Rome to London - Gatwick or Heathrow

About the same, with Gatwick probably slightly less busy.

When given the choice I always go with Gatwick. It's a smaller airport compared to Heathrow, and easier to navigate. It's also well connected by rail.

Yes, I'd say Gatwick too.

My choice would be Gatwick also. It's smaller than Heathrow, and the Gatwick Express to London Victoria is an easy trip.

One thing to potentially consider is transport cost into town. I know that you can take the tube from Heathrow but need to take the Gatwick Express to get to Victoria stn. I'm pretty sure that LGW into town will cost you more - you can research the cost.

From a frequency perspective, I assume that LHR will have a lot more flights.

In addition to the Gatwick Express you can also take regular commuter trains into London. They cost no more than the Tube ride from Heathrow. Also, no discount airlines operate out of Heathrow, whereas Easyjet and other discounts fly out of Gatwick.

Heathrow to central London on the Tube: £4.

Gatwick to Victoria station on a Southern train: £10.90. However, at the station at Gatwick it is possible to buy a one-day London zone 1-6 travelcard and then pay a reduced fare for the portion of the route on a Southern train between Gatwick and the edge of zone 6. That travelcard will allow you to get from Victoria to your hotel--and will be good the rest of the day on the Tube, Docklands Light Railway, and overland National Rail trains within zones 1-6; and on the entire London bus network.

Tim,
Any idea how much the reduced fare on the Southern line is if you buy a 1-day 1-6 zone pass? It looks like an "off peak" 1-6 day card is £7.50.