Starboard Hotels opens new Gatwick Airport location after £14m refurb

Buckinghamshire-based Starboard Hotels has announced the opening of Ibis Styles Gatwick following a £14 million refurbishment and redevelopment, creating 50 local jobs.

The 182-bed hotel has undergone a complete transformation, including an additional floor providing expanded bedroom capacity, and has rebranded to become an Ibis Styles property.

Paul Callingham, chair and founder of Starboard Hotels, said: “This is a 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’re 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.”

Guests heading to the airport can check departures and arrivals on screens in the lobby – which also features a vintage Fiat 500 – and breakfast is served from 4am.

There’s also a shuttle bus and park-and-fly services for travellers.

Kerian Barnes, group operations director for Starboard Hotels, added: “We’re 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’ve put in to make this hotel as sustainable, and comfortable, as possible.

“I’m sure that we’ll 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.”

The hotel – Starboard’s third in the London and South East region – has gone fully electric, with hot water generated by two heat pumps.

All guest rooms contain an energy-saving occupancy sensing system to ensure power isn’t wasted on empty rooms, and the building features LED lighting with motion sensors throughout.

Starboard Hotels’ portfolio includes 21 hotels across brands like Hilton, IHG, Accor, Best Western and Wyndham.