Europa Gatwick

The room was uncomfortable from the first night because the beds were so unpleasant to sleep in. When I went to make tea, all the cups and spoons were dirty. There were cobwebs around the toilet paper, and the mirrors and windows were visibly filthy. Cleanliness and comfort were both unacceptable. I’m very disappointed and wouldn’t recommend this place.

We’d been a little unsure after reading earlier reviews, but our three-night stay turned out well. The room was clean, the bathroom spotless, and we had lovely soft white towels and a good hostess tray. There was plenty of choice at breakfast and dinner, and the food was quite good. The staff were pleasant and helpful, and drinks were very reasonably priced. We’d be happy to stay again.

The receptionist was nice and helpful, and the reception itself looked clean and a bit new, which gave me some hope after seeing the rundown car park that looked like a Jurassic Park set. But the room was old, outdated and cold. The TV was the only thing going for it. The restaurant was out of service for the week, leaving us with bar food. Since I was there for a week, I ended my stay that night and went somewhere else.

Sleep was impossible from 9pm until I left at 7am. The corridors were full of shrieking drunks, slamming doors and arguing, as if they were competing to be the most annoying people alive. The mattress felt like a spring torture device, the sheet had crusty marks on it, and the radiator looked like a biology experiment. There were foul, unidentifiable smells and plenty of noise and filth. If you care about sleep, stay away. They put me in ‘The Lodge’, tucked around the back past the bins and skips, and £70 a night is an absolute joke. I’ve slept better in a Premier Inn car park. The reception staff were the only redeeming part, so pleasant I almost felt bad for them having to work there. Two stars, one for the staff and one because I survived.