Sofitel London Gatwick: the complete traveller's guide
The flagship hotel at Gatwick — a 4-star Sofitel connected directly to the North Terminal by a covered walkway, with the signature MyBed, runway-view Club rooms, and a free monorail to the South Terminal. An honest, detailed rundown — rooms, prices, dining, parking, accessibility, transfers, and the smartest way to book.
Hotel overview
The Sofitel London Gatwick is the airport's flagship hotel and the most convenient stay for the North Terminal: it's directly connected by a short covered walkway, so you can roll from your room to check-in in about five minutes without stepping outside. For the South Terminal, a free monorail runs 24 hours, taking around two minutes, so the hotel works whichever terminal you're flying from.
It's a genuine 4-star with French-branded polish: 518 spacious, air-conditioned, soundproofed rooms with the famously comfortable Sofitel MyBed, multiple restaurants and bars, a gym, extensive meeting space, and an 8th-floor Club Lounge for guests in Luxury Club rooms. The Club Millésime rooms even come with runway views — a treat for aviation fans.
It suits travellers who value a smooth, stress-free start (especially for early or late flights), business guests, and anyone who wants comfort and quiet right at the terminal. The honest trade-off is price: it's the premium option at Gatwick, and food, drinks and extras are priced to match. There's also no swimming pool.
| Official website | all.accor.com |
|---|---|
| Address | North Terminal, Gatwick Airport, Horley RH6 0PH |
| Star rating | 4-star |
| Rooms | 518 rooms & suites |
| Connection | Covered walkway to North Terminal (~5 min); free monorail to South (~2 min) |
| Signature | Sofitel MyBed; Club Lounge; runway-view Club rooms |
| Guest rating | ~8.6 / 10 (recent) |
| Parking | On-site short & long stay; Park & Fly packages |
Star rating and what it means
A genuine 4-star — the premium hotel at Gatwick, with full-service dining, a gym, business facilities and upscale rooms. It's the closest thing to luxury on the airport.
| Level | What it broadly means in the UK |
|---|---|
| ★★★★★ Five-star | Luxury: extensive facilities, near-flawless service |
| ★★★★ Four-star (this hotel) | Upscale: multiple restaurants & bars, gym, Club Lounge, 24-hr room service, meeting space — the premium airport option |
| ★★★ Three-star | Mid-range comfort: en-suite rooms, a restaurant, decent service |
| ★★ / ★ Budget | Simple, functional accommodation |
Reviewers rate it ~8.6/10, praising the unbeatable connected location, the plush MyBed and quiet rooms, friendly professional staff, and the Club Lounge perks — while noting the premium pricing and, for some, limited breakfast/in-room extras for the price. You're paying for comfort and convenience right at the terminal.
Brand, ownership & business profile
Sofitel is Accor's luxury French-heritage brand.
- Sofitel — Accor's upscale international brand, known for French-influenced service, design and the signature Sofitel MyBed.
- Accor — one of the world's largest hotel groups; you can earn and redeem ALL (Accor Live Limitless) loyalty points here.
The hotel was previously branded Le Meridien, so some older listings and reviews may use that name — it's the same building, now the Sofitel London Gatwick.
Business profile
| Category | 4-star full-service airport hotel (flagship) |
|---|---|
| Primary market | Pre-flight stays, business, meetings/events, comfort-seekers |
| Brand / loyalty | Sofitel (Accor); ALL — Accor Live Limitless |
| On-site | Restaurants & bars · gym · business centre · 11–14 meeting rooms (up to 300) · beauty room · Club Lounge |
| Signature | Connected to North Terminal; MyBed; runway-view Club rooms |
Takeaway for travellers: the premium, most convenient stay at Gatwick — connected to the North Terminal, genuinely comfortable and quiet, with strong business and event facilities. Best when convenience and comfort matter more than finding the lowest price.
Rooms, beds & prices
518 spacious, air-conditioned, soundproofed rooms and suites — Classic, Superior, Luxury Club and Junior Suite — all with the signature Sofitel MyBed, an en-suite bathroom, satellite TV, tea/coffee, a trouser press and 24-hour room service. Luxury Club rooms add 8th-floor Club Lounge access; Club Millésime rooms have runway views. Family-three and family-four rooms suit families, and cots are available. As the flagship, it's the priciest at Gatwick; ranges below are indicative.
| Room type | Beds | Sleeps | Off-peak from | Peak from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | Double or twin | 2 | ~£110 | ~£190 |
| Superior | Double/twin (upgraded) | 2 | ~£130 | ~£210 |
| Family (three / four) | Double + 1–2 singles | 3–4 | ~£150 | ~£240 |
| Luxury Club (Lounge access / runway view) | Double | 2 | ~£170 | ~£270 |
Prices are per room, per night, room-only (breakfast & Park & Fly packages available). The MyBed and quiet, well-insulated rooms win consistent praise — guests describe sleeping "on a cloud." If you want the full experience, a Luxury Club room adds the 8th-floor lounge (evening drinks, canapés and breakfast) and, in Club Millésime, runway views — a nice touch before a trip.
- Bed quality: signature Sofitel MyBed; excellent soundproofing for a quiet night.
