Can anyone recommend an economical hotel in London for two younger adults (32 years old) who have a one day layover both ways in between flights to and from Santorini? My daughter and her husband have gambled on round trip flights from Seattle to London Gatwick on Norwegian Air (fingers crossed) for a week in Greece family vacation in early June. It would be great if Gatwick was easily accessible from the hotel. Many thanks!
Posted by
TX
980 posts
There are several economical hotels (around 70£/night) at Gatwick itself. Premier Inn, Hampton, HIlton, Bloc, etc. I recommend staying there rather than in the city as you will have to factor the cost of transport into London on top of a hotel in the city.
DJ
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
If they want to use the Gatwick Express from Gatwick into London (and return), it goes to Victoria Station. While not cheap, they could get rooms at the Grosvenor Hotel. It is actually inside the station (well, one entrance is inside it). We stayed there many times, but that was quite a few years ago. There are plenty of places to eat from fast food to pubs and restaurants either inside the station or just outside. There are even shops and grocery stores (they could pick up snacks, drinks, etc. to take back to their rooms). If the timing is right, they could even attend the theatre ( there is one just a block away, not sure what is playing there right now). Or they could walk around (Buckingham Palace is not too far away). If the Grosvenor is to costly for their budget, there are plenty of other hotels nearby (I think several of Rick's recommendations are close- Maybe the Lime Tree?????)
Posted by
Freedonia
14980 posts
Do you mean one night layover or two nights and a full day. If one night how much time between planes?
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
We’ve stayed at the Bloc and thought it was fine -room is tiny but bed is super comfy - room super modern / good shower / bathroom .
Bloc is inside airport .
I’ve also stayed at the Hilton and was grossed out - room stunk / halls carpets were filthy .
Hilton is connected to airport by a covered walkway .
This time we are staying at the Gatwick Airport Premier Inn- have breakfast AND dinner included , for 129 gbp which is a good deal for our dates in May .
Posted by
Pacific Northwest
2622 posts
I second what Pat says about the airport Hilton. It's awful. Filthy rooms... just grimy feeling. We were there this past July and would not return.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5326 posts
The Gatwick Hilton has one wing that is very much more modern than the older part of the hotel - I've never stayed in a worn out room. The whole hotel is in the process of renovation - not sure what might have been done already but it will become a DoubleTree when finished.
Posted by
Freedonia
14980 posts
There is both a Premier Inn and Sofitel connected to the North Terminal. I have stayed at the Sofitel and will be at the Premier Inn in a few weeks.
Norwegian is in the south terminal but easily connected by the airport shuttle between terminals.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, CA, USA
271 posts
Thank you for all the of terrific advice, everyone. Their layover is 24 hrs on the outbound and 12 on the inbound. It looks like some of the recommended hotels require a 2 to 3 night stay so the Bloc might work out nicely. It's great to find out that there are lots of things to do near Victoria Station and that they won't have trouble accessing it from Gatwick. Many thanks again.