7 hour LHR T5 Layover: Concorde Room or Sofitel?
Jun 29, 2018, 1:31 am
#46
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HAL put up signs at Flight Connections advertising the facilities in the other terminals.
Jun 29, 2018, 1:44 am
#47
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For years the rules were clear that you could only access the lounges in the terminal from which you are departing. I’ve seen quite a number of reports, however, including the one directly above this post, that this is no longer the case.
Jun 29, 2018, 3:10 am
#48
Join Date: Apr 2017
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I can confirm that I did this just recently when I had left my suit carrier at reception in the CX lounge when departing for HEL. I actually returned from GOT into T5 and nipped over to T3 using the airside bus connection and was allowed access to T3 with a boarding pass for T5. I didn’t have a huge amount of time so after collecting the suits visited Qantas gin bar for 1 before taking airside bus back to T5.
Regards
DtB
Regards
DtB
Jun 29, 2018, 4:00 am
#49
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
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Jun 29, 2018, 5:26 am
#50
Original Poster
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So, I am taking the suggestion to go into London! Too many here said the CCR is too small and boring for a stay of that length. And while the hotel option seems good, the reviews on TripAdvisor say it's often overbooked with no room actually available. Since many of you said go into town, a London based colleague has booked us tea at Fortnum & Mason (181 Piccadilly) at 3:45 PM (no other slot available). So here is my plan:
1. Go to the arrivals lounge for a shower and cup of coffee and hang out till 2 PM.
2. Car to Fortnum & Mason at 2 PM.
3. Hang with friend from 3 to 5 PM.
4. Car back to LHR at 5 PM.
5. Arrive LHR at 6 PM.
5. Wheels up at 7:30 PM, dinner and sleep onboard.
Thoughts? Thanks so much for your abundant replies; you guys rock.
1. Go to the arrivals lounge for a shower and cup of coffee and hang out till 2 PM.
2. Car to Fortnum & Mason at 2 PM.
3. Hang with friend from 3 to 5 PM.
4. Car back to LHR at 5 PM.
5. Arrive LHR at 6 PM.
5. Wheels up at 7:30 PM, dinner and sleep onboard.
Thoughts? Thanks so much for your abundant replies; you guys rock.
Jun 29, 2018, 5:57 am
#52
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: London, UK
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Posts: 1,308
I agree, it could end up being a bit tight.
This is my neck of the woods, so forgive the additional advice,
If Fortnums wont budge on the time, you could try an alternative tea spot nearby (better actually - IMO the best in London and an interesting building) like the Lanesborough at 3pm to make things less rushed. It's also marginally closer to Heathrow, without taking your friend too far from the original idea.
If you end up sticking to the plan, and want to go in slightly earlier, the Royal Academy is just opposite Fortnums. The annual summer exhibition is on and defo worth a visit.
Also the shopping around there (Jermyn Street, the arcades etc) is nice. Make sure you check out Paxton and Whitfield for the cheese. There's a long running thread on transporting cheese by air here.
This is my neck of the woods, so forgive the additional advice,
If Fortnums wont budge on the time, you could try an alternative tea spot nearby (better actually - IMO the best in London and an interesting building) like the Lanesborough at 3pm to make things less rushed. It's also marginally closer to Heathrow, without taking your friend too far from the original idea.
If you end up sticking to the plan, and want to go in slightly earlier, the Royal Academy is just opposite Fortnums. The annual summer exhibition is on and defo worth a visit.
Also the shopping around there (Jermyn Street, the arcades etc) is nice. Make sure you check out Paxton and Whitfield for the cheese. There's a long running thread on transporting cheese by air here.
