Gatwick Airport Hotels: Where to Stay
I have stayed at three different Gatwick airport hotels over the years, each for a different reason. The Bloc Hotel when I had a 6am Ryanair flight and wanted to roll out of bed directly to security. The Sofitel when I wanted a decent night after a long-haul arrival. The Travelodge when I just needed somewhere cheap to leave the car before a week in Spain. Gatwick has options for every situation, and the free monorail between terminals means it does not matter which end your hotel is on. The trick is matching your hotel choice to your actual needs rather than automatically booking the cheapest or most expensive option.
At a glance: Six hotels sit on the airport grounds with covered walkways to terminals. The Bloc Hotel is the closest to security (one minute walk, South Terminal). The Sofitel is the premium pick with a 24-hour gym, spa treatments, and runway-view rooms. YOTELAIR does 4-hour bookings from £39. Off-site hotels start around £45 per night but need a shuttle or taxi.
Gatwick Airport Hotels: On-Site
Six hotels are officially on the airport grounds, all connected to terminals by covered walkways. You will not need a shuttle, taxi, or bus for any of these.
| Hotel | Terminal | Walk to Check-In | Rooms | From Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloc Hotel | South | 1 min | 245 | £90/night |
| YOTELAIR | South | 5 min | 46 cabins | £39/4hrs |
| Hilton London Gatwick | South | 10 min | 821 | £120/night |
| Sofitel London Gatwick | North | 5 min | 518 | £130/night |
| Hampton by Hilton | North | 2 min | 194 | £90/night |
| Premier Inn Gatwick | North | 5 min | 701 | £70/night |
Bloc Hotel
The closest hotel to security at Gatwick. It sits on Level 3 of the South Terminal, directly opposite the security entrance. I checked in at 10pm, set an alarm for 4:45am, and was through security by 5:10am. That alone justified the price.
Bloc does not have a restaurant, bar, or breakfast service. You eat at the terminal’s own cafes and restaurants. What it does have is smart room controls via your phone, monsoon showers, free superfast WiFi, and soundproofed Vista rooms with windows overlooking the runway.
Room types: Sleep rooms (no window, from £90) are fine for a few hours. Vista rooms (soundproofed window, from £110) are worth the upgrade if you want natural light. For families, the Vista Family room has a king bed plus child-safe bunkbeds sleeping 2 adults and 2 children. There is also an accessible room with a wheel-in shower, grab rails, and alarm cords.
Check-in: 15:00 (14:00 for VIP+ members). Check-out: 11:00 (12:00 for VIP+ members). The front desk is open 24 hours.
Parking: Bloc does not have its own car park. Book a Gatwick Airport parking space separately and walk to the hotel through the terminal.
YOTELAIR
YOTELAIR sits on the ground floor Arrivals Concourse of the South Terminal. These are compact cabins with full en-suite bathrooms, monsoon showers, HD TVs, and climate control. They are not Japanese-style pods or capsules. You get a real bed, your own bathroom, and a locked door.
The minimum booking is 4 hours, which makes YOTELAIR useful for layovers or long waits between flights. A Standard cabin costs from £39 for 4 hours. A Premium Queen starts from £49 for 4 hours. Overnight stays (check-in 18:00, check-out 09:00) cost more but are still cheaper than most on-site options.
Important: YOTELAIR is landside, meaning it is before security and passport control. If you are arriving on an international flight, you must clear UK immigration before you can access it. If you land at the North Terminal, you will need the free inter-terminal shuttle first.
Breakfast: Continental breakfast (croissants, yogurt, fruit, juice, hot drinks) costs £7.95 per person. Order by email with your booking reference.
Parking: YOTELAIR does not operate parking. Use Gatwick Long Stay or Valet parking separately.
Hilton London Gatwick
The largest hotel at Gatwick with 821 rooms. It connects to the South Terminal via a covered walkway through the terminal arcade. The walk takes around 10 minutes to reach check-in, not the 2 minutes some booking sites claim.
