Gatwick Hotels with Parking

So holiday time is here again.

Time to relax, unwind and make the most of those days off from the world.


For too many people their well earned break gets off on the wrong foot. Their trip to the airport turns into a disaster. They get lost on route or leave something behind and have to turn around and go back for it.


Everyone has seen those people frantically dashing to catch a flight just before the gate closes. Sometimes they make it, sometimes they don't. Not a good start to a holiday!

It doesn't have to be that way. With a little preparation and organisation people can have a much better experience and make sure they catch their flight on time and get away for a nice relaxing trip. Rather than set off for a long drive to the terminal it makes sense to stay at airport hotels instead. After a good night's rest it's a just short hop over to check in and a nice easy get away.


Airport hotels are only a few minutes away from the main terminals.


The perfect place to stay before catching a flight; and why leave airport parking to the last minute either? By being organised and making arrangements up front people can avoid any last minute panics when there don't seem to be any spaces available.


Booking hotels and airport parking is easy. Take Hookwood Lodge for example, their easy to use website means people can book hotels and parking at Gatwick airport. In just a few clicks of a mouse they can have everything booked and sorted ready for a nice organised trip. Get off on the right foot this year. Get online and take care of everything up front. It'll make for a relaxing get away.

Car safety on Airport Car Parks

Your car is a huge investment. They enable you to socialise, commute to work and take your children to and from school. Having a car stolen can have an extremely detrimental effect on people’s lifestyles, and is very upsetting and stressful.

Second to your home, the chances are your car is the most expensive thing that you own. Even though cars are insured, the majority of car owners take every action possible to keep their vehicles safe. This includes parking them in safe, well lit areas in recognised parking spaces.

When you go away on holiday, the chances are that you’ll leave your car in a car park for its duration. When you leave your car for one or two weeks, you’ll want to make sure that it’s in a safe, secure and recognised car park. Here are some ways you can make sure that your airport car parking is safe:

Ask friends and family members for recommendations

One of the best ways of finding a good airport car park is to ask your friends and members of your family for any recommendations they may have. Ask them which car parks they have used in the past, and what experience they had with them. This will give you an indication of how safe the car park is, as well as the quality of other services the car park may offer.

Check travel forums

If you can ask any of your friends or family members for recommendations, consider asking questions on a travel forum. You will be able to read honest opinions and recommendations from people who have used the car parks you’re interested in using. This will enable to compare airport car parks and choose the best and safest options for you.

Airport parking is generally on- or off-site. While both offer provisions for the safety of your vehicle, each also has various benefits and drawbacks:

On-Site Parking

On-site parking is often seen as the safest option when leaving your car. These car parks are within the airport boundaries where they are constantly monitored by CCTV and security staff. However, on-site car parks can be very expensive.

Off-Site Parking

Cheap airport car parking is generally offered in off-site locations but, just because it’s less expensive, it doesn’t mean that they scrimp on security. Many of these car parks have the ‘Safer Parking Award’, showing you that they are extremely secure. Car parks with this award have been vetted by the police to make sure that there are measures in place to deter crime and anti-social behaviour and that both you and your vehicle will be safe in the facility. Companies are also assessed annually to make sure the standards of safety and security and being upheld.

Airport Car Park

Do you need it?

Even if you do it the right way, airport parking can be expensive. The longer you're away the pricier it gets, so quickly weigh up the alternatives. Aside from bribing a relative into dropping you off with promises of duty-free bounty, it's usually cheaper to:

Use non-specialist train services

Whilst dedicated 'Airport Express' train services are costly, the same lines are often also used by normal rail services, so you can travel the same route much more cheaply, though it's likely there will be extra stops.

Consider a pre-booked taxi

Local taxis can be a cheap option if you've heavy luggage. Don't rely on getting taxis at the airport for the return leg, as most airports give a monopoly to one firm, which bumps prices up as there's no competition.

Arrange with your local firm in advance to be collected, giving your flight number so it can vary pick-up time accordingly, and it's usually MUCH cheaper.

