Gatwick Hilton VS Gatwick Sofitel

[PaulaSB12]

Which would be the nicer hotel? I am flying out on 8th September and want a room for one person without parking. So which is nicer and which has the nicer room service?

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Haven't stayed at the Gatwick Hilton, so can't compare. But have stayed at the Gatwick Sofitel three times (most recently October 2006) and think it is a nice hotel. Didn't have room service (or any other food at the hotel), so can't comment on that. To be honest, I try to avoid room service at hotels - have eaten it at various hotels in the past: it is often not too great - you are generally better taking a book down to the hotel restaurant and eating the food, fresh, there...

Boo

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Stayed at both.
well, when the Sofitel was Le meridian, it was OK.
So we tried the Hilton and up to this year have used that. Purely for the short walk to the check in instead of the shuttle to check in.
However we were unimpressed this year with the Hilton, the extension is more Travelodge than Hilton quality, so we have booked the Sofitel for this December.
We have also joined their frequent user club as you get an upgrade on your room, so we shall see what its like

 

[gavvy]

I somehow got a free Hilton hhonors gold card through virgin and that gives me a free upgrade to an exective room, the standard rooms are in my opinon poor for the price your paying, its def not a 4* hotel more like a 3 with 4* prices.

Its just the location your paying for, nothing esle, as long as you keep that in mind you wont be disappointed.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

We have also joined their frequent user club as you get an upgrade on your room, so we shall see what its like

Did you book directly with the hotel?

Boo

 

[Boss Hogg]

We've stayed at both, admittedly not at the Hilton for a while. Personally I feel that the Sofitel is worth the little extra "walk" for a nicer environment.

Have not had room service at either, so cannot help with that I am afraid. Food is quite nice, if a little expensive at Sofitel, and as someone said yoy are ultimately paying for the location and ease in the morning.

 

[kristieuk]

Did you book directly with the hotel?

Boo

To get the card, you just join on the Sofitel website. You can produce your card at check-in for your room upgrade, but obviously, they will then only upgrade you if they have the rooms available. If you book directly with the hotel, you input your Privilege Card number when you book.

You also get a voucher for a free drink, plus fruit and water in the room, and you also earn points which you can save up for a free stay.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

To get the card, you just join on the Sofitel website. You can produce your card at check-in for your room upgrade, but obviously, they will then only upgrade you if they have the rooms available. If you book directly with the hotel, you input your Privilege Card number when you book.

You also get a voucher for a free drink, plus fruit and water in the room, and you also earn points which you can save up for a free stay.

Thanks, I have a Sofitel Provilege card.

I was just asking Obi if he booked directly with the hotel or some other agent.

Boo

 

[jockey]

I much prefer the Sofitel, I think it has a nicer atmosphere. The Hilton location is great as it is walking distance and the rooms are ok. We got is free last trip as we used Tesco clubcard deals, it cost approx £40 clubcard vouchers and we got breakfast

 

[mark&sue]

I like them both. We use Sofitel if flying BA and Hilton if flying Virgin.

I am obsessively organised in that way!



Susan

 

[kristieuk]

Thanks, I have a Sofitel Provilege card.

I was just asking Obi if he booked directly with the hotel or some other agent.

Boo

Sorry Boo

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Sorry Boo

That's okay - you were being really helpful, thank you (and I am sure it will prove useful to others )

Boo

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Thanks, I have a Sofitel Provilege card.

I was just asking Obi if he booked directly with the hotel or some other agent.

Boo

Sorry boo, I have been out buying a new car.
yes we booked directly on Sofitel's web site with 15 day car parking as well.
see here
http://www.sofitel.com/sofitel/fichehotel/gb/sof/6204/fiche_hotel.shtml

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Sorry boo, I have been out buying a new car.
yes we booked directly on Sofitel's web site with 15 day car parking as well.
see here
http://www.sofitel.com/sofitel/fichehotel/gb/sof/6204/fiche_hotel.shtml

Thanks Obi - what did you get? Sounds exciting . Husband said that he thought I ought to have a better car today... still MIGHT be a while...