This is a full-service 4-star with an all-day restaurant (The Brasserie), a bar (Flying Horse), a 24-hour gym, a business centre, and even a hair salon. No pool, though.
Rates: From around £120 per night, rising to £180+ in peak season and school holidays. Breakfast is not included in the standard rate and costs roughly £18-22 per person for the buffet.
Check-in: 15:00. Check-out: 12:00.
Families: Family rooms are available. The hotel is well set up for children but the 10-minute walk to the terminal can feel long with tired kids and luggage.
Meeting rooms: The Hilton has significant conference facilities, making it the second-best option (after the Sofitel) for business travellers.
Parking: Via Gatwick Airport parking. Park-and-stay packages are available combining one night with 8 or 15 days of parking.
Sofitel London Gatwick
The premium option at Gatwick. The Sofitel connects to the North Terminal via a 5-minute covered walkway. It is a proper 4-star hotel, not just an airport stopover, and the runway-view rooms are worth requesting if available.
I stayed here after arriving on a delayed flight from the Caribbean at midnight. Having a decent restaurant and a comfortable room waiting, rather than another hour of trains into London, made a real difference. The Brasserie serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and there is a separate bar and coffee spot.
Rates: From around £130-200 per night depending on season. Suites cost more. Breakfast buffet is roughly £18-25 per person and is not included in the standard rate.
Check-in: 14:00. Check-out: 12:00.
Facilities: 24-hour fitness centre, beauty bar, restaurant, bar, and the largest conference facilities of any Gatwick hotel.
Families: Family rooms available. The on-site restaurant and room service make evenings with children easier than hotels without dining options.
Parking: Long Stay and Valet packages via Gatwick Airport parking. Park-and-stay packages available (1 night + 8 or 15 days parking).
Hampton by Hilton
A 3-star mid-range option connected to the North Terminal by a 2-minute covered walkway. The big selling point here is breakfast. The Hampton brand typically includes a free hot breakfast, and when other Gatwick hotels charge £12-25 per person, that adds up fast. A family of four saves £50+ before they have even left for the terminal.
Rates: From around £90-140 per night.
Check-in: 15:00. Check-out: 12:00.
Facilities: Gym, bar with light meals. This is not a conference hotel, so meeting facilities are limited.
Families: Family rooms available. The free breakfast is a real cost saver with children.
Parking: Via Gatwick Airport parking structures.
Premier Inn London Gatwick Airport
The biggest budget name at Gatwick, with 701 rooms at the North Terminal. A 5-minute covered walkway connects directly to the terminal. Some rooms have runway views. This is a proper on-airport hotel, not an off-site shuttle situation.
Rates: From around £70-120 per night. Book well in advance and you can occasionally find rooms under £60. Saver rates are non-refundable. Flexible rates cost more but allow free cancellation.
Check-in: 15:00. Check-out: 12:00.
Breakfast: Not included in the standard rate. The Premier Inn breakfast costs roughly £12.50 per person. There is also a Thyme restaurant and bar on site, plus a Costa Coffee.
Families: Family Plus rooms sleep 2 adults and 2 children. Good value for families, though the rooms are basic.
Accessibility: Lifts throughout and roll-in shower rooms available.
Parking: Paid parking via adjacent Gatwick structures. Not free.
Hotels Near Gatwick Airport
These hotels are off the airport grounds. You will need a shuttle bus, local bus, or taxi to reach the terminals.
| Hotel | Distance | Transport | From Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travelodge Gatwick Airport Central | 1 mile | Hoppa shuttle | £45/night |
| Holiday Inn London Gatwick | 1.4 miles | Hoppa shuttle | £90/night |
| Courtyard by Marriott | 10-min walk to South Terminal | Walk | £90/night |
| Radisson RED | 3.9 miles | Shuttle (verify times) | £90/night |
Travelodge Gatwick Airport Central
The go-to budget option. Located on Povey Cross Road in Horley, about a mile from the airport. The room was basic but clean, and I was asleep within ten minutes of arriving.
Rates: From around £45-80 per night.
