Gatwick's BEST Kept Secret: Bloc Hotel London Review (You WON'T Believe This!)
Gatwick's BEST Kept Secret: Bloc Hotel London Review (You WON'T Believe This!) - Honestly, I'm Still Buzzing!
Alright, listen up, fellow weary travelers! You're stuck at Gatwick, your flight's delayed (again!), and you're staring down the barrel of a soul-crushing airport hotel experience. BUT! I'm here to tell you: there's a freaking oasis hidden in the concrete jungle, and it's called Bloc Hotel London. Prepare to have your expectations utterly smashed. Seriously, I wasn't expecting to be this impressed.
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First Impressions & The "WTF?" Moment (The Messy Start):
Okay, so the first thing that hits you is the location. It's inside the South Terminal. Like, practically in the departure lounge. This is a game-changer. No faffing about with shuttles, no freezing your backside off. You literally roll out of your gate and… bam! You're at the check-in. It’s a contactless check-in, which is fantastic if you're as germ-phobic as I am (or, you know, just smart). And honestly, the whole vibe is minimalist chic. Think clean lines, sleek design, and a general feeling that you've accidentally wandered into a spaceship. I felt a little like I was in a capsule hotel in Japan but with way more space. I’m not even gonna lie, I'm a bit of a slob, so this was a little intimidating at first, but I got used to it.
Accessibility - The Real Deal:
Okay, so let's talk about the important stuff. Accessibility. This is where Bloc Hotel really shines. They actually get it.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! And not just "accessible" in the sense of a ramp and a slightly wider door. It's thoughtful. The rooms are spacious, the bathrooms are designed with accessibility in mind, and the whole place feels… well, inclusive.
- Elevator: Absolutely! Essential for a hotel built into an airport.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: They've really thought this through. From adapted rooms to helpful staff, they’ve covered the bases.
Rooms - Capsule Living, Elevated:
The rooms? They're compact, but cleverly designed. I had a "Superior Room" (I think – I was a bit jet-lagged) and it was perfect for a quick overnight stay.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (YES!) This is a must-have, and it worked flawlessly.
- Air Conditioning: Thank God! Gatwick can get stuffy.
- Blackout Curtains: Crucial for sleeping off that transatlantic flight.
- In-room safe box: Always appreciated.
- Complimentary Tea & Coffee: Essential for survival.
- Bathroom: Modern and functional with a fantastic shower. Seriously, the water pressure was incredible.
- Soundproofing: Absolutely brilliant. Despite being right in the airport, I barely heard a peep. This is a HUGE selling point.
- Additional toilet: No, but the space is well-used.
Internet - Because We Can't Live Without It:
- Free Wi-Fi: Reliable and fast. I streamed a whole movie without any buffering. Score!
- Internet access – LAN: Available, but I didn't need it.
- Internet Services: Everything you'd expect.
Cleanliness and Safety - The Current Reality Check:
Look, we're all a bit paranoid these days. Bloc Hotel gets it.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Double-check.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They were all masked up and professional.
- Cashless payment service: Easy peasy.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Nice touch for the eco-conscious.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Fueling the Journey:
Okay, this is where it gets a little… airport-y. There isn't a full-blown restaurant in the hotel. But, and this is a big BUT:
- Breakfast takeaway service: Yes! And it was actually decent. I grabbed a croissant and coffee before my early flight.
- Coffee shop: There’s a Costa right there, which is a lifesaver.
- Snack bar: Limited options, but enough to tide you over.
- Room service: Nope. But with the airport at your doorstep, you’re spoiled for choice.
Services and Conveniences - The Little Extras That Matter:
- Concierge: Helpful and friendly.
- Daily housekeeping: They'll tidy up your spaceship.
- Laundry service: Available, but didn't use it.
- Luggage storage: Essential for those awkward layovers.
- Doorman: I didn't see one, but that's fine.
- Elevator: Duh.
- Air conditioning in public area: Cool and comfortable.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax - Not exactly a spa retreat:
- Gym/fitness: There isn't one inside the hotel, but you can always walk around the airport, I guess? (LOL)
Getting Around - Easy Peasy:
- Airport transfer: Nope. You're in the airport. It doesn't get easier!
