We’re heading off to Florida to meet up with Sky Princess for another Transatlantic voyage home. This involves flying out of Gatwick Airport – and an overnight stay beforehand.
This is what we thought:
Key data
Cost: £45.00 (including “free” cancellation option)
Fair cost: £80.00
Breakfast Chargeable extra (£12.95)
Check-in: 3pm
Check-out: 12pm
Rating: 4 out of 5
How accurate are the website photos? Very good
Would we recommend this hotel? Definitely
Location and contact details
The Travelodge Gatwick Airport Central is located about 5 minutes drive north of the North Terminal.
Address:
Povey Cross Road
Gatwick
RH6 0BE
Telephone: 08719 846506
Lowdown
Travelodge hotels (usually) provide a reliable standard of accommodation at all of their locations across the UK. They may be nothing special, but at least you know what you’re going to get – and not pay over the odds.
For us, the Travelodge Gatwick Central offers the perfect combination of cost and proximity. Yes, there are other hotels closer to the airport, but you tend to pay significantly more – and the experience may not be much better (looking at you, Bloc Hotel).
Our personal experience
Now onto the Travelodge Gatwick Airport Central review:
Bedroom
Despite having a queen-sized bed, there’s plenty of space in our room. Probably because there’s not a lot in it. Bed aside, there’s a desk, a TV, a very small kettle, an ‘easy chair’ and errr…. That’s it.
The carpet is thick and clean, the blackout curtains sufficient to keep the room dark.
The most important room feature is the window. We’re on the south side of the room which means we have a view of the Gatwick flightpath. Perfect for us travel geeks.
Bathroom
We’re in a standard room, so there’s a full bathtub. There’s a long bench and sink, and a huge mirror that runs the full length of the bathroom.
As you would expect from a budget hotel, the toiletries are basic. There’s liquid hand soap and shower gel, both fixed to the wall and both nothing special.
Parking
The Travelodge Gatwick Airport Central has loads of parking. There’s a large area at the front of the building, and another hidden around the back. In the unlikely event you can’t find anything out the front, drive round the left of the building.
Disabled spaces are located directly opposite the main entrance.
Important note: Parking is NOT free. You need to pay using the machines in the foyer, then register your number plate on a separate terminal.
Travelodge claims that they have the cheapest parking of any of the Gatwick Airport hotels. We have not been able to verify this claim.
Important note: Disabled parking is free. Make sure you display your Blue Badge when parking and give your registration details to the receptionist when checkin gin.
Accessibility
Travelodge Gatwick Airport Central does have accessible rooms located on the ground floor.
Although the hotel has lifts, there are many interconnecting doors which may create issues for wheelchair and scooter users.
Also of note, the toilets in regular rooms are also quite high off the floor.
Food
There is an onsite restaurant-bar. The kitchen is open between 5pm and 10pm, but the bar is open 24 hours. A two course meal costs £15.95 and there are plenty of a la carte options
The restaurant also serves an unlimited cooked breakfast for £12.95.
There’s also a large Tesco supermarket just around the corner and plenty of delivery options too.
Oddities and quirks
Nothing as such. Just bear in mind that rooms facing the airport tend to book out quickly.
Other accommodation options
There are plenty of accommodation options within a ten minute drive. There is at least one hotel option inside the terminal building itself (the aforementioned Bloc Hotel).
Can you walk to Gatwick Airport?
Not really. There is rumoured to be a footpath that runs alongside the River Mole which will get you through a gate in the rear of the hotel grounds. However, even if this path does exist, it won’t be paved and is likely to be muddy for signifiant periods of the year. It’s also going to be a complete nightmare when pulling suitcases.
It’s probably cheaper and easier to catch the Gatwick Hoppa bus to your terminal.
Travelodge Gatwick Airport Central review – Final rating
If you’re looking for a cheap place to crash before an early flight, the Travelodge Gatwick Central is an excellent choice. The bed is comfortable, the hotel pleasant and the price very reasonable.
We absolutely would recommend this hotel – especially when you can get a room for £40 or less.
Article continues after the jump…
Please note that we use sponsored links on this blog. Although we may earn a referral fee or bonus points on some of these products and services mentioned, we never recommend anything we wouldn’t use ourselves.
Check out our full Affiliate Disclosure Policy for more info.
