Hilton London Gatwick Airport: the complete traveller's guide
The only hotel connected to Gatwick's South Terminal by a covered walkway — 800+ refitted rooms, several restaurants and bars, and the airport's largest event space. An honest, detailed rundown, including the parking and cots catches families need to know.
Hotel overview
The Hilton London Gatwick Airport holds a genuinely unique position: it's the only hotel connected to Gatwick's South Terminal by a covered walkway, putting you about five minutes from the check-in desks entirely under cover. The same walkway also takes you to Gatwick Airport railway station, and the free 24-hour monorail reaches the North Terminal in around two minutes — so it works for either terminal and for trains into London.
It's a large, full-service 4-star with more than 800 recently refitted rooms — soundproofed, with floor-to-ceiling windows, 55-inch TVs, USB charging and a small fridge — plus several restaurants and bars, a Costa, a gym, 24-hour room service and a 24-hour concierge. It also has the biggest events operation at the airport, with around 20 meeting rooms and the Ascot Suite, Gatwick's largest event space.
It suits South Terminal departures, business and event guests, families (deluxe family rooms sleep up to two adults and four children), and pet owners, since pet-friendly rooms are available. Two honest catches: there's no hotel car park, and cots aren't provided and can't be brought in — both matter if you're driving or travelling with a baby. There's also no swimming pool, despite what a few listing sites claim.
| Official website | hilton.com |
|---|---|
| Address | South Terminal, Gatwick Airport, Crawley, West Sussex RH6 0LL |
| Star rating | 4-star |
| Rooms | 800+ (recently refitted) |
| Connection | Covered walkway to South Terminal (~5 min); free 24/7 monorail to North (~2 min) |
| Check-in / check-out | From 3:00 PM / by 12:00 noon |
| Parking | None on site — short stay next door; park-and-fly & meet-and-greet packages |
| Guest rating | ~8.4 / 10 |
Star rating and what it means
A full-service 4-star — multiple restaurants and bars, 24-hour room service and concierge, a gym, and extensive business and event facilities.
| Level | What it broadly means in the UK |
|---|---|
| ★★★★★ Five-star | Luxury: extensive facilities, near-flawless service |
| ★★★★ Four-star (this hotel) | Upscale: several restaurants & bars, 24-hr room service & concierge, gym, large event space |
| ★★★ Three-star | Mid-range comfort: en-suite rooms, a restaurant, decent service |
| ★★ / ★ Budget | Simple, functional accommodation |
Reviewers rate it ~8.4/10, praising the unmatched South Terminal connection, good-sized comfortable rooms, helpful staff and flexible late check-in — while noting that room service can be slow at busy times and that there's no hotel car park. You're paying for scale, service and the connected location.
Brand, ownership & business profile
A full-service Hilton hotel.
- Hilton — the group's flagship full-service brand, with restaurants, room service, concierge and substantial meeting facilities.
- Hilton Honors — earn and redeem points here; app check-in and digital key are typically available.
Don't confuse it with the Hampton by Hilton London Gatwick Airport, which is a smaller, cheaper Hilton-family hotel connected to the North Terminal (and which includes breakfast). Two Hilton-brand hotels at opposite terminals is an easy booking mix-up — check which terminal you're flying from.
Business profile
| Category | 4-star full-service airport hotel (connected, large-scale) |
|---|---|
| Primary market | South Terminal departures, business & events, families, pet owners |
| Brand / loyalty | Hilton; Hilton Honors |
| On-site | Multiple restaurants & bars · Costa · gym · 24-hr room service & concierge · ~20 meeting rooms |
| Signature | Only hotel connected to the South Terminal; Ascot Suite — Gatwick's largest event space |
Takeaway for travellers: the most convenient full-service option for the South Terminal, with the scale and facilities to match — dining choice, 24-hour service and serious events space. Best when you want everything on site and a five-minute covered walk to check-in.
