It matters where you stay.
I spent 50,000 points for one night at a Hilton but it was so worth it. I stayed at The Hilton Garden Inn T2+T3 Heathrow.
Sometimes circumstances mean that you have to make a quick decision that will cost you more than normal but you know it will be worth it in the end.
This is what happened to me on my way from Athens to Dallas via Heathrow. I landed at Heathrow at about 10pm on Monday 18th and my onward flight was at 10am the next morning.
I didn’t want to be bothered with taking a bus or a taxi to a cheaper hotel so I decided to book the Hilton Garden Inn Terminal 2+3 for the night.
It is walkable from Terminal 2 or 3 so off I went.
Really great views on the short walk ( this is from the next morning walking back to the terminal.)
As I arrived at the lobby I confirmed with the receptionist that this was indeed the hotel I had listed and I said I was booking a night.
He replied that they were full and had no space. I clicked the reservation on the Hilton app and it said I was confirmed.
He was skeptical but said I should wait for a few minutes for the transaction to come through.
I sat for a few minutes. Then suddenly he got busy and I saw that he was enabling access cards and getting water and he came over to me and gave me the cards.
He seemed surprised that I had got a room when he had said the hotel was full. I guess possibly my gold status helped but I am not sure.
The Heathrow hotel room:
The hotel room was reasonably standard compared to other Hiltons across the world as it should be.
Comfy double bed with nice linen and 4 pillows is a great start.
There is a desk and chair so you can work or use it for eating. There is also a comfy chair and table for relaxing.
A nice fridge is provided as well as a safe.
Being in England a kettle rather than a coffee maker was provided. Nice mugs and teaspoons with various teabags and supplies.
A steam iron and hair dryer are also provided.
The nice bathroom:
My highlight of this stay was the shower in the bathroom. Here is the stock standard basin and supplies.
Crabtree and Evelyn toiletries are provided in squeeze bottles.
Shampoo, conditioner and body wash in the shower and body lotion and hand wash at the basin.
The shower had a rain head that worked really well and then I used the magic hand wand.
That hand held shower was magical. The water pressure was so hard that I could use the shower spray to massage my muscles.
It was a narrow spray of water which I guess enhanced the power of the spray, but it was so good to have.
Having travelled for most of the day it was so nice to just stand and spray my shoulders, back, feet and legs. It was like a professional massage, I felt wonderful after the shower.
The downstairs hotel area:
This describes some of the areas of the hotel that you can use. A fitness centre as well as 2 laundry areas, restaurant and bar and meeting rooms. The bridge linking to terminal 2 is available on the reception floor.
The restaurant was open in the morning for breakfast. I did not eat there as I had my eye on an airport lounge to check out instead. A companion bar was also near.
The lobby area had these supplies available. Noodles, sandwiches, drinks, sodas, toiletries. All things you might need while traveling.
The requisite automatic coffee maker was also handy. Such good coffee.
2 computers and a printer were prominently available for office use.
Travellers might need money and there is an auto bank available too.
Conclusion:
This stay was definitely worth the points I ended up spending.
The room was great, the shower was magical, the breakfast looked good and the hotel had everything you might need if staying for more than 10 hours.
If I have a similar circumstance in future I will definitely stay here. Next time I hope to enjoy the rooftop viewing area.
