Le Meridien Gatwick "rebranded"

[Mrs Dazzle]

Just had a letter this morning from ABC Holiday Extras to advise that Le Meridien at Gatwick "has been rebranded to the Aurora Gatwick Airport"

Doesn't sound quite so nice as Le Meridien, so let's hope the hotel is still ok for our stay next Sunday evening

 

[chunkster20uk]

I would double check this, just to be on the safe side.

Here is the le meridien website:-

http://gatwick.lemeridien.com/

When I checked on ABC Holiday Extras they didn't show le meridien, and the only Arora is in Crawley itself.

I wasn't going to post incase I caused unnecessary worry, but thought I had better.

 

[wilma-bride]

Sorry but I am sure the Arora and Le Meridien are two separate hotels. Le Meridien is attached to North Terminal and the Arora is in Crawley town centre.

If I were you I would seek clarification Mrs Dazzle

 

[kristieuk]

I have the exact same letter delivered today. It reads:

'Thank you for booking your overnight stay with Holiday Extras, I am writing to inform you of a change of name to the hotel you have booked.

The hotel formerly known as Le Meridien Gatwick has been re-branded as the Arora Gatwick Airport and the signage has been changed accordingly'.

I must say I was surprised to read it, but haven't looked into it any further yet. The name does ring a bell of an off site hotel, but the letter is specifically referring to the Le Meridien.

Hmmm....will investigate further.

 

[kristieuk]

Yes, have done a quick internet search, and all 'Arora Gatwick' results relate to the hotel in Crawley, and the Le Meridien site still has the Gatwick hotel listed. A bit of a mystery - unless the Arora is part of a chain who have suddenly bought the Le Meridien and the websites have not caught up?

Will continue to try to solve the mystery....

 

[wilma-bride]

Don't know if this helps at all - can't quite make out where it is from the map but Virgin are definitely referring to it as The Arora International London Gatwick

http://www.virginholidays.co.uk/air...rnational_london_gatwick_london_gatwick.shtml

 

[kristieuk]

Phew....have checked out the situation and yes, the Le Meridien Gatwick has been sold to the Accor hotel group (Sofitel, Mercure, Novotel etc.) The name of the hotel will become either Sofitel Arora or Arora Gatwick Sofitel or something not yet decided. This isn't likely to take place for another 2 - 3 months, which is why the current branding and ability to book through Le Meridien hasn't altered.

Apparently, all bookings made are absolutely fine, and if you go in the next couple of months, nothing is likely to have changed - if you go after that, there will be new signage then.

In my experience, Sofitel hotels are very good, so hopefully the quality won't alter at all.

 

[wilma-bride]

OK, so now that's sorted can someone please let me know what it was like (pref in the next few weeks) as I need to book a hotel at Gatwick for September.

Thanks

 

[kristieuk]

It's a really nice hotel, perfect position for loads of shops and restaurants, and there is no airport shuttle to worry about in the morning before your flight. We check in if we haven't done so the night before, and then wander back to the hotel for breakfast and check out.

 

[TraceyL]

Arora Gatwick Airport

Arora Gatwick Airport
North Terminal Gatwick Airport,
West Sussex RH6 0PH.
Directions: M23 J9,follow signs for Gatwick Airport.At 1st roundabout go straight on,at nextroundabout follow signs for North Term.

Distance to:
Station: Connected to S.Terminal Via Monorail. Town Centre: 0.5 miles. Airport: 1 min walk to N.Terminal
.....

Sales message:

THis hotel was formerly known as Le Meridien

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Thanks for looking into this, everyone. I had just sat down to do exactly that

We shall soon find out, as long as they've got my reservation and the hotel does what it says it should on the tin then it'll be ok. Just don't send me any more panics, please