Sleeping Pods At Gatwick: A Comfortable Layover?

London Gatwick Airport is open 24 hours, but Security checkpoints close for a few hours each evening. If you're looking for a place to sleep, there are benches and seats in both terminals, but these are often full, and the layout seems to discourage sleeping. There are also some small corners and nooks where you could sleep on the floor. However, if you're looking for a more comfortable option, Gatwick Airport offers a variety of on-site hotel options, including YOTELAIR, which provides sleep pods or cabins with adjustable smart beds, TVs, Wi-Fi, and more.

Sleeping in Gatwick Airport's North Terminal

Spending the night at Gatwick Airport's North Terminal is possible, but it's not ideal. The airport is open 24 hours, but security checkpoints close for a few hours each evening. If you arrive after they've shut, you can stay in the landside areas until they reopen at around 3 am.

There are a decent amount of benches and seats in the North Terminal, both landside and airside, but they are often taken due to the high number of travellers. If you're staying landside, head to the lower level near the coffee shop for some comfy seats. Airside, the seating is more comfortable, with padded, armrest-free benches and lounge chairs, some even with footrests. These are good for a full lie-down if you get lucky enough to secure one.

If you're looking for uninterrupted sleep, there are two hotels inside the airport that offer day rooms and overnight stays. The Hampton by Hilton is conveniently connected to the North Terminal and is just moments from check-in. It's also only five minutes from the South Terminal via the free shuttle service. The Premier Inn is directly opposite the main entrance to the North Terminal and has a Costa coffee shop, restaurant, bar, business lounge, and express check-in desks. It also offers a range of rooms, including luxurious suites, family rooms, and easy-access rooms.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, YOTELAIR in the South Terminal is a budget hotel offering both day and hourly rates. It's located in the public landside area of the South Terminal, next to international arrivals, and is minutes away from the North Terminal via the free shuttle service. Their cabins are cleverly designed to maximise space and functionality, with an adjustable SmartBed™, a smart TV, a pull-out workstation, super-fast WiFi, and refreshing rain showers.

Sleeping in Gatwick Airport's South Terminal

Sleeping in airports is never ideal, but sometimes it's necessary. If you're spending the night in Gatwick Airport's South Terminal, here's what you need to know.

First, it's important to note that Gatwick Airport is technically open 24 hours, but security checkpoints close for a few hours each evening. If you arrive after they've closed, you can stay in the landside areas until the checkpoints reopen around 3:00 am. The South Terminal is reportedly quieter than the North Terminal, but the seating options are similar in both. There are benches and seats throughout the airport, but they fill up quickly. If you want a decent spot to sleep, you'll need to arrive early.

If you're looking for a more comfortable option, there are two hotels inside the South Terminal: Bloc Gatwick and YOTELAIR. Bloc Gatwick is a budget hotel located just before the Secure Departures area. YOTELAIR is also a budget option, offering day and hourly rates. Both hotels are accessible from the landside area, so you'll need to go through security again for your next flight.

If you plan to sleep in the public areas of the airport, there are a few things to keep in mind. The terminal can be cold, bright, and noisy, so bring warm layers, an eye mask, and earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. Small corners and nooks away from the main public and gate areas tend to be quieter. If you're travelling alone, stay near other travellers or close to security for added safety. Keep your valuables hidden, and consider padlocking your bag to something or sleeping with it against a wall to deter thieves.

Lastly, if you're looking for a place to freshen up, there are showers available inside the British Airways Club Lounge and British Airways First Lounges.

YOTELAIR sleep pods

YOTELAIR is a hotel located inside London Gatwick Airport, in the South Terminal. It offers a range of amenities for travellers who need a place to stay during long layovers or before early morning flights.

The hotel provides a choice of cabins: premium (with a double bed) or standard (with a single bed). The cabins are designed to maximise space and functionality, featuring an adjustable SmartBed™, a smart TV, a pull-out workstation, super-fast WiFi, and a refreshing rain shower. The cabins also have "blackout" features, allowing guests to sleep at any time of day.

