Booked through a long stay car park company on a park / stay deal , staying overnight at hotel and parking car in companys own car park about a mile down the road for £89 including a weeks parking and shuttle buses.
Found hotel to be welcoming, clean and comfortable and generally of a good standard.
The Hotel is a bit maze like with long corridors, but although we were down a couple of corridors and through a few doors didnt find it a problem and enjoyed our stay and this hotel provide a comfortable start and good base for our early morning flight.
Only disconcerning point was on arrival being greeted by a car park barrier asking us to take a ticket, which looked like we were going to be charged an extra fiver to park overnight, but this ticket was swopped at check in for another to allow free exit.

I cannot believe that this hotel comes so far down the list of hotels in Gatwick as its our favourite to stay in pre flight and we are always dissapointed if we cannot get in here.
I guess this is the reason for writing this review. Yes the place is not 21st century chic but this is part of its charm. I hate smoky rooms too but it will take time to get rid of all the smoke smell from some of these older hotels which have had smokers in for years...particulary this one with its woodwork and beams.
I have stayed in others around Gatwick including the Arora, the chequers, Ibis and the the Ramada..all a little souless and very often staff who speak little English.
Another thing I like about the Copthorne is the secure parking area, Its never been an issue yet in our last stay at another hotel dont recall which one our car had a big dent in the side door as the underground parking spaces were too close together.
I also love the cosy bar area.
Drinks are a little steep but we have a few and then usually get burgers or sandwiches on roomservice and get an early night.
Have to agree the shuttle buses could be a little more frequent and have at times waited for late scheduled buses in the morning but this is trivia.
I dont agree with previous reviews that this hotel is expensive, we have paid more at others for not half as good and this is a London airport!!
One last thing which you dont see very often is feedback from the management..good to see they are listening and acting on negative feedback, well done you!!
P.S. (will expect a good rate on my next stay) Only joking!!!!!

We stayed here for a dinner dance run by our social club and the event, meal and venue were really good although they need to organise somewhere else for the smokers to stand other than just outside the door.

The room and the bathroom were ok, but smelled of old smoke which was vaguely nasty. Otherwise it was clean, pleasant and comfortable.

Breakfast was a complete shambles and they seemed to be unaware of the numbers of people who were staying at the hotel which was odd. We had to collar someone and ask for tea and coffee after waiting quite a while - and then there was no breakfast on the buffet.

Breakfast, along with the strange man who kept knocking on our door and trying to clean our room well before our checkout time made this a disappointing experience in all!!

Charming hotel that also has plenty of function.

Old English grounds and outer facade, yet maintains modern rooms and conveniences such as: TV with clock, High speed internet (xtra fee, but fast), room service, quality bathroom and spacious room.

Bus transportation on regular schedule to/from Gatwick airport (2.50 pounds each way).

My stay was for a 2 night business trip and I was quite comfortable at this hotel. Would stay again if in same area!!