[ARCHIVE 2016 to 2019] DISCUSSION for Hilton Honors Hotels in or near London {GBR}
#631
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Southern California
Programs: AA EXPlat, 2.4MM; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 580
I've had six stays at the T4 Hilton in the last 2 months. The bus between T4 - T5 is straightforward and prompt and I have never experienced the crowding issues that someone else alluded to. I also have not found the rooms at the T5 Hilton to be that much larger than T4.
The last time I stayed at the T5 Hilton (about 2 months ago) using the Hoppa was not the bother that I remembered but I also feel it is not worth it considering the free TfL bus transfers between T4 -T5 and the difference in room cost between the properties has been negligible for my stays. I have also found the lounge and lounge offerings at T4 to be better.
The last time I stayed at the T5 Hilton (about 2 months ago) using the Hoppa was not the bother that I remembered but I also feel it is not worth it considering the free TfL bus transfers between T4 -T5 and the difference in room cost between the properties has been negligible for my stays. I have also found the lounge and lounge offerings at T4 to be better.
#632
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Tampa
Programs: Hilton Gold
Posts: 155
I booked T4 in the end. My only concern is getting from there to terminal 5 for the flight with kids and luggage.
#633
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,914
The answer to the question that you didn't ask is that the Sofitel at T5 is the winner for access and you can check your luggage in the lobby before walking over to T5. It can be had fairly cheaply through BA.
#634
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Southern California
Programs: AA EXPlat, 2.4MM; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 580
There are always luggage carts just outside the front door to the hotel. Time your walk TO the hotel and you'll know more or less how much time you'll need to get to the terminal. The alternative is to take a cab, which will cost you around 10 pounds.
#635
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Tampa
Programs: Hilton Gold
Posts: 155
Thanks everyone.
#636
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,914
We chose the T5 Hilton once because it was very reasonable through BA Holidays and I wanted to try Mr. Todiwala's (it was excellent) so I appreciate that there are other reasons but you seemed to be starting to worry more about convenience. Good luck anyway.
#637
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,190
Sooo much more convenient. (And a very nice hotel). Save the points for something else. You can even check your bags with BA in the hotel lobby; it is about a 5 minute walk to the terminal from the hotel.
And you can ride the cool pods to the remote parking lot. ^
And LHR isnt that complicated if you spend 10 minutes on the airport website and look at a map/schematic.
#638
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Muscat/Doha/Manchester
Programs: Oman Air Gold, Qatar Airways Platinum, Marriott Ambassador, HH Diamond, GHA Black, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 432
I have not stayed in a Hilton Property in London before, (formally SPG/Marriott) however as there is no promotions in June I am thinking of staying in a Hilton property, any which are particurlary good for families in Central London ? and ideally have an indoor swimming pool?
As a reference point if anyone has stayed at the Marriott in Park Lane with the indoor pool that would be something ideal but in the Hilton family?
As a reference point if anyone has stayed at the Marriott in Park Lane with the indoor pool that would be something ideal but in the Hilton family?
#639
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Europe
Programs: BAEC Silver; AerClub Silver, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 312
If the location suits you the Hilton London Bankside is family friendly and has an indoor pool.
#640
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: norwich, uk
Programs: hhonors diamond
Posts: 5,368
I have not stayed in a Hilton Property in London before, (formally SPG/Marriott) however as there is no promotions in June I am thinking of staying in a Hilton property, any which are particurlary good for families in Central London ? and ideally have an indoor swimming pool?
As a reference point if anyone has stayed at the Marriott in Park Lane with the indoor pool that would be something ideal but in the Hilton family?
As a reference point if anyone has stayed at the Marriott in Park Lane with the indoor pool that would be something ideal but in the Hilton family?
#641
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Newton Centre, MA, USA
Programs: DL 2MM Gold, AA Plat Pro; Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium (via SPG), IHG Plat
Posts: 2,192
If you must have a lounge your alternatives to Hilton T5 are Hilton T4 or Hilton Paddington.
Both reachable via the Heathrow express train. To reach T4 you need approx 5/10 min via a free transfer, the Hilton is connected to the terminal via a covered passage. For Paddington you need about 20 minutes on the express. The Hilton Paddington is right in the station, in front of your arrival platform..
Both reachable via the Heathrow express train. To reach T4 you need approx 5/10 min via a free transfer, the Hilton is connected to the terminal via a covered passage. For Paddington you need about 20 minutes on the express. The Hilton Paddington is right in the station, in front of your arrival platform..