Parking: On-site parking costs roughly £8-10 per day, operated by APCOA. There are around 200 spaces. Not free, but still cheaper than official Gatwick parking if you are flying for a week or more.
Breakfast: Bar Cafe on site. Saver breakfast from roughly £6.99 per person.
Shuttle: The Gatwick Hoppa bus serves this hotel. It is not a free hotel shuttle.
Note: There are multiple Travelodges near Gatwick. This is the Povey Cross Road, Horley property. Do not confuse it with the Travelodge London Gatwick Airport on Massetts Road, which is a different hotel at a different location.
Holiday Inn London Gatwick
A mid-range option about 1.4 miles from the airport. There are actually two Holiday Inn properties near Gatwick (one on Povey Cross Road, one on Langley Drive in Crawley), so double-check which you are booking. Both are served by the paid Gatwick Hoppa bus, not a free hotel shuttle.
Rates: From around £90-140 per night. Breakfast is not included.
Facilities: Restaurant and bar, gym, secure guest parking, and meeting rooms.
Families: Family rooms available.
Courtyard by Marriott London Gatwick
A 3-star Marriott property near the South Terminal, about a 10-minute walk with luggage. Gatwick classifies it as “nearby” rather than on-airport, despite what some booking sites imply.
Rates: From around £90-150 per night.
Facilities: Restaurant with outdoor terrace, fitness centre, and bar. No pool.
Meeting rooms: Small meeting rooms available (Courtyard brand standard).
Radisson RED London Gatwick
The furthest hotel in this list at 3.9 miles from the airport, on Manor Royal in Crawley’s business park. The Radisson RED brand targets younger business travellers with an art-focused bar and modern design.
Rates: From around £90-150 per night.
Shuttle: At this distance, confirm the shuttle schedule, hours, and any cost before booking. Being stranded nearly 4 miles from Gatwick without transport would be a problem.
Facilities: Restaurant, bar, gym. Likely free on-site parking given the business park location.
Park-and-Stay Packages
If you are driving to Gatwick and flying out for a week or two, a park-and-stay package combines one night at a hotel with parking for the duration of your trip. This is often cheaper than booking a hotel and a car park separately.
The Sofitel, Hilton, Bloc, and Premier Inn all offer park-and-stay packages through Gatwick Airport’s official parking. A typical deal bundles 1 night plus 8 or 15 days of Long Stay parking. Prices vary by season, but booking in advance can save up to 60% compared to walk-up rates.
Gatwick official parking options:
| Parking Type | Walk to Terminal | Indicative Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Short Stay | 4 min | Most expensive |
| Mid Stay | 6 min | Mid-range |
| Long Stay | Shuttle (10-12 min) | From £12-20/day advance |
| Valet | 2 min (drop at terminal) | Premium |
For EV drivers: Electric vehicle chargers are in the Gatwick car parks, not at the hotels themselves. If you need to charge, book a car park space alongside your hotel stay.
The Travelodge Gatwick Central has its own on-site parking at roughly £8-10 per day, which is cheaper than official Gatwick rates but adds up over a two-week holiday. For most travellers, the official park-and-stay packages bundling a hotel night with parking work out better value.
Getting to Off-Site Hotels
On-site hotels need no transport. For off-site hotels:
| Option | Cost | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gatwick Hoppa shuttle | £4-5 | Every 20-40 min | Serves most nearby hotels |
| Local bus (route 100) | £2-£3 | Every 20 min | Horley-Gatwick-Crawley route |
| Taxi | From £15.50 | On demand | Adds up for multiple passengers |
The Hoppa shuttle serves off-site hotels like the Travelodge, Holiday Inn, and Radisson RED. On-site hotels do not use the Hoppa because guests walk directly through covered walkways.
Transport Between Terminals
A free monorail (officially the inter-terminal shuttle) connects North and South Terminals. It runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. During the day it comes every 3 minutes or so, with a journey time of about 2 minutes. Between 23:00 and 06:00 the frequency drops to roughly every 10 minutes, but the service does not stop overnight.
