I checked into the Sofitel at London Gatwick Airport. I planned to catch up on some work, before leaving early the next day.
Stephen Jones
I checked in to the Sofitel at London Gatwick Airport, located just minutes from departures.
Sofitel has hotels globally, including several at airports, for families and business travelers.
The $272 room had good WiFi, but a lack of a desk meant it wasn’t the best base for working.
Finding a suitable place to work while passing through an airport is essential for any business traveler. I had high hopes when I checked into the Sofitel, at London’s Gatwick Airport. I planned to catch up on some work, before leaving early the next day.
Stephen Jones
The Sofitel, one of several owned by the hospitality group Accor, is attached to the airport’s North Terminal and located within minutes of the check-in desks. It offers runway views and should be well suited for business travelers, with meeting rooms able to hold 300 people, according to its website.I checked into the Sofitel at London Gatwick Airport. I planned to catch up on some work, before leaving early the next day.
Stephen Jones
Sofitel has different room options. As a solo traveler, staying for one night, I opted for a standard superior room with breakfast included, which cost £240 (around $272) based on the rates at the time.
Stephen Jones
I checked in at 2 pm. Sofitel usually asks guests to pay at the hotel, but I asked to pay in advance over the phone. As I’d booked online check-in was smooth and I had the key to my room within less than a minute of approaching the desk.
Stephen Jones
The hotel is a lot more expensive than I’d usually book during trips. The tall lobby, with its marble floors, plush seats, and inner-facing windows, certainly felt luxurious, even if the hotel was pretty quiet.
Stephen Jones
The hotel’s cocktail bar, French brasserie, and conference space are all accessed through the central lobby. It looked quite impressive from the glass elevator.
Stephen Jones
My room — on the seventh floor of the 518-room hotel — was spacious, and the chaise lounge and soft armchair meant there was plenty of space to relax. The complimentary WiFi was fast and accessed without a code.
Stephen Jones
People looking for something different could pay extra (£20 based on rates at the time of writing) for a room with runway views, or upgrade to a luxury room, or suite. I didn’t pay extra for the runway views, but my room did overlook the terminal and shuttle station.
Stephen Jones
There was plenty of storage for suits and bags as well as a safe for belongings.
Stephen Jones
Any guest in need could make use of the hotel’s laundry service.
Stephen Jones
The bathroom, with its contrasting black and white granite, was massive.
Stephen Jones
It had a walk-in waterfall shower, and plenty of spare towels.
Stephen Jones
There was also good selection of complimentary soaps and shampoos.
Stephen Jones
Because I was intending to catch up on a couple of hours of work I was disappointed to find there was no desk in the room – just an armchair and small table. Initially, it was relatively comfortable, but after a few hours it felt cramped and my back started to ache. (As I would later find out, it didn’t have to be this way).
Stephen Jones
Despite the small desk, the room was quiet and I was able to complete a few hours of undistracted work in the afternoon — the complimentary coffee was definitely welcome help, even if there weren’t many instant sachets.
Stephen Jones
Luckily the ginormous queen-sized bed was plump and had plenty of extra pillows.
Stephen Jones
It was comfortable, and I slept well. Despite being right next to the busy terminal and above a car park, I didn’t hear any noise.
Stephen Jones
Breakfast the next morning was served in the Brasserie downstairs. Continental service started at 5:30 a.m, with cooked food being served between 7:30 and 10:30 a.m.
Stephen Jones
There was a wide choice of pastries, fruit, and cooked options. The buffet was unlimited and the service was excellent.
Stephen Jones
After breakfast I checked out with minimal fuss, using the rapid checkout service, and set off for the departure check-in desk, within the North Terminal.
Stephen Jones
The hotel’s location is super convenient and was easy to navigate the way to the terminal. Most of the roughly three-minute journey to the desk was through a covered walkway.
Stephen Jons
There were baggage trolleys just outside the entrance, which is helpful for those with heavy bags.
Stephen Jones
Anyone needing to transfer to the South Terminal could do so easily via the shuttle service, which was on the way to the North Terminal.
Stephen Jones
Overall the hotel was comfortable, had great WiFi, and had interesting airport views. It definitely felt luxurious and would have been perfect for anyone traveling for leisure or with family. However, the lack of a proper desk was disappointing.
Stephen Jones
Working from an armchair, felt a bit like I was working from a cafe, not a premium hotel room.
Stephen Jones
A Sofitel employee told me that housekeeping can put a desk in rooms “upon request” during the booking process. They added that the service is free but not guaranteed all the time, for example during busy periods. I’d used this box while booking, to ask for air con to be left on (which it was). Had it been clearer I would have asked for a desk as well.
Sofitel
If you’re in need of a solid base to catch up on work I’d definitely recommend the hotel to any business travelers. Just make sure you remember to ask for a proper desk beforehand.
Stephen Jones
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