Layover in Gatwick or spend the night

I stayed overnight at a bnb before a flight from Gatwick a few years ago. On the way to the bnb I noticed some real hotels probably walking distance from the airport. Google Gatwick hotels and see what you come up with. If you decide to stay overnight you could take a taxi into the nearby town for dinner and a stroll. I would probably choose to stay overnight, but that's me.

I just stayed overnight at Gatwick less than 2 wks ago to avoid having to make the trip out to the airport from London early in the morning to catch my flight to Seattle. I stayed at the Hampton by Hilton at Gatwick. It is literally in the North Terminal - just a few steps outside the doors (follow the signs). It was very comfortable, affordable, and has a small restaurant/bar. There's also a Starbucks immediately inside the doors to the hotel for your morning coffee and muffin. I highly recommend it for convenience and comfort.

Are you staying in Lisbon upon arrival or heading out into another part of Portugal? If you are staying in Lisbon, it might be easier to do the layover and get there the first night. I dislike switching hotels and am antsy to get on to my destination. Perhaps a yotel or just lounge pass will help pass the time.

If you plan to travel further from Lisbon, spend the night near Gatwick and arrive in Portugal with more time and daylight to make your way.

www.itasoftware.com suggests alternatives. For instance, flying out of San Francisco on Virgin Atlantic, you can go through Heathrow to Lisbon, returning non-stop from London to SF airport, for around $1,000 in March. The Lisbon leg is on TAP but will be included in your originating ticket. Connection time is listed at just over 2 hours, which for Heathrow is barely enough. Air France is slightly more expensive going through Charles de Gaulle but again with a non-stop home from London. Prices vary depending on the time of year and you have to buy the tickets from the airline or an agent since that website only provides information.
The routes out of San Francisco have the advantage of taking somewhat less time, although I suppose getting to the airport from Oakland will eat up some of that saving.
For the hop from Lisbon to London, www.skyscanner.com is good on one-way European budget flights. It connects both to travel agencies and to the operating airlines for purchase.

The Hampton mentioned by Debbie is the only hotel actually within the airport. The others are sufficient distance away to need a shuttle bus, so for a flight that early I'd pay for the Hampton.

Thanks all. Philip, i did not have my European hat on. The flight to Lisbon is at 17:15 same day. We get really fatigued flying all night. So, after many back and forth we have chosen this: we will take the BA flights from Oakland. They are direct both ways and the price for premium economy was too good to pass up. Could have saved a little going Virgin from SFO but only by booking through Delta. Since its Virgin metal Delta would not let me choose seats and there was a stop inbound, so we chose BA instead. We will stay overnight and fly from Gatwick to Lisbon the next morning. Our RS Heart of Portugal tour starts two days hence. Still deciding on a Gatwick hotel. The Hampton is convenient and economical (and they have a AAA rate). In reading Trip Advison I come across Langshott Manor Hurley. About 4 miles away, looks nice, restaurant looks really good, afternoon tea. Rooms much cheaper on Hotels.com than on the hotel website. Any posters have experience here?