This means your hotel terminal does not need to match your flight terminal. Stay at the Sofitel (North) even if your flight is from the South Terminal. The monorail makes it a non-issue.
Gatwick Airport Hotels by Budget
Budget: Under £80 Per Night
YOTELAIR (from £39/4hrs, South Terminal) is the cheapest option for short stays and layovers. For a full overnight, the cost rises but remains competitive.
Travelodge Gatwick Airport Central (from £45/night) is the cheapest full-service hotel option. Basic rooms, no frills, but it does the job. On-site parking available at roughly £8-10/day.
Premier Inn Gatwick (from £70/night, North Terminal) is the best value on-airport hotel. Book early for the best rates. Saver rates can drop below £60 but are non-refundable.
Mid-Range: £80-150 Per Night
Hampton by Hilton (from £90/night, North Terminal) is the standout in this bracket because breakfast is typically included. At other hotels in this range, breakfast adds £12-25 per person on top.
Bloc Hotel (from £90/night, South Terminal) is closest to security but has no restaurant. Best for solo travellers or couples who just need a bed and a shower before an early flight.
Courtyard by Marriott (from £90/night, near South Terminal) has a restaurant, terrace, and gym. The 10-minute walk to the terminal is the main drawback.
Holiday Inn Gatwick (from £90/night, 1.4 miles away) is served by the Gatwick Hoppa bus to both terminals.
Premium: £120+ Per Night
Hilton London Gatwick (from £120/night, South Terminal) is a full-service 4-star with a restaurant, gym, business centre, and the most rooms of any Gatwick hotel. No pool.
Sofitel London Gatwick (from £130/night, North Terminal) is the top option. 24-hour gym, beauty bar, restaurant, bar, runway views. The only Gatwick hotel where you might actually enjoy the stay rather than just endure it.
Which Hotel for Your Situation
5am Ryanair flight and you need maximum sleep: Bloc Hotel. One minute to security. Set your alarm as late as possible.
Arriving after midnight on a delayed flight: Any on-site hotel with a 24-hour front desk. Bloc confirms 24-hour reception. Off-site hotels are reachable via the Hoppa bus, but check the late-night schedule.
Family with young children and an early flight: Sofitel if budget allows (family rooms, on-site restaurant for dinner, and room service for breakfast). Bloc’s Vista Family room is the budget alternative with bunkbeds for the kids.
Driving to the airport and flying for two weeks: Book a park-and-stay package. Sofitel, Hilton, and Premier Inn all offer 1-night-plus-parking bundles through Gatwick Airport. The Travelodge has on-site parking at roughly £8-10/day if you prefer to book separately.
Just need the cheapest bed near Gatwick: Travelodge Gatwick Central from £45 per night.
Long layover between flights (4-8 hours): YOTELAIR. Four-hour minimum, from £39. Remember it is landside, so you will need to go back through security for your next flight.
Business trip with meetings: Sofitel has the largest conference facilities. Hilton is the second choice with a business centre and meeting rooms.
Wheelchair user or accessibility needs: Bloc has a dedicated accessible room with wheel-in shower and grab rails. Premier Inn has roll-in shower rooms and lifts throughout. Hilton and Sofitel both have accessible rooms. Request these when booking, not at check-in.
Travelling with pets: Most on-airport Gatwick hotels do not accept pets. Check with the off-site hotels directly, as policies vary and change.
Check-In and Check-Out Times
| Hotel | Check-In | Check-Out |
|---|---|---|
| Bloc Hotel | 15:00 | 11:00 |
| YOTELAIR | 18:00 (overnight) | 09:00 |
| Hilton London Gatwick | 15:00 | 12:00 |
| Sofitel London Gatwick | 14:00 | 12:00 |
| Hampton by Hilton | 15:00 | 12:00 |
| Premier Inn | 15:00 | 12:00 |
For early check-in or late check-out, contact the hotel directly. Most will accommodate if rooms are available, but some charge a fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest hotel at Gatwick Airport?
