Traveling with kids can be a stressful experience, especially when it comes to finding the right hotel for an overnight stay before a flight. With over 30 hotels near Heathrow Airport, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is best for your family. Let me tell you about a fantastic hotel that exceeded our expectations, especially for families with young kids: the Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5.
Our family was flying out of Heathrow Terminal 3 (T3) early in the morning. While there are limited hotels directly at T3, the Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 (T5) stood out as a fantastic option. We had heard positive reviews and wanted to take advantage of our Hilton Gold Elite status.
A Chic Airport Hotel with a Family-Friendly Vibe
Upon entering the Hilton T5’s stylish lobby, we were immediately struck by its departure from the typical airport hotel. We felt transported away from the noise and bustle of the M25 and Heathrow, surrounded by a calming and sophisticated atmosphere. The interior design felt luxurious and inviting.
Despite being situated directly under Heathrow’s flight path, the hotel’s excellent soundproofing ensured we couldn’t hear a thing! The experience of watching huge planes flying just a few hundred feet overhead while walking into the hotel added a unique and exciting element.
Warm Welcomes and VIP Treatment for Kids
From the moment we arrived, the reception staff, particularly the ladies, made our daughters feel like little VIPs. They received warm greetings and were treated with special attention, making them feel included and valued. Although the hotel caters to business travelers, it truly has a family-friendly feel and caters to children exceptionally well.
The check-in process was remarkably quick and efficient, allowing us to quickly access our rooms and begin our stay. Our daughters were especially excited to explore their rooms, armed with their own keys.
Spacious Rooms for Growing Families
We stayed in king and twin interconnecting rooms on the executive floor, which are definitely worth the extra cost. The hotel boasts 36 interconnecting rooms, ideal for families, providing ample space for growing children. There are also 4 dedicated family rooms, though they are large but not interconnecting.
The interconnecting rooms are spacious and comfortable, allowing kids to have their own space without having to sleep on sofa beds. This eliminates the potential for squabbling and ensures everyone gets a good night’s sleep.
Stylish Bathrooms with Chic Design
The bathrooms in our rooms were a delight, featuring both a bathtub and a separate shower. They also showcased some cool design features, like colorful lighting behind the vanity units, that would impress even the most discerning Instagram interior design enthusiast.
Executive Lounge Perks: Indulgent Afternoon Tea and More
Staying on the executive floor grants you access to the executive lounge, a must-have if you don’t hold a certain Hilton status. It’s an added perk that offers a variety of benefits, including complimentary afternoon tea, evening drinks and canapes, and breakfast the next morning.
The executive lounge itself is an impressive space. We enjoyed the relaxing afternoon tea service, complete with a selection of teas, coffees, soft drinks, and a delicious spread of sandwiches, cookies, cakes, scones, and jam. Our daughters were treated to their own selection of handmade treats, making it a special experience for the whole family.
Thoughtful Touches and Luxury Amenities
Upon returning to our rooms, we were warmly welcomed with cakes, chocolates, drinks, and to our daughters’ delight, a box of sweets each. These little touches truly elevate the Hilton Terminal 5 to a special family-friendly destination.
Our spacious and modern rooms came equipped with all the comforts you’d expect from a hotel of this standard. These include large flat-screen TVs, complimentary high-speed WiFi (free for Hilton Honors members), tea and coffee making facilities, a selection of magazines, bathrobes, slippers, and two bottles of mineral water.
Restful Nights on Serenity Beds
As a Hilton loyalist, I appreciate their Serenity beds, which are known for their exceptional comfort. Coupled with blackout curtains and triple-glazed windows, our family enjoyed a peaceful night’s sleep, leaving us well-rested for our long flight the next morning.
Evening Cocktails and Pre-Dinner Drinks
The executive lounge also provides a great space to unwind in the evening. Between 6 pm and 8 pm, guests can enjoy a selection of canapes and drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, perfect for a pre-dinner cocktail hour. Our daughters happily relaxed in the lounge, enjoying complimentary snacks and drinks while using their iPads or computers.
Exceptional Dining: Mr. Todiwala’s Kitchen
After a day of travel, we decided to make dinner easy and dine at the hotel’s Mr. Todiwala’s Kitchen restaurant. Cyrus Todiwala is a renowned British chef known for his unique and flavorful cuisine. The restaurant offers an impressive atmosphere, quite different from the hotel’s overall vibe, featuring open kitchens and a large wooden elephant centerpiece, “Roy,” which became a hit with our daughters.
Mr. Todiwala’s Kitchen is a truly family-friendly restaurant, perfect for introducing children to the exquisite flavors of Indian cuisine. They have a diverse menu that caters to all tastes, including a range of English dishes for those who prefer something different.
Delicious Food and Attentive Service
We started our meal with a selection of Papads (poppadoms) and a variety of pickles and chutneys. The girls enjoyed chicken samosas, but their favorites were the delicious dosas (Indian pancakes). For our main courses, the girls and I opted for Chicken Tikka, while my husband chose the Murgh Makhani Pasanda, all paired with fresh naan bread.
The food was absolutely delicious, and the service was equally impressive. The staff were incredibly attentive, friendly, and went above and beyond to make sure our girls felt welcome and comfortable.
A Fantastic Breakfast Buffet with a Range of Options
Hilton breakfasts are typically excellent, and the buffet breakfast at the Gallery restaurant did not disappoint. It featured a wide variety of options, from hot cooked breakfast favorites to pastries, yogurts, fruit, and cereals.
One of our daughters’ favorite parts of breakfast is always the pancake machine. They seemed to have more fun making the pancakes than actually eating them!
Convenient Location for Airport Access
Although the hotel isn’t located directly at the airport, despite its name, it’s conveniently situated near J14 of the M25. This made it a 25-minute drive to our pre-booked parking at the short stay car park in T3.
For travelers flying from Terminal 5, the hotel is a 10-minute drive or Hoppa bus ride away. If you are flying from T5, consider their park and fly packages, which offer great value and are cheaper than booking your hotel stay and parking separately.
An Exceptional Family-Friendly Experience
From the moment we arrived, the Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 took care of our entire family. The exceptional level of service we received throughout our stay is a testament to the hotel’s management and truly enhances the overall experience.
If you are looking for one of the best airport hotels in Heathrow, the Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 is a fantastic choice. We highly recommend it, especially if you book an executive level room, which is definitely worth the added cost.
Prices for an executive king room at the Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 start at a very reasonable £164 per room when booked directly at Hilton.com. We were guests of the Hilton Heathrow T5.
