Hilton London Gatwick Airport {GBR}
Aug 15, 2005, 9:05 pm
#46
Join Date: May 1998
Programs: AAExecPlat MM, DL MM, HH Platinum
Posts: 509
My experience was half-way between. It was the insistence on serving the drinks and the time-lag that drove me crazy. I do have two hands and two feet and actually resented having to sit around and wait to get a glass of wine from the Dolly Birds.
Aug 15, 2005, 9:15 pm
#47
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 660
I stay there often as I do the DFW-LGW-LHR-onward thing.
The EXEC lounge is a joke.
One other thing which is funny is that the signs dont work to a lot of rooms. Now I am no idiot, but if you are in certain rooms and exit from the lounge you end up walking in circles.
Check in also takes about 5 times as long, i just use the front desk Hhonors line.
LOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGG walks to rooms too. The exec wing is miles away from the desk
The EXEC lounge is a joke.
One other thing which is funny is that the signs dont work to a lot of rooms. Now I am no idiot, but if you are in certain rooms and exit from the lounge you end up walking in circles.
Check in also takes about 5 times as long, i just use the front desk Hhonors line.
LOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGG walks to rooms too. The exec wing is miles away from the desk
Aug 16, 2005, 7:58 am
#48
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Newcastle, UK
Posts: 108
Originally Posted by cressers
I stay there often as I do the DFW-LGW-LHR-onward thing.
The EXEC lounge is a joke.
One other thing which is funny is that the signs dont work to a lot of rooms. Now I am no idiot, but if you are in certain rooms and exit from the lounge you end up walking in circles.
Check in also takes about 5 times as long, i just use the front desk Hhonors line.
LOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGG walks to rooms too. The exec wing is miles away from the desk
The EXEC lounge is a joke.
One other thing which is funny is that the signs dont work to a lot of rooms. Now I am no idiot, but if you are in certain rooms and exit from the lounge you end up walking in circles.
Check in also takes about 5 times as long, i just use the front desk Hhonors line.
LOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGG walks to rooms too. The exec wing is miles away from the desk
Aug 16, 2005, 9:18 am
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bryn Mawr PA & Wailea HI
Posts: 15,726
I rather enjoy the LGW lounge, but agree some of the mostly drab rooms can be better. The signage is dumb, .............really dumb and you get so much excersize awalking, one does not need a gym. Most exec lounges prohibit room service food as they are often too busy to serve, clean etc. Some will permit it but only if they are very empty. Actually I agree with this policy as I was once subjected to EXTRA EXTRA garlic laced dishes served next to me. Not very nice.
MisterNice
MisterNice
Aug 16, 2005, 11:54 am
#50
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: One Pass, SGP, HHonors,HGP
Posts: 8
Gatwick Hilton
I've stayed at the Gatwick Hilton on several occasions and have had a few good stays and a few lousy ones.
Tip>
Avoid the main front desk check in if possible. If you are staying on their "executive floor" which is actually several floors in a newer wing of the hotel, check in at the executive lounge if it's still open; avoid the lines of the front desk. I always notice long lines, even at the HH VIP check in.
They almost never upgrade HH members to Ex Level, no matter of your status, they usually say those rooms are full.
If you are using HH points to cover a regular room you can usually pay approx 80.00 USD per night to upgrade to Ex floor. Is it worth it? Not really but If you need munchies and a PC and perhaps your room is not ready when you arrive it might be. I usually arrive to London at 10-11am and my Ex level room is sometimes not ready until 1. It’s better than sitting in their main lobby for hours.
Executive floor rooms are newer and bathrooms are nice. 2 complimentary Glass bottles of water are bedside and some tasty cookie crackers on the desk with tea/coffee and amenities. Mini bar is also in the room. Ex Lounge is nice with three free use PC’s towards the back. Shower and bathroom in Ex club is nice if you just arrived into London and your room is not ready and you really need a shower, it’s in the back near the PC’s. Fresh towels and shower amenities are in the bathroom too.
They shut down the pool and spa at this location; I asked why they did that and was told not many guests used it. I did, and I miss it. They have a living well small workout area by the main entry from the parking garage/airport. It's better than nothing.
