T5 Hotels
Jul 7, 2020, 10:39 am
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 13
For those who prefer additional comforts, I’m sure the Sofitel Is a great choice. However, as the OP has already told us a usual haunt, which suits perfectly, is a Premier Inn then I fear expectations of price v convenience are not going to be met by a 5* property, even with some of the discounted mystery hotel rates,
OP, if you have a car then many of the Bath Road hotels will suit you just as much, particularly if they offer a parking deal given it’s an easy free bus ride to T5. There’s a much more varied range there than at T5 (and definitely don’t be fooled by some of hotel descriptions - it’s quicker to get from Bath Road to T5 than from some who you might think are on top of the terminal!).
You may be better suited heading over to the UK & Ireland forum (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/u-k-ireland-484/) where this regularly comes up for discussion.
OP, if you have a car then many of the Bath Road hotels will suit you just as much, particularly if they offer a parking deal given it’s an easy free bus ride to T5. There’s a much more varied range there than at T5 (and definitely don’t be fooled by some of hotel descriptions - it’s quicker to get from Bath Road to T5 than from some who you might think are on top of the terminal!).
You may be better suited heading over to the UK & Ireland forum (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/u-k-ireland-484/) where this regularly comes up for discussion.
Jul 7, 2020, 10:46 am
#17
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Join Date: Oct 1999
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COVID-19 and BA: Using Heathrow T5
Jul 7, 2020, 10:57 am
#18
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 6,007
there are a variety of hotels on the bath road. depending on loyalty programs and price you could pick any of them.
I prefer something a little further out so I can go to local shops, so I typically look at the Holiday Inn T5 in Colnbrook or the Heathrow Hilton Double Tree in Cranford.
I typically would not pick the sofitel coz i do not feel the increased cost is not worth the 20/30 minutes I save. I appreciate others may have a different opinion.
for a flight at 8:15 you could leave any of the bath road hotels around 6:30 and be in the airport by 7. The thistle or premier in in Longford are about 5 minutes on the 423 or the 7 and the bus is free.
I prefer something a little further out so I can go to local shops, so I typically look at the Holiday Inn T5 in Colnbrook or the Heathrow Hilton Double Tree in Cranford.
I typically would not pick the sofitel coz i do not feel the increased cost is not worth the 20/30 minutes I save. I appreciate others may have a different opinion.
for a flight at 8:15 you could leave any of the bath road hotels around 6:30 and be in the airport by 7. The thistle or premier in in Longford are about 5 minutes on the 423 or the 7 and the bus is free.
Jul 7, 2020, 12:33 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Newcastle UK
Posts: 1,114
Hyatt Place Bath Road is usually competive in price and is quite nice. They also have very good airport view rooms, the best in my opinion, plus an underground car park directly under the hotel. The 423 bus directly opposite the hotel is free to T5 and reception organises a car for £18.
Jul 7, 2020, 2:22 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC, Eurostar
Posts: 3,306
For £1000 a night when I looked last week but now seems to be about the usual rate.
They have cancelled our early August booking.
They have been the worst hotel of all for lockdown refunds. Probably had to cancel about 60 nights across 20 odd hotels- only 1 that wouldn't give a refund was the Sofitel- emailed multiple times and used the accor form (which only came out after we had to cancel) but don't even get a response. We stay there a few times each year and they have probably lost us as customers.
They have cancelled our early August booking.
They have been the worst hotel of all for lockdown refunds. Probably had to cancel about 60 nights across 20 odd hotels- only 1 that wouldn't give a refund was the Sofitel- emailed multiple times and used the accor form (which only came out after we had to cancel) but don't even get a response. We stay there a few times each year and they have probably lost us as customers.
Jul 7, 2020, 2:43 pm
#22
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: 30 miles from London
Programs: BAEC Gold, MUCCI, Elite Fan of MO, ALL Accor Live Gold
Posts: 1,484
I called the Sofitel and they told me the plan was to open beginning of August
Jul 7, 2020, 6:39 pm
#24
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,405
Any of the hotels along Bath Road are acceptable many with parking packages. A plus room at the Heathrow Travelodge Central is perfectly acceptable and definitely on a par with Premier Inn.
Some fall within the free travel area at Heathrow others just outside so will need an Oyster Card or working contactless card per person for the £1.50 fare. Just a word of caution if using the TFL bus, current social distancing rules stipulate that the maximum number of bus passengers permitted will vary from 10-25 depending on the bus type and a lot of the buses in the morning are usually busy with airport workers.
Some fall within the free travel area at Heathrow others just outside so will need an Oyster Card or working contactless card per person for the £1.50 fare. Just a word of caution if using the TFL bus, current social distancing rules stipulate that the maximum number of bus passengers permitted will vary from 10-25 depending on the bus type and a lot of the buses in the morning are usually busy with airport workers.
Jul 8, 2020, 3:13 am
#25
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Lewes, UK
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 231
I stayed in T5 Thistle last July. Reasonable rates, not luxury but great for just a one night stay. Short walk to/from the Parking Pods which take you straight to T5. Just buy a £5 (last year) card from hotel reception with gate access code for Pods. No messing around with infrequent shuttles. Pods arrive on demand.
Last edited by peterinlewesuk; Jul 8, 2020 at 4:36 am
Jul 8, 2020, 4:29 am
#26
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I stayed in T5 Travelodge last July. Reasonable rates, not luxury but great for just a one night stay. Short walk to/from the Parking Pods which take you straight to T5. Just buy a £5 (last year) card from hotel reception with gate access code for Pods. No messing around with infrequent shuttles. Pods arrive on demand.
Jul 8, 2020, 4:37 am
#28
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Lewes, UK
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 231
Had a great runway view from my room - well soundproofed so not a problem. And very efficient wall mounted air conditioner.
Jul 8, 2020, 7:57 am
#29
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: Sir CT-UK - Streaker pour les autres.
Posts: 5,907
I stayed last night and often do at the HI M4/J4 where they alwasys do crazy cheep packages for hotel and parking. Sometimes the CP has really good deals as well. Yes it will be £10-15 in a Uber but the saving over the Sofitel is huge and the rooms are fine.
Jul 8, 2020, 10:48 am
#30
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Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
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I stayed in T5 Thistle last July. Reasonable rates, not luxury but great for just a one night stay. Short walk to/from the Parking Pods which take you straight to T5. Just buy a £5 (last year) card from hotel reception with gate access code for Pods. No messing around with infrequent shuttles. Pods arrive on demand.