Sofitel Gatwick Review: Luxury Runway View Room & Millésime Lounge
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Holidays are coming, holidays are coming… 🎶
Ready for that big day but dreading pre-flight faff & stress?
If you’re flying from Gatwick North Terminal and want to ‘start as it means to go on’, Sofitel is hard to beat.
It’s directly connected to North Terminal (no shuttle, no road crossings, no woodland shortcuts), and just a quick free monorail ride from South Terminal.
We upgraded to a Luxury Runway View Room with Millésime Lounge access — If the price difference is under £80–£100, it’s usually worth it.
Airport views. Complimentary drinks (yes, spirits and wine included). Canapés. Breakfast pastries and a mini bar with beer & wine.
Here’s what you actually get, whether it’s worth your money and how it compares to a cheaper option.
Good To Know
1. North Terminal is connected – you’re inside departures in under 2 minutes. South Terminal? Free monorail, about 5 minutes.
2. Check-in 2pm | Check-out 11am
3. Petrol station 1 minute away – snacks, drinks, emergency bits you forgot.
4. McDonald’s & KFC nearby – You can’t beat a 20 box.
5. Online check-in 24 hours before – grab your key and go. No faffing.
If you’re wondering what walking around Gatwick is actually like, we’ve covered Tesco runs, pubs and routes here.
Check-In Upto 24 Hours Before Arrival For Convenience
Stepping through those revolving doors at Sofitel feels like the official start of the holiday.
That moment is something. It’s here. It’s real. You made it.
To make life easier, you can check in online up to 24 hours before arrival, which means no hanging around at reception. Grab your key and head straight to the bar — or your room — without the faff.
The receptionist greets you with a polite “Bonjour, welcome to Sofitel Gatwick,” and the whole process is smooth and quick.
You’re not standing there with suitcases, which is exactly what you want.
Checking out is just as easy. Drop your key in the box and go. No drama. No delays. Straight to departures.
Upgrade to a Luxury Room with an Awesome Runway View
If you’re celebrating something, go on — treat yourself.
You’ll have zero regrets.
But even if you’re not, the upgrade can genuinely make sense and save you money.
We paid around £80 extra for a Luxury Runway View Room with Millésime access. For two people, that’s not outrageous when you factor in the complimentary mini-bar, evening drinks, canapés and breakfast pastries.
I’ll admit, I’m a bit of an aviation geek. Watching planes roll in with a cold beer in hand while the holiday countdown ticks down? That’s hard to beat.
Looking at prices for our next booking, the upgrade is hovering around £100. Still tempting.
You get the runway views from the 8th floor, a well-stocked mini-bar and access to the Millésime Lounge in the evening, which is also on the 8th floor.
If you’d normally buy a few airport pints and breakfast anyway, it starts to balance itself out.
For us, it was a no-brainer.
Sofitel Luxury Room: Our Verdict
The Luxury Room delivers what you’d expect from a 4-star airport hotel — and then some.
The complimentary mini-bar was properly stocked: beers, wine, water, soft drinks and snacks. Not the usual “one sad bottle of water” situation.
The bed was dangerously comfortable. We set extra alarms. I trust my luck about as far as I can throw it.
Plenty of plug sockets and USB ports on both sides of the bed (always a win), Freeview on the TV, and enough toiletries in the bathroom to quietly “re-home” for future trips.
Was it perfect? Not quite.
The coffee machine wasn’t what we expected, and the telephones looked like they’d survived every rebrand since the 90s (they are the same ones from when I was staying here as a kid). Slight whiff of nostalgia. Slight whiff of nicotine.
But those are minor gripes.
With the runway view, free mini-bar and holiday atmosphere building by the hour, we didn’t feel the need to wander into the terminal to pay artisan prices for average beer.
For a pre-flight stay, it ticks the right boxes.
What is Millesime Access & what do you get?
This is where the upgrade actually earns its keep.
Millésime Lounge access runs from 17:00 to 20:00 and gives you complimentary drinks and canapés on the 8th floor.
We’re talking beer, wine, spirits — not just squash and disappointment.
From 06:00, you can also grab breakfast pastries, coffee and tea in La Brasserie.
Nothing over-the-top fancy, but more than enough to set you up for the day.
The snacks rotate and get topped up regularly — calamari, chicken bites, nuts, crisps, fruit. It’s not Michelin-star territory, but it does the job. Picky bits in the garden, as my mother would say.
If you’re the type who’d normally buy a couple of airport pints and breakfast anyway, this is where the value starts to make sense.
Top tip: try the calamari.
It’s also just… calm.
Everyone’s in holiday mode. Quiet conversations, glasses clinking, runway views in the background. No departure board chaos yet.