#642
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,073
Hi would you all be kind enough to help me choose? I have a flight from terminal 5, but the Hilton at terminal 5 seems a long way away. And the hopper bus seems unreliable.. So should I go with the Hilton at terminal 4 instead? I'm interested in the lounge and convenience of getting to the terminal. Thank you all very much.
If you must have a lounge your alternatives to Hilton T5 are Hilton T4 or Hilton Paddington.
Both reachable via the Heathrow express train. To reach T4 you need approx 5/10 min via a free transfer, the Hilton is connected to the terminal via a covered passage. For Paddington you need about 20 minutes on the express. The Hilton Paddington is right in the station, in front of your arrival platform..
Both reachable via the Heathrow express train. To reach T4 you need approx 5/10 min via a free transfer, the Hilton is connected to the terminal via a covered passage. For Paddington you need about 20 minutes on the express. The Hilton Paddington is right in the station, in front of your arrival platform..
The morning of departure, one can choose to have breakfast at the hotel, or just hop on the HEX to LHR and be at the check-in counter 25-30 minutes later depending on terminal (if you plan ahead and are aware of the HEX schedule). The walk from the hotel is all inside the Paddington station, so no weather concerns, and takes a couple of minutes to the train from the exit of the hotel.
#643
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,927
The Hilton Paddington is an expensive train trip to a pricier property with a poorer lounge than either of the two airport Hiltons. The OP is a Gold so likely to get lounge access.
Whilst HGI's can be good they are not really full service properties and either of the two airport Hiltons are better options than any other HGI I have visited.
The T5 Hilton is further away (best option Uber to get there and back) but has better rooms and public space. The T5 Hilton has a great Indian Restaurant
The T4 Hilton has very small rooms unless you are lucky enough to get a suite which are very nicely laid out. The T4 Hilton has a great Chinese Restaurant.
The T4 Lounge is I think bigger and better than the T5 lounge.
Whilst HGI's can be good they are not really full service properties and either of the two airport Hiltons are better options than any other HGI I have visited.
The T5 Hilton is further away (best option Uber to get there and back) but has better rooms and public space. The T5 Hilton has a great Indian Restaurant
The T4 Hilton has very small rooms unless you are lucky enough to get a suite which are very nicely laid out. The T4 Hilton has a great Chinese Restaurant.
The T4 Lounge is I think bigger and better than the T5 lounge.
The walkway between the terminal and the hotel is enclosed, but it ends just at the smoking area of the hotel, and there is a short (maybe 1/2 block) distance that's outdoors and uncovered. If it's raining or snowing this could be an issue for some, and having to go by the smoking area can be unpleasant.
#644
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,073
Nice summary. I used to stay at the Hilton Paddington on overnights, then the T4 Hilton, for a while the T5 (especially when it had its own shuttle bus) but now it's always the T4. Taking two trains to/from T5 isn't bad, and I prefer that to relying on busses or taxis or Uber or minicabs (all of which I've tried a few times).
Convenient in that the hotel is inside the station, but still inconvenient in that the train is pricey, and if you just miss one it seems like a very long wait for the next, made worse by it sitting there for so long, closing the doors to falsly suggest imminent departure.
Convenient in that the hotel is inside the station, but still inconvenient in that the train is pricey, and if you just miss one it seems like a very long wait for the next, made worse by it sitting there for so long, closing the doors to falsly suggest imminent departure.
#645
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,189
The train runs every 15 minutes, except during the holidays. I think that is frequently enough, and as I stated, just be aware of the schedule, and as long as one is exiting the rear doors of the Hilton Paddington with 5 minutes to spare, one should be OK if one is an average speed walker. I also buy my tickets in advance whenever I can (the further out, the more you save) and have the HEX app on my mobile to show the ticket checker.
HEX is expensive without the ability to buy quite far in advance and it also depends on the number of people in your group.
If you buy within 2 weeks, it is more than 22.00 pp. For my family, that would cost more than the average night out at the HGI Hatton Cross. Even the cheapest fare is 32.00 for a group of 4.
The Hilton Paddington is several hundred pounds a night for a group of 4. The airport hotels can be more accommodating at a fraction of the price.
For some price matters and for some it doesn't really matter. Most people are paying for the feeling and the expectation. They pay to feel they are in the very center of the action and for luxury and convenience.
What I've found is that if I can save 250.00+ on the last night when we are invariably trying to pack all our purchases to take back home, I can spend it more enjoyably during the earlier part of our stay.