Question for those who have flown in night before a British Isles cruise

[jujubiee4]

Will probably be arriving late and looking for the closest most convenient hotel to Heathrow airport. Looks like it is Hilton. DCL rep says their preferred
is Sofital out of terminal 5. We are arriving terminal 2. Any opinions on which one to stay?

 

[choomTOP]

I don't know the Hilton, but I've stayed at the Sofitel multiple times before flights or a long layover (all since before pandemic times, so some of these memories may no longer be quite as valid). It's a very nice hotel, very soundproofed with comfy beds, which was all I cared about -- I didn't bother with any of the amenities since I was there mostly to sleep before catching a flight or meeting up with family for a couple of days before traveling elsewhere.

To get from Terminal 2 from Terminal 5, you can use the Heathrow Express train system. It's free, but you do have to get a ticket. Once you're in Terminal 5, there's a loooooooong walkway from the terminal to the hotel (to be fair, almost any hallway in Heathrow feels long, but seriously, it's a bit of a hike), but at least you don't need to use a shuttle.

Inside the Arrivals terminal is a 24 hours Marks & Spencer where we'd grab snacks or a packaged sandwich/etc instead of paying $$$ for hotel food. There's also a WHSmith and a Boots nearby -- not open 24 hours, but still convenient if you've forgotten a toiletry item or want to grab some non-M&S treats.

The main perk of the Sofitel is you don't have to figure out where to catch a shuttle (other than using the Heathrow Express). I don't know if you plan to use Disney's transportation to bring you to the port at Southampton, but it will likely also be convenient for that since it's their partner hotel.

The drawback is it's not cheap, so the Hilton might have a better deal if you're looking just at pricing or if you have membership perks.

 

[jujubiee4]

I don't know the Hilton, but I've stayed at the Sofitel multiple times before flights or a long layover (all since before pandemic times, so some of these memories may no longer be quite as valid). It's a very nice hotel, very soundproofed with comfy beds, which was all I cared about -- I didn't bother with any of the amenities since I was there mostly to sleep before catching a flight or meeting up with family for a couple of days before traveling elsewhere.

To get from Terminal 2 from Terminal 5, you can use the Heathrow Express train system. It's free, but you do have to get a ticket. Once you're in Terminal 5, there's a loooooooong walkway from the terminal to the hotel (to be fair, almost any hallway in Heathrow feels long, but seriously, it's a bit of a hike), but at least you don't need to use a shuttle.

Inside the Arrivals terminal is a 24 hours Marks & Spencer where we'd grab snacks or a packaged sandwich/etc instead of paying $$$ for hotel food. There's also a WHSmith and a Boots nearby -- not open 24 hours, but still convenient if you've forgotten a toiletry item or want to grab some non-M&S treats.

The main perk of the Sofitel is you don't have to figure out where to catch a shuttle (other than using the Heathrow Express). I don't know if you plan to use Disney's transportation to bring you to the port at Southampton, but it will likely also be convenient for that since it's their partner hotel.

The drawback is it's not cheap, so the Hilton might have a better deal if you're looking just at pricing or if you have membership perks.

Thank you the hotels are the same price. Coming in late from Trans Atlantic flight I Know my family
will want to crash as soon as possible. Will be arriving terminal 2 and Hilton is supposedly next to it.

Although I also like staying at DCL preferred hotel because you run into other cruisers and love to gab
with them about upcoming cruise. lol

 

[Mommb]

My husband and I have stayed twice at the Heathrow Hilton Garden Inn. It is indeed walkable from Terminal 2, down a long tunnel and across a parking lot. You can bring a luggage cart all the way (which we didn’t know our first time). The hotel was fine for one night, with a decent breakfast including some made to order items,

We have not taken Disney transportation from Heathrow, so I don’t know how difficult it would be to get to the bus if that’s what you need.

 

[auntlynne]

We stayed at Sofitel years ago; appreciated the comfort and peacefulness. Ours was night before return flight.

I see varying times for time to collect luggage and get through Passport & Customs. That could be an hour. Anything to get to the room after the flight helps. Sounds like you are not doing a red-eye from the Eastern US.

