Double kick-in-the-teeth for Sofitel guests!

[oceanscape]

Not only is the monorail linking the North and South terminals not running any more (intermittent and unreliable bus service in operation...), but also the tunnel from the Sofitel to the North Terminal itself is ALSO closed (until July 2010!). The only access to the North Terminal is through the car park and across two busy and dangerous roads.

NOT impressed! If you haven't booked yet, go for the Hilton IMHO.......

 

[jen_uk]

When we stayed there last month we had to walk through the car park, cross roads and go up and down escalators/lifts etc Bit of a pain but still happy because of the runway view from the room

 

[OrlandoMagic]

Regarding the terminal transfers, this is from the Gatwick website...

Temporary bus shuttle service between terminals

A new inter-terminal transit system at Gatwick is being installed as part of the airport's £1 billion investment programme. From 28 September 2009 until May 2010, a replacement bus service will operate between Gatwick's North and South Terminals. The service will run every three minutes during the day (04.00 to 18.00) and every six minutes at night. Please allow 20 minutes to transfer between terminals during this period. As the transit stations will be closed, access between South Terminal and local buses will be via alternative routes.

Important

In advance of the transit being taken out of servce, a number of trials will take place during September. Therefore on the following dates all terminal transfers at Gatwick will be by bus:

Saturday 12 September 0400 to 1600
Sunday 13 September 0400 to 1600
Tuesday 15 September - closed all day. Repoens Wednesday 16 September 0400
Thursday 17 September - closed all day. Reopens Friday 17 September 0400
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September - closed. Reopens Monday 21 September 0400
Tuesday 22 September to Thursday 24 September - closed. Reopens Friday 25 September 0400.

From Monday 28 September, the transit will be fully closed until May 2010 when the first of the new shuttles comes into service, followed by the second at the end of July. The new shuttle service will be fully operational at the beginning of August 2010.

 

[Ware Bears]

What a pain.

Thanks to the DIS (sorry, I can't remember who posted it on here) we found out about the monorail closing and cancelled our room at the Sofitel and booked the Hilton. Even after paying a cancellation fee of £15 we still made on it so were very relieved.

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

I'm glad we were able to use the monorail in August, although we didn't find it too much of a problem not having the walkway. It would be different if we had kids, I expect.

We would probably still go for the Sofitel even without the monorail, simply because we felt it was a superior quality of room and hotel for the price we paid, compared with our stay at the Hilton.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

What a pain.

Thanks to the DIS (sorry, I can't remember who posted it on here) we found out about the monorail closing and cancelled our room at the Sofitel and booked the Hilton. Even after paying a cancellation fee of £15 we still made on it so were very relieved.

your'e welcome

We did the same and are now esconsed in the Hilton

 

[suzycute]

we check in to the Sofitel tomorrow - not sure whether to or

 

[madmumof2]

I'm staying at the sofitel in 3 weeks. Gutted about the monorail but I still much prefer the look and design over the hilton so I'm not cancelling. The walk way doesn't effect us anyway as we're flying from the south terminal.

So what exactly do I need to do without crossing loads of busy roads, as I'm on my own with 2 young children, as well as our cases! lol

Is there a bus straight outside the sofitel that will take you straight to the south terminal? I'm assuming this is all free too?

 

[oceanscape]

I just called and canceled our other trip too. We are now staying at The Hilton. Much happier with this, especially since the rooms have just been refurbished (they look very nice) and there is the direct walkway to the South Terminal.

The walk way doesn't effect us anyway as we're flying from the south terminal.

It does affect you because you need to get to the North Terminal in order to get the bus service to the South Terminal. There is no direct bus from the Sofitel. You can't get out of crossing the busy roads (unless you get a cab, I suppose).

 

[madmumof2]

It does affect you because you need to get to the North Terminal in order to get the bus service to the South Terminal. There is no direct bus from the Sofitel. You can't get out of crossing the busy roads (unless you get a cab, I suppose).

Ahh, didn't know that! I might have to reconsider cancelling then, as much as I love the look of the Sofitel. It's only one night, I could stay in the Hilton I suppose if it meant not dragging my children across dangerous roads. :S

 

[oceanscape]

Ahh, didn't know that! I might have to reconsider cancelling then, as much as I love the look of the Sofitel. It's only one night, I could stay in the Hilton I suppose if it meant not dragging my children across dangerous roads. :S

If you really want to stay in the Sofitel, double check there isn't a direct bus before you cancel. The woman I spoke to said there wasn't but, to be honest, she sounded like she didn't have a clue!

 

[madmumof2]

I've just rang up the Sofitel after looking at the Hilton website and not liking it at all, and she said something like only half the walkway was closed? I asked what I had to do to get to the south terminal and she said you'll still be able to use the walk way, then get the bus from there.

Not sure if she knows what she's talking about or not but I'll ask again when I get there. )

 

[iluvpluto27]

I've just rang up the Sofitel after looking at the Hilton website and not liking it at all, and she said something like only half the walkway was closed? I asked what I had to do to get to the south terminal and she said you'll still be able to use the walk way, then get the bus from there.

Not sure if she knows what she's talking about or not but I'll ask again when I get there. )

I'm at the sofitel right now and although I was worried about the bridge being shut it really is not bad going round the long way.
Although the roads are reasonably busy at peak times there are proper crossings so it's not like you're having to run across between cars.

The monorail was running today but is apparantly closed tomorrow so hoping the bus will be ok. Even given the inconvenience I would still stay here over the Hilton ( have stayed there twice before and just prefer the rooms at the sofitel)

 

[wdw_adict]

Was just coming on to post about the monorail running today but have been beaten to it!

Anyway the walkway been closed is fine tbh bit annoying as it doubles the length of the walk but ok.

Anyway we are going to enjoy the rest of our evening at the Sofitel and I will post from WDW later in the week

 

[PaulaSB12]

Anybody else cancel and book with the Yotel instead?

 

[LeCras]

We're having dinner at Sofitel's Gatwich Oriental on Friday. If the monorail isn't running I guess we'll just burn off a few extra calories on our way back to the Hilton! Wouldn't want to stay there if it meant carting luggage around unneccesarily in the morning though.

Lazy? You bet! LOL!

Charlotte