I actively try to avoid Heathrow airport while travelling because I have always thought it was so big and so confusing. Turns out, it isn’t as scary as it appears, especially if you break it down into more manageable sections. I travelled from Newcastle to Heathrow on British Airways, a short and pleasant journey which lasted just under 45 minutes. Landing in Terminal 5 was easy, and after an hour stuck in bus and plane traffic, I was reunited with my suitcase. From here it was a short, free journey across to my hotel via the London Underground.
Location
The Premier Inn is located next to Terminal 4, which turns out to be quite the distance from where I landed. Heathrow Airport has great transport links to take you from one Terminal to another without any issues. I used the Heathrow Connect train service, which I found really easy to navigate and the best part is that it is free. There are helpful humans throughout the airport terminal and train stations to make sure you get to the correct destination. The Heathrow Express bus service also stops outside the hotel and this drives around the airport to each terminal.
Walking between Terminal 4 and the Premier Inn takes 10-15 minutes and goes through a covered walkway. There are also links to get into London and the surrounding areas.
The Room
I decided to stay in a standard double room and was really surprised to find the room was really spacious and comfortable. A seating area next to the window, looking out over towards Canary Wharf and London, which lit up beautifully after dark. I really enjoyed whiling away the evening here because I could watch the planes coming towards the airport. The sofa could have easily been a single bed, but I enjoyed having the space to spread out and sit, instead of the bed. This paired nicely with the complimentary coffee, tea and water in the room.
The bed was a very comfortable king size bed which I slept soundly in. I did initially worry about the sound of the airport keeping me awake overnight but the windows are soundproofed so I was not disturbed at all.
To make up for the lack of a window that would open, the room had quiet air conditioning to keep the temperature comfortable. I also had extensive light switches next to the bed, mainly to confuse my photographer, but I liked how you could have the room as bright or dark as needed.
The Bathroom
The bathroom was a great size and had a bath and rain fall shower. The bathroom appeared to be really modern and new.
I loved the bath wash by Bayliss & Harding, it smelt good enough to eat and I loved filling my bath full of delicious smelling bubbles.
Rainfall showers are wonderful and I always feel like I am staying in a luxury hotel when I have one. The Premier Inn was no exception to this rule. There’s something about starting your day in a rainfall shower that makes it just a tiny bit more exciting.
Dining
Thyme restaurant provided me with a package that I added to my booking, which allowed me to have breakfast and dinner. I’m so glad I chose this option because I was worried about going to London to find a restaurant. The dinner menu has lots of great options, including some delicious vegan dishes.
I had two courses; starting with a bruschetta and followed by a spicy noodle dish. The food was delicious and I devoured both dishes (followed by my photographer’s dinner).
There is a bar area and a Costa coffee with a great seating area where you can watch the planes taking off and landing. Check in to the hotel is 3pm so I sat here whilst I waited for my room to be ready.
Breakfast is an extensive buffet affair and has all of the usual pastry, cooked and fruit options. I enjoyed the food I had, and it set me up for my long flight. The only downside was the coffee; the machines were out of mil,k and I think I would have been better off sticking to the extensive herbal tea selection.
Conclusion
I would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone travelling through London Heathrow. It was a small, budget-friendly slice of luxury. The close proximity to Terminal 4 and the connections to other terminals make the hotel a great place to stay and break up your journey.
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