Starboard Hotels has announced the opening of the Ibis Styles Gatwick, their premier 182-bed hotel at Gatwick Airport. The hotel features accessible and ambulant family rooms, following a comprehensive £14 million redesign and redevelopment.
Situated near Gatwick, the world’s busiest single runway airport, the hotel has undergone a complete transformation. This includes the addition of an extra floor, expanding its bedroom capacity. Located in Crawley, West Sussex, the hotel has been rebranded as an Ibis Styles property.
Paul Callingham, Starboard Hotels Chairman and founder said: “This is an important, landmark moment for Starboard as we open the new Ibis Styles Gatwick following an ambitious, three year refurbishment programme.
“Our teams, including the architects and contractors, have worked hard to develop and deliver an exceptional hotel with state of the art facilities including sustainability features that really matter to today’s modern traveller.
“We are proud to offer guests a fantastic place to stay in relaxing and pleasant surroundings and are excited for the future with clear ambitions to grow the Starboard business.
“The opening of the Ibis Styles Gatwick is an important milestone for our business as we look to the future growth and expansion of the Starboard brand.”
The newly revamped hotel offers an exceptional guest experience, featuring contemporary designed rooms equipped with 50-inch televisions. The exciting lobby and lounge area include photo-opportunity art pieces, such as a vintage Fiat 500, all reflecting a wanderlust theme.
Guests heading to the airport can check departures and arrivals on screens located in the lobby. Breakfast is served from 4 a.m., and the hotel offers a shuttle bus and park-and-fly services for added convenience.
The hotel boasts several impressive amenities, including free unlimited Wi-Fi, accessible and ambulant family rooms, and a 130-cover restaurant that caters to both hotel guests and the local community.
Kerian Barnes, Starboard Hotels Group Operations Director, said: “We are always looking at ways to help the environment, and this hotel is filled with the best technology available.
“We are sure that our guests will appreciate the hard work and effort we have put in to make this hotel as sustainable, and comfortable, as possible.
“I’m sure that we will soon become a regular feature for travellers from all over the world, and we look forward to developing the business and welcoming back all our previous guests.”
Starboard's latest property, its third hotel in the London Southeast region, features several initiatives designed to enhance guest satisfaction, streamline operations, and implement eco-friendly practices.
The hotel boasts impressive green credentials, including a fully electric system with hot water generated by two heat pumps.
All guest rooms are equipped with an energy-saving occupancy sensing system, which maintains desired temperatures when occupied, but conserves power by not heating or cooling empty rooms.
Additional energy-saving features include exceptional insulation, exceeding statutory requirements, and LED lighting throughout the hotel, with motion sensors utilised wherever possible.
Even the showers in the sleek, modern bathrooms are designed to release the optimum volume of water for a comfortable shower experience while minimising waste.
General Manager Simon Fordham said: “This is a unique opportunity to stay in Gatwick’s premiere hotel.
“Ibis Styles Gatwick is the newest player in the Gatwick market, and thanks to the dedication of our team, we are sure to become a runaway success.”
In addition to creating 50 new local jobs, Simon and the hotel team have actively engaged with the local community and neighboring businesses, planning a variety of events to foster connections and collaboration.
Starboard Hotels' portfolio comprises 21 hotels across world-renowned brands such as Hilton, IHG, Accor, Best Western, and Wyndham, along with own-brand properties like The Cliffden in Teignmouth, Windermere Manor in the Lake District, and The Bridge Hotel in West London.