I found a pretty decent rate at this hotel for a one-night stop-over. I am not looking for luxury, but is the place at least clean and presentable?

Thanks!

Yes, this place is clean and presentable. Stayed there for a night recently after flying the Concorde before my early flight to FCO. The only somewhat bad thing is that I'm used to the complimentary airport shuttles in the States. There, you have to take the Hotel Hoppa, which was around 3 pounds. Got a quick bite to eat on the executive floor lounge before my flight, luckily they put me in a room on that floor(4th if I remember correctly.

A typical, smart Renaissance. Not much to look at from the outside, but well maintained and modern inside. It's right by the airport -- my room overlooked the runways -- but it still takes 10-15 minutes to get to the terminals. Rooms might be a tad smaller than typical Renaissances.

PlaneSpotter posted: You have to take the Hotel Hoppa, which was around GBP 3.

If you do not have lot luggage, you can safe the GBP 3,-- for one way travel from the Terminal to the Renaissance on Hotel Hoppa and use public transportation (Bus) to Bath Road for free.

Ask for a runway view, 3rd. floor - it's spectacular. Saw the Concorde take off twice my last time there. Also if you're a breakfast person, ask at check-in to upgrade your rate to breakfast-included (if not already). It's between 5 and 10GBP added to the room, which beats the 17.95GBP they charge in the restaurant.

My wife & I stayed there last summer while on vacation. It was my first stay at a Renaissance, and we enjoyed it very much. I will admit that I kinda expected R's to be a step above a standard Marriott (they are supposed to be...right?) but didnt find it any nicer than most standard Marriott properties. Nonetheless, I would stay their again. The staff was excellent.

Thanks all - Based partly on this feedback I have actually decided to switch! I will instead catch the express link into London and stay at the Paddington Hilton.

As I am only Gold with Marriott but Diamond with Hilton (and the rate was only 85GBP), I figure I am better off.

For some reason I don't mind paying 15GBP for the train to London, but 3GBP for the hotel shuttle really kind of bums me out.

Wandering Lion mentioned that GBP 3,-- for the hotel shuttle really kind of bums him out.

This was the reason, why I had suggested to use the public bus (if you do not have to much luggage) and save GBP 6,-- for round trip travel.

All the buses that stop in front of the Renaissance go into Heathrow to the bus terminal there. The Hotel Hoppa is a rip.

If you want to stay near Paddington, also check out the Marriott Maida Vale, it's not far up the street and usually has good deals with large American-style rooms.

And there's far more to do if you're staying in town.

[This message has been edited by GeorgeBurdell (edited 08-06-2002).]

The public bus comment was great advice - I am going to have a boat-load of luggage. Hadn't considered Marriott Maida Vale - Thanks. I will check it out.

Well, trying the Renaissance was a BIG mistake. Arrived at 11:30 to a full parking lot. Their somewhat unhelpful suggestion was to park on the street and move the car back into their parking lot at 02:30!

Below is the message that I sent to them about this:

"I wanted to let you know how disappointed I was with the Renaissance at Heathrow on 11/29/02.

I arrived at the hotel at 10:00 at night only to find that there were no parking spaces. The security guard said that I could park illegally, blocking other people in, and perhaps it would be O.K.

The front desk were equally unhelpful, so I instead went to the Marriott across the street. Perhaps I should have gone to the Sheraton in order to 'punish' the Marriott brand, but I did not think of that at the time. Of course the Marriott was 30UKP for expensive than the rate I had been quoted at Renaissance.

I think that it is unacceptable for a hotel to 'run out' of parking for guests and not offer other options (i.e. valet). The fact that this was at a suburban hotel rather than a city center location makes it even worse.

Worse than the lack of parking was the 'you're out of luck, pal' attitude of the staff."

The goods news is the the Heathrow Marriott was very acceptable, and the staff there, especially in the restaurant at breakfast were excellent.

The Renaissance's response was "we'll try harder next time." No coupon, no freebie, nada.

This might be one to avoid if you have your own vehicle.

As you found out, parking is a big pain at the Renaissance...and they aren't accomodating. The hotel is sandwiched between Bath Road and the airport perimeter. If you have a car, you are better off going with one of the hotels across the road that don't have the space limitations.

BTW, our company's UK office is across the street and parking is tight there, too.

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the tips-- I was contemplating staying at the Marriott Cheshunt or Marriott BuxleyHeath, but now decided to stay at the Rennaisance Heathrow using my weekend certificates.. for some reason, I assumed the 2 Marriotts would be easily accessible by public transportation, but it sounds like the Rennaisance is the best bet. My question is, there are many posts above saying take the public bus instead of the Hotel Hoppa, but is the public bus free? or do you need one of the public transports passes? I find it a little surprising that this bus in London is free, but it would be nice to save the 6 pounds and use that on a day pass for the Tube. Thanks in advance.

The public bus is only free if you're going to the airport AFAIK.

I have been using the Hotel Hoppa quite a bit the last 2 weeks and it is quite convenient. Its 5 pounds for a round-trip ticket, so save yourself a pound. I haven't tried the public bus though, in fact haven't even seen one.