Stayed at the Sofitel for the first time last Saturday. Booked via
the 'top secret' deal advertised on HfP for ~£90. It's definitely the best T5 hotel experience I've had, and I've stayed at the Thistle and the Premier Inns on Bath Road a few times.
Originally Posted by
KARFA
and the pods cost £5 per person each way if you are going to the thistle!
This is true if a) you choose to mention (or it's abundantly obvious) that you used the pods to get to the hotel and b) if you decide to have your whole party stand at the reception desk when you check out. Send the other's out to the pod gate and pay for one person, £5 each is a rip off. Last time I was there, I got to the gate and someone else was leaving, so I needn't have paid at all.
PS - The terrace of the bar at the Thistle has incredible views of runway 09L/27R, and is beautiful of a summer afternoon. Meanwhile, bafflingly, the Curve bar at the Sofitel T5 stops serving food at about 10:30pm, and last orders are called before midnight.