- Car park [on-site]: Available, but I didn't drive.
- Taxi service: Readily available at the terminal exit.
For the Kids - Not Really a Family Destination:
- Family/child friendly: Not the focus, but the location is convenient for families.
- Babysitting service: Nope.
The Quirky Observations & Emotional Reactions (The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Messy):
Okay, so here's the thing: I loved this hotel. It's not fancy, it's not luxurious, but it's brilliantly functional. And the location? Unbeatable. I’m not usually one for writing reviews, but this place genuinely surprised me.
- The Good: The location is a godsend. The rooms are modern and comfortable. The Wi-Fi is fast and reliable. The accessibility is top-notch. And the staff were genuinely friendly and helpful.
- The Bad: No proper restaurant. Limited snack options.
- The Quirky: I felt like I was living in a futuristic pod. It was strangely calming.
- The Emotional: I was genuinely relieved to find such a good hotel at Gatwick. It saved my sanity.
The Imperfections:
Okay, let's be real. It's not perfect. The lack of a proper restaurant is a minor bummer. And the room is compact, so if you’re claustrophobic, it might not be for you. BUT, for what it is – a super-convenient, well-designed airport hotel – it’s bloody brilliant.
My Experience - The Stream-of-Consciousness Ramble:
So, I’d just landed from a long, grueling flight. I was exhausted, grumpy, and dreading the prospect of a long layover. I’d booked a room at Bloc Hotel on a whim, not expecting much. Honestly, I was expecting the usual airport hotel blandness. But as soon as I walked in, I was immediately, and pleasantly, surprised. The check-in was a breeze, the room was spotless, and the shower was a godsend. I slept like a log (thanks to the blackout curtains and soundproofing), and woke up feeling refreshed. I grabbed a quick breakfast at the Costa, and I was back at my gate in minutes. It was pure, unadulterated convenience.
Final Verdict - You NEED to Book This Hotel! (My Opinionated Rant):
Listen up, weary travelers! If you're flying through Gatwick and you need a place to crash, BOOK BLOC HOTEL NOW! Seriously. Don't even think about it. It's clean, it's convenient, it's surprisingly stylish, and it's a lifesaver. The accessibility is fantastic, the Wi-Fi is fast, and the location is unbeatable. You won't regret it.
My Final Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars! (I'd give it a 5 if it had a proper restaurant.)
The Offer - Persuading You to Book:
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Bloc Hotel Gatwick: My Chaotic London Layover (A Travelogue of the Slightly Unhinged)
Okay, so here's the deal. I'm in London. Sort of. Well, Gatwick, which is basically London's grumpy cousin who lives way out in the sticks. And I'm at the Bloc Hotel. Supposedly a minimalist, modern haven. We’ll see about that, shall we? This is my attempt at a layover itinerary, but honestly, my brain is currently operating at about 60% capacity after a red-eye. So, bear with me. This is going to be a mess. A beautiful, chaotic, and hopefully hilarious mess.
Day 1: Arrival, Existential Dread, and the Search for a Decent Coffee (Spoiler: The Coffee Quest is Ongoing)
- 10:00 AM (ish): Landed. Or, more accurately, thudded onto the tarmac. The flight was… a thing. Let's just say I'm pretty sure I saw the guy in 12B crying into his lukewarm chicken. My luggage, miraculously, made it. (Small victories, people!) The air in Gatwick felt… surprisingly humid? Like London's trying to hug you, even if you don't want it to.
- 10:30 AM: Found the Bloc Hotel. It's… well, it's definitely a box. A very sleek, shiny, possibly space-age box. The check-in was painless. Which, after the flight, felt like a small miracle. My room? Tiny. Like, "can I swing a cat?" maybe… if the cat was a particularly compact feline.
