LHR hotels?

[twiningb]

Arriving from DUB on BA, presumably T5, on a Tuesday afternoon. Departing to YYZ on AC, T2, next morning (Wednesday). Travelling with wife and two kids, so we're booking for connecting rooms. Currently have a booking at the Crowne Plaza at T4 at ~GBP78 per room, and I can now get the Courtyard on northern perimeter for ~GBP93 per room.

I have Gold status with both IHG (pretty much worthless) and Marriott (better). Both hotels are rated very highly (4.5+ on TripAdvisor). Courtyard is almost brand-new, having opened during COVID, and the Crowne Plaza looks pretty decent too. Crowne Plaza is a bit further from runways, and T4 will still be closed, so it will be quieter. But Courtyard is probably quicker to T2 in the morning.

Has anyone stayed at either (or both) who would like to give an opinion? Otherwise, do people think I should stick with the Crowne Plaza or switch to the Courtyard?

 

[Pushka]

I was just reading that if you are staying at the Sofitel T5 you can catch the Heathrow express for free to T3.
Has anyone done this? We would be catching it about 6am.

You can go from terminal to terminal for free regardless of where you stay. You do need a free ticket to get through the turnstiles.

 

[dajop]

I was just reading that if you are staying at the Sofitel T5 you can catch the Heathrow express for free to T3.

Can also catch the tube free of charge between T5 and T3 ( free within Heathrow and to/from Hatton Cross). You do need to tap in and tap out with a credit card or Oyster card but no charge is levied.

 

[VPS]

We do have a car rental booking - but we can walk there from the hotel. Hoppa looks expensive and no free buses. Do you reckon it’s possible to use the rental car shuttle on days we aren’t renting the car?

you can certainly try. Especially going to the car hire place from LHR - then just go oh damn we were Hertz not Avis

 

[Pushka]

you can certainly try. Especially going to the car hire place from LHR - then just go oh damn we were Hertz not Avis

Or, oops, wrong day....

 

[RooFlyer]

I was just reading that if you are staying at the Sofitel T5 you can catch the Heathrow express for free to T3.
Has anyone done this? We would be catching it about 6am.

As others say, its free between terminals, but I tried to use the HEX ex the Sofitel early to another terminal one time pre covid and it wasn't running that early. Can't remember how early, sorry.

 

[luckypierre]

You’re right. The daily anytime cap for zones 1-6 is £14.90 for Oyster or contactless credit/debit card. I thought the LHR surcharge was on top of the cap, but it seems I was mistaken.

Curiously, checking HEX advance purchase tickets for 2024, these tickets are now £16.50 one way, this year those same tickets were £5.50. Also noticed that the TFL Oyster App has an update but that App is no longer available via the Oz Apple App Store. It appears that I can still access old App using VPN. I guess that’s the point they don’t want people from overseas using the App. (Off topic but it’s the same for the Italian Trenitalia Train App , which is not available in Oz)

 

[dajop]

The TFL journey planner can be used to find out what time the tube and HEX commence from T5 and work out what is best option for the preferred timing.

Plan a journey

Plan your journey across the TfL network. Journey planner for Bus, Tube, London Overground, DLR, Elizabeth line, National Rail, Tram, River Bus, IFS Cloud Cable Car, Coach

tfl.gov.uk

 

[ellen10]

So much great first hand experience on this thread.

I am about to book my Heathrow hotel, here are my thoughts.

Return our hire car to Avis, Northrop Road about 11am. Catch shuttle bus to Terminal 3, drop our bags at the Hilton Garden Inn. Price is still high but I do have a $50 Qantas hotel voucher. I looked at the Sofitel at T5 as I am an Accor member, but frankly the transfer from T5 early in the morning put me off. (6 min walk from hotel to station, 4 min train ride and then 8 min walk to the terminal carting our bags). We have an early morning departure. Well not that early, 9.40am, much to my husbands dislike I do like to check in early, but maybe have some breakfast in the lounge, a little retail shopping!

After dropping off our bags I am thinking of catching the Elizabeth line into the city, as this trip we are not staying in London Central at all. (just for a wander, and yes we have been to London several times) Is this a silly thought?

 

[drron]

Not a silly thought at all. Especially if you like wandering around London.

 

[dajop]

After dropping off our bags I am thinking of catching the Elizabeth line into the city, as this trip we are not staying in London Central at all. (just for a wander, and yes we have been to London several times) Is this a silly thought?

You're dropping the car off at 11am right? I think it would be a silly thought to stay in the hotel all afternoon/evening.

Heck we've done it after arriving at hotel at 7pm. Dropped off bags and gone into town for a wander and dinner, there and back on the Heathrow Express (last day of our England rail pass, so no extra cost for HEX) .

 

[Townsend]

Ee have just caught the tube from LHR to Gloucester rd (zone 1) and it was under 6 pounds.

 

[ellen10]

Thanks @dajop and @Townsend .
I will do a little exploring in London Town

 

[clifford]

Thanks @dajop and @Townsend .
I will do a little exploring in London Town

I'd suggest Hammersmith might be worth a look, lovely bars/restaurants on the river bank, and you can even have a stroll across the bridge. Worth googling... And it's closer to LHR on the Tube.

 

[ellen10]

Thanks @clifford any particular restaurant recommendation?

 

[jase05]

Another good stay at Sofitel T5 after arriving into T3. I decided to book car rental through Sixt this time as their desks are in the Sofitel and was a piece of cake to pick up the next morning

 

[dajop]

Recently had a Saturday night in LHR enroute between BRU and GVA (why not? It was cheaper than direct flights and a lot cheaper than the train via Paris). Arrived at around 3pm, departed next morning at 9:25am.

- Stayed at Renaissance. Hotel fine, as I was literally just sleeping there. Closer to T2/T3 though than T5.
- Caught local buses to/from hotel, with stop very close to hotel. Considered uber, and time savings according to uber vs bus was about 3 mins to hotel and 5 mins back to airport, and fare was ~ 20 GBP each way. I find local buses more frequent and cheaper than Hotel Hoppa.
- Went into London for a walk around, dinner and to see the Book of Mormon (which I booked a rush ticket for earlier in the day on TodayTix app whilst still in Brussels)
- Caught bus/Elizabeth Line into Central London - quicker and more comfortable than Piccadilly line. I didn't go to Heathrow to do that, as it was showing as no quicker, if not slower (and of course comes with the Heathrow gate fee) , but instead changed from bus to train at Hayes & Harlington going in, vice versa at Southall coming back. About 45-50 mins in each direction.

By then I had been in Europe for 5 days, so jet lag wasn't a consideration (TBH, inbound to Europe it's never a problem for me anyway).

 

[clifford]

I always stay at the Premier Inn T4 whenever I have a day or two in London. It's just so convenient (and reasonably priced) and I always get a room with a view of Heathrow airport (which is just a few metres away). Well soundproofed though.

A short walk on a covered walkway to T4, where you can get the tube or Eliz line, or buses to various destinations. Transfer to other terminals is free via the tube. So what's not to like?