YOTELAIR offers the lowest entry price at £39 for a 4-hour cabin booking, which works for layovers. For a full overnight stay, the Travelodge Gatwick Airport Central starts from around £45 per night. On the airport grounds, the Premier Inn is the cheapest full hotel from around £70 per night if you book in advance.
Which Gatwick terminal is my hotel connected to?
North Terminal hotels: Sofitel (5-min walk), Hampton by Hilton (2-min walk), and Premier Inn (5-min walk). South Terminal hotels: Bloc (1-min walk), YOTELAIR (5 min), and Hilton (10-min walk). A free monorail runs between terminals 24 hours a day (every 3 minutes by day, roughly every 10 minutes overnight), so your hotel terminal does not need to match your flight terminal.
Do Gatwick airport hotels include parking?
Most on-site hotels do not include parking in the room rate. You book parking separately through Gatwick Airport. The Travelodge Gatwick Central (off-site) has its own parking at roughly £8-10 per day. Park-and-stay packages bundling one night plus 8 or 15 days of parking are available through the Sofitel, Hilton, Premier Inn, and Bloc via Gatwick’s official parking site.
Is it worth staying at a hotel by Gatwick the night before a flight?
For flights departing before 7am, yes. On-site hotels eliminate the stress of early morning drives, train cancellations, and traffic. The Bloc Hotel puts you one minute from South Terminal security. For flights after 10am, you can usually travel to Gatwick on the day. The Gatwick Express from London Victoria takes 30 minutes and runs every 30 minutes, with additional Southern services reducing effective wait times at peak hours.
Are there hotels inside Gatwick Airport?
Bloc Hotel and YOTELAIR are both inside the South Terminal building. Bloc is on Level 3 opposite security. YOTELAIR is on the ground floor Arrivals Concourse. The Sofitel, Hampton, Hilton, and Premier Inn are separate buildings connected to terminals by covered walkways. All six are officially on-airport and none require a shuttle.
Do any Gatwick airport hotels have a swimming pool?
None of the on-site Gatwick airport hotels currently have a swimming pool. The Sofitel previously had one but it has been removed. The Holiday Inn London Gatwick (off-site, 1.4 miles away) may have a pool, but confirm before booking. If a pool matters, check current facilities directly with the hotel.
How early should I arrive at Gatwick for my flight?
For short-haul European flights, arrive 2 hours before departure. For long-haul international flights, arrive 3 hours before. On-site hotels like the Bloc and Sofitel let you walk to security in minutes, giving more flexibility than off-site hotels where shuttle buses add 15-30 minutes.
What shuttle services run between Gatwick hotels and the terminals?
The Gatwick Hoppa shuttle costs £4-5 per adult depending on route and runs every 20-40 minutes to most off-site hotels. Local bus route 100 runs every 20 minutes between Horley, Gatwick, and Crawley for £2-3. On-site hotels do not need shuttles as they connect via covered walkways.
Can I use a Gatwick airport hotel for a daytime layover?
Yes. YOTELAIR does 4-hour bookings from £39, which is exactly the use case. Bloc Hotel’s check-in is 15:00, so it only works for daytime use if you book the night before and keep the room. Some hotels also offer day-use rates through platforms like DayUse.com.
Which Gatwick airport hotel includes breakfast?
The Hampton by Hilton is the only on-site Gatwick hotel that typically includes breakfast in the room rate. All other hotels charge separately. Expect to pay roughly £7-8 at YOTELAIR, £7 at the Travelodge, £12.50 at the Premier Inn, and £18-25 at the Hilton and Sofitel. Bloc Hotel has no breakfast service at all. If breakfast costs matter, the Hampton’s included meal saves a family of four at least £50.
Is a Gatwick airport hotel better than sleeping in the airport lounge?
Airport lounges cost £40-55 for a few hours but offer only reclining chairs, not beds. YOTELAIR starts at £39 for a 4-hour cabin with a proper bed, shower, and locked door. For overnight stays, even the cheapest hotel beats a lounge for actual rest. If you just need a comfortable place to wait for 2-3 hours, a lounge may be enough.