- Club rooms: 8th-floor Club Lounge access; Club Millésime adds runway views.
- Families: family-three and family-four rooms; interconnecting rooms & cots on request.
What's in every room
| Category | Included in every room |
|---|---|
| Entertainment | Satellite TV with pay movies; radio |
| Connectivity | Complimentary WiFi; work desk; business services |
| Hot drinks | Tea & coffee making facilities |
| Sleep | Signature Sofitel MyBed; air conditioning; excellent soundproofing |
| Bathroom | En-suite bathroom, hairdryer |
| Extras | Trouser press, safe, 24-hr room service; Club rooms add lounge access; Exec rooms add free minibar |
Comfortable, well-equipped upscale rooms with the standout MyBed and effective soundproofing — ideal before an early flight. A few guests feel in-room extras are modest for a Sofitel, so if you want the fuller experience, the Club/Executive rooms add the most.
Dining
There's plenty of choice on site across several restaurants and bars (names have evolved with refurbishments): a modern British/French brasserie, an all-day lobby café with an international menu, a Pan-Asian restaurant, and a social bar. Breakfast is a buffet (available with many rates or as an add-on).
| Venue | What to expect | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| La Brasserie | Modern British with a French accent; locally sourced | £18–£32 mains |
| Urban Cafe | All-day lobby dining; eclectic international menu | £12–£22 |
| Vanda | Pan-Asian cuisine in a stylish setting | £15–£28 mains |
| La Terrasse Bar | Coffee, cocktails, light meals; food to ~10:30pm | £5–£14 |
| Breakfast buffet | Extensive buffet with fresh options; Club guests can use the lounge | ~£18–£22 pp |
The variety — including well-rated Asian and Italian/European options — is a real plus for an airport hotel, and the breakfast buffet is generally praised. The honest caveat is price: dining and drinks are premium, and a few guests feel the value doesn't always match. Club Lounge access softens this with included evening bites and breakfast.
Facilities & services
| Parking | On-site short & long stay; Park & Fly packages (4/8/15/21-day); Meet & Greet via partners |
|---|---|
| Terminal access | Covered walkway to North Terminal (~5 min); free 24hr monorail to South (~2 min) |
| Dining | Multiple restaurants & bars; 24-hour room service |
| Fitness | Gym with cardio & weights (no swimming pool) |
| Business & events | Business centre; 11–14 meeting rooms for up to 300; concierge; beauty room |
| Rail | Gatwick Express ~30 min to Victoria; Brighton ~20 min (via the station at the airport) |
| Money / SIM | ATMs & shops in the terminals |
| Safety & security | 24-hour reception, concierge, lifts, in-room safe; photo ID + card at check-in |
| Pool / pets | No swimming pool; assistance/guide dogs welcome — confirm general pet policy |
Accessibility & suitability for elderly guests
As a modern full-service hotel connected to the terminal, it's one of the most accessible choices at Gatwick — step-free from the North Terminal via the covered walkway, with lifts, accessible facilities and 24-hour support.
Accessible strengths:
- Covered, step-free walkway straight into the North Terminal — no outdoor transfer
- Lifts (wheelchair-accessible), accessible rooms and facilities; guide dogs welcome
- 24-hour reception, concierge and room service; on-site dining
- Staff noted by guests for arranging special assistance to check-in
Worth confirming first:
- Confirm specific accessible-room features when booking
- For the South Terminal it's the monorail (step-free) rather than a walkway
- No pool, if that matters for your stay
Suitability verdict for elderly & less-mobile guests: excellent — the covered, step-free walkway to the North Terminal, lifts, accessible rooms, 24-hour service and helpful staff make this one of the easiest hotels at Gatwick. For the South Terminal, the step-free monorail is straightforward; a door-to-door car is an easy alternative.
Insider details
The most convenient hotel at Gatwick — North Terminal in five minutes
The single biggest reason to book here: the covered walkway straight into the North Terminal. For an early flight or a late arrival, you can go from bed to check-in in around five minutes without going outside or waiting for a bus. Flying from the South Terminal? The free monorail runs 24 hours (every ~3 minutes, ~2-minute ride), so the hotel is convenient for both.
The Club Lounge & runway-view rooms are worth it
If you want the fuller Sofitel experience, book a Luxury Club room for 8th-floor Club Lounge access — complimentary evening drinks, canapés and breakfast — and, in a Club Millésime room, runway views. For plane-spotters and anyone wanting a lounge to relax in before a flight, it's a genuine upgrade and softens the à-la-carte pricing.
Premium pricing — set expectations
The honest counterweight: this is the most expensive hotel at Gatwick, and food, drinks and extras are priced accordingly. A few guests feel breakfast options or in-room extras are modest for the price. It's worth it for the connected location and comfort — but if budget is the priority, other on-airport and nearby hotels cost far less (see related hotels below).
WiFi coverage & signal strength
Complimentary WiFi runs throughout the hotel. Signal-strength-by-area detail (which floors 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 in rooms and public areas, with higher tiers sometimes offered for heavy use. Check with reception if you need dependable speed for work.