TripAdvisor Forum recommends picking the Terminal of your airline.

“For T5 there is the Sofitel right next to the terminal, can be pricey though.

For T2/3 there is the Hilton Garden Inn Heathrow across from the terminal.”



Sofitel. (I do remember a long, uncontested walkway).

Touch down in to London at Sofitel London Heathrow, the only hotel with direct access to Heathrow Terminal 5 via a 5 minutes covered walk way.

…continuing my research.

 

[auntlynne]

 

[auntlynne]

This Hilton Garden Inn is connected to Terminal 2.

There is another one that is not.

 

[auntlynne]

Here’s more of things I learned, thanks to your question.

There are e-gates to speed you through Passport Control.



Look for the microchip / biometric symbol on the front of your book. It’s the camera- like symbol at the bottom.



“A US biometric passport, also known as an electronic passport (e-passport), is a passport that contains a chip with biometric information that can be used to verify the passport holder's identity. The US Department of State began issuing the next generation of biometric passports in March 2021, and as of November 2022, all passport books are the next generation.”

 

[DCLMP]

We stayed at the Hilton. You can walk there. If your arriving at terminal 2 I would stay there vs Sofitel. I think you'd have to take a bus over to terminal 5.

 

[smacmillan83]

I have stayed at the Sofitel and the Hilton Garden Inn. My preference is the Sofitel, but it is usually more expensive. In terms of convenience, both are easy to access (once you know where they are) from their respective terminals. If flying into T2, there is still a 10mins or so walk to the Hilton through a series of tunnels and a car park. To get to T5 from T2, it's just a simple trip on the Heathrow Express for free. Have to say, both are not well sign posted, best to check their locations and access before you arrive. Will make your life easier after a long haul flight. Depending upon your transfer time the day after you arrive, it may be worth having already made the trip between terminals the night before and have a more leisurely start to the following day.

 

[Girl of the South]

Stayed at the Hilton T2&3 last weekend before the TransAtlantic. No tunnel walking. You DO go through the tunnel from T3. From T2, you just walk through the parking garage. It’s pretty convenient. Clean. Quiet. Rooms are good, a bit smaller than in the US. We walked back over to T2 to get DCL Transportation.

If you are in T2, find the M&S little shop and then, with your back to it, walk sort if straight across to the parking garage and find a walkway painted with green and yellow stripes. Follow it to the hotel entrance.

 

[auntlynne]

Stayed at the Hilton T2&3 last weekend before the TransAtlantic. No tunnel walking. You DO go through the tunnel from T3. From T2, you just walk through the parking garage. It’s pretty convenient. Clean. Quiet. Rooms are good, a bit smaller than in the US. We walked back over to T2 to get DCL Transportation.

If you are in T2, find the M&S little shop and then, with your back to it, walk sort if straight across to the parking garage and find a walkway painted with green and yellow stripes. Follow it to the hotel entrance.

I’d be stopping at M&S in case I needed a little snack during the night.

Their hours are 6 am - midnight.

Packaged sandwiches in UK are hands down better than in the US. And Walker’s (Lays brand) cheese and onion crisps (potato chips) are my go-to.

 

[Girl of the South]

Yes! I was there three nights and did eat a couple M&S sandwiches. And one night I had one from Boots at the other end of the terminal - also quite decent!

To get to the Underground, Heathrow Express, Terminal 3 - yes, there are tunnels. No tunnel for Terminal 2 to the Hilton.

It IS a long walk from the arrival gate to Immigration/Customs though.

There is also a Pret A Manger hidden around a corner in Terminal 3 but it’s a long (tunnel) walk and a little hard to find. More options, and coffee and pastries. But seriously the little M&S is really decent. They have wine and beer, too. Terminal 3 also has a post office counter in the WH Smith. It open all the time (closed for lunch) if you want to send a couple postcards from London.

The other Hilton in Hounslow - you need to take the Underground a couple of stops (free ride) but then it’s two flights of stairs out of the station and a 15 minute walk. Nothing much around there in terms of food.

T2&3 has the Runway Bar. One way to tell WiFi which is which as they are both called Heathrow Hiltons.