The Perfect Hotel for an Early Gatwick Flight | Holiday Inn

*This post features a PR stay at the hotel but I was under no obligation to post this blog. If you have an early morning flight from Gatwick Airport, staying at a hotel the night before can make travelling so much less stressful. We recently had a super early flight to France, so rather than getting up at an unreasonable hour and travelling to Gatwick in the middle of the night, we decided to stay at the Holiday Inn London – Gatwick Airport.

And honestly, it was the perfect start to our trip.

From the easy airport shuttle to the lovely room, delicious dinner and a very welcome breakfast on our return, the hotel had everything we needed for a stress-free stay before and after our flight.

Getting to Holiday Inn Gatwick Airport

One of the main reasons we chose the Holiday Inn was how easy it is to get to from Gatwick Airport. We took the Gatwick Hoppa from the airport directly to the hotel, which was super easy and convenient, especially with our luggage.

The Hoppa connects Gatwick Airport with a number of nearby hotels and is a great option if you don’t want the hassle of arranging a taxi or figuring out public transport after your flight. For us, it was exactly what we needed — land at Gatwick, collect our bags, hop on the shuttle and head straight to the hotel.

Tip: Check the Hoppa times before you travel

If you’re staying at a hotel near Gatwick Airport, I’d recommend checking the Gatwick Hoppa timetable and prices before your trip so you know exactly what to expect when you arrive. It’s definitely worth factoring this into your airport hotel plans, particularly if you have a very early flight or are arriving late at night.

Our Room at Holiday Inn Gatwick

Our room was honestly beautiful. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from an airport hotel, but I was really impressed. It was spacious, comfortable and beautifully presented — exactly what you want when you’ve got an early start the next morning.

Rather than feeling like somewhere we were simply staying because it was close to the airport, it actually felt like a lovely place to unwind. We checked in, settled into our room and then headed downstairs for dinner.

Dinner at the Hotel

Another reason I love staying at an airport hotel the night before a flight is not having to worry about where you’re going to eat. The Holiday Inn Gatwick has a restaurant and bar downstairs, so after checking in we could simply head down for dinner without needing to leave the hotel again.

We had some delicious food and a drink, which was the perfect way to spend the evening before our early start. There is something so nice about checking into a hotel, having dinner downstairs and then knowing you can simply head upstairs to bed afterwards.

No rushing around. No worrying about getting back to the hotel. Just an easy evening before travelling.

We Stayed Again on Our Return

We enjoyed our stay so much that we actually stayed at the Holiday Inn Gatwick again when we returned from France. This time, we got to experience breakfast — and there was one very exciting addition…

Hello, Mimosas!  I have to say, this was a highlight.

I think this might be the first hotel I’ve stayed at in the UK that offers mimosas with breakfast, and I am absolutely on board. After coming back from holiday, sitting down for breakfast with a mimosa felt like such a lovely way to end the trip. It was one of those little touches that made the hotel feel that bit more special.

And let’s be honest, if you can have a mimosa with breakfast after getting back from France, why wouldn’t you?

Why Stay at a Hotel Near Gatwick Airport?

If you’re flying from Gatwick, I would definitely recommend considering an airport hotel, particularly if you have an early morning flight. For us, it meant we didn’t have to worry about traffic, trains or getting up at an incredibly early hour to travel to the airport. Instead, we could arrive the night before, have dinner, get a good night’s sleep and then make our way to the airport feeling much more relaxed. And staying again when we returned was an added bonus.

Our Holiday Inn Gatwick Experience

Overall, we had such a lovely experience at the Holiday Inn London – Gatwick Airport.

It was:

Conveniently located for Gatwick Airport
Easy to get to using the Gatwick Hoppa
Comfortable and beautifully presented
Home to a great restaurant and bar
Perfect for breakfast before or after a flight
And, of course, mimosas!

For me, the biggest benefit was simply the convenience.

When you’re travelling for a holiday, especially with an early morning flight, starting the trip feeling relaxed makes such a difference.

Is Holiday Inn Gatwick Airport Worth Staying At?

For us, absolutely. We actually stayed twice during the same trip, which probably tells you everything you need to know! It was the perfect base before our early flight to France and equally as lovely when we returned home.

The combination of a comfortable room, on-site dining, easy airport transport and a relaxing breakfast made it a really convenient choice for our trip. So, if you’re looking for a hotel near Gatwick Airport, particularly for an early morning flight, I’d definitely put the Holiday Inn Gatwick on your list.

And if you’re lucky enough to be greeted with a mimosa at breakfast…

Even better.