Gatwick - 7 hr. layover: options?
 

If we arrive at LGW at 7 am and don't leave until 2 pm, is it possible/advisable to get a room in one of the airport hotels for a 3-hr. nap? Or are we doomed to try to nap in the Admiral's Club? If we leave the airport, is there a probablem with customs/passcontrol/checked baggage?

If you choose a hotel option you will have to go through immigration/customs. No way around it, but it will not be a problem. Your checked through luggage is not an issue in this case.

Arriving so early will not allow you to do a Priceline bid. Your only shot is calling/contacting the hotel(s) personally and reserving a day room. It may be a costly 3 hour nap.

There are 2 hotels attached to the terminals at Gatwick. There is LeMeridian(very nice) and I believe the second one is Hilton or a Hyatt(never stayed). I was able to get the LeMeridian for $100US for a night through Priceline but that's not an option for you. It was great just walking through a short tunnel after checking out and within few minutes sitting at the club.

You did not say where you are flying to or with which airline and in what class?, also do you have Plat or ExecPlat status with AA?

That could mean a difference in getting access to BA's Terraces Lounge at Gatwick. AA uses the BA lounge at Gatwick.

I should have said "AA will start using BA Terraces Lounge" at Gatwick in couple of weeks.

There is a hotel very close to Gatwick - short walk or a shuttle ride away - The Travel Inn. It has always been very inexpensive adn has a restaurant also.

DH is Gold but that's all. On the other hand, I'm flying full business class (not a mileage upgrage for complicated reasons but I assure you, we got a startlingly good bus. cl. fare) so might I be entitled to BA's club? Our connection is from AA to BA.

If you cannot get into the BA club, the local ground operator (I believe it is Gatwick Services) has a lounge on the second floor which you can visit for a small fee (10 pounds I think it was...)

The business class ticekrt will get you in, BUT you did not answer what airline you are flying out of Gatwick. VERY IMPORTANT. These are NOT arrival lounges, they are DEPARTURE lounges ONLY. If you are not connecting to a OneWorld airline then you will not be able to use the lounges.

Actually, I thought I did answer -- AA from US connecting to British Air going to FCO (bus cl. on both legs). What distinguishes the "Terraces Lounge" from whatever hath preceded it?