YOTELAIR has a minimum booking requirement of four hours, making it a convenient option for those in transit. The hotel is located before security and passport control, just minutes away from departures and arrivals.

The hotel offers various amenities and services to enhance guests' comfort and convenience. This includes food and beverage options, with a continental breakfast available for a small fee. Guests can also order food and drinks to their cabins 24/7. Additionally, YOTELAIR provides earplugs, alarm clocks, and fans upon request.

The hotel has received positive reviews, with travellers praising the comfortable beds, friendly staff, and flexibility in booking hours.

Overall, YOTELAIR at London Gatwick Airport provides a convenient and comfortable option for travellers who need a place to rest and relax during their journey.

Bloc Gatwick budget hotel

Bloc Gatwick is a budget hotel located in the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, just before the Secure Departures area. The hotel is situated on Level 3, right next to the departures gate and a couple of minutes' walk from the train station and short-stay parking. It is the closest hotel in the world to an airport security gate.

Bloc Gatwick offers compact, tech-savvy rooms with or without windows and airport views. The rooms are designed to provide guests with a quality night's sleep before or after their flight. The streamlined, fuss-free rooms include: Sleep (9.5 sq. m.), Vista (9.5 sq. m.), Sleep Single (9.5 sq. m.), Vista Plus (12 sq. m.), Vista Family (12 sq. m.), Aspire (16 sq. m.), Aspire Family (16 sq. m.), VIP (22 sq. m.), and Runway Suite (32 sq. m.).

The rooms are comfortable and feature pocket-sprung beds, monsoon drench showers, and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms have Italian-tiled wet rooms, while others offer views of the runway. All rooms are equipped with a Smart Room Control system, which allows guests to adjust the temperature, lights, blinds, and TV using their smartphones.

Bloc Gatwick does not have an on-site restaurant, but it offers exclusive discounts and meal packages at various dining outlets within the airport. Guests can use breakfast vouchers at nearby restaurants and enjoy discounts at outlets such as Café Nero, Wagamama, and M&S Simply Food. The hotel also provides free barista-style coffee and tea.

The hotel offers convenient transportation options, with a free 24-hour inter-terminal shuttle providing easy access between the North and South Terminals. It is also easily accessible from London city centre via the Gatwick Express, which takes approximately 35 minutes from Victoria Station. Additionally, Bloc Gatwick offers parking packages with discounts on secure airport parking.

Bloc Gatwick provides a 24-hour reception and an express check-in and check-out service. The multilingual staff are responsive and attentive to guests' needs. It is an ideal choice for travellers looking for a comfortable and convenient stay within the airport premises.

Other hotels near Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport offers a wide range of on-site and off-site hotels to suit all budgets and requirements. Here are some other hotels near Gatwick Airport:

Hampton by Hilton

Located directly opposite the North Terminal, the Hampton by Hilton is just moments from check-in and only five minutes from the South Terminal via the free shuttle service. The hotel features a restaurant, bar, and fitness centre.

Premier Inn

Directly opposite the main entrance to the North Terminal, the Premier Inn has a Costa coffee shop, restaurant, bar, business lounge, and express check-in desks.

Courtyard by Marriott

A short walk from the South Terminal, the Courtyard by Marriott features an on-site restaurant and a well-equipped fitness centre.

Sofitel

This 4-star sustainability award-winning hotel is linked to the North Terminal by a short, covered walkway and has easy connections to the South Terminal via monorail.

Bloc Hotel

Located within the South Terminal, the Bloc Hotel offers modern and comfortable accommodations with free high-speed Wi-Fi.

Radisson RED

Located in Crawley, 15 miles from Box Hill, Radisson RED London Gatwick Airport offers accommodation with a shared lounge, private parking, a restaurant, and a bar.

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