Reviewed: Sofitel Gatwick airport hotel
I love low-cost airlines, I really do. Without them, I doubt I’d see as much of the world as I’d like, especially now I’m paying for Minnie’s plane ticket as well.
The drawback with our trip to Lanzarote? A 7.40am departure time which meant getting up at about 3.30am, waking up my toddler, and hopping into the car to drive sleepily around the M25. Or staying in an airport hotel.
review post/contains affiliate links*
Pre-baby, I suspect I’d have got round the problem by booking a taxi and trying to doze on the journey. Now, the focus is firmly on stress-free (or stress reduction, at least) – and as I crawled wearily out of bed at 5am to face security, heavy bags and a four-hour flight, I was very glad I only had a few minutes walk across to the North Terminal.
The Sofitel London Gatwick Airport hotel is one of only two actually on site at the North terminal – there are others at the South terminal and within a short journey from the airport but the key for me was to have stumbling distance. Literally.
I knew I’d be tired and tetchy. I knew Minnie would be tired and therefore more likely to try my remaining patience. I knew my suitcase was so full we’d broken a zip to close it and I’d had to buy an extra 3kg weight, even after cramming as much into hand luggage as possible. So with a buggy too, I’d be outpaced by energetic snails.
Sometimes a night in a hotel really is worth every penny – especially when you get an unexpected upgrade to a superior room.
But I think the Sofitel has that side cracked anyway. I suspect most people do something similar to me – check in, maybe grab a bite to eat (the choice of three restaurants includes French, Oriental and a cafe plus 24-hour room service), settle down to sleep, then leave first thing to catch their flight or head home.
As I was keen (desperate/frantic) for Minnie to get a reasonable night’s sleep, I headed straight to the spacious room, popped her directly into the cot which was, thankfully, already set up, grabbed a drink, took some very quick photos and prepared for an early night.
So unlike most hotels, where I’d be thoroughly checking out all the facilities, I made the most of the free wifi, eyed up the White Company toiletries in the bathroom and curled up among the pillows in the enormous comfy bed.
I know it was enormous because when Minnie woke up and demanded to crawl in with me, there was plenty of room to sleep without too much flailing of wriggly toddler limbs.
With a wake-up call as booked and express check-out (and very smily reception staff first thing), all I had to do was fall out of the bed, throw some clothes on and stumble across the walkway to check-in, just minutes away.
Sofitel Gatwick airport: Need to know
Rooms start from around £130 per night, plus there are park and fly packages (check out APH or Holiday Extras).
The value to my blood pressure? Immeasurable. Next time, I’ll check in even earlier.
If you’re flying from Stansted airport, check out my review of the Radisson Blu Stansted airport
Disclosure: I received a discount on the full price of my stay, for the purposes of this Sofitel Gatwick review. All opinions remain my own. Contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission.
Images: room shot and toiletries copyright MummyTravels, all others courtesy Sofitel
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