Blacklane Chauffeur Service
Sofitel London Gatwick lobby © Rowena Marella-Daw
Vivre Restaurant at Sofitel London Gatwick
There’s nothing more stressful than catching an early morning flight, especially when you live so far from the airport. In my case, catching a 6:40 am flight from London Gatwick Airport would have meant getting up at 2:00 am or earlier. For a non-driver like myself, catching trains and airport buses from my base in East Anglia didn’t work, and finding a taxi service at that time was like searching for gold. So it made perfect sense to begin my journey with a luxury car service and an overnight stay at Gatwick Airport.
A chauffeured service such as that offered by Blacklane was a godsend. Having read about the company and its good reputation, I booked an airport transfer two weeks prior to my flight. My booking was confirmed straight away, leaving me more time to relax and focus on the trip. And instead of travelling very early to catch my flight on the same day, I decided to stay overnight at a hotel within Gatwick Airport. I also made sure I had plenty of time to get to my hotel and just chill out in the evening.
Blacklane sent text messages informing me that my chauffeur, Sayam, was on his way. I was also given his mobile number in case I needed to reach him, as well as the car model and registration number. Sayam arrived 10 minutes early, greeted me at my doorstep, politely addressed me as “Ma’am”, picked up and stored my luggage. We drove off in a swanky black BMW i5 Business Class Executive car, so comfortable I fell asleep most of the way.
Blacklane operates its premium chauffeur service in major cities worldwide
ARRIVING IN STYLE
We cruised along most of the M25 with no problem at all, until we encountered a long queue about a mile from the exit towards Gatwick Airport. Sayam checked the Sat Nav and found an alternative route, which meant diverting further down the M25. If I had been scheduled to fly that same day, I would have been in serious panic mode. During unforeseen circumstances such as this, the driver’s experience and problem-solving skills come into play. And in typical British fashion, Sayam stayed calm and carried on. Before I knew it, we arrived at Gatwick Airport just 15 minutes later than our original scheduled arrival time.
Sayam dropped me off right in front of the entrance to the Sofitel London Gatwick hotel in the airport’s North terminal. Thanks to his courteous and professional demeanour, I had a smooth and comfortable trip in luxurious comfort. And it was quite nice to be addressed as ‘Ma’am’ even for just a brief moment.
Booking a chauffeur service with a reputable company such as Blacklane makes all the difference, providing peace of mind and a stress-free journey. The fact that they also operate in major cities around the world is worth keeping in mind.
Prestige Suite at Sofitel London Gatwick
SOFITEL LONDON GATWICK
Arriving at Sofitel London Gatwick the day before my flight and knowing that I can quickly access the airport’s North Terminal through a short tunnel was such a relief. The building’s spacious indoor courtyard incorporates a reception area, bar and restaurants on the ground floor, and the layout was designed with several rooms facing the indoor courtyard, while premium rooms have views of the airport runway.
My Premium room on the 8th floor provided views of the runway through wide windows—perfect for plane spotting. The contemporary style and king-size bed suited me perfectly, while the bathroom’s black marble features added an elegant touch.
Rooms on this floor have access to the Club Millésime executive lounge, which serves all-inclusive drinks, a light buffet and complimentary breakfast. I arrived just in time to check out this intimate lounge, where the warm and friendly Alexandra served me a refreshing G&T according to my special request. The small pre-dinner mini buffet included a selection of cheeses, charcuterie, dips, salads, a pasta dish and a delicious Croquette. Sitting by the window, I could have stayed here all evening watching planes landing and taking off.
Food at Sofitel London Gatwick
By the time I came down to Vivre on the ground floor at 7:00pm, the restaurant was nearly full, which was not surprising considering it opens as early as 5:00pm and closes at 10:30pm. Fortunately, I found a table at the corner, which was perfect for observing the comings and goings. The menu included a selection of tempting classics, but it was the Pan-seared Cod Loin with lemon, dill pomme puree, asparagus spears, and mussel and samphire cream that caught my eye. The Pistachio Frangipane Tart with pistachio ice cream, fresh berries and candied pistachios was also a delight. Considering the quick turnover of guests dining here, the friendly staff did a remarkable job making sure orders were taken and served quickly.
Next door is Vanda restaurant, which serves Pan-Asian cuisine in an elegant setting, while the La Terrasse bar and lounge in the atrium also serves a good selection of sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and cream tea, complemented by a choice of coffees and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
An early night for an early flight was my mantra that evening, which meant I had to skip a nightcap at the Club Milissime Lounge. It also meant foregoing the buffet breakfast. On my way out, I managed to get a freshly ground takeaway coffee from the lounge, and it took me less than 20 minutes to get to the North Terminal departures area. Having a restful night at Sofitel London Gatwick was definitely what I needed to commence an exciting, five-star adventure in Marrakech.
Bathroom at Sofitel London Gatwick
Runway-facing room at Sofitel London Gatwick
Room view from Sofitel London Gatwick