Jun 29, 2018, 6:04 am
#53
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,927
So, I am taking the suggestion to go into London! Too many here said the CCR is too small and boring for a stay of that length. And while the hotel option seems good, the reviews on TripAdvisor say it's often overbooked with no room actually available. Since many of you said go into town, a London based colleague has booked us tea at Fortnum & Mason (181 Piccadilly) at 3:45 PM (no other slot available). So here is my plan:
1. Go to the arrivals lounge for a shower and cup of coffee and hang out till 2 PM.
2. Car to Fortnum & Mason at 2 PM.
3. Hang with friend from 3 to 5 PM.
4. Car back to LHR at 5 PM.
5. Arrive LHR at 6 PM.
5. Wheels up at 7:30 PM, dinner and sleep onboard.
Thoughts? Thanks so much for your abundant replies; you guys rock.
1. Go to the arrivals lounge for a shower and cup of coffee and hang out till 2 PM.
2. Car to Fortnum & Mason at 2 PM.
3. Hang with friend from 3 to 5 PM.
4. Car back to LHR at 5 PM.
5. Arrive LHR at 6 PM.
5. Wheels up at 7:30 PM, dinner and sleep onboard.
Thoughts? Thanks so much for your abundant replies; you guys rock.
Jun 29, 2018, 6:04 am
#54
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, A3 *Gold
Posts: 887
Seems like a good plan. The arrivals lounge is fine but could get boring after an hour or 2 so maybe leave an hour earlier and go for a walk in green park, visit the royal academy or somewhere else close to F&M, you are right in the centre there so lots of options.
(agree an hour to get to heathrow in rush hour traffic might be a bit edgy, what time is your flight? You might want to consider getting the bakerloo line from Piccadilly Circus two stops to Paddington and take the Heathrow Express - no the most pleasant experience (the bakerloo line at that time) but likely to be less risky than driving during rush hour. Or take the Piccadilly line the whole way from Green Park.
(agree an hour to get to heathrow in rush hour traffic might be a bit edgy, what time is your flight? You might want to consider getting the bakerloo line from Piccadilly Circus two stops to Paddington and take the Heathrow Express - no the most pleasant experience (the bakerloo line at that time) but likely to be less risky than driving during rush hour. Or take the Piccadilly line the whole way from Green Park.
Last edited by RobDBA; Jun 29, 2018 at 6:10 am
Jun 29, 2018, 6:07 am
#55
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: London, UK
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Posts: 1,308
Also, It's obviously not as comfortable, but that area of London is on the tube from Heathrow without need to change. The Piccadilly line train takes 52 minutes from T5 to Green Park, and you take traffic out of the mix.
Jun 29, 2018, 8:25 am
#57
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: TPA & MCO
Programs: DL Diamond, AA EXP & UA Gold
Posts: 3,046
I agree, it could end up being a bit tight.
This is my neck of the woods, so forgive the additional advice,
If Fortnums wont budge on the time, you could try an alternative tea spot nearby (better actually - IMO the best in London and an interesting building) like the Lanesborough at 3pm to make things less rushed. It's also marginally closer to Heathrow, without taking your friend too far from the original idea.
If you end up sticking to the plan, and want to go in slightly earlier, the Royal Academy is just opposite Fortnums. The annual summer exhibition is on and defo worth a visit.
Also the shopping around there (Jermyn Street, the arcades etc) is nice. Make sure you check out Paxton and Whitfield for the cheese. There's a long running thread on transporting cheese by air here.
This is my neck of the woods, so forgive the additional advice,
If Fortnums wont budge on the time, you could try an alternative tea spot nearby (better actually - IMO the best in London and an interesting building) like the Lanesborough at 3pm to make things less rushed. It's also marginally closer to Heathrow, without taking your friend too far from the original idea.
If you end up sticking to the plan, and want to go in slightly earlier, the Royal Academy is just opposite Fortnums. The annual summer exhibition is on and defo worth a visit.
Also the shopping around there (Jermyn Street, the arcades etc) is nice. Make sure you check out Paxton and Whitfield for the cheese. There's a long running thread on transporting cheese by air here.
Jun 29, 2018, 8:32 am
#58
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: London, UK
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Jun 30, 2018, 5:51 am
#59
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