Why it's good for business
The Hilton London Gatwick is the only hotel linked to Gatwick's South
Terminal, although the North Terminal, from which all British Airways
flights depart, is less than five minute's monorail trip away. Finding the
hotel from the South Terminal arrivals hall isn't easy because some signs
are small or obscured - the hotel is less than five minute's from the
airport, but you could waste time getting lost in the airport's
unprepossessing stairwells and ramps.
The hotel's location means the Hilton is convenient for business travellers
departing or arriving on late night or early morning flights (the Gatwick
Express operates from Victoria station between 5am and 11.45pm, although
there are flights outside of these hours). The hotel is also a good place to
meet colleagues converging on the airport from different destinations. As
well as extensive meeting facilities (see below), the hotel lobby bustles
with leisure and business guests, and can be used for informal meetings,
together with either of the two restaurants. In addition, the hotel has
extensive services available 24 hours a day to suit the offset time clocks
of frequent flyers, including a small gym, lobby bar and room service.
The room
The Hilton London Gatwick is vast, with 791 rooms (it took me longer to find
my room from the reception than it did to walk from the terminal to the
hotel). I had one of the 229 rooms in the Executive wing, which I'd
recommend as they have a separate bath and shower, bathrobe and slippers,
complimentary newspaper, laptop sized safe and clean, modern décor - a
distinct departure from the slightly worn carpet and wallpaper in the
corridors of standard rooms.
Additionally, executive room guests have access to the Executive Lounge, which
offers international newspapers, breakfast (6am-10am), computers with
internet access, and drinks and canapés (6pm-8pm). My room, which was
efficiently insulated against sound and light - crucial at an airport hotel
- also had tea and coffee, an iron and ironing board, minibar, PlayStation,
in-room movies, and both plug-in and wireless high-speed internet access
(£15 noon-noon). My only complaint was about the air conditioning, which
could have been quieter.
A further advantage to staying in an Executive Room is the access to private
check-in in the Executive Lounge. It is open 6.30am-10.30pm for check-in and
this is a real boon as there was a ten-minute queue when I arrived to
check-in, despite four reception desks being manned.
A place to meet
There are 21 conference rooms in the hotel, which can host two to 500 people.
All rooms, bar the largest, the Ascot Suite, have natural daylight. The
afore-mentioned lobby area is good for informal meetings, but is busy so
tables may not always be available. If meeting over a meal, the smarter of
the two restaurants, Amy's, should be booked in advance.
Technology credentials
The rooms have wireless internet access, with services such as live web
casting, technical support, equipment hire and video conferencing provided
by Hilton Connections, the hotel group's conferencing arm. In the public
areas of the hotel, including the lobby, it costs £6 per hour for wireless
internet access, or £10 for 24 hours.
Fed and watered
Amy's restaurant offers an evening (6pm-11pm) a la carte menu of non-regional
specific dishes, priced to take advantage of the lack of competition. The
charismatic maitre d', Bob, adds character to the place with his sycophantic
service and helpful wine recommendations, and it's worth adding that he
thoughtfully seats lone diners in more discreet tables at the edge of the
restaurant.
I started with the smoked salmon with wasabe and sesame crepe, followed by the
lemon sole with asparagus and pecorino risotto, and finally the raspberry
crème brulée. The letdown was the bland sole, which I felt was overpriced at
£21.95, however the other two courses were excellent - a zingy starter and
tasty, light dessert. An alternative option for dinner is the cheaper Garden
Restaurant and Bar, which offers a Mediterranean menu, as well as a
three-course carvery dinner, lunch and breakfast, but sadly my flight left
too early to sample the breakfast buffet. The lobby also serves snacks
throughout the day, and has screens displaying flight information, news and
sport.
Business class - business farce
Business class: proximity to airport and good choice of meeting places
Business farce: the hotel gym is disappointingly small, given that frequent
flyers welcome a workout after or before a long flight.
The bottom line
Standard double rooms start from £159 excluding breakfast; Executive Rooms
start from £217 including continental breakfast in the Executive Lounge. The
hotel also offers various "Time to Fly" packages, available at
eight Hilton airport hotels in the UK. The packages start from £140 and
include extras such as up to 15 nights car parking.
Need to know
Hilton London Gatwick Airport, South Terminal, Gatwick Airport, Crawley, RH6
0LL. Tel. 01293 528980, http://www.hilton.co.uk/gatwick,
london.gatwick@hilton.com
