Airport hotels don’t tend to get much love. Typically booked purely for convenience, it can be a challenge to find airport properties that stand out among the crowd. Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Hilton Munich Airport have long been favorites of mine. After a recent trip to Great Britain, I’ve added Hilton London Heathrow Airport to the list.
Hilton London Heathrow Airport is less than 10 minutes from Terminal 4 via a covered walkway. The center of the property is an expansive, light-filled atrium that’s home to a restaurant, café, bar, and the hotel’s front desk. But reaching what’s arguably the heart of the property takes a little more exploring.
Guests who head outside — yes, outside — will find a one-of-a-kind airport hotel backyard. The hotel features 21 raised garden beds, rooted with everything from peppers and tomatoes to edible flowers. The garden is also home to 160,000 bees. Honey is used at the property’s eateries.
Rooms You Won’t Bee-lieve
Check-in is fast and efficient; front desk staff are happy to help you figure out the best way to reach the correct airport terminal. Hilton London Heathrow Airport features 398 rooms and suites; I stayed in a Twin Guest Room on the fourth floor with my 20-something-year-old daughter.
Soundproof, the room offered everything we needed to get a good night’s sleep before our early morning flight. The bathroom provided ample space for two travelers. Along with a vanity with a single sink, there was a toilet and walk-in shower with toiletries provided in refillable bottles.
- Get an eSim to be able to use your smartphone abroad.
- Buy Travel Insurance
- Get a Car Rental
- Guided Tours in the UK
- Save big on sightseeing with a London Pass
- Get a universal plug adapter
What made our room unique was the colorful, bee-inspired bedding. Designed with families in mind, it’s part of the “Bee My Guest” package, offering young travelers an opportunity to learn about the world of bees.
“At Hilton London Heathrow Airport, we’re always looking for creative ways to deliver exceptional family experiences, and ‘Bee My Guest’ is one we’re especially proud of,” says Oliver Stockland, general manager, Hilton London Heathrow Airport.
Along with an on-property treasure hunt, families can download a free e-book version of Daisy’s Buzzing Adventure, a children’s book inspired by the hotel’s 160,000 buzzing residents.
The colorful storybook is also available for purchase at the hotel’s Market shop for $13. (£9.99) 80% of the proceeds are donated to the British Beekeepers Association’s Apiary and Education Appeal, which funds programming for children about pollinators and the environment.
Dining and Drink Options
All the dining options at Hilton London Heathrow Airport are located in the atrium. OXBO Kitchen serves breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is served buffet style; those with early flights will appreciate the Continental breakfast offerings, including pastries, fruit, coffee, and assorted juices available starting at 5:30 a.m.
Full breakfast with assorted hot selections including eggs, sausage, and potatoes runs from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on weekdays and until 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The dinner menu at OXBO Kitchen is large and diverse. It changes seasonally, but during my stay, spiced cauliflower fritters, steak and blue cheese flatbread, beer-battered cod, burgers, and an assortment of salads were offered. A children’s menu is available, and vegetarian and vegan options are clearly marked on the menu.
The eatery partners with food-centric software company Klimato to calculate the climate impact of its dishes. Every dish on the menu carries a rating intended to help interested customers choose climate-smart dishes.
OXBO Bar serves cocktails, beer, and wine, as well as bar snacks and small plates daily from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. OXBO Café is where you’ll find grab-and-go options such as sandwiches and flatbreads. It’s open daily from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. Room service is also available 24/7.
Good to Know
Hotel guests can walk to Heathrow Terminal 4 in less than 10 minutes via a covered walkway.
However, if you are flying from Heathrow Terminals 2, 3, and 5, you need to take a taxi or a shuttle to reach the terminal. While U.S. travelers are likely accustomed to airport hotels offering complimentary shuttles to the terminal, there is a charge for the shuttle available from Hilton London Heathrow Airport. It serves a number of hotels in the area; at press time, a single ticket is $9. (£6.80)
Depending on demand, it can take 20 minutes to reach the airport. A taxi will get you to the terminal in less than 10 minutes; the cost at press time was $13 (£10) per person.
The hotel also features 15 meeting rooms that accommodate up to 300 guests, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself sharing the elevator with business travelers.
Rates for a Twin Guest Room start at $215 (£159). Rates for a Family Connecting Room (where the “Bee My Guest” package is typically booked) start at $473 (£350). Rates for a King Guest Room start at $215 (£159). Wi-Fi is complimentary; parking is available for a fee.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com or Hotels.com.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by Hilton London Heathrow Airport, but as always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
