I had a quick overnight in London, as my flight was arriving from Kigali and Brussels at around 5PM, and I had a 6AM flight the next morning to New York.
I decided to book the Hilton Gatwick, given that it’s connected to the terminal I’d be departing from the following morning, I’m a Diamond elite member, and the rate was reasonable (under 100USD including VAT).
RwandAir uses the North Terminal at Gatwick, while the Hilton Gatwick is in the South Terminal. There’s a train connecting the two terminals, so I followed the signage in that direction.
Train between Gatwick terminals
Train between Gatwick terminals
Actually getting to the Hilton was more of an adventure than I had anticipated. It’s not actually difficult to find, but it involves a lot of corridors, moving sidewalks, elevators, and even going through the car park. At least that’s how I got there — maybe there’s a more direct way.
Walking towards Hilton Gatwick
Walking towards Hilton Gatwick
Walking through car park to Hilton Gatwick
Fortunately the signage is pretty self explanatory, so it wasn’t too tough to find.
Walkway to Hilton Gatwick
Entrance to Hilton Gatwick
The Hilton Gatwick has an atrium that spans a few floors, with the lobby bar and restaurant in the middle of it.
Hilton Gatwick lobby
Hilton Gatwick lobby
There was a queue at check-in when I arrived (the below picture was taken in the morning when I left), though I was helped within about five minutes. The lady checking me in was friendly, and confirmed that I had been upgraded to an executive room as a Diamond member.
Hilton Gatwick reception
I was assigned room 7441, located on the fourth floor (and not the seventh floor as you’d suspect based on the numbering). As it turned out, the seven referred to the fact that my room was in the new(er) wing.
The hallways are perfectly fine, though I can’t help but feel like they’re a bit drab. Purple was never my color.
Hilton Gatwick hallway
I usually don’t mind walking long distances, but it was a real haul from reception to the executive wing. Like, they should really give you a bottle of water, snack, compass, and map at check-in.
Hilton Gatwick hallway
I believe the executive wing is still fairly new, which is why it’s funny to me that it looks more modern, but still far from modern. I don’t think if they intentionally didn’t make it much nicer so they wouldn’t have to renovate the other wing anytime soon, or what.
Hilton Gatwick executive wing hallway
Eventually I made it to my room.
Hilton Gatwick executive room exterior
The room featured an entryway with a closet to the left and the bathroom to the right.
Hilton Gatwick executive room entryway
The room itself was quite nice — it had a comfortable bed, a chair with an ottoman in the corner, a dresser with a TV, and a desk with a chair in the other corner.
Hilton Gatwick executive room
Hilton Gatwick executive room
Hilton Gatwick executive room
Hilton Gatwick executive room desk
There was a small table by the window with two bottles of water, a kettle, and some instant coffee and tea.
Hilton Gatwick executive room kettle & bottled water
The bathroom was back near the entrance, and featured a tub, a walk-in shower, a sink, and a toilet.
Hilton Gatwick executive room bathroom
Hilton Gatwick executive room shower
Toiletries were from Crabtree & Evelyn, and were quite nice.
Hilton Gatwick executive room toiletries
The Wi-Fi in the room worked well, and as a Diamond member I received complimentary enhanced internet.
After dropping off everything in my room I decided to check out the executive lounge, also located on the fourth floor, but back in the main wing.
Hilton Gatwick executive lounge exterior
The Hilton Gatwick executive lounge is open daily from 6AM until 11PM, with breakfast being served from 6AM until 10:30AM, and drinks served from 6:30PM until 8:30PM. Then there are also refreshments throughout the day.
The lounge was in an “L” shape, with couches and chairs near the entrance, and then the buffet in the back corner of the lounge.
Hilton Gatwick executive lounge seating
Hilton Gatwick executive lounge
I arrived in the lounge at around 6PM, so they didn’t quite have the evening happy hour yet.
Hilton Gatwick executive lounge buffet
Instead they still had the afternoon selection, which consisted of some small granola squares, packaged cookies, whole fruit, nuts, pretzels, chips, etc.
Hilton Gatwick executive lounge snacks
Hilton Gatwick executive lounge snacks
Hilton Gatwick executive lounge snacks
There was also a coffee machine, as well as soft drinks.
Hilton Gatwick executive lounge coffee machine
As you guys know, I always do what I can to photograph club lounge food spreads, but I’ve never seen anything quite like this. As you can see in the above pictures, the lounge was mostly empty when I arrived. Well, leading up to 6:30PM the lounge filled to the point that almost every seat was taken.
The second food came out people circled the buffet like hungry vultures. By the time I could get to the buffet they were out of food, and then when they brought refills the same exact thing happened.
So I was overwhelmed and just left. I was still hungry, though, so decided to check out the in-room dining menu, which read as follows:
There aren’t many things I’d expect to be good at an airport Hilton, though I figured the Indian option would be my best bet. So I ordered the chickpea, potato, and spinach curry, and it was actually excellent.
Hilton Gatwick room service dinner
After that I got a good night of sleep, and then left at around 3:30AM to head to the airport. Check-out was quick, and at this point I also walked past the Costa Coffee in the lobby, which was closed, but which is a feature I generally appreciate.
Hilton Gatwick Costa Coffee
The gym was also right by the entrance to the hotel, on the ground floor.
Hilton Gatwick gym exterior
The walk from there to the South Terminal was quick (maybe I just entered in an indirect way the night before?), and I was at Norwegian check-in in no time.
Entrance to Gatwick Airport terminal
Hilton Gatwick Airport bottom line
While by no means luxurious, the Hilton Gatwick did the job for a quick overnight, with an early morning departure from the South Terminal. My room was pretty nice and the rate was reasonable, and my room service order was good as well.
The executive lounge was pure chaos. I’m not sure if I was just unlucky, or if it’s just always that full.
Is there another Gatwick Airport hotel I should try the next time I’m passing through?
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