- Mr Plane Guy
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Radisson RED Gatwick Airport Review: The Airport Hotel That Feels Like a Plane Bargain
By Mr Plane Guy, Plane Honest Travel & Loyalty Insights
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and book, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep Mr Plane Guy airborne and the airport lounge coffee flowing.
Includes taxes and mandatory fees upfront, no nasty surprises at checkout.
If you’re flying from Gatwick Airport and don’t fancy paying £150+ for an airport hotel…
I’ve found one for £75.60 and honestly, it surprised me.
This is the Radisson RED Gatwick Airport. A modern, dark, slightly funky hotel just the other side of the runway that feels a step above your typical budget stay.
It’s stylish, comfortable, and somewhere you could actually spend time before a flight, not just crash for a few hours.
But there’s one thing you need to know before booking.
At around 2am, I could clearly hear someone coughing in the next room. Not faintly. Properly hear them. The walls are thin. It didn’t ruin the stay, but it’s the trade-off. Strong value, but not perfect.
Location & Getting There
Let’s get this out of the way first.
This isn’t one of those hotels at Gatwick airport you can walk to. You’ll need to get there.
From Gatwick:
Bus from North Terminal (Stop 11)
Bus from South Terminal (Stop 9)
Cost: £5 per adult
The good news is the process is simple. The timetable was accurate when I used it, and the stops are easy to find.
The downside is the journey itself.
This is one of the last stops on the route
Around 5 stops total
Takes roughly 30 minutes
In reality, it’s about a 20-minute drive, the bus just adds time.
If you’re looking at Gatwick airport hotels near the South Terminal, this is workable, but you need to factor that extra time in, especially for early flights.
Don’t Spend £30 in Pret and Still Have Nowhere to Sit
If you’re staying at an airport hotel like this before flying from Gatwick, this is the bit most people overlook.
You’ve sorted the hotel. You’ve made the morning easier, but once you’re through security at the airport, it’s a different story.
£7 coffee.
£15 breakfast at Pret or Wetherspoons.
Nowhere to sit.
You end up spending £20–£40 without even thinking about it and you’re still stuck in a busy Gatwick departure area.
Gatwick actually has some genuinely good lounges, and they’re not all business class only.
👉 I’ve reviewed the main Gatwick Airport lounges here, what’s worth it, what’s not, and what to avoid.
If you don’t want to pay every time, that’s where Priority Pass can work well, it gives you access to multiple lounges at a reduced cost, regardless of airline or ticket.
If you travel even a few times a year, this is where it really starts to make sense.
🚗 Driving & Parking (Where This Hotel Wins)
If you’re driving, this hotel makes a lot more sense.
For anyone searching hotel and parking at Gatwick, this is where it becomes a strong option.
On-site parking available
Easy access by car
No reliance on transfer buses
Address: Church Rd, Lowfield Heath, Crawley, RH11 0PQ
Plane Tip: Check current Gatwick parking deals here
Combining a cheaper hotel with parking can save a surprising amount.
Airport Parking, Save Up to 75%
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Price & Value
My stay: £75.60
Booked via Hotels.com
For cheap Gatwick hotels, this is genuinely strong value.
At this price, you expect basic. This feels a level above.
The Room (Surprisingly Good)
This is where it overdelivers.
The room feels fresh, modern and well put together. The bed is comfortable, the bedding feels new, and the shower has proper pressure, which you notice straight away compared to a lot of airport hotels.
You’ve got everything you need without it feeling stripped back:
Desk if you need to work
Large flat screen TV
Fridge
Iron and ironing board
Easy temperature control
It doesn’t feel like a budget room. It feels like a good hotel that happens to be priced well.
Food, Drink & Extras
Breakfast: £15 (standard offering)
Bar food: expensive
I paid £15 for a salad, which didn’t feel like great value.
The bar itself is a nice space though, and they serve Starbucks coffee, which is a decent option before heading to the airport.
That said, you don’t need to eat here.
What’s Nearby (Underrated Bonus)
This is one of the biggest advantages of this hotel.
Within walking distance you’ve got:
Marks & Spencer
Costa Coffee
Toby Carvery
Walk a bit further and you’ll find a full leisure park with:
Cinema
Bowling
Nando’s
Wingstop
McDonald's
Realistically?
You’re far better off eating out than paying hotel prices.
Loyalty & Points
Hotels.com Rewards
Stay 10 nights → get £100 Hotels.com Cash
Use it on future bookings
A simple way to bring your hotel costs down over time
Radisson Rewards
As part of Radisson Hotel Group:
Earn points towards free nights
Member-only discounts
Faster check-in and check-out
Worth joining if you use Radisson or stay at airport hotels regularly.
Gatwick Hotels South vs North Terminal
If you’re flying from the South Terminal, this hotel works fine, just allow time for the transfer.
If you’re flying from the North Terminal, there’s a better option for convenience.
👉 See my Hampton by Hilton Gatwick North Terminal review (Coming soon)
That hotel is directly connected to the airport, so there’s no transfer, no waiting, and no added travel time.
So the choice is simple:
Want cheaper? → Radisson RED
Want easier? → Hampton by Hilton
Check-in / Check-out
Check-in: From 3pm
Check-out: 12pm
Late checkout is a nice bonus for airport stays.
Final Boarding Call
Boarding Status: Ready
Cabin Class Verdict: Premium economy comfort at an economy price
Worth Paying For Again: Yes
This is one of the better-value Gatwick airport hotels if you’re willing to trade location for price.
You’re getting a modern, comfortable stay for under £80, which is rare around Gatwick. The rooms are strong, the hotel feels fresh, and having decent food options nearby makes a difference.
The trade-offs are clear.
The transfer takes around 30 minutes, and the soundproofing isn’t great. If you’re a light sleeper or want to be right next to the terminal, this won’t be for you.
If you’re driving, looking for parking, or just want to save money without dropping to a poor standard, it’s a very smart option.
Rating: 4 out of 5
A small gym and better soundproofing would push it higher, but at this price, it’s already doing a lot right.
Plane Related Reads
The Best Lounge at Gatwick? I Visited Them All So You Don’t Have To
Priority Pass Review 2026: One Year of Lounge Access, Was It Worth It?
easyJet Baggage Allowance (Cabin Bag Size, Hand Luggage & Hold Bags, 2026)
Gatwick Airport Lounge Reviews
Flying from Gatwick North? Skip the chaos and use a lounge, I’ve reviewed them all and Clubrooms is easily the best if you want space, proper food, and a calm start to your trip.
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London Airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading Radisson RED Gatwick Airport Review: The Airport Hotel That Feels Like a Plane Bargain.
Airport lounges, free upgrades, travel chaos and the occasional meltdown. Real travel, not influencer nonsense.
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