Which LHR Property?
 

I am arriving on a Friday night into LHR on AA. My flight to FLR leaves the next morning so it looks like I am doing an overnighter in London. I was wondering which you would chose the Renaissance or the Marriott.

I understand that the Marriott has much bigger rooms, but the thing I care about is which one has the best option to get from the AA Terminal to the hotel and then the next day from the hotel to catch my Alitalia flight. Do they offer free bus service from the terminals to the hotel? Also what would be the most economical way if I decide to get to the hotel to downtown London to walk around a little?

Thanks for your help!

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As Homer Simpson would say DOH! I did do a search of active topics but for some reason the archived topics did NOT show up. Thank you for pointing that out!

I stayed at the Heathrow Marriott on Thursday evening for the first time. The shuttle service is provided by "Hotel Hoppa" buses. The specific one for the Marriott Heathrow is H3. The service is GBP 3.00 each way. The service from LHR to the hotel was very slow, waited about 25 minutes, but the return to LHR was excellent, right on time. The "Hotel Hoppa" stops at all terminals so your specific airline / terminal is not a problem. The Marriott itself was fine. A newer property with good size rooms (by European standards). Food was good as well.

For one night take whichever one has the best rate. For an extended stay I like the Marriott (it's newer), but both a decent.

You can use the city bus, it's free for the zone covering both hotels. I don't remember which bus number but I believe there are 3 different routes that are very close to the hotels.

Bruce

Bruce is correct - either Marriott or Ren are fine, close - go for whatever the best rate is (usually Ren). And take the free busses - don't bother w/ Hoppa. There are a # of them that stop in front of both Marriott & Renaissance (which themselves are close to each other). You pick up the free busses upstairs from the Picadilly line; central bus station I think it's called.

Edited to add: if you want to go to central London, take the free bus to Heathrow, and catch the Picadilly line to town from Heathrow.

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Sharon

[This message has been edited by SkiAdcock (edited Feb 23, 2004).]

Thanks for the replies!

I decided on the LHR Marriott, the reason being I don't want to be awoken up at 5:30AM when LHR awakes as my flight to Florence doesn't leave till 12:55PM.

As for the rates I work for Marriott so both were showing the Marriott Associate Rate available on the date of travel.

For the bus route looking at the map can I take these buses 726/140/111/285/555/556/557 to the New Road Stop or is there a stop closer? How far is it from the New Road stop to the hotel?

I just stayed at the Renaissance on Saturday night. I flew in on AA as well. Just follow the signs to the Central Bus terminal. Once you get up there it's a bit confusing at first. Looks like you got the lines correct, but if in doubt, just ask one of the drivers. They are very helpful. I got on the 285 bus and told the driver I was going to the Renaissance. He stopped at the closest stop. It was very easy. As far as the rooms go, I had specifically asked for a "runway" view room. I didn't get up until 10am and there were tons of planes cruising by. I was quite surprised at how quiet the room was. Just my 2 cents. Like other people said, DO NOT take the Hoppa bus. It cost $$$ and can be VERY slow. You have tons of free buses to choose from and on average I think I've waited no more than 5 minutes for a bus either direction.

[list=1][*] I would only stay at a LHR airport hotel if I have not the intention to go to Central London the other day.[*] I would choose Marriott over the Renaissance if the price difference is not more than GBP 10,--.[*] I agree with everybody who recommended using one of the free (public) shuttle buses from the airport down Bath Road instead of the H3 “Hotel Hoppa” bus. However, there are travellers with a lot of heavy luggage. If this is the case I would invest GBP 3,-- and go for the “Hotel Hoppa” bus both ways.[/list=a]

The Renaissance is very quiet. I have had a runway facing room several times and have never woken up due to airplane noise. Once there was construction in the parking lot, but thats another story.