So let me understand this, you are flying to London for one night then flying back to the US?? Nice one - I love those sort of trips!

If you are flying in and out of Gatwick then you could stay at the airport, but it is a long way out of London and you would be much better off staying in the thick of things.

The Gatwick Express rail service runs every 15 minutes and takes 30 minutes to London Victoria Station. In the early hours of the morning there is one train per hour. The oneway fare ia around £11, with 33% discount with airline ID (but may need to be london ID - not sure).

There are a lot of cheap hotels and B&Bs within walking distance of Victoria, and Victoria has plenty of places to eat, it is within walking distance of Buck House, Green park and the Mall, and is a few tube stops from Covent Garden, Leicester Square and the heart of the West End.

So to save wasted time travelling round London if you just have one night I suggest you stay near Victoria. As I say, there are a LOT of places to stay - try:

<a href="http://www.ukhotelnet.com/london/centralhotels.htm" target="_blank">http://www.ukhotelnet.com/london/centralhotels.htm</A>

and click on Victoria on the map

or:

<a href="http://www.in-london.co.uk/tourist-information.htm" target="_blank">http://www.in-london.co.uk/tourist-information.htm</A>

- select your price range, scroll down on the tab marked districts, select Victoria and away you go!

If you do not book anywhere online or in advance there is a hotel booking service at LGW, and another one at Victoria Station concourse and a large Tourist Information office at the station as well.

It's that easy - enjoy!