Imagine this: You’re surrounded by the constant buzz of an international airport, a bustling hive of activity with passengers scurrying to their gates and aircraft taking off and landing. But you’re enjoying a peaceful respite, nestled in a quiet haven, high above the chaos. This is the promise of a great airport hotel.
Many travelers see an airport hotel as merely a temporary stopover, a place to rest their weary heads before an early morning flight. Sadly, many hotels fall short of this promise, offering only mediocre experiences. However, a few gems rise above the rest, providing the perfect blend of comfort and convenience.
A Sanctuary of Comfort
Firstly, the most important element of any airport hotel is a comfortable and inviting room. This seems like an obvious requirement, but surprisingly, many hotels fail to deliver. After all, an airport hotel is often the only space you have to relax during your journey. Unlike city hotels, where you can explore the surrounding area, you’re likely to spend more time in your room.
New hotels tend to offer the best comfort, incorporating modern design and amenities. Similarly, recently renovated hotels often deliver a fresh and updated experience. Large hotel chains like Hilton often prioritize comfort, ensuring their guests enjoy soft beds, large televisions, and decent showers.
The Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow (Terminal 2) ticks these boxes. Despite some minor hiccups, it offers a pleasant and restful experience. The rooms are well-equipped, boasting comfortable beds and modern amenities. While the water pressure in the showers might be a tad less than ideal, it’s a common issue in Britain and not a reflection on the hotel itself.
Essential Amenities for a Seamless Stay
During a long journey, the last thing you want to worry about is finding the right power outlet or figuring out the lights. That’s why modern amenities are crucial in any airport hotel.
USB outlets, thankfully becoming commonplace, are a godsend. They eliminate the need for adapters, making charging your devices effortless. Multiple universal power outlets, conveniently placed near your desk, are equally essential. While the Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow offers USB outlets, it unfortunately lacks universal power outlets.
A View to Remember: Window to the World
Picture this: you’re gazing out your window, enjoying the spectacle of modern aviation. Planes take off and land, a mesmerizing ballet of metal and motion. This is the magic of an airport hotel with a great view.
The Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow has a fantastic location, situated directly between the two runways and connected to Terminal 2. This ensures spectacular views, especially from the higher floors, where you can see over the terminal and witness the action unfold below. While the windows are narrow and the walls thick, somewhat restricting the view, it’s still a winning factor.
A Rooftop Oasis: The Runway Bar
What truly sets the Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow apart is its rooftop bar, the Runway Bar. This stylish space boasts panoramic views of the airport, offering a comfortable setting to relax and enjoy a drink. The service is decent, and prices are reasonable for an airport hotel.
It’s a haven for plane enthusiasts, offering unparalleled views of the airport’s activity. But even those not particularly interested in aviation will appreciate the breathtaking views and the chance to watch the sunset over the runway.
The rooftop bar also includes an outdoor area, which was unfortunately closed during my visit. Hopefully, it will reopen soon, offering an even better experience. However, the bar’s limited signage is a minor drawback. It’s only mentioned inside the elevator, making it easy to miss.
The Power of Digital Convenience
In today’s digital age, digital check-in and check-out are becoming increasingly essential for airport hotels. Every minute counts, and you don’t want to be stuck in a queue, especially when rushing for your next flight.
The Hilton app offers this feature, allowing you to check in remotely and use a digital keycard stored on your phone. While this is a great concept in theory, it needs improvement in practice. While the app worked well for checking in, using the digital key to access the elevator and room proved more challenging, requiring multiple attempts. The check-out process also proved frustrating, failing to work completely on my phone.
Additionally, the keycard seemed to require a strong data signal to function properly, which was problematic given the intermittent WiFi connection.
A Balanced Verdict: The Essentials of a Great Airport Hotel
The Hilton Garden Inn at London Heathrow Terminal 2 gets many of the basic elements right, but it also highlights some key areas for improvement. It offers a clean and comfortable environment, with minimal fuss in getting things to work. And with the rooftop bar, it provides a great option for those who want to do something more than just sit in their room. The breathtaking views of the airport activity are a bonus.
Ultimately, this hotel demonstrates the key ingredients for a great airport hotel: comfort, convenience, and a unique experience. While it may not be perfect, it sets the standard for an enjoyable and memorable airport stay.
