We booked to stay at the Talbot as we were attending a function there. We appreciated the building is listed so as expected it's a little tired looking. The room we stayed in no.214, unfortunately smelt of drains so rather unpleasant. The hotel was fully booked so there was no chance of changing rooms. The safe was locked shut when we arrived, something I would have thought the staff getting the rooms ready would have had on their check list to ensure all was ok. It was just a little inconvenient to have to go & find a member of staff with a master key to rectify. The evening of the function we had attended we intended on having a light meal of pizza in the bar but were told they weren't taking any more orders due to staffing numbers so we were really disappointed as we'd had a few drinks so couldn't drive elsewhere. Breakfast was OK although pricy if it hadn't been included in the room rate. Also items mentioned on the breakfast menu weren't available which was disappointing eg French toast which is something quite basic! Probably wouldn't stay at this hotel again.
I specifically booked a night at the Sofitel Gatwick because it included 'Meet and Greet' parking with Maple Parking. Had they not included this I would have still stayed but made other arrangments for my car. I arrived at the Maple Parking Meet and Greet and parked the car. Took my keys over to the attendant and signed in. I then asked if they could give me 20 minutes to check in to the hotel, change clothes and bring a bag back to the car. We didnt want to bring a bag of unclean clothes on holiday with us. Here's where things went downhill faster than Gwynth Paltrow on ski's. The attendant, a tall bloke with a mid-european accent shouted at me 'No, do you know you are at an airport'. He actually shouted this. Shouted. To a customer. Take a minute to breathe that in. Fortunatly I knew I was at an airport, having driven 4 hours to get there. To hear that I was at an airport was no surprise, to be shouted at by a car park attendant was. I explained that I didnt want to take a case of unclean clothes on holiday with me. His response to that was 'we are extremly busy and your car will be removed immediately'. I asked if the hotel would hold the bag and he replied 'No they will not hold your stupid bag'. Here's where I should have murdered him with his Maple Meet and Greet Staff lanyard, but I did not. I asked for my keys back to be told once again in an truely agresive manner 'if you take your keys I will close the entry and you can't come back'. I took the keys and left. I then had to park at Gatawick Long stay for an additional £150. We finally checked into the hotel, explained the situation. The checkin lady (Alessia?) apologised and gave us two tokens for a free drink at the bar. They also kept our bag for us. Is this the fault of Sofitel Gatwick? I think it is. They decided to partner with a company that treats people appalingly. So they've got to accept responsibility for that. Please share this review, If I saw something like this I would have chose another car park or another hotel. Other people should be warned.
Great staff and very helpful. I'd like to pick out Nicky Capstick from the restaurant who is always very mindful of my needs when I'm meeting colleagues; makes sure I/we have all we need and goes to great lengths to ensure our comfort. A real asset to the team here!