cabin is "bad", just "less good" than the usual VS offering. And it is certainly more private than, for example, the J class offering on EK (save for the window seat on the A380).

I'd still like to try the DL offering at some time.

Agreed, UC on the A330 is a perfectly acceptable product and still better than BA's 8 across business class offering on the 777. It's certainly not worth avoiding if doing so means a more inconvenient journey at either end.

The problem is we've been spoiled by UC in the nose of the 747 which, thanks to the axeing of the on-board masseuse several years ago, has far more space than it needs to. Great for us, but wasted space that any other airline would cram more seats into.

Agreed, UC on the A330 is a perfectly acceptable product and still better than BA's 8 across business class offering on the 777. It's certainly not worth avoiding if doing so means a more inconvenient journey at either end.

The problem is we've been spoiled by UC in the nose of the 747 which, thanks to the axeing of the on-board masseuse several years ago, has far more space than it needs to. Great for us, but wasted space that any other airline would cram more seats into.

I also think the Gatwick configuration with only 14 seats is great set up. Especially if we manage row 6 which we have twice and again for our upcoming flights.
It just needs someone to come along and tell me how much better it is flying from Heathrow and I'll change my mind again.
Dick D

DTCI, the cocktail bar, deli counter, hairdresser, jacuzzi (when it works) and Revivals.

Remember also that with the new seating reservation system and the demise of T-60, unless you book on the day the flights go on sale the chances of getting the exact seats you want are now slimmer.

Are you vacationing Hilton Head? Used to go there a lot, brilliant place! Delta offers multiple flights a day from ATL to Savannah/Hilton Head airport which may be convenient for your needs.

I recently posted my review on the ATL flight and wasn't the biggest fan of the Dream Suite, but I'd take that over the drive from Orlando. Delta will probably let you connect using miles, but I can't verify that.


Best,

Gabrca

Are you vacationing Hilton Head? Used to go there a lot, brilliant place! Delta offers multiple flights a day from ATL to Savannah/Hilton Head airport which may be convenient for your needs.

I recently posted my review on the ATL flight and wasn't the biggest fan of the Dream Suite, but I'd take that over the drive from Orlando. Delta will probably let you connect using miles, but I can't verify that.


Best,

Gabrca

Good guess. Spot on. We are renting a little house on the beach.
This will be our fifth visit to HH
The first couple of times we did fly to ATL and SAV but there was about a five hour wait at ATL before the connection. We then discovered Virgin and collecting air miles and so went via MCO. We will stay the night at the Hyatt Regency so will be fresh for the drive up. Lunch break in Jacksonville.
Now that Virgin fly into ATL we are considering it as an option for a possible sixth visit next year.
Dick D