In closing
This has got to be the stingiest Hilton on earth. Few employees for such a huge hotel and the grounds are not very well kept. Hallways and older rooms are dated and very worn. They want your money but don’t care about your comfort. They know folks like me will be back because it’s so darn convenient to the terminal.
Tip>
Avoid the main front desk check in if possible. If you are staying on their "executive floor" which is actually several floors in a newer wing of the hotel, check in at the executive lounge if it's still open; avoid the lines of the front desk. I always notice long lines, even at the HH VIP check in.
They almost never upgrade HH members to Ex Level, no matter of your status, they usually say those rooms are full.
If you are using HH points to cover a regular room you can usually pay approx 80.00 USD per night to upgrade to Ex floor. Is it worth it? Not really but If you need munchies and a PC and perhaps your room is not ready when you arrive it might be. I usually arrive to London at 10-11am and my Ex level room is sometimes not ready until 1. It’s better than sitting in their main lobby for hours.
Executive floor rooms are newer and bathrooms are nice. 2 complimentary Glass bottles of water are bedside and some tasty cookie crackers on the desk with tea/coffee and amenities. Mini bar is also in the room. Ex Lounge is nice with three free use PC’s towards the back. Shower and bathroom in Ex club is nice if you just arrived into London and your room is not ready and you really need a shower, it’s in the back near the PC’s. Fresh towels and shower amenities are in the bathroom too.
They shut down the pool and spa at this location; I asked why they did that and was told not many guests used it. I did, and I miss it. They have a living well small workout area by the main entry from the parking garage/airport. It's better than nothing.
In closing
This has got to be the stingiest Hilton on earth. Few employees for such a huge hotel and the grounds are not very well kept. Hallways and older rooms are dated and very worn. They want your money but don’t care about your comfort. They know folks like me will be back because it’s so darn convenient to the terminal.
Aug 16, 2005, 1:26 pm
#51
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Tokyo
Programs: BA Au; IHG Pl; Hyatt Au; IC RA; Marriott Pl
Posts: 817
Originally Posted by brian714
Avoid the main front desk check in if possible.
Originally Posted by brian714
They almost never upgrade HH members to Ex Level, no matter of your status, they usually say those rooms are full.
Originally Posted by brian714
Executive floor rooms are newer and bathrooms are nice. 2 complimentary Glass bottles of water are bedside and some tasty cookie crackers on the desk with tea/coffee and amenities.
Originally Posted by brian714
They shut down the pool and spa at this location; I asked why they did that and was told not many guests used it. I did, and I miss it.
Originally Posted by brian714
This has got to be the stingiest Hilton on earth. Few employees for such a huge hotel and the grounds are not very well kept. Hallways and older rooms are dated and very worn. They want your money but don’t care about your comfort. They know folks like me will be back because it’s so darn convenient to the terminal.
Last edited by astralclouds; Aug 17, 2005 at 1:20 am
Aug 17, 2005, 9:48 am
#52
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Fareham UK
Programs: BA executive club,priority club Plat Ambassador, Hilton hhonours Diamond, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 817
Stayed there in March 2005 as flying LGW to TPA. Have to agree the rooms and some of the corridoors are looking a bit tired. I spent most of my time in the foyer relaxing and drinking with friends. Most of my stays have been positive. However as I fly BA, and am SPG gold, will probably stay at the Meredien which has just been bought buy starwood. This is a nicer hotel and connected to the north terminal where BA Operate from.
Aug 18, 2005, 3:02 am
#53
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Tokyo
Programs: BA Au; IHG Pl; Hyatt Au; IC RA; Marriott Pl
Posts: 817
Originally Posted by obs
However as I fly BA, and am SPG gold, will probably stay at the Meredien which has just been bought buy starwood. This is a nicer hotel and connected to the north terminal where BA Operate from.
Aug 18, 2005, 1:12 pm
#54
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Programs: Marriott lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum
Posts: 5,472
If they deny an upgrade to ex. floor, why not ask if you can pay to be upgraded. When the expected answer "yes" comes, ask why, if the paid upgrade is available, they denied you the elite upgrade. Might be interesting.
