Airport hotels / online check in etc etc

[Daysleeper40]

I'm CONFUSED!!

Hopefully you well seasoned travellers will be able to help me...

We (bf and I) are getting the VS027 on 17/09/07. We have pre-booked our seats on the manage your flights website malarky but obviously these are still not gaurateed. We don't live far from Gatwick but will have to get the train so are now thinking we will go on the sunday and stay overnight to save any rushing/worry on the morning of the flight.

So I have a few questions -

- should we still check in online or just turn up uber early?
- Can you print your own boarding cards at any point before leaving for the airport and do you have to check in online as well before doing this? Everyone always says they do this the night before but can it be the whole day before as we will be leaving at about 3pm on 16/09.
- Can anyone recomment a good hotel with transfers too and from the airport? (we will still have to get train to the hotel and then from hotel to airport in the morning)
- Should I just pay a bit extra and book the Hilton for a hassle free life?

Basically - what is the best/easiest way of checking in etc if you would be leaving home the day before your flight at about 3pm and then staying at a hotel ovenight?

I know I probably sound like a plonker but I just want to get everything straight in my head before I start booking hotels / train tickets etc

 

[Claire L]

I would use Twilight checkin if I were you and also consider the Sofitel at the North Terminal as it is so easy to get to from the South Terminal

Claire

 

[Daysleeper40]

Thankyou - I hadn't even thought of twilight check in and I will definately have a look at that hotel. Have you stayed there before?

(btw I have figued out that you can do online checkin 24hrs in advance - I obviously missed that glaring fact when I was looking before!!)

 

[Claire L]

Used the Sofitel back in the 90's when it was Forte Crest, but have heard good reviews recently since it became Sofitel. I have heard Hilton is not so nice compared to Sofitel.

Claire

 

[Disney owl]

Sorry don't know about on-line booking but we did twi-light checkin before our flight to Las Vegas in February. It was so easy & the queues the next morning were HUGE!

We stayed at the Sofiotel & it was great would def stay there again. We booked with Holiday extras & it came out a lot cheaper than the Hilton. Being in the other terminal was NO problem we just used the free train that connects the 2 terminals.

We live over 4 hours away from Gatwick but even when we fly from Manchester we stay the night before. It starts your holiday a day early & no worries about traffic etc.

 

[Daysleeper40]

That's what we thought as well Disney Owl - I'd rather not have any fuss on the morning of the flight and you just never know with traffic/trains being delayed etc!

I have had a look at the Sofitel and it looks great but I have it coming up at exactly the same price as the Hilton (£105 for 1 night, double room) on Holiday Extra's and much more if you book with the hotel direct. The Hilton is coming up £105 on their own site. Hope you don't mind me asking but how much did you pay?

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I would do on line checkin 24 hours before the flight, then after checking in online, print your own boarding cards.
next morning just go to the bag drop on through to departure lounge.