Sofitel Gatwick

[PaulaSB12]

Just booked in for a week saturday at the Sofitel, tell me its a nice hotel please!

 

[Kevin Stringer]

Paula, it is indeed a nice hotel.
We have stayed there several times and prefer it to the Hilton. The only down side is that the food in the restaurants is not particularly cheap, although it is quite nice.
The bar is quite expensive as well. Otherwise, it's quite nicely laid out with a huge atrium. I'm not sure if the pool and health club are open as I know it is closing soon for renovation.

Kev

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Paula, it is indeed a nice hotel.
We have stayed there several times and prefer it to the Hilton. The only down side is that the food in the restaurants is not particularly cheap, although it is quite nice.
The bar is quite expensive as well. Otherwise, it's quite nicely laid out with a huge atrium. I'm not sure if the pool and health club are open as I know it is closing soon for renovation.

Kev

Hi Paula

I would back up Kevin here... it IS a nice hotel and very convenient (you can walk to the North Terminal and the North Terminal is connected to the South Temrinal by monorail). Which airline are you flying Paula?

Have stayed there two or three times, but not for maybe three years or so - very much enjoyed our stay then.

I don't care for most hotel breakfasts in this country - VERY overpriced and often fairly average on quality. My tip is to get breakfast from MacDonalds (am not a fan EXCEPT for breakfast) from the North Terminal. Last time husband wne to get breakfast whilst i used the hotel gym...

They are currently on a renovation program. Not sure if all rooms have bene renovated yet or not - probably worth requesting a renovated room though...

We are booked in there in about 4 weeks time. I asked about the gym and pool last week and was told that they have a "restricted gym" open at the moment (so not very big!). No pool at the moment, but that shouldn't be too much of a hardship.

Good choice
Boo

 

[gilld]

MUCH nicer than the Hilton and only a very short tram ride away if you fly from the South Terminal.

 

[Ware Bears]

We stayed here last time and were happy with it so we've booked it again. We used the tram to get to the south terminal, it was very pleasant to get some fresh air before we flew!

 

[UKDEB]

We've stayed there twice (once when it was Le Meridien and once since Sofitel took over). We're booked to stay there again in October and each time we've been able to use Airmiles, so it hasn't cost us anything.

There are more restaurant choices now and they're better, IMHO. There's a very smart option, a casual one and a Ken Hom offering. When we stayed there in April this year, we didn't have a refurbished room, but it was fine.

My booking confirmation contains the following information (although it clearly isn't newly written):

Phase two of renovations is about to start. This will involve a £6 million refurbishment of all bedrooms, new arrivals lounges and new gym and pool facilities. As a result of this project, the hotel will be closing their gym and pool facilities from 1st April, 2006. These facilities will be closed for the foreseeable future and once re-opened, we will advise you.

 

[fizz13]

Stayed there last month before my holiday and I was very impressed. Beautiful as you walk in, good service, and very comfy bed, too comfy actually Be careful of buying a drink at the bar, as others have said it is London expensive. Would definately stay here again though

 

[PaulaSB12]

Flying with Virgin atlantic, I was thinking of going over to gatwick to eat at Frank & Bennys for dinner.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Phase two of renovations is about to start. This will involve a £6 million refurbishment of all bedrooms, new arrivals lounges and new gym and pool facilities. As a result of this project, the hotel will be closing their gym and pool facilities from 1st April, 2006. These facilities will be closed for the foreseeable future and once re-opened, we will advise you.

Definitely a "restricted gym" open now - according to the reception manager. But I doubt that there are many people CRAZY enough (apart from me) to use it before a long flight... (still, one way to ward off DVT... )

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Flying with Virgin atlantic, I was thinking of going over to gatwick to eat at Frank & Bennys for dinner.

The Sofitel is in the North Terminal. Virgin are in the South Terminal. Both terminals are connected by a very frequent running, quick, quite fun little mono-rail.

Yes, there is a Frakie and Bennys (and a Pizza Express next to it) in the public area of the South Terminal. There should be no trouble getting there for a bit of dinner (not sure what time the restaurants close though). It is actually quite fun to explore an airport by night.

There is also a Garfunkels in the main public bit of the North Terminal - don't know whether that is any good...

Boo

 

[gilld]

Flying with Virgin atlantic, I was thinking of going over to gatwick to eat at Frank & Bennys for dinner.

We had sandwiches in the bar at the Sofitel, as we were late arriving there after work.

2 x sandwiches and 2 x cokes = over £30!!!! So yes, I'd pop over to the airport and get something I never mind paying for things but that was ridiculous.