I had a short layover between flights and wanted somewhere close to the airport. I landed at 10pm and left at 7am the next day so going home was not an option really.

The Sofitel at Heathrow, connected directly to Terminal 5, is usually beyond my budget. However, it often appears on LastMinute.com for about £90, and with a discount code I got it for about £82. A bargain.

Jumping on the ‘free’ (between T1/2/3 and T5) Heathrow Express I zoomed up the escalator (don’t take the lifts or you will go to departures and you need the arrivals level) and then used the car park lifts to get to the hotel. It’s a good 10 minute walk, but well signposted.

You eventually arrive at the level above Reception – take the escalator or lift down.

There was no queue and the agent told me I had been upgraded to a Superior Room. WOW! No status and an upgrade.

And the room was LOVELY:

Large, well furnished and comfortable. A large HD TV with lots of channels.

The bathroom had a robe, a separate shower and huge tub:

There was no noise from the airport and I slept soundly until the alarm woke me.

This really is the best property I have stayed at around Heathrow and I have done many, if not most, over the years. And at the rate I got for it, well worth staying on a night when I didn’t just need sleep.