Holiday Inn Express London Gatwick - Crawley by IHG

Breakfast was included in the price, though the breakfast room gets very busy and some items can run out if you're not quick. The basics in this 3-star hotel were very good: tea and coffee making facilities, a huge comfortable bed, and a clean, spacious room with a powerful shower. I'd recommend it for a short stay.

The secure car park and park and sleep setup made the flight much easier to plan around. I could leave the car there and pick it up after we returned, which was comfortable and convenient given our flights and connections. The hotel was clean, and the staff made us feel welcome. Breakfast was plentiful and very good, though the coffee could be better. The taxi cost more than I expected, but airport trips do; the bus seemed good enough, we just didn't have time to use it. After travelling for nearly 24 hours on the way back, we took the easier taxi option to collect the car. I'd definitely stay here again.

The room was clean and nice, and the staff were extremely friendly and helpful. The shower was disappointing, with barely more pressure than drip irrigation, and the soap dispenser wasn't very useful, so I was glad I brought my own soap. The breakfast room felt like a greasy cafe from the 70s, and you have to find and set up your own table. Still, there was something for everyone to eat. As part of a stay-and-park package, it was great value for what I paid, though I've stayed in nicer budget hotels.

The room was very clean, the bed comfortable, and the shower facilities were good. It's also well located, with a Harvester restaurant right nearby. Breakfast was a bit chaotic when busy because the serving area is small, and the regular household toaster wasn't suited to the number of guests. I hadn't noticed the parking charge when booking, so be aware it's £7 for an overnight stay. I'm not sure whether that's per night, so check online. All in all, a pleasant stay, and I'd come back.