One of the things I like about Hilton is that you can usually see what sort of upgrade they have issued if you log in to their site and check your reservation, on the day of travel.

Imagine my suprise which I used this technique and found that the Hilton Heathrow Terminal 5 had not upgraded me. I have previously reported on a stay at this property and they had done a nice upgrade to an Executive Room.

I have found that you can purchase your HotelHoppa bus ticket in advance using TopCashBack (sponsored link), and earn 5.25% cash back. The fares are £4 each way for adults.  The fare is the same when booking via the National Express web site, but you do get 42p back using the TopCashBack link on a return ticket. You print the ticket and then show the printout to the driver. As he cannot scan the bar code, he simply checks the date and then crosses out the journey you have taken. On the return he asks to keep the printout. Insecure much?

The previous report link handles the logistics of getting to the hotel from Terminal 5, about a 10-15 minute journey. There are horror stories of passengers being charged £30+ for black cab rides from Terminal 5 to the hotel as it outside of the taxi fare regulation area.

At check-in the staff explained that they had not processed the upgrade as they had no King Executive Rooms and that I could either have twin beds on the Executive Floor or a King bed on a lower floor with Executive Club Access. It was refreshing that they were this open about the options and I chose the twin beds, and I had not stayed in twin room before. Another agent was handling a very angry couple who thought that the hotel was within walking distance of the airport terminal – as it is at Terminal 4. It is very important to remember that this property is in the middle of an industrial estate if you are considering staying here.

Room

The room was a standard room on the Executive Floor with, as promised two twin beds:

The room was clean and smelt fresh. The beds were comfortable but small. Not really twins in my view, just two singles.

The view from the window was not very inspiring, but the room was quiet.

Bathroom

A large, deep bath and seperate shower, wash basin and toilet all provided in a nice and bright bathroom.

The view from the window by the lifts gives a good idea of the lobby, which stretches the full 5 floors:

Lounge

I popped in for a coffee before the evening service had started and found the lounge both manned, and still having some really nice cakes from the afternoon tea service. How nice that they operate this when the hotel could take the view that it’s just an overnight crowd:

The view from the lounge was of the finely manicured grounds

There was plenty of seating at the evening service when I visited later that evening:

The hotel uses screens to break the large room in to seperate areas:

In the evening there were hot and cold offerings as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

I slept well and got an early bus to the airport. The bus makes one stop on the way back to Terminal 5, at the Travelodge. On the way to the hotel most passengers were staying on to go to the Travelodge, but on the way back in the morning, no one boarded. The car park at the Travelodge is tiny and it requires all the skill of the bus driver to navigate his way out. At the exit we turned left and were at T5, around 10 minutes later.

Through security in 5 minutes (4.30am) and in to an empty terminal:

Overall

Another nice stay and worth checking rates when looking to stay at Heathrow. However, remember to add £8 per person for the bus.