Rooms, beds & prices
More than 800 modern, soundproofed rooms, recently refitted — Double, Twin, King Deluxe, Twin Deluxe, Triple and Deluxe Family — most around 23 sq m, with the largest (king plus two queen beds) at around 52 sq m. Rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, a 55-inch TV, a work desk with USB charging, climate control, a safe, a small fridge, tea/coffee facilities, a trouser press and hairdryer. Executive rooms are available. Ranges below are indicative.
| Room type | Beds | Sleeps | Off-peak from | Peak from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double / Twin (23 sq m) | Double or two singles | 2 | ~£95 | ~£170 |
| King Deluxe / Twin Deluxe | King or two singles | 2 | ~£115 | ~£190 |
| Triple | 1 double + 1 single, or 3 singles | 3 | ~£130 | ~£210 |
| Deluxe Family (up to 52 sq m) | Double + bunk beds / king + two queens | Up to 2 adults + 4 children | ~£150 | ~£240 |
Prices are per room, per night, room-only (breakfast is charged separately — see dining). Guests consistently describe rooms as a good size, comfortable and clean, with effective soundproofing and blackout curtains. Important for families: the hotel does not provide cots, and guests are not permitted to bring their own — so if you're travelling with a baby, plan accordingly or consider another hotel.
- Bed quality: large comfortable beds; soundproofed rooms with blackout curtains.
- Families: triples and deluxe family rooms with bunk beds; connecting rooms available.
- Pets: pet-friendly rooms available — confirm the policy and any fee when booking.
What's in every room
| Category | Included in every room |
|---|---|
| Entertainment | 55-inch LCD/satellite TV with flight information & pay-per-view; radio |
| Connectivity | WiFi/internet access; work desk with USB charging points |
| Hot drinks | Tea & coffee making facilities; small fridge |
| Sleep | Soundproofed room, floor-to-ceiling windows, blackout curtains, climate control |
| Bathroom | En-suite with bath and/or rainfall shower, hairdryer |
| Practical | In-room safe, trouser press, telephone; 24-hour room service |
The refit shows: floor-to-ceiling windows, big TVs, USB charging and an in-room fridge are a step up from typical airport-hotel fit-outs, and the soundproofing gets consistent praise. Handy detail for early flights — the TV carries live flight information.
Dining
One of the widest dining choices of any Gatwick hotel: a buffet-style restaurant, à la carte options, two bars including a sports bar set in the atrium, and a Costa coffee shop. Breakfast is served early for departures but is charged separately.
| Venue / meal | What to expect | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Continental breakfast | From 05:30 — ideal for early flights | ~£14.95 pp |
| Full English breakfast | From 06:00 to ~10:30 | ~£18.95 pp |
| Garden / Gallery / Amy's | Buffet and à la carte dining across the day | £14–£28 mains |
| Bars & Charlie Fry's Sports Bar | Drinks, casual bites, sport & news in the atrium | £5–£12 / drink |
| Costa | Coffee & grab-and-go | £3–£7 |
A genuine family perk: one child aged 10 or under per paying adult eats free in the restaurant when the adult has a meal. Breakfast itself is charged (about £14.95 continental / £18.95 full English), so if breakfast-included matters more than facilities, the Hampton by Hilton at the North Terminal includes it. Meal packages catering to dietary requirements are available.
Facilities & services
| Parking | No hotel car park. Airport short-stay parking is adjacent; park-and-fly, Park & Ride and meet-and-greet packages available via specialists (car collected from outside the hotel) |
|---|---|
| Terminal access | Covered walkway to South Terminal (~5 min); free 24/7 monorail to North Terminal (~2 min) |
| Dining | Multiple restaurants, two bars, Costa; 24-hour room service |
| Fitness | LivingWell Express gym / 24-hour fitness centre (cardio & weights) — no swimming pool |
| Business & events | Business centre; ~20 meeting rooms and event venues; the Ascot Suite is Gatwick's largest event space |
| Rail | Gatwick Airport station via the covered walkway (~5 min): ~30 min to Victoria & London Bridge; Brighton ~30 min |
| Services | 24-hour concierge; 24-hour reception; luggage storage |
| Pets | Pet-friendly rooms available — confirm policy & fees |
| Pool / cots | No swimming pool; cots are not provided and cannot be brought in |
Accessibility & suitability for elderly guests
A large, modern hotel with step-free covered access to the South Terminal and the railway station — one of the easiest arrivals and departures at Gatwick.
