Hilton London Gatwick Airport, London

Author's product rating:   

Advantages:	Location and wide range of rooms
Disadvantages:	Older parts of the hotel need updating

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Not another hotel review I hear you cry! It does feel like I have hardly spent any time at home recently, but I do rather like staying in hotels and having someone else cook my dinner and make my bed!

I recently spent a night at the Gatwick Hilton when I made a 'flying' visit to the UK to visit my elderly aunt in hospital after she had fallen and broken her hip.

I needed a bed for the night as my flight landed at 9pm and I did not fancy driving up to Hertfordshire at night.

Having stayed at the Gatwick Hilton on many occasions over the last 15 years, and having seen it through many of its refurbishments, I felt it was about time for a review.

Location
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The hotel is the only hotel linked directly to Gatwick Airport's South Terminal. The North Terminal has a Sofitel (previously the Le Meridian). However do not think that you can reach the hotel without feeling the elements as the walkway passes over the passenger dropping off point and is exposed on each side. You are however covered overhead. The walk to the hotel is nothing special as you jostle with other travelers around the airport.

It is about a five-minute walk from the South Terminal and can be reached from the North Terminal via the complementary airport shuttle in about ten minutes depending on how frequent the shuttle is.

Gatwick Airport also has a train station and you can be in London in about 30 minutes via the Gatwick Express (£13 single and £24 return).

The hotel does have on site parking and some of the deals available include 15 days parking in the price, however this parking is not at the hotel but some 8 minutes drive away.

Arrival
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After a none too auspicious walk to the hotel the entrance to the hotel opens onto a huge atrium, which was bustling with people at that time of night. It is a handy meeting point in the hotel and is a fantastic place to sit and 'people watch'. In the daytime this heart of the hotel is flooded with natural light.

The reception is located to the left of the atrium and whilst looking huge I rarely see more than a couple of receptionists there at any one time. That being said I have never encountered any significant delays whilst checking in. Check in is from 3pm but they will be more than happy to store your luggage for you until your room is ready. They may also be able to check you in earlier than 3pm but this is subject to your room being ready, it is always worth telephoning in advance to find out if they can accommodate you.

If you are booking an Executive room or Suite you have a private check in on the fourth floor (see later)

For many of the receptionists English not their native language but they do not have a problem with English, they are in the main cheerful and helpful.

Accommodation
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The hotel six types of room and I have stayed in every type over the years!!

All rooms offer High-Speed internet access, soundproofed windows, air conditioning, hair dryer, tea and coffee making facilities, TV with arrivals and departure information, on demand movies, play station, desk and trouser press.

One point to note is that in all rooms except the suites the windows are floor to ceiling but only cover half of the external wall. When checking in ask the receptionist for a room which faces outwards, or you run the risk of looking down into the rather busy atrium.

Hilton Rooms. These are the most basic on offer, but still offer a high standard of facilities. The bathrooms have a bath and overhead shower and a selection of Hilton toiletries. I have to say that the furnishings in dark colours can make the rooms feel very dark and miserable, but if you simply want a base for the night this is a small complaint.

Family Rooms. These can sleep up to five people and also include a four-seater table and chairs. A nice touch is blackout curtains enabling you to get the little ones off to sleep no matter what the time of day is.

Deluxe Rooms. These are located in the new Executive wing of the hotel, which was completed in 2003. As well as all the standard features you also get a chaise longue to recline on, a wide screen TV and the bathroom has a separate walk in shower and designer toiletries. These rooms have much better furnishings than the Hilton rooms and feel light and airy.

Executive Rooms. This was the type of room I most recently stayed in, and fully intend to always book in future. The main benefit of this is the access to the Executive lounge, which I will cover next. The rooms are similar to the Deluxe rooms, being located in the new wing and include complementary bathrobe and slippers.

Relaxation Rooms. I had never come across this concept before but these rooms are fantastic. They too are in the new wing and are furnished in soft creams and beiges. They include a desk with large leather chair and a very big working area. You also have the added benefit of a Bose music system. The bathroom includes a Jacuzzi bath and a TV inset into the wall! These rooms include access to the Executive Lounge.

Suites. The hotel has a number of suites, which have a large lounge area with a dining table and full windows from which you can watch the planes landing/taking off. They are pricy but if it is a special occasion - why not treat yourself?

Executive Lounge
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Access to the Executive Lounge is restricted to those guests staying in both Executive and Relaxation rooms and Suites.

It is located on the fourth floor, quite some walk from the entrance to the hotel so if you have a large amount of luggage consider asking at the main reception for a porter to take it for you.

I am always highly amused on my walk to the lounge to take part in a game I have affectionately called 'bed spotting'. On every visit to the hotel, at some point on the walk to the lounge I spy a stray camp bed, it does move so you might be surprised at where it will turn up.

Anyway back to the lounge. With access to the lounge you can check in and out in privacy, relax with pre-dinner drinks and canapés and enjoy a complementary continental breakfast.

A wide range of international newspapers and magazines are available along with three computers with printers.

Dining
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The hotel has two dining options, in addition to room service.

Amy's Restaurant is open from 11am to 11pm and is an American themed restaurant serving traditional American food such as hamburgers. Dress code here is relaxed and children are made very welcome with a special kids menu and with crayons to keep them busy! This looked to be a favourite with families but to my mind the prices are a little steep.

The Garden Restaurant is the other dining option in the Hotel and this is where breakfast is served from 6am to 10.30am. The style is very much like a conservatory with wicker chairs and is does have a smart casual dress code. Children are welcome but they do not offer a children's menu. In the evening it is open from 8.30pm - 10.30pm.The food served here ranges from traditional roasts buffet style to a la carte Mediterranean dishes.

Lobby Bar. The hotel bar, which is open 24 hours a day, is pricy.

If you want to avoid paying the high prices in the hotel, you can take a short walk to the South terminal and sample the various restaurants you will find in 'The Village' on the upper levels.

Alternatively both the North and South Terminals have an on site convenience store selling a wide range of snacks.

Many of the dishes served in the two hotel restaurants are also available on room service. I found this to be a pleasant option as it allowed me to relax in the room with good food and watch the world go by! Service is quick and the food excellent where ever you decide to dine.

Fitness Services
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The hotel has a Livingwell Express Gym located right in the entrance lobby, a ridiculous place in my mind as not everyone wants to be stared at as the exercise, unless of course you have the perfect body already! The gym contains all the standard exercise equipment.

The cost
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When considering the price do bear in mind you are paying for the convenience of the location and, to my mind, first class service and wonderful rooms.

Prices are per night and vat is included.

Hilton guest room: £145.00
+ 15 days parking: £205.38
+ 8 days parking: £185.38

Family guest room: £195.00
+ 15 days parking: £264.12
+ 8 days parking: £244.12

Deluxe guest room: £170.00
+ 15 days parking: £234.75
+ 7 days parking: £214.75

Executive guest room: £195.00
+ 15 days parking: £264.12
+ 7 days parking: £244.12

For the prices on Suites and Relaxation rooms you must contact the Hotel direct.

Do bear in mind these are fully flexible rates and cheaper special offers are always available.

Frequent flyer miles are also awarded on many of the major airlines programmes.