Hotel and parking

[Danielle87]

Hi we are flying from Gatwick which we have never done before. So we are needing to book hotel and parking which is also new to us. Hotel and parking recommendations would be great thank you. We are flying from south terminal.

[dannybegood]

google/search?sour...63.nirdyxjQSAU


Take your pick.

Bloc is supposed to be good.

[itsmeGAV]

For our last 3 trips out of Gatwick we've used BLOC, the hotel is in the South terminal and they offer great prices with the room + parking, plus dependent of room you can watch the planes taxiing and taking off, it's really fun!

Parking provided is purple parking meaning you drop your car off in short stay purple and collect in short stay red, a lot of people don't like the idea of leaving their key with them, but for all 3 of the stays/bookings we have had zero issues as the car is driven to a long stay car park onsite which is not even a mile away.

There are of course many other options.. Sofitel, Premier Inn, Travelodge etc, but we love the BLOC so always recommend it first

[mick]

First of all don't make a decision on hotel based on the terminal. Both sides are couple of minutes ride on the free monorail.

If you shop at Tesco you can stay "free" using Tesco Deals. Not really free of course as at £3/£1 you'll "pay" the equivalent highest rack rate. Typically for us its around £135 for B&B = £45 in Deals.

If I'm paying with my own real money I've never beaten cost-wise the Premier Inn just over the road from the north terminal. Excellent Meal Deal as well

Because of age and mobility issues we always park at one of the official multi-storey ones attached to both terminals. Can't face lugging cases onto shuttle buses to go to distant car parks. We use valet parking and car is usually on same level as arrivals.

We've often flown and parked at north but stayed in hotel on south - and vice versa.

Mick

[NewtoOrlando]

We’ve booked the Hilton south terminal (usually fly from Heathrow so never booked a hotel before either) and got a really good deal through my emergency services discount. Did consider the Bloc but was more expensive and the Hilton included breakfast. Parking wise I would book on of the onsite parking where you self park and keep your keys. My husband is a police officer near Heathrow and is very anti parking anywhere that they take your keys!

[Mr Tom Morrow]

For over 10 years we stayed in The Arora in Crawley. Still a lovely hotel but the food is getting more and more expensive so we ditched it.

I agree with Mick & Joan - the PI at the North. Great location, good value food and book early for a good price.

The car I have taken away by Maple Meet & Greet. Used them for donkeys years. 10% off if you sign up.

[mick]

Originally Posted by NewtoOrlando

Parking wise I would book on of the onsite parking where you self park and keep your keys. My husband is a police officer near Heathrow and is very anti parking anywhere that they take your keys!

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I can understand your concerns with all the recent bad press about rogue operators leaving cars on industrial estates or residential streets.

The official LGW parking keeps the car within a fenced compound on the actual airport site. After using it maybe 5 or 6 times and checking the odometer reading every time I have no reason to doubt them.

Mick

[itsmeGAV]

Originally Posted by mick

I can understand your concerns with all the recent bad press about rogue operators leaving cars on industrial estates or residential streets.

The official LGW parking keeps the car within a fenced compound on the actual airport site. After using it maybe 5 or 6 times and checking the odometer reading every time I have no reason to doubt them.

Mick

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I'll second this.

I actually watched back on my dashcam to find they use the long stay fenced carpark which is under the flight path for 26L. Under 500m away, never once had an issue with leaving my key, plus your car will be waiting for you when you arrive.

[NewtoOrlando]

Originally Posted by mick

I can understand your concerns with all the recent bad press about rogue operators leaving cars on industrial estates or residential streets.

The official LGW parking keeps the car within a fenced compound on the actual airport site. After using it maybe 5 or 6 times and checking the odometer reading every time I have no reason to doubt them.

Mick

See more...

Originally Posted by itsmeGAV

I'll second this.

I actually watched back on my dashcam to find they use the long stay fenced carpark which is under the flight path for 26L. Under 500m away, never once had an issue with leaving my key, plus your car will be waiting for you when you arrive.

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It's not so much the bad press, he's actually dealt with calls where this has happened so that's the reason why he wont do it. His car is his baby lol. Luckily we live 15 mins from Heathrow so don't have to park the car and get lifts if going from LGW so don't have to worry Not saying it happens a lot or all the time but he deals with it often enough to make him nervy about giving his keys to a stranger.

[Danielle87]

Thank you for all the information. Am going to look in to the Tesco discounts and also the nhs as I didnt no they had a discount. Also the information with what side to stay as it doesn’t matter which is great. My husband wouldn’t leave his keys with anyone also as his car is his baby lol thanks again