Accessible strengths:
- Fully covered, step-free walkway to South Terminal check-in and the train station
- Ramp access, hearing loops and lifts; accessible rooms available
- 24-hour concierge, reception and room service; extensive on-site dining
- Free step-free monorail to the North Terminal
Worth confirming first:
- Confirm specific accessible-room features when booking
- No hotel car park — arrange drop-off or a parking package in advance
- It's a very large hotel, so rooms can be a long walk from the lobby — ask for one near a lift
Suitability verdict for elderly & less-mobile guests: excellent — the covered, step-free route to both South Terminal check-in and the railway station is the standout, backed by ramps, hearing loops, lifts and 24-hour service. Given the hotel's size, request a room near a lift, and plan parking or a door-to-door drop-off in advance.
Insider details
The only hotel connected to the South Terminal — and to the trains
This is the hotel's defining advantage. The covered walkway takes you to South Terminal check-in in about five minutes, and the same route reaches Gatwick Airport railway station — so you can get to London Victoria or London Bridge in around 30 minutes, or Brighton in about 30, without ever going outside. Flying from the North Terminal? The free monorail runs 24 hours and takes roughly two minutes.
The parking catch — plan ahead if you're driving
Like several on-airport hotels here, the Hilton has no car park of its own. Airport short-stay parking is next door, but overnight airport rates are expensive. If you're driving, book a park-and-fly or meet-and-greet package through a parking specialist — several will collect your car from outside the hotel and return it when you land, which is usually far better value than short stay.
Two things families should know
The good: deluxe family rooms take up to two adults and four children (bunk beds in some), and one child aged 10 or under eats free per paying adult in the restaurant. The catch, and it's an unusual one: cots are not provided, and guests are not permitted to bring their own. If you're travelling with an infant, check directly with the hotel before booking.
No swimming pool — despite some listings
Worth stating plainly because a few third-party listing sites describe a pool area with loungers: this hotel does not have a swimming pool. Hilton's own information and the major aggregators confirm it. There is a well-equipped gym and 24-hour fitness centre.
WiFi coverage & signal strength
WiFi/internet access is available in rooms and public areas. Signal-strength-by-area detail (which floors or wings are strongest) isn't published — confirm with hotel, or share guest reviews and we'll add specifics.
General guidance for a large full-service hotel: WiFi is usually reliable, with premium tiers sometimes offered for heavy use. In a hotel this size, ask reception if you need dependable speed for work.
Practical information
| Check-in | From 3:00 PM (reception noted as flexible for late arrivals) |
|---|---|
| Check-out | By 12:00 noon |
| ID at check-in | Photo ID + payment card required |
| Parking | None on site; airport short stay adjacent; park-and-fly / meet-and-greet recommended |
| WiFi | Available in rooms & public areas |
| Breakfast | Charged: ~£14.95 continental (from 05:30) / ~£18.95 full English |
| Family | Child 10 & under eats free per paying adult; no cots provided or permitted |
| Pool / pets | No pool; pet-friendly rooms available (confirm policy) |
Getting to the terminals
Connected to the South Terminal, with the free monorail covering the North.
| To… | Best way | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Terminal | Covered walkway (step-free, indoors) | ~5 min | Free |
| North Terminal | Free 24/7 monorail from South Terminal | ~2 min ride | Free |
| Central London | Gatwick Express / trains to Victoria & London Bridge (station via the walkway) | ~30 min | Rail fare |
| Brighton | Direct train from Gatwick Airport station | ~30 min | Rail fare |
You won't need a taxi for the terminals or the train — the covered walkway handles both. Where a pre-booked car earns its place is arrival (since there's no hotel car park) and the door-to-door journey home with luggage or family. A fixed-fare RushXO car covers both terminals 24/7.