Get a coach

Dedicated airport coaches are often cheapest for getting to the airport, but there's a trade-off, since they usually take the longest.

Leaving your car at home can be costly

While alternative transport methods are cheaper, watch out if you usually park on the street using a residents' parking permit or equivalent. Outrageously, if the parking bay your car is in is suspended, councils don't usually accept the excuse that you were on holiday and didn't check.

An obvious alternative is to give a trusted neighbour a key so they can keep an eye out and move the car for you. It's worth considering the insurance position of this though. It's likely it'll be covered by your insurance's 'third party emergency' driver's cover, though it's debatable whether avoiding a parking fine is an emergency.

If not and they have fully comprehensive insurance then often, although not always, it includes what’s called driving other cars cover. This provides them with third party cover in case there's an accident.

Park in a council's special car park

Some councils operate special car parks where for around £5-£10 a day you can leave your car when you're on holiday to guarantee no fine. This is an ill-disguised money-making scheme that boosts council funds due to the fear of parking penalties, but it may be a necessary evil for some.

Best buys:

Cheap airport parking

For some, airport parking works out as an economical and hassle-free route, yet without a little prior thought you can end up paying substantially over the odds. There's a simple rule:

The earlier you book your airport parking, the more you're likely to save

Book well in advance and you could cut the cost by up to 50%, though the exact saving depends on the time of the year. However, even if you've forgotten do to this:

Don't just turn up at the airport - booking first, even on the day of your flight, can save you money.

The most expensive prices are almost always for those people who just drive in, park and pay. If you get on the web and pre-book first, even if it's just before you head out (or your partner does it from a smart phone in the car) you'll usually save.

Step 1: Use car parking compare websites

The easiest way to find cheap parking is by using one of the special car parking comparison websites, that search the web to find you the best deals. There are a number of these, but most of them tend to turn up similar results. However, due to commercial relationships some share with certain parking operators, it's possible to shave a few percent of the cost here and there.

Step 2: Check hotel-with-parking deals

Many airport hotels offer room packages that include parking for the length of your trip. This is great if you live a long way from the airport, or have a super-early flight. Better still, they often only cost a little more than the parking alone and occasionally have even been cheaper in the past - so you could view this as parking with a hotel room thrown in.

Do check how transfers to the terminal are arranged; while many hotels offer a 24-hour complimentary service, some charge separately for the journey. It's also worth looking at the more general Cheap Hotel Deals guide to see if you can beat the price.

DIAMOND JUBILEE

If you’re in Surrey area for the Diamond Jubilee you don’t want to miss the royal weekend in Surrey for the Jubilee with visits by the Queen on June 4.

The Queen on a visit to East Surrey College in Redhill

The Derby dates back to 1780 and is ranked the greatest flat race in the world. The tickets are sold out for the Queen’s Stand and Grandstand on June 2 but are still available for Tattenham and Lonsdale Enclosures.

Meanwhile, Swingbridge 2, a 30 foot broad beam tug, owned by the Surrey Care Trust is joining the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on June 3.

And across Surrey beacons will be lit on June 4 with the Queen lighting the last one in London at 10.30pm on June 4.

It is only the second time in history that a British monarch has achieved 60 years on the throne – the last being Queen Victoria in 1897.

Celebrations in Godalming include a visit from one of the Queen's sons. Celebrations kick off on Saturday (June 2) from midday to 5pm with the Godalming Round Table's Town Show in The Burys Field with the carnival parade departing Summer's Road in Farncombe at 1pm to arrive at The Burys at 2pm. Sunday follows with a Jubilee Celebration Family Service at St Peter and St Paul Parish Church at 10am with a picnic in the park and bandstand concerts in Phillips Memorial Park from noon to 5pm with songs of praise from the bandstand 530pm to 7pm. Godalming Parish Church welcomes in June 4 with a Jubilee Festival bell ring at 10am with Sports for All at The Burys Field from 10.30am to 4pm. The Earl and Countess of Wessex pay a visit to this event too. Monday also sees the Godalming Jubilee 10k and 5k run starting and finishing at The Pepperpot on the High Street, while at Phillips Memorial Park there’s Jubilee Music in the Park from 530pm to 10.30pm. The Lions Club Torchlit Procession starts at 9.15pm with The Surrey Battalion of the Army Cadet Force leading the parade through Godalming to the Phillips Memorial Park. Finally on Tuesday from 2.30pm to 5.30pm there’s Classics in the Park at Phillips Memorial Park.

