Hannah Brandler rounds up the latest new and revamped hotels in and around Heathrow.
While the third runway is still a distant prospect, there is plenty to report when it comes to Heathrow’s hotel stock. Here are the latest new and recently refurbished properties to consider. Bear in mind that there are
dozens of hotels convenient for Heathrow, so when choosing, decide whether you want to pay a premium for one connected to the airport, or slightly less for one close by. If it’s the latter then opt for a property within the Heathrow Free Travel Zone. Failing that, there’s the Hotel Hoppa Bus, from £4.50 one way.
ATRIUM HEATHROW HOTEL
Opening on August 1, 2019, this modern new-build five-storey hotel features 581 guestrooms (starting from 20 sqm) equipped with free wifi, desks, fridges and ironing boards. It’s a three-minute walk from Hatton Cross Tube station, which is one stop from Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3 and Terminal 4, and is also located in the Heathrow Free Travel Zone.
Facilities include a swimming pool, gym, sauna and steam room, along with an underground car park with 120 spaces. The hotel can accommodate events for up to 700 guests in its assembly hall and has 36 separate meeting rooms all located on the same floor. There’s also a restaurant and a round-the-clock coffee shop. atriumhotelheathrow.co.uk
CROWNE PLAZA/HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS T4
Open since October last year, these co-located IHG properties have 761 rooms between them and share a lobby and facilities. Owned by the Arora Group – whose Heathrow properties include Holiday Inn T5 and Sofitel – the hotels are connected to Terminal 4 by a covered walkway on the Departures level (don’t confuse them with the Crowne Plaza Heathrow and Holiday Inn Express Heathrow, both located a few miles from T4). Reach the other terminals via what was the Heathrow Connect, now TfL Rail.
The Crowne Plaza (pictured) has 304 rooms (from 27 sqm) with good-sized workdesks, international plug sockets and ample charging points. The Holiday Inn Express has 457 rooms (from 22 sqm), some with runway views. There are plenty of good dining options in both hotels, including the all-day Holiday Inn Express Bar and Café, the Tea 4 salon, the well-designed Destinations bar and the Urban Brasserie, which serves modern British cuisine and Asian street food. The Crowne Plaza has a gym and four meeting spaces, the largest for 65 people. There’s also a 130-space underground car park. ihg.com
For a review of the Crowne Plaza London Heathrow T4, see:
HYATT PLACE LONDON HEATHROW AIRPORT
The former Heathrow Hotel Bath Road rebranded as Hyatt Place in December 2016, and completed a multimillion-pound refurbishment in July 2017. A five-minute drive from T2 and T3, and 12 minutes from T5, it’s located in the Heathrow Free Travel Zone, with regular buses to these terminals.
The property now has 349 sleek rooms (from 24 sqm) with improved wifi, triple-glazed windows, blackout curtains, 42-inch HDTVs, fridges, irons and safes. The restaurant has been expanded and there are 11 meeting spaces, the largest for 120 delegates. There’s also the 24/7 Gallery Market for snacks, and the Coffee to Cocktails Bar. hyatt.com
MOXY HEATHROW
Marriott International opened this 437-room hotel under its budget lifestyle brand in April last year. Located on Bath Road, it’s close to T2 and T3, accessible via the Hoppa Bus Service, but is not in the Heathrow Free Travel Zone. Rooms start from 16 sqm and have free wifi, desks with USB ports, and 42-inch HDTVs.
The hotel also has a 24-hour gym, a neon-clad bar and colourful dining area with spray-painted artwork, and snacks can be picked up around the clock from vending machines. Guests are given a complimentary drink with their room key when they arrive and there’s also a small meeting room for six people, and parking for 122 cars. moxy-hotels.marriott.com
NOVOTEL HEATHROW AIRPORT T1, T2 AND T3
Housed in the former HQ of the British Airports Authority on Bath Road, this 166-room property opened in April last year and features plenty of natural light and contemporary aviation-inspired interiors to echo its surroundings. Rooms start from 23 sqm and come with desks, 55-inch LCD TVs, irons, safes and fridges.
The hotel is located within the Heathrow Free Travel Zone and is served by several buses. Alternatively, it’s a five-minute drive from Terminals 2 and 3. Food and drink options include the Runway Rooftop Bar and the all-day Nest Restaurant. There’s also a fitness suite with a steam room. Free wifi is available throughout the hotel and a business and family space has iPads, a library area and board games. The hotel has two meeting spaces – the Sky Pod, which holds up to ten people, and the 150-capacity Nest Suite. novotel.com
SHERATON HEATHROW HOTEL
This 426-room property is located off Colnbrook Bypass, accessible to Terminal 5 via the Hoppa service within 15 minutes. While it’s not a newcomer, the hotel underwent a phased multimillion-pound renovation in 2017.
The redesigned rooms, which start from 26 sqm, are decorated in soft grey furnishings, while bathrooms have full-height coloured glass features. Soundproofing and blackout blinds ensure a good night’s sleep and the workdesks have ergonomic chairs. Club room guests can use the plush Club lounge, which offers free all-day refreshments and evening hors d’oeuvres. Food and drink venues include the Orchard restaurant, the Discovery Bar, with travel-inspired interiors, and the self-service Link Café, which has PC workstations. There’s also a gym and 21 meeting rooms. sheraton.marriott.com
STAYBRIDGE SUITES/HOLIDAY INN BATH ROAD
This dual-branded IHG property is a five-minute drive from all terminals and is in the Heathrow Free Travel Zone. Staybridge opened in January and has 145 studios (from 30 sqm) and 45 one-bedroom 41 sqm suites, all with kitchens. A 24-hour store offers snacks and drinks, and a buffet breakfast is included. The Den hosts meetings for ten, and there’s a business centre and laundry room. Evening socials with free drinks and canapés are held three times a week.
For a Tried and Tested review of this property see:
The 433-room Holiday Inn next door has an Italian restaurant, a sports bar and six meeting rooms. Rooms start at 23 sqm. Both hotels have free wifi and they share a gym. ihg.com/staybridge; hiheathrowbathroad.com
HILTON GARDEN INN HEATHROW T2
Opening on July 1, 2019, the 369-room Hilton Garden Inn is directly connected to Terminal 2 via a walkway. Rooms start from 22 sqm and have HDTVs, fridges and desks; some have runway views, as does the rooftop bar. Other facilities include a full-service restaurant, a 24-hour business centre and five meeting rooms, the largest of which is 729 sqm. hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com
COMING SOON…
AEROTEL LONDON HEATHROW
Located in the east wing of T3 arrivals, and in walking distance of T2, Plaza Premium Group’s short-stay Aerotel has been the subject of much confusion during its more than year-long delay, which has been attributed to health and safety requirements. Its signage has been in place for some time, but as we went to press the opening date was still unconfirmed.
The 82-room hotel will allow customers to arrive at any time of day and pay for between six and 24 hours. Rooms will start from 10 sqm and have showers, TVs and free wifi, with light refreshments available in the Library Lounge. myaerotel.com
VIVANTA HEATHROW
The Indian Hotels Company Limited is due to open a Vivanta property near T2 and T3 in 2021. It will have 108 rooms, an all-day restaurant, a bar and lounge, a gym, banqueting space, and an outpost of restaurant brand Bombay Brasserie. theindianhotels.com