- 11:00 AM: Room exploration. The bed is practically on the floor. The shower… well, let's just say I’m already strategizing how to avoid hitting my elbows on the walls. More importantly, WHERE IS THE COFFEE? I'm pretty sure my soul is currently residing in a lukewarm, half-empty cup of airplane coffee. The in-room coffee situation? A sad, lonely pod machine. This is a crisis.
- 11:30 AM: Coffee Quest Begins! Ventured out of the cocoon-like room. The hotel lobby is… sterile. Very, very sterile. Like, "could this be a portal to the future?" sterile. Found a small cafe attached to the hotel. Ordered a latte. Watched the barista, who looked about 12, attempt to make it. The result? Meh. Slightly better than airplane coffee, but the quest continues. London, I'm counting on you.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Debriefing with myself. Sat in the lobby, people-watching. Realized I’m the only person who looks like they haven’t slept in a week. And I’m wearing the same clothes I flew in. Fashion icon, I am not. Started questioning my life choices. Why am I here? What is the meaning of travel? Is that a pigeon wearing a hat? (Probably hallucinating.)
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Decided to brave the Gatwick airport. Needed a decent sandwich and, you guessed it, coffee. Found a Pret a Manger. Hooray! A sandwich! The coffee… well, it was better. Still not life-altering, but a vast improvement. The airport itself is a swirling vortex of stressed-out travelers and overpriced souvenirs. Honestly, the sheer volume of duty-free perfume is enough to give me a headache.
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Back to the hotel room. The jet lag is starting to hit hard. Officially embraced the "nap" life. Woke up an hour later, feeling like I’d been run over by a double-decker bus. Realized I had completely forgotten about the "London" part of my layover. Oops.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Contemplated venturing out to see something. Anything. But the thought of navigating public transport in my current state felt like a Herculean task. Instead, I stared at the ceiling. The ceiling in my room is… white. Very, very white.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Ordered room service. (Okay, it was a sad, pre-packaged sandwich. But hey, convenience!) Watched some terrible TV. Found a documentary about badgers. Badgers are surprisingly interesting.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: The existential dread returned. Re-evaluated my entire existence. Decided I need a plan. A real plan.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Plan: Find a pub. Drink a pint. Maybe eat some chips. This is the London experience, right? (Probably.)
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Found a pub. It was… fine. The beer was cold. The chips were… well, they were chips. The pub was full of loud, happy people. I felt… a little less alone. I'm not sure I’d call it a London experience yet, but it was a start.
- 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Back to the hotel. The room still looks like a box. The bed still looks like a floor.
- 10:00 PM - Bedtime: Attempted to plan for tomorrow. Failed. Probably will wake up late. Probably will miss the train. Probably will end up wandering around Gatwick airport again, desperately searching for decent coffee. The circle of life.
Day 2: The Great Escape (Or, More Likely, The Slightly Embarrassing Departure)
- 8:00 AM (ish): Woke up. Late. As predicted. The coffee quest is still ongoing. My brain feels like a scrambled egg.
- 9:00 AM: Checked out. The hotel staff seemed used to my level of disarray.
- 9:30 AM: Back to the airport. The dreaded, swirling vortex.
- 10:00 AM: Found coffee. Finally. Decent coffee! It was a small victory. I may have shed a single tear of joy.
- 10:30 AM - Departure: Boarded the plane. The flight attendants looked a little worried. I probably looked like I’d been through a war. Or at least a very long layover.
Reflections (Or, The Ramblings of a Sleep-Deprived Traveler):
The Bloc Hotel? It's… functional. Minimalist. Clean. But lacking in soul. The coffee situation was a near-tragedy. London? I barely scratched the surface. But hey, I survived. I saw a badger documentary. I drank a pint. And I (eventually) found decent coffee. That's a win in my book. Next time (and there will be a next time!), I’ll actually leave Gatwick. I’ll embrace the chaos. I’ll find the perfect cup of coffee. And I’ll try not to look like I haven't slept in a week. (No promises.)
This was a mess. But it was my mess. And that, my friends, is what makes travel interesting. Even when it’s slightly embarrassing.
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Did I mention the air conditioning? Seriously, that's the only thing I can think about now...
