England London Airports Crowne Plaza Heathrow Airport

[actraveler]

The hotel on the outside does not adequately reflect the absolutely marvelous and up-to-date renovated inside.

I paid US$55.00 per night (plus taxes for US$69.00 total) for 2 nights. I had tried repeatedly to get hotels in downtown for this weekend through Priceline but was not willing to increase my offer to the "suggested" US$108.00 per night counteroffer for downtown.

I rationalized that the money I saved by bidding the Heathrow area would be worth the hassle of the 45 minute tube ride downtown, and given that I had a 9:00AM departure on that Sunday, I was best off at Heathrow in the end.

The Hotel Hoppa (British funny for Hopper) bus was efficient enough at a cost of 3 Pounds (US$5.50) each way and runs every 15 minutes. The negative, however, is that the last bus leaves Heathrow at 11:25PM so if you're going to see theatre or anything else late in the evening, expect a 10-11 Pound (US$18.00-$19.50) cab ride from Heathrow back to the hotel, and most drivers wouldn't accept the "short" ride. That was a problem at 1:00AM when I needed the cab.

None of the airport hotels have a "free" shuttle, and at US$11.00 for the round-trip "Hoppa" (no discounts for disabled or seniors and drivers do not assist with luggage), it can dramatically reduce your savings if downtown is your destination.

Now for the hotel....

Check-in was fast and efficient. I am a Priority Club member and went to the Club check-in line, and I was upgraded to the "Club Floor" without them even mentioning the upgrade or that I had used Priceline.

When I got to my room, near the elevator as requested, the "Do Not Disturb" sign was on the door. I went to the "Club Lounge" reception desk where they assigned me a new room, which was a good city block down the hall. In fact, be careful when you check-in and ask about your room assignment at check-in relative to the elevators.

The room was very large and modern with a beautiful bathroom of tile and ganite (and included a bathrobe), a wood floor foyer, and an area with a beatifully large desk and sitting area on the far side of the room- also with a wood floor. The TV was European small. There was a free bottle of water each day as well as coffee/tea making facilities over the mini-bar. The bed was queen-sized and VERY comfortable for me.

After I dropped my bags in the room, I went back to the Lounge to preview it for the weekend. The reception staff was not at the desk so I went in, looked at the morning buffet (did not take anything as I was not hungry), and then went to the computer with free internet. While sitting there, I was approached by the Lounge receptionist and told that my room rate did not include lounge privileges and asked to leave. I was quite embarrassed, but I asked to stay just to finish my e-mails, and she said OK. She did offer me a "Lounge" upgrade at 40 Pounds per night- which I declined.

I went off to my room to take a nap and left a 1:30PM wake-up call which never came. I was due to meet someone at 4:00PM in downtown, but did not get up until 2:30PM on my own. I immediately called the hotel manager on duty, and she offered to arrange for a car service to the city, but she was unclear at whose expense.

I also received a call from the employee who did not set-up my wake-up call to appologize- and that was awkward for both of us. Firstly, it was coerced by the manager, and secondly it was not genuine. In the meantime, I called my appointment who said forget about it because he had to do some Christmas shopping and couln't meet with me before I left on Sunday.

I called the manager back, and she offered me a free transfer to downtown at my leisure (this was a US$100.00 offer). I didn't need it, however. I called her back and thanked her, but did ask her to include the "lounge"package instead which included breakfast in the restaurant each morning, and she agreed.

Otherwise, service in the hotel was below average.. In France, Italy, and Japan, I expect an English language barrier- but not in ENGLAND!

Overall, if you're destination is Central London, then do not stay at Heathrow unless you're saving a bundle. Here's my actual cost per night-

US$69.00 (Room and Tax)

US$11.50 (Round-Trip Tube Heathrow-Central London)

US$5.75 (One-Way Hotel Hoppa)

US$19.00 (One-Way Taxi Heathrow to Hotel after 1125PM)

AND 1 1/2 Hours travel EACH WAY to/from downtown between the Hoppa and Tube.

Total US$105.25 plus 6 Hours of Commuting

That US$108.00 counter-offer in downtown looks a lot better now in retrospect.

So, if you need an airport hotel, this is a beautiful place, but it is on its own on the highway. There is nothing to walk to. If it's just an airport layover, and you don't mind a hotel restaurant, this will do very nicely.

If you want access to downtown, this place is not the best choice.

[WillTravel]

Thanks for posting about the transport difficulties.

Your plan would have worked reasonably well if you had gotten the Sheraton Skyline or one of the other hotels near or on Bath Road. Then you easily could have gotten a quick public bus ride to the tube or to the airport. But looking up possible itineraries at http://www.thetube.com any such solution, either to the airport or central London, is very time-consuming from the Crowne Plaza Heathrow Airport. It makes a big difference in total price if you can avoid the Hoppa bus or a taxi.

[actraveler]

I took a shot at a 4* hotel hoping for the Airport Hilton as others had gotten. Next time I'll bid for a 2-3* Heathrow hotel and hope to get on Bath Road where I have used the free LT busses before. Lesson learned that a better "star quality" on Priceline might not be as good a deal.