Practical information
| Check-in | From 3:00 PM (early check-in on request) |
|---|---|
| Check-out | By 12:00 noon (late check-out on request) |
| ID at check-in | Photo ID + payment card required |
| Parking | On-site short & long stay; Park & Fly (4/8/15/21-day) |
| WiFi | Complimentary throughout |
| Breakfast | Buffet — with many rates or as an add-on; Club guests use the lounge |
| Pool / smoking | No pool; non-smoking hotel |
| Loyalty | ALL — Accor Live Limitless |
Getting to the terminals
This is the hotel's core strength — it's connected to the North Terminal and a short monorail from the South.
| To… | Best way | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Terminal | Covered walkway (step-free, indoors) | ~5 min | Free |
| South Terminal | Free monorail (24hr, every ~3 min) | ~2 min ride | Free |
| Central London | Gatwick Express to Victoria; or Thameslink to London Bridge/St Pancras | ~30 min | Rail fare |
| Brighton | Direct train from the airport station | ~20 min | Rail fare |
For the terminals themselves you won't need a taxi — the walkway and monorail are free and quick. Where a pre-booked car earns its place is the door-to-door journey home (or to another town) with luggage and family after you land: a fixed-fare RushXO car covers both terminals and beyond, 24/7.
Customer reviews
The hotel reviews strongly (~8.6/10), with the connected location, the MyBed and quiet rooms, professional staff and Club Lounge perks the main positives; premium pricing and occasional notes on breakfast/in-room value are the usual caveats.
| Theme | What guests say |
|---|---|
| Location | Unbeatable — covered walkway to North Terminal; easy for early flights |
| Rooms & sleep | Plush MyBed ("like a cloud"); quiet, well-insulated; clean |
| Service | Friendly, professional; helpful with special assistance |
| Dining & lounge | Good variety; praised breakfast; Club Lounge perks liked |
| Common gripe | Premium pricing; some feel breakfast/in-room extras modest for the price |
Ratings are strong for an airport hotel — confirm current numbers on your preferred platform. Share specific reviews and I can add a scored breakdown.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Connected to the North Terminal by a covered walkway (~5 min) — the most convenient at Gatwick
- Free 24hr monorail to the South Terminal (~2 min)
- Signature Sofitel MyBed; spacious, quiet, air-conditioned rooms
- Club Lounge & runway-view Club rooms; multiple restaurants & bars
- Strong business/events facilities; gym; 24-hr room service
- On-site parking & Park & Fly; excellent accessibility
Cons
- The most expensive hotel at Gatwick — food, drinks & extras priced to match
- Some feel breakfast options / in-room extras are modest for the price
- No swimming pool
- Connected walkway is to the North Terminal only (South is via monorail)
Travel tips
- Flying from the North Terminal? This is the easiest stay at Gatwick — walkway straight to check-in.
- South Terminal flight? Still works — the free monorail takes ~2 minutes.
- Book a Luxury Club room for lounge access (evening bites + breakfast) and, in Club Millésime, runway views.
- Driving? Use a Park & Fly package to bundle the stay with parking.
- Watch the pricing — pre-book dining or use the lounge; drinks/extras are premium.
- Note the former name (Le Meridien) if you're reading older reviews.
- Pre-book your onward car — for the journey home or onward with luggage/family, a fixed-fare door-to-door transfer is simplest.
Best way to book online
| Book via | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Official site (all.accor.com) | Best-rate, ALL points & member perks, room choice | Choose Club room for lounge; add breakfast/parking |
| ALL — Accor Live Limitless | Member rates, points earn/redeem, upgrades | Need to be a (free) member |
| Park-and-fly specialists | Bundling room + parking (Park & Fly) | Check the package & parking terms |
| Major OTAs | Comparing dates & deals | May appear under the former Le Meridien name |
In short: book directly with Sofitel/Accor for the best rate, ALL points and room choice (pick a Club room for the lounge). Add breakfast and a Park & Fly package if you need them. 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 Sofitel connected to the terminal?
Yes — it's directly connected to Gatwick's North Terminal by a short covered walkway (about five minutes, step-free and indoors). For the South Terminal, a free monorail runs 24 hours and takes about two minutes, so the hotel is convenient for both terminals.
Which is closer — North or South Terminal?
The North Terminal, via the covered walkway. The South Terminal is a quick, free monorail ride away. Staying at your departure terminal is most convenient, but either works from here.
Is there a swimming pool?
No — there's no swimming pool. There is a gym with cardio and weights, plus multiple restaurants, bars and a Club Lounge for eligible rooms.
What's the Club Lounge / Club Millésime?
Luxury Club rooms include access to the 8th-floor Club Lounge, with complimentary evening drinks, canapés and breakfast. Club Millésime rooms add runway views — a nice upgrade for plane-spotters or a relaxed pre-flight evening.
Is it expensive?
It's the premium hotel at Gatwick, so rooms, food, drinks and extras are priced accordingly. It's worth it for the connected location and comfort; if budget is the priority, other on-airport and nearby hotels cost less.
Was this hotel called something else before?
Yes — it was previously the Le Meridien London Gatwick, so some older listings and reviews use that name. It's the same building, now the Sofitel London Gatwick.