Aghhhh Monarch changed flight time, is it worth staying at the airport?

[whoneedssleepanyway]

So we booked our holiday and specifically chose a flight a a decent time, 10am.

Monarch have gone and changed the flight schedule to 6:10am...!

Am so hacked off, we would need to be at the Airport at 4:40am latest.

Has anyone stayed at Gatwick before in one of the hotels, and does it save time or by the time you get up get shuttle etc, it still takes you half an hour or so (would prob only take 45 mins to drive to the airport for us at that time but would then have to deal with car etc).

Not sure whether it is worth it or not, hotel would be around £90 but would include parking for the week.

We stayed at the Hilton which is connected bu a tunnel so you just walk to the terminal (south i think). Includes parking ad they do an excellent evening buffet.

Also stayed at another one which had free parking and shuttle. It was ok but slightly akin to prison.

Sleep was dreadful in both to be honest as you are aware of having to be up at 4am. Hilton was less stressful though. If you are only 45 mins away I'd drive TBH. Parking is easy and there are loads of buses even at 4.30am.

Save your money and pay for valet parking instead?

Yes that is what I am wondering if it is just better to drive at 4am and use valet parking as I can put the DCs to bed in leggings and t-shirts so I just need to lift them out of bed into the car and I am reckoning we would only get half hour more sleep at most if we stay at the airport.

Thanks.

Taxi? By the time you add hotel and petrol a local minicab is probably cheaper. We're a similar distance from Luton and always find cab cheaper than parking.

It seems valet parking is more expensive than hotel....! Maybe taxi is the answer.

Have you looked at the holiday extras site for deals?

What's easiest when you arrive home? Valet or retrieving car from hotel?

No advice but Monarch did that us. We flew with them yesterday and I originally booked with them because theire flight times were perfect for us (we like early flights) about 3 months after booking they emailed to say bit flights were now afternoon. Saying that despite being really pissed off at the time we had a very good experience with them.