“Bonjour, welcome to the Millesime Lounge. What can I get for you to drink?”
Canapes and snacks ranged from calamari and chicken nibbles to fruits, nuts, crisps, etc.
This wasn’t just a one-time thing. New additions and freshly topped-up snacks kept coming from the kitchen as and when needed.
It’s nothing mega-fancy, but it’s still good!
Notably, we’re not the only ones in holiday mode, relaxing, having a quiet conversation, sipping their vino, and living in the moment.
Restaurants & Bars at Sofitel Gatwick
Sofitel has two main restaurants, an Urban Café and a couple of bars — so you’re not short on options.
They’re not cheap, but the quality is genuinely good.
If you’re staying as part of a Park & Stay or package deal, it’s worth checking Holiday Extras for any bundled offers. Sometimes you can shave a bit off by combining meals or extras.
The options:
- La Brasserie (2 Rosette) – Modern European dishes in a proper restaurant setting.
- Vanda Oriental – Southeast Asian flavours with a bit more flair.
- Urban Café – More relaxed. Pizzas, ramen, fish & chips and other classics. Still a pretty penny.
- La Terrasse Bar – Good for a relaxed drink and people-watching.
- Le Ceil Bar – Cocktails and a bit of jazz atmosphere.
Park And Stay Sofitel Gatwick
If you’re driving to Gatwick, you can book parking with your Sofitel stay as a package.
From what we’ve found, the easiest way to do this is usually through Holiday Extras. Prices vary, so always compare, but it’s often cheaper than booking the hotel and parking separately.
Yes, it’s a bit more adulting. But it can save you a few quid.
Booking everything together — hotel, parking, maybe even lounges — keeps it simple and avoids last-minute stress.
Quick reminder: check whether you already get lounge access through a credit card, bank account, tour operator or travel insurance before adding anything extra.
No point paying twice.
Are There Any Cheap Deals?
Short answer? Not really.
Sofitel doesn’t tend to throw out crazy discounts. It’s connected to Gatwick North Terminal, so they know they’ve got the convenience factor.
That said, you can sometimes soften the blow.
Booking directly with Accor can get you small member discounts and flexible cancellation. Booking.com occasionally price matches. And if you’re adding parking, Holiday Extras packages can work out better than booking everything separately.
But don’t expect £59 miracle deals.
If you catch it at a sensible price — especially if the upgrade isn’t miles more than a standard room — that’s when it starts to feel worth it.
We’re pretty simple and 99% of the time book direct or use the old trusty Booking.com. Saves any future faff for saving £2.
Sofitel Throughout The Years
Sofitel’s changed a fair bit over the years.
It used to have a swimming pool and sauna, which is exactly why my parents always picked it when we were kids. Starting a holiday with a swim felt elite in the 90s.
The 8th floor was mostly BA crew territory back then, and there used to be a proper fountain in the lobby too.
I remember it as the Forte Crest. Then Le Méridien. Now Sofitel.
Much has evolved.
Except the telephones. I’m fairly sure they’ve survived every rebrand since dial-up internet.
Still, there’s something quite nostalgic about it. The bones of the place are the same — just smarter, slicker and a bit more grown up.
Gatwick Sofitel FAQs
Can you walk from Sofitel to Gatwick North Terminal?
Yes. Sofitel Gatwick has its own covered walkway directly connected to Gatwick North Terminal. You can walk from your room to departures in around 2 minutes.
How far is Sofitel from Gatwick North Terminal?
About a 2-minute walk. The hotel is physically connected to the North Terminal via a private covered walkway.
Which Terminal at Gatwick is the Sofitel?
Sofitel is located at Gatwick North Terminal. If you’re flying from South Terminal, you can use the free 24/7 monorail between terminals (around 5 minutes).
What time is breakfast at Sofitel Gatwick?
Breakfast is served in La Brasserie from 5:00am to 10:30am.
Final Thoughts
Sofitel has that little bit of wow factor if you’re looking to start your holiday properly.
If you’re flying from North Terminal and the price difference isn’t huge compared to other airport hotels, the convenience alone can make it worth it. No shuttle buses. No dragging cases across roads. Just roll out of bed and you’re basically in departures.
Add in the runway views, mini-bar perks and Millésime Lounge access, and it feels more like part of the holiday rather than just a place to sleep.
Is it the cheapest option near Gatwick? No.
Is it the smoothest and easiest? Probably.
If you just need a bed and don’t care about the extras, check out our Premier Inn North Terminal review instead. But if you want that little pre-flight buzz and a stress-free start, Sofitel delivers.
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No pressure. Just good vibes.
¡Adiós amigos!
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