Thanks for answering my question. I asked because last time I booked the Sofitel, I booked through Holiday Extras (www.holidayextras.co.uk). I spoke to the hotel manager about the gym facilities at the hotel (the gym was being refurblished at the time) and also asked him to add my Sofitel frequent user club to the reservation. He said that he would, but that I wouldn't get any of the "benefits" because the booking was not directly with the hotel chain (but through Holiday Extras).

You don't plan to stay there until December 2007? Shame, was going to ask you about your experience, but we need a park and stay package for September 2007. Will look into the price difference of booking directly with the hotel - I like the Sofitel.

In case it is help for anyone else, a lot of "Gatwick Regulars" that I know swear on the Gatwick Holiday Inn - it is supposed to be good and very good value. However, I am always seduced by the convenience of the Sofitel... nowdays we fly BA (who are based in the North Terminal), but even when we flew Virgin we liked the Sofitel (walking to the North Terminal and catching the monorail to the South Terminal was no bother...).

Thanks again Obi - will look into your suggestion

Boo

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Hi Boo,

I had a look at the firms such as Holiday extras, APH & FHR, but none of them had the Sofitel plus car parking, It was only when I checked their own web site that I found the package.
We like the conveininece of the airport connected hotels, both for the c9loesness plus the not hanging around when we come back (We could get the Virgin Limo, but I always want to be there the night before, I had a horrendous five hour delay one year getting to the airport, never again)

Yes, due to work commitments, only one more trip this year for vacation to the uSA I am afraid. :-(

I looked at a Jaguar and a Mercedes E class today, very nice, but I let my head rule my heart and bought a Mitsubishi Shogun instead, very nice and comfortable.
Shoould pick it up on Tuesday

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Thanks Obi

That is odd, have never had problems finding availability at the Sofitel (with parking) with holidayextras... Still look at holidayextras, at the moment, it is more expensive than normal for our dates. Don't need to book yet, so will wait for a while. Booking through Sofitel directly does look attractive at the moment though...

Mitsubishi Shogun? That looks like a monster machine, not a car . I imagine that it is fun to drive (not sure I would enjoy parking it though!). Have fun with your new car

Boo

 

[Disney owl]

Stayed at Sofiotel this month & we were impressed. Would stay there again. But didn't use room service. Staff very helpful. Sorry haven't stayed at the Hilton so can't compare.

We booked through Holiday extras a package with parking. Much chaeaper than the hotel web site & we had valet parking which was great. Sofiotel was £50 cheaper than the Hilton so that swung our vote!

 

[PChef]

Stayed at the Gatwick Hilton on 31 Jan, booked a package with parking via Holidayextras. We had a family room with bunkbeds, all very nice, no problems. Our stay included a half-price breakfast, and this was a buffet in the Garden restaurant - we thought this was superb, lots of choice and very fresh food. Much more relaxing than joining the fray at the airport!

 

[UKDEB]

It's quite a while since we stayed at the Hilton and I don't know if it has been through a refurb in the last few years, but I wouldn't rush to go back. The rooms weren't befitting of what is supposed to be a relatively upmarket hotel chain and the restaurant was a poor imitation of a TGI-style eatery (similar standard to those in the airport itself). Of course, things may have changed since we were there.

The Sofitel has a more upscale feel to it. It's modern and reasonably smart and is coming to the end of a complete refurbishment. It has a nice bar area and 3 half decent restaurants - a Ken Hom offering, a brasserie, and a swanky one. Oh, and a small sports bar overlooking the lobby on an upper level. Many of the rooms face inwards and also overlook the lobby.

Both are expensive - as others have said, you're paying for location - but we've been able to get the Sofitel using airmiles both times we've stayed there.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Thanks Obi

That is odd, have never had problems finding availability at the Sofitel (with parking) with holidayextras... Still look at holidayextras, at the moment, it is more expensive than normal for our dates. Don't need to book yet, so will wait for a while. Booking through Sofitel directly does look attractive at the moment though...

Mitsubishi Shogun? That looks like a monster machine, not a car . I imagine that it is fun to drive (not sure I would enjoy parking it though!). Have fun with your new car

Boo

yes, I could book hotel room but no car parking package at the Sofitel, it was only when I went direct that I got the package.

Looking forward to playing in my new car, nice automatic. come on up there, make itr snow hard!