Surrey County Show takes place this year on Monday (June 4) and usually attracts up to 40,000 visitors. It features hundreds of top-quality animals from giant beef bulls to bantam hens and is organised by Surrey County Agricultural Society. The Earl and Countess of Wessex will also be visiting. Other features at the Stoke Park event include The Wild West Show – The Devils Horsemen – famous for their film and TV work such as War Horse, the Royal Bodyguard and Merlin; Bold Dog Lings Stunt Bikes, The Diamond Jubilee Pony Club Musical Ride, the 1066 Band of Pipes and Drums plus the Great British Barbeque Challenge when contestants have 45 minutes in which to create a dish from mystery ingredients on a gas BBQ. Tickets are cheaper in advance but the on the gate price is £16 adults, £12 senior citizens, £6 children five to 16, under fives free. Families of 2 adults and 2 children will pay £38.00.

Charity Loveworks.org is organising the Jubilation street party in Reigate’s Priory Park on Sunday (June 3). The event is billed as the biggest street party in town; Loveworks says they will be painted Reigate red, white and blue. Events during the day include a community concert, retro-style sports day, games stalls, a fun fair and live broadcasting of the Thames River Pageant.

Farnham Town Council is celebrating the Diamond Jubilee by organising a Jubilee Picnic in Gostrey Meadow on June 3 from 12pm to 5pm. Organisers are putting on a showcase of local bands covering British music from the past 60 years, with everything from Abba and The Beatles to Take That and Coldplay.

Enjoy a 1950-style celebration with a 15-piece band Perfidia at Denbies Vineyard in Dorking. A sparkling reception with canapés, three course dinner and Denbies award-winning wine is promised by the organisers for Sunday night.

A host of activities are planned in Cranleigh including a Big Lunch at Snoxhall Fields following a civic service at St Nicholas Church on June 3. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own picnic but bar and refreshments will be available in the Pavilion. Informal games are being organised by the Rotary Club of Cranleigh.

The Brockham Harness Club is organising a carriage drive through and around Dorking on Monday. Club members will be meeting at Denbies Vineyard on the A24 just outside Dorking at 11am with the parade leaving at 12 noon lead by Georgina Hunt driving the Royal Logistics Corps Park Drag with her team of black Dutch horses accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey. Entries in two categories have been invited – Sunday Best and Patriotic.

Organisers of celebrations in Haslemere have written to all the embassies of the Commonwealth requesting a flag to fly on the streets along with red, white and blue bunting on Monday. A carnival procession will snake its way through the town to a giant tea party on Lion Green. It will assemble in High Lane at 1pm before setting off at 2pm. A musical programme will run from 12 noon to 9pm featuring music across the decades with the Upbeat Beatles topping the bill.

Across the county borders in Kingston, a vintage 1950s British garden party is being held at Hampton Court Palace, which was associated with monarchs for centuries. Visitors are invited to 'pack the strawberries and scones and pop the fizz' to celebrate the 60-year reign of the Queen. Expect long tables, Union Jacks and bunting in the East Front Gardens and free entertainment throughout the day including a brass band performing classic 1950s hits, Sooty and Sweep show retro village fete games, fancy dress and retro picnic boxes to buy. It’s free entry to the palace gardens throughout the day, while the palace and maze will be open as usual and normal ticket prices apply.

RHS Wisley is holding a Best of British garden party on June 9 and 10. There’s a host of activities from vintage tractor displays to Punch and Judy or perhaps a game of croquet on the manicured lawns. There will be free ballroom dancing lessons, or visitors can sit in a deckchair and listen to a traditional brass band. Vintage afternoon tea will be on offer including scones, cakes, finger sandwiches and pots of tea all served on authentic vintage crockery with staff in 950s costumes. 

OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY

Torch Relay in West Sussex

The Olympic Torch will enter West Sussex on Monday 16 July and pass through 16 communities before it leaves the county the following day.

Visit the West Sussex Ahead of the Game website to find out the route of the Torchbearer. Further information is also available from your local district or borough council.

You can follow West Sussex - Ahead of the Game on Twitter @AOTG2012 to stay up to date with the latest news as the Olympic Torch Relay passes through West Sussex.

When are the games taking place?

The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held in London this summer:

The Olympic Games will be held from 27 July to 12 August 2012.

The Paralympic Games will be held from 29 August to 9 September 2012.

Gatwick Eco Parking

Eco - Parking the future for Gatwick Airport

Eco Parking should be car parking operations in which businesses cooperate with each other and with the local community in an attempt to reduce waste and pollution, efficiently share resources (such as information, materials, water, energy, infrastructure, and natural resources), and help achieve sustainable development, with the intention of increasing economic gains and improving environmental quality. An Eco Parking may also be planned, designed, and built in such a way that it makes it easier for businesses to co-operate, and that results in a more financially sound and environmentally friendly.

Few valet parking companies at Gatwick Airport give a second thought to the enviroment and how their business operation effects it.

Companies like Gatwick Eco Parking , do take this serios and act. All their vehicles are new and with a lower carbo-emission. Their intention to purchase electric vehicles in the next 2 years is aplaudable. Considering their base is only 2 - 3 minutes from both terminals at Gatwick Airport , runing off power is not an issue. Furthermore they use organic products on all their office supplies purchases , as for the recycling for them comes without saying.

The affiliate hotel with whom they colaborate , Hookwood Lodge is designed and operated so the carbon emission is limited. For instance, their electrical system is designed to save energy. If they were to switch all lights, lamps etc., on, would not exceed 300 watts at any given time. Add to that the hot water and heating systems based on energy efficient boilers and you can see they are making a conservative effort to reduce their carbon footprint.

Gatwick Eco Parking's investement on trees and plants on their parkland, shows their thoughts and consideration for environment. We all know the importance of the trees contribution on the environment by providing oxygen, improving air quality, climate amelioration, conserving water, preserving soil, and supporting wildlife.

Is a known fact for majority of us ,that during the process of photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide and produce the oxygen we breathe.

Your car's environmental performance depends on the way you drive and how often you drive as well as the fuel efficiency of the engine. Vehicles are responsible for much of the total carbo emissions, and being responsible about how and when you use your car is not only better for the environment, it'll also increase your fuel economy.

Each time you start your car, the cold engine uses more fuel for the couple of minutes it takes to warm up, meaning an increase in fuel consumption. Avoid this by planning your travel--for example, combine shopping trips with taking the children to school or pocking them up.

While you're doing that, why not help out a friend and help the environment at the same time? Car sharing is a good way of reducing fuel use too.

Keep the revs at optimum levels by switching to higher gears as soon as possible, ideally before the revs get to 2,500 rpm.

Keeping your distance from vehicles in front of you is not only safer, it'll help you avoid having to accelerate and brake often.

Avoid driving at peak traffic hours whenever possible to reduce the time you spend idling at traffic lights.

Stick to slower speeds to keep the engine efficient--60km is the most efficient speed for city driving.

Even open windows can make your car less aerodynamic and reduce fuel economy.

Keeping your car well-maintained is also important to keep it operating with maximum fuel economy. Have your car serviced regularly, particularly if you drive an older car--the most inefficient cars tend to be older models.Under-inflated tyres or poorly-aligned wheels increase fuel consumption, and make the car unsafe to drive as well.

Depending on the age and model of your car, bio-fuels may be an alternative to petrol.

Gatwick Parking

Good day to all.

I would like to introduce myself. My name is Gatwick Parking and I’m an OK sort of guy. I get along with most people because I’m fairly laid back and there isn’t too many people telling me what to do. It would appear I’m allowed to do what I like and for the most part I get away with doing what I like in spite of the odd bit of criticism here and there.

