V-Flyer

Having stayed at the Sofitel a couple of times (for BA flights out of T5) having a little bit of a dilema for our upcoming flight out of T3 with Virgin. Which is in the best hotel location to navigate the hotel to check in route?

Got to say I really like the Sofitel and cost wise there isn't that much difference. Although I am a HHonors Gold Member so the Exec Lounge access is appealing but have never stayed at Heathrow Hilton before and reviews look bad!

How does the Sofitel Club Lounge compare to the Hilton's? Anyone had any experience of either?

All advice greatly received

Thanks,
Steve.

I very much like the Sofitel and it's club lounge, and don't forget it's a walk along the terminal and down to the HEX with free transfer to T3.

Can't comment on the Hilton ...

The last couple of times I stayed at the Holiday Inn a 4star it cost about for the night including car parking for 8 days about 75 pounds. its a good Hotel and the food is reasonably priced and good. Transfers to terminal 3 every 15 mins.Worth a look thru laterooms.com.

I haven't stayed in the Sofitel but the one thing that struck me about the Hilton was the looooong walk to T4 to be able to get the (free) Underground to T3

Never stayed at the sofitel but have stayed at the hilton and i think its excellent with a nice bar, exec lounge is nice and in the evening an excellent chinese resaurant which i found to be very nice indeed, always been upgraded being gold so maybe its worth trying if yourself if gold too.

cheers

alex

Having stayed one night at both the Sofitel T5 and the Hilton T4, here are my pros and cons:

Sofitel:
+ shorter and more civilised walkway from terminal to hotel
+ Very well appointed rooms, even the basic guest rooms are of an excellent standard
- breakfast doesn't seem to be included in their rates?
- I don't have A Club status

Hilton:
- Long and draughty walkway from T4 to the hotel
+ I have HH Gold, but when I checked in, no exec rooms were available
+ Hilton breakfast - my favourite type of breakfast!
-/+ Guest rooms were OK, of a reasonable standard

Unless the rates were an absolute bargain and miles cheaper at the Hilton, I would always choose to stay at the Sofitel in future. I didn't have a bad stay at the Hilton - just the long walk with luggage was a bit of a hassle, and then to be told that I couldn't have a complimentary upgrade! Grr!

Edit: had another thought too - I usually travel to LHR by road and T5 is a lot easier to access as it's on the north side of the perimeter compared to T4 all the way around on the south side. Took ages to get there on the Europcar bus!

I'm another Sofitel fan. I have A Club Plat card and to date they have always offered an upgrade - overall experience whichever hotel you stay in is usually very good and the Heathrow Sofitel is a lot closer than the Hilton.

Thanks to everyone for your input.

Was already swaying to Sofitel so I think I will book todays.

Thanks again,
Steve.

Another vote for the sofitel here - esp over the hilton (which is now getting a little tired looking) and unless I was flying from T4 (which I dont do now) I would never choose again

I stayed at the T4 Hilton last year 11 times and T5 Sofitel once.

Sofitel was expensive the exec lounge was closed and having paid for access I was not pleased.The desk staff were clueless the room, junior suite maybe 1 category higher? was nothing wow although I did like the room access card that you use like Oyster:D It's 2 minutes from T5 and Marks and Spencers where you can stock up on food and booze.I had Accor gold at the time and recognition was zilch.

Hilton has a brand new exec lounge moved to the ground floor near reception.Full breakfast spread, beer and soft drinks all day,wines and spirits 6pm-10.30pm.I have never not been upgraded to an exec room as a Diamond.Free shuttle to T5 there and back every 1/2 hour and the walk to T4 is 6 minutes through the connecting tube.I always enjoyed the walk through the tube as it was the start of a trip, quite miss it now.We even use the T5 shuttle bus to go to M&S.I find I get a better parking inclusive rate with Hilton.My major gripe with this Hilton are the beds, too small and bouncy cheap mattresses.

jaguarpig wrote:My major gripe with this Hilton are the beds, too small and bouncy cheap mattresses.

Ha ha i thought it was only me that worries about the bed size.....god i hate double mattresses and have no idea as to why they have them in this hotel, which is my only gripe y)

cheers

alex

Alex V wrote:
god i hate double mattresses and have no idea as to why they have them in this hotel, which is my only gripe y)

cheers

alex

Because the rooms are so small

jaguarpig wrote:

Alex V wrote:
god i hate double mattresses and have no idea as to why they have them in this hotel, which is my only gripe y)

cheers

alex

Because the rooms are so small

You could be very right there!