CHECK OTHER REVIEWS FOR THIS PLACE:
I'm not sure why, but I like airport hotels. I enjoy the vibes around them, the business and people's faces, everyone preparing for the journey ahead. You're here for a night, or to meet someone, and I believe I can learn a lot from places like that.
I booked a night at the Hilton Heathrow located in Terminal 4. The hotel is at the terminal, but maybe a kilometer walk away from it. Reach the departure area, take the door leading the hotel and start walking. 4 minutes, 2 minutes... Here we are.
The hotel is a large building, a metallic structure with a huge atrium in the middle. With glass facades on both sides, one for the entrance and the other for the fountain, the rooms occupy the remaining two sides.
The reception is facing the entrance where a welcoming staff takes care while checking you in. I was given a room on the 5th floor.
Good to know:
- There is a free shuttle departing from Terminal 5 every fifteen minutes, or you can take Heathrow express from any Terminal to Terminal 4.
- A taxi from the hotel to you desired terminal is charged at £15 cash and £20 with a card.
- Breakfast is booked the night before for £12 or the same morning for £20.
- Internet is free and speedy down in the lobby but paid for up in the rooms. £15 a night.
The large atrium is divided into two spaces by a block of elevators in the middle. Behind it are the three restaurants as well as a fountain and a large metallic structure decorating the space. Choose between the Italian restaurant, the coffee shop or the bar. All serve food throughout the day.
That night, I went down to the bar for a beer. I spent a couple hours there, finished my articles, enjoyed two choices of beer, a local one and a Belgian, before going up to bed for a long night of sleep.
The rooms are fair in size. A queen bed with a view of the road below. A fully loaded bar, a coffee machine, an ironing board, a bath robe and the bathroom amenities. The bed and its pillows are relaxing.
What I didn't like is the bathroom that's a bit tight, the bathtub is complicated, the water jet is too weak and designed to fit very short people. The TV broadcasts what feels like a hundred channels of which 5 are international and the others English and local. For an airport hotel with international clientele I would have expected to see Euronews, Discovery Channel and some Asian channels as well.
The next morning, breakfast amazed me and I might be coming back here just to have those Nutella muffins again.
An experience I liked. If you have a night to spare or a connection to take, The Hilton is one good choice to consider.
