Get ready to discover a hidden gem at Heathrow Airport! We’re talking about the Sofitel London Heathrow, a five-star hotel directly connected to Terminal 5, offering a luxurious experience for travelers. This hotel is often overlooked, but it’s a real treat for those looking for a comfortable and convenient airport stay.
Navigating the Sofitel: A Journey of Discovery
Let’s start with the journey itself. Finding the hotel might seem like a puzzle at first, but it’s actually quite simple. Once you arrive at Terminal 5, take one of the many lifts that lead down to the short-stay car park. A handy tip: choose the lifts opposite Marks & Spencer to avoid a chilly walk.
From there, follow the signs and you’ll find a doorway leading to a corridor. This corridor takes you to the upper level of the hotel, where you’ll see escalators descending to the ground floor. Voilà! You’ve arrived at the Sofitel.
A Mixed Bag of First Impressions
Now, let’s talk about the check-in experience. The Sofitel offers online check-in, which is great in theory, but not very user-friendly. You can’t select a room or even view your room number. The only benefit is that it pre-authorizes your credit card, making your key ready for you at the front desk.
My online check-in didn’t exactly go as smoothly as I’d hoped. The desk clerk had no idea I was staying in a top suite or that I had lounge access. I was handed a simple envelope containing my key – no warm welcome, no information about the lounge, just a key and a polite “here you go.”
A Room with a View (or Not)
The Sofitel offers 605 rooms, spread across six wings with a central spine, resembling a large “H.” While the hotel is situated right next to the runway, only a handful of rooms offer actual aircraft views.
I was fortunate to be upgraded to a Premium Suite, which is essentially a standard bedroom merged with a sitting area. The rooms are spacious and well-maintained, but there’s a definite “vintage” feel to them. The design is a bit outdated, with a lot of wood used throughout the room, including the desk and unit.
The furniture, while still in good condition, has clearly seen better days.
Room Amenities: Hit and Miss
One of the most surprising issues I encountered was the lack of electrical outlets near the beds. No USB ports, no three-pin plugs, nothing. This is quite shocking in 2023. If you want to charge your phone overnight, you’ll have to do it at the desk.
However, the rest of the room amenities were decent. Soundproofing was excellent, which is a major plus considering the hotel’s proximity to the runway.
The bathroom, while not luxurious, is functional. A separate tub and shower are a welcome sight, but a double sink would have been a nice touch. On the plus side, the bathroom had the best selection of freebies I’ve seen in a long time. However, I did find some of the controls to be overly stiff, which was a bit frustrating.
The living room of the suite was spacious and, as you might have guessed, very brown. It does have a second desk, which is great if you need to work while traveling. There’s also a coffee machine and a kettle, as well as a free mini-bar stocked with beers, spirits, and soft drinks.
Sofitel London Heathrow: Overall Impression
The Sofitel London Heathrow is a surprisingly accomplished hotel that offers a luxurious experience. The rooms are comfortable and well-maintained, though they are definitely showing their age. The location is unbeatable for travelers who need to stay near Terminal 5.
The biggest downside is the lack of modern amenities, especially the lack of electrical outlets by the beds. The check-in experience could also be improved.
However, if you’re looking for a comfortable, convenient, and luxurious airport stay, the Sofitel London Heathrow is worth considering.