Aug 18, 2005, 4:00 pm
#55
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Fareham UK
Programs: BA executive club,priority club Plat Ambassador, Hilton hhonours Diamond, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 817
Originally Posted by astralclouds
I think you will find that Arora Holdings, the new owners of Le Meridien, are afilliated to the French Sofitel brand and not Starwood.
Aug 19, 2005, 9:12 am
#56
Join Date: Sep 2002
Programs: HHonors Diamond USAirways CP Hertz Pres Cir
Posts: 549
If there's a looooooonnnng check in line at the front desk (as there was on my last stay), the lounge check in is much quicker.
From what I could see, the Exec Rooms are MUCH superior -- new and gleaming vs. the old ones being more dark and dreary. It's just worth bringing a baggage trolly with you if you have anything at all to carry, given the new wing of the hotel where the Exec Rooms are located a mile away (almost figuratively speaking, ha, ha).
A FOOD TIP: the concierge suggested two local restaurants for consideration. The one I can definitely vouch for is the Gatwick Manor (http://www.gatwickmanor.com). The concierge will call a cab, which you meet at the lower lobby of the hotel and for 10 pounds drives you the short (5-10 minutes) to their door. They are also often willing to meet for a pick up time for the return.
The food is wonderful and the atmosphere is fantastic – an old English pub. You pick a table yourself, get your drinks and order your food at the bar, and tell them your table number. The food is delivered and the service is fantastic.
On the way there the cab driver noted that the other option we’d been given was basically bad food that had too many fly-in customers who didn’t know any better and ended up going there. Glad we made the right choice.
From what I could see, the Exec Rooms are MUCH superior -- new and gleaming vs. the old ones being more dark and dreary. It's just worth bringing a baggage trolly with you if you have anything at all to carry, given the new wing of the hotel where the Exec Rooms are located a mile away (almost figuratively speaking, ha, ha).
A FOOD TIP: the concierge suggested two local restaurants for consideration. The one I can definitely vouch for is the Gatwick Manor (http://www.gatwickmanor.com). The concierge will call a cab, which you meet at the lower lobby of the hotel and for 10 pounds drives you the short (5-10 minutes) to their door. They are also often willing to meet for a pick up time for the return.
The food is wonderful and the atmosphere is fantastic – an old English pub. You pick a table yourself, get your drinks and order your food at the bar, and tell them your table number. The food is delivered and the service is fantastic.
On the way there the cab driver noted that the other option we’d been given was basically bad food that had too many fly-in customers who didn’t know any better and ended up going there. Glad we made the right choice.
Dec 30, 2005, 3:07 pm
#57
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Cote d'Ivoire
Programs: OW Emerald - HH Diamond
Posts: 3,418
Thought I would update the thread. Just stayed one night before flight back to the States. Used the 5/10/15 promotion free night stay and was upgraded to the new wing of the hotel. As a Diamond, be sure to check in at the Exec Lounge on the 4th floor to avoid the long lines in the lobby. Restaurants are fine, pricey but hey, it's London, right? Cheaper options also available in the South terminal. Agree with BigLar below. Very nice - happy hour had quite a food options. The signage is a bit misleading and the walks from lift-elevator-lounge are a tad long, but all in all a very nice stay. ^
Originally Posted by BigLar
Sorry about your experience, but we stayed there once (to make an early flight) and our experience was much better. Fabulous exec lounge, plenty of food, drink, munchies, etc. Delicious breakfast, and table-served, no less!
Room was fine (and clean). Downstairs bar/ lounge was pretty pricy, so we wandered through Gatwick Village and plenty of places to eat/drink/smoke at reasonable prices.
I'd go back again, but apparently you wouldn't.
Room was fine (and clean). Downstairs bar/ lounge was pretty pricy, so we wandered through Gatwick Village and plenty of places to eat/drink/smoke at reasonable prices.
I'd go back again, but apparently you wouldn't.
Apr 20, 2006, 1:05 am
#60
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,752