Pre-Cruise Southampton - Heathrow Airport Terminal Hotels

[xfiles3010]

Looking for recommendations for Heathrow Airport Terminal Hotel stay (2 nights). Or Hotels near Airport.... TIA

 

[Retiredcruiser]

We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Terminal 2. Short walk over to the airport from the hotel.

 

[Girl of the South]

I second the Hilton Garden Inn T2&3. SO convenient.

I have also stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Airport Hatton Cross.

It’s much cheaper. However, you have to make your way to the Underground station and take the Piccadilly Line to Hatton Cross. I think it’s a free ride.

The hard part is dragging your luggage up two flights of stairs to get out of the Tube Station. Then it’s a 10 minute walk.

I finally decided to spend the money and stay right at the airport. Decent restaurant downstairs and a cool bar that serves food at the top with views of the runway. You can also get sandwiches/salads from M&S or Boots at the airport to eat in the room.

Quick walk through the Parking Lot after you exit the Arrivals area at T2.

I am staying 2 nights as well, going into London for the day - Tube takes about an hour depending where you want to go.

 

[ldo]

Marriott Renaissance LHR. Very good rates. Short taxi ride [or just hop on (almost any) double decker red bus (outside of the National coach station) between terminal 2/3]. In house restuarant, but also McD walking distance. This is our go-to for LHR.

 

[bookbabe626]

What are your plans? Are you sightseeing or just adjusting to the time change?

We have stayed at Hilton Garden Inn T2&3 - very convenient, just across the parking garage from T2. Easy access to the tube for sightseeing. Okay restaurant.

Be wary of hotels claiming to be “at” the airport. Most are not on property. Actually connected to the airport is only the one above plus what’s at this link - https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/lounges-hotels-spas/heathrow-hotels . For others there’s a set “hoppa” shuttle bus to get to them. Google map hotel locations and double check the hotel website for the directions, the hoppa bus is a pain.

Our go-to for London stopovers is the Hilton London Paddington Station, however. Easy trip there and back via the Heathrow Express, great tube and train access to the rest of London, plus a really good breakfast buffet.

But, if you are mainly adjusting to the time change, head straight to Southampton after your flight and get a hotel much closer to the port.

 

[Girl of the South]

Agree 100% about the "Hoppa" bus! There are no hotel shuttles like in the US. The "schedule" seems to be a suggested time. I was waiting for the bus to the airport at the Hounslow Hilton for at least a half an hour with a bunch of other passengers (we pre-paid at the hotel). Some people called a taxi instead. Give yourself extra time if you decded to use Hoppa.

With regards to getting to Paddington train station (for the Hilton there which I will look up!) you can take the Heathrow Express. Nice train. Goes straight to Paddington but costs £25. Takes 15 minutes.

If you want to save some money you can also take the Elizabeth Line (part of the Underground but a new line, costs a bit more) to Paddington for £12. It makes a couple stops and takes 29 minutes. Because you are getting on at the airport, it shouldn't be crowded.

The same trip on the Underground on the Picadilly line would require changing trains at Earl's Court but cost only £6. Check the Underground map if you are going anywhere but Paddington. The Picadilly line goes to King's Cross/St. Pancras if you are catching a train from there - such as the Eurostar to Paris.

 

[bookbabe626]

With regards to getting to Paddington train station (for the Hilton there which I will look up!) you can take the Heathrow Express. Nice train. Goes straight to Paddington but costs £25. Takes 15 minutes.

If you want to save some money you can also take the Elizabeth Line (part of the Underground but a new line, costs a bit more) to Paddington for £12. It makes a couple stops and takes 29 minutes. Because you are getting on at the airport, it shouldn't be crowded.

The same trip on the Underground on the Picadilly line would require changing trains at Earl's Court but cost only £6. Check the Underground map if you are going anywhere but Paddington. The Picadilly line goes to King's Cross/St. Pancras if you are catching a train from there - such as the Eurostar to Paris.

Advance tickets on the Heathrow Express are much cheaper and kids under a certain age travel free, so it could work out cheaper depending on how far in advance you book and your travel party.

I’ve done the Elizabeth line route to Paddington before, and it’s always been more crowded than the Heathrow Express, and a pain if you’ve got much luggage.

Paddington is better than King’s Cross, I think, if you are headed to Southampton for a cruise. Either go back to LHR for a National Express bus or cruiseline transfer, or hop a train right from Paddington Station. We have stayed in the King’s Cross area when taking trains to other places like Amsterdam, though.

 

[Girl of the South]

I travel solo and am cheap . . . AND there's a lot I plan in advance but not the Heathrow Express. I have taken the Underground into London and I agree, it can be not fun crowded. I usually stay around Notting Hill Gate . . . like in the movie Notting Hil? Hoping I'll run into Hugh Grant . . . . Certainly pluses and minuses for so many options. At least there ARE options!

Luggage. Packing for the TransAtlantic . . . oh my. . . . . it's NOT going well! The walk over to the Hilton Garden Inn at T2 is enough for me. Don't need to lug it to the Underground station and even onto the Heathrow Express . . . .