I work hard at what I do to provide over 40,000 car parking spaces at Gatwick Airport. During the summer when most people take their holidays I get very busy and most of the spaces are taken up but during the winter things are quieter and I’m able to take a rest. Gatwick is a very busy airport and most people flying out on their annual holiday like to drive to the airport because it is so much more convenient than taking public transport. It’s not easy to have to cart suitcases on trains or buses and even more difficult keeping an eye on the kids as well.

Most of my parking spaces are on the airport with about 20% off-airport. My on airport spaces are easy to find whether it is North or South Terminal. You can take up one of these spaces at any time but you will pay a higher premium called a ‘gate price’. Much better to book in advance, pay a lower price and receive a voucher. You can get these vouchers from any online agent by paying with your credit or debit card. Just arrive at the car park, present your voucher and go find a parking space. There are collection points around the car park so once you have unloaded your luggage, arranged your children, you can then march to the collection point and wait for the bus if it is not already there. You should always make a note of the car park zone as you can easily lose your car in such vast open spaces. The buses run every 5/10 minutes but after allowing time for some waiting and loading /unloading you should allow 20/30 minutes to get to the terminal. You should also allow for the same amount of time on your return as the bus is not always waiting for you. These short trips to the terminals were often called ‘shuttles’.

Off-airport parking is quite popular because it is a lot cheaper. These parking spaces are dotted around the countryside away from the airport so it takes longer to check in your car and get to the airport. The check in procedure is fairly easy as your car is parked for you and you can proceed to the bus stop. You should allow up to 45 minutes from arrival to get to the airport and the same on your return journey.

About 25/30 years ago Gatwick Airport began to offer some of my parking spaces called ‘Valet Parking’. This parking method was designed to eliminate the time taken up by ‘shuttles’. You drove directly to a small parking area at the terminal, checked your car in and then walked straight in to the terminal. Your car was then taken away from the terminal, stored for the period and brought back ready for your return from holiday. This proved very popular but only for those that could afford it. The price was twice that of on-airport parking or even more!

Due to its popularity it wasn’t long before more of my parking spaces were offered as ‘Valet Parking’ by off-airport operators. In fact it became so popular that my spaces were being offered under all sorts of different names. Meet and Greet Parking, Chauffeur Parking, Personal Parking, VIP parking is some of the new names given to Valet Parking. These services and parking spaces were offered at a cheaper rate than the original and very often the rates were competitive with the on-airport ‘park and ride’ prices.

When my Gatwick Parking spaces are sold it is with the Customers full knowledge of location, security and safety for the vehicle for which that parking space is taken. After all, the vehicle is not my property but I am contracted to look after it properly and I have to ensure that everything is in place to do so. It is important the Customers knows where his vehicle will be stored and that the location has the full back up of security and safety that is expected by the vehicle owner, the car park owner and the relevant insurers under the terms of the contract.

If the Customers wants to enjoy the benefits of Valet Parking he/she wants to know where his property will go after passing it over to the operative at the airport terminal. This is what makes my work so hard at times as it is difficult to watch over all my spaces when the season gets busy. New spaces are being created constantly and I have no idea where they are as the web sites do not display the location. How am I expected to ensure the safety of Customers vehicles if all I am told is ‘Your car will be stored in a secure compound close to the airport’? It could be stored anywhere, public roads, parks, country lanes – anywhere.

This is the criticism I get and I get it all the time. I know there are some good guys out there like those chaps that have set up the Airport Valet Parking Contractors Association (AVPCA) to protect the public from rogue operators. With no official regulation it seems that anyone can set up a valet parking web site with empty promises and make a good living out of it. That is – until something goes wrong and then we are all left with ‘why wasn’t something done about it’!

I want you to know I’m doing my bit and will leave you with a few pointers to ensure your car is returned to you in exactly the same condition as you left it. I’m proud of who I am and I just wanted you to know there is a dark side of me developing that is beyond my control.