Overnight at LHR T5
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,141
The op is neither arriving very late at night nor departing at the crack of dawn so has a plethora of hotels to chose from - many providing better value for money than the Sofitel.
#17
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Southern California
Programs: AA EXPlat, 2.4MM; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 580
And 1 for the T4 Hilton. Open, pleasant environment, welcoming staff, executive lounge, reasonable rates, (although L100, not 50) and outdoor area with pond and fountain, a relaxing spot to smoke a Montecristo.
#18
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 2,055
LHR is quite possibly the worst place to overnight if you don't have ePassport or Fast Track. Depending on your circumstances (non-J travel) you will potentially be stuck waiting in line for much, much longer than you would like.
Last summer I did PSA-LHR-ORD with an overnight at the Sheraton. The PSA-LHR flight was slightly delayed, and that combined with the horrific wait (more than an hour) at immigration T5 meant a really lousy overnight. The only brightside was that the ongoing ORD flight left early enough that security was easy the next morning.
My dreams of a nice workout and dinner and a cocktail in the lobby were crushed by the sad reality of LHR and UK immigration lines.
Last summer I did PSA-LHR-ORD with an overnight at the Sheraton. The PSA-LHR flight was slightly delayed, and that combined with the horrific wait (more than an hour) at immigration T5 meant a really lousy overnight. The only brightside was that the ongoing ORD flight left early enough that security was easy the next morning.
My dreams of a nice workout and dinner and a cocktail in the lobby were crushed by the sad reality of LHR and UK immigration lines.
#19
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,467
The UK government will later today announce its intent to allow "low risk" countries to use the e-gates, and I'm almost certain that means US, Canadian and many other Commonwealth citizens. I'm not sure of timing, but my guess is that this will be from the end of 2020.
#20
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,222
No one has mentioned the Thistle hotel with its easy pod transfer from T5 so here it is and always my choice nowadays.
Good food and drinks options on Bath Road as well and they do a very nice breakfast as well.
The rooms are small and dated but perfectly ok for one night.
I just lament the closure of the pool and gym leisure place opposite....anyone know when it closed out of interest?
Good food and drinks options on Bath Road as well and they do a very nice breakfast as well.
The rooms are small and dated but perfectly ok for one night.
I just lament the closure of the pool and gym leisure place opposite....anyone know when it closed out of interest?
#23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tampere
Programs: BA EC Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,232
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,198
I have no doubt that many here could easily identify far worse airports at which to overnight.
Last summer I did PSA-LHR-ORD with an overnight at the Sheraton. The PSA-LHR flight was slightly delayed, and that combined with the horrific wait (more than an hour) at immigration T5 meant a really lousy overnight. The only brightside was that the ongoing ORD flight left early enough that security was easy the next morning.
My dreams of a nice workout and dinner and a cocktail in the lobby were crushed by the sad reality of LHR and UK immigration lines.
My dreams of a nice workout and dinner and a cocktail in the lobby were crushed by the sad reality of LHR and UK immigration lines.
The UK government will later today announce its intent to allow "low risk" countries to use the e-gates, and I'm almost certain that means US, Canadian and many other Commonwealth citizens. I'm not sure of timing, but my guess is that this will be from the end of 2020.
#25
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,796
Nothing like a good old LHR hotel stay discussion.
The OP mentions Hilton T4 and Sofitel T5. Given your connection, either one is fine in my opinion. If you had a shorter connection, Sofitel would be preferable but the Hilton at T4 is just fine with this connection time. See the Hilton T4 thread for the lengthy discussion on best way to get there.
Your profile lists Hilton Diamond, so if you want to stick with that program. I would consider the Hilton Garden Inn, can get there via bus or tube, see that thread on details. It will be cheaper and a cozier and cheaper option. If you want to get away from the airport, which I would likely do with this particular connection. I would consider Paddington Hilton. You will get there very quickly and you have a much more interesting area than the airport. I typically only to the Paddington option if I can get it with a decent points option.
As others have mentioned, with this connection you could really do about any property at LHR. I would personally prefer my bags to be checked through to IAD and get my boarding pass in FRA. If you have fast track access that would help particularly at immigration.
The OP mentions Hilton T4 and Sofitel T5. Given your connection, either one is fine in my opinion. If you had a shorter connection, Sofitel would be preferable but the Hilton at T4 is just fine with this connection time. See the Hilton T4 thread for the lengthy discussion on best way to get there.
Your profile lists Hilton Diamond, so if you want to stick with that program. I would consider the Hilton Garden Inn, can get there via bus or tube, see that thread on details. It will be cheaper and a cozier and cheaper option. If you want to get away from the airport, which I would likely do with this particular connection. I would consider Paddington Hilton. You will get there very quickly and you have a much more interesting area than the airport. I typically only to the Paddington option if I can get it with a decent points option.
As others have mentioned, with this connection you could really do about any property at LHR. I would personally prefer my bags to be checked through to IAD and get my boarding pass in FRA. If you have fast track access that would help particularly at immigration.
#26
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,095
The "range of hotels at LHR is poor without a bus (or similar experience of train)" ? I feel it's quite similar to many other large airports, about 2.
eg:
LHR: 2
JFK: 0
LAX: 0
AMS: 3
CPH: 1
NRT: 2
HND: 2
DOH: 1
SIN: 4
etc.
eg:
LHR: 2
JFK: 0
LAX: 0
AMS: 3
CPH: 1
NRT: 2
HND: 2
DOH: 1
SIN: 4
etc.
#28
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: AA MM, AA EXP; OW Emerald, EK silver
Posts: 928
For convenience the Sofitel if you don't want to rely on transport. Otherwise, the Hilton T4 is great, much better priced and you'll get upgraded as Hilton Diamond. The negative is that it is a long walk from the terminal and transport to and from Terminal 5 can be difficult especially very early in the morning. However, doesn't apply to you with the times of your flight.
#29
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,533
Premier Inn T4 is surprisingly decent and rates generally are cheap as chips. I had a room with 2 double beds (thus could fit 4) for just GBP30 less than a year back!
The transfer really isn't too cumbersome - walk from T5 to Heathrow Connect trains, and on arrival at T4 a straightforward walk through a sheltered tunnel. Of course, nothing compares to the convenience of Sofitel T5 though, but then again what you save on accommodation can be spent on a nice dinner at one of the hotel or airport restaurants.
The transfer really isn't too cumbersome - walk from T5 to Heathrow Connect trains, and on arrival at T4 a straightforward walk through a sheltered tunnel. Of course, nothing compares to the convenience of Sofitel T5 though, but then again what you save on accommodation can be spent on a nice dinner at one of the hotel or airport restaurants.
#30
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,700
Premier Inn T4 is surprisingly decent and rates generally are cheap as chips. I had a room with 2 double beds (thus could fit 4) for just GBP30 less than a year back!
The transfer really isn't too cumbersome - walk from T5 to Heathrow Connect trains, and on arrival at T4 a straightforward walk through a sheltered tunnel. Of course, nothing compares to the convenience of Sofitel T5 though, but then again what you save on accommodation can be spent on a nice dinner at one of the hotel or airport restaurants.
The transfer really isn't too cumbersome - walk from T5 to Heathrow Connect trains, and on arrival at T4 a straightforward walk through a sheltered tunnel. Of course, nothing compares to the convenience of Sofitel T5 though, but then again what you save on accommodation can be spent on a nice dinner at one of the hotel or airport restaurants.
see this post https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30039507-post37.html