Customer reviews
The hotel reviews solidly (~8.4/10), with the connected location, good-sized refitted rooms, dining choice and helpful staff the main positives; slow room service at peak times and the lack of hotel parking are the usual caveats.
| Theme | What guests say |
|---|---|
| Location | Perfect for early flights; covered walkway to South Terminal & the station |
| Rooms & sleep | Good size, comfortable large beds, clean; effective soundproofing & blackout curtains |
| Staff & service | Friendly, helpful; flexible with late check-in |
| Dining | Good restaurant choice; Costa in the hotel a welcome extra |
| Common gripe | Room service can be slow; no hotel car park; breakfast charged |
Ratings are good for a large airport hotel — confirm current numbers on your preferred platform. Share specific reviews and I can add a scored breakdown.
Pros & cons
Pros
- The only hotel connected to the South Terminal by covered walkway (~5 min)
- Same covered route reaches Gatwick Airport railway station (~30 min to London)
- Free 24/7 monorail to the North Terminal (~2 min)
- 800+ recently refitted, soundproofed rooms with fridges & USB charging
- Wide dining choice, two bars, Costa; 24-hour room service & concierge
- Pet-friendly rooms; child 10 & under eats free per paying adult
- Gatwick's largest event space (Ascot Suite) & ~20 meeting rooms
Cons
- No hotel car park — airport short stay is expensive overnight
- No cots provided, and you can't bring your own — a real issue with infants
- No swimming pool (despite some listing sites claiming otherwise)
- Breakfast charged (~£14.95–£18.95pp)
- Room service can be slow at busy times; it's a very large hotel, so long corridors
Travel tips
- Flying from the South Terminal? This is the most convenient hotel at Gatwick — five covered minutes to check-in.
- Taking the train? The same walkway reaches the station — handy in bad weather.
- Driving? Book a park-and-fly or meet-and-greet package rather than paying airport short-stay rates.
- Travelling with a baby? Check the cot policy first — none are provided or permitted.
- Eating in? One child 10 & under eats free per paying adult.
- Want breakfast included? Consider the Hampton by Hilton at the North Terminal instead.
- Pre-book your onward car — for arrival, or the journey home with luggage and family, a fixed-fare door-to-door transfer is simplest.
Best way to book online
| Book via | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Official site (hilton.com) | Best-rate guarantee, Hilton Honors points, room choice | Breakfast is extra; confirm it's the Hilton (South), not the Hampton (North) |
| Hilton Honors | Member rates, points earn/redeem, upgrades | Need to be a (free) member |
| Park-and-fly / meet-and-greet specialists | Bundling the room with long-stay parking — far cheaper than short stay | Check which car park & collection terms |
| Major OTAs | Comparing dates & deals | Some listings wrongly mention a pool — there isn't one |
In short: book directly with Hilton for the best rate, Honors points and room choice — and if you're driving, compare a park-and-fly or meet-and-greet bundle, since the hotel has no car park. Then book your airport transfer separately with RushXO for a fixed fare, meet & greet and flight tracking.
Book your transfer → · Call the 24/7 team
FAQs
Is the Hilton connected to the terminal?
Yes — it's the only hotel connected to Gatwick's South Terminal by a covered walkway, roughly five minutes to the check-in desks and entirely under cover. The same walkway reaches Gatwick Airport railway station, and a free 24-hour monorail takes about two minutes to the North Terminal.
Does the hotel have parking?
No — there's no hotel car park. Airport short-stay parking is adjacent but expensive overnight. If you're driving, book a park-and-fly, Park & Ride or meet-and-greet package through a parking specialist; several collect your car from outside the hotel and return it when you land.
Are cots available for babies?
No — this is an unusual and important catch: the hotel does not provide cots, and guests are not permitted to bring their own. If you're travelling with an infant, check directly with the hotel before booking or consider an alternative.
Is there a swimming pool?
No. Despite a few third-party listings suggesting otherwise, the hotel has no swimming pool. There is a LivingWell Express gym and a 24-hour fitness centre with cardio and weights.
Is breakfast included?
No — breakfast is charged, at roughly £14.95 per person for continental (from 05:30, useful for early flights) and £18.95 for a full English. One child aged 10 or under eats free per paying adult in the restaurant.
Is this the same as the Hampton by Hilton Gatwick?
No — the Hampton by Hilton is a smaller, cheaper Hilton-family hotel connected to the North Terminal, and it includes a free hot breakfast. This Hilton is the larger full-service hotel at the South Terminal.