Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3

Aviation lovers should request one of the 32 rooms with runway views

BACKGROUND

This new-build Hilton Garden Inn opened in July last year. It is the brand’s second hotel at Heathrow; the other is further out, by Hatton Cross station. This one is within quick, covered walking distance to T2 and T3. It is operated by the Arora Group, which also runs the new dualbranded Holiday Inn Express and Crowne Plaza at Heathrow T4.

WHAT’S IT LIKE?

Reception is spacious and nicely designed, with some sofas and a 24-hour grab-and-go selection of drinks and snacks for sale, including fruit, sandwiches and coffee. There is also a box for dropping your key card in for express checkout. The three check-in desks were all busy when I arrived but the queue moved quickly and I was heading up to my 12th-floor room within five minutes.

WHERE IS IT?

Access to Terminal 2 is excellent. Exiting the Tube at the stop for T1, 2 and 3, you turn left towards T2 and take the lifts up to the main entrance to departures. Once you’re facing the terminal you need to turn around into the car park, which is where the first sign for the hotel appears. The entrance is a very short walk straight ahead. Terminal 3 is about ten minutes’ easy walk away through an underground tunnel. Terminals 4 and 5 are one stop away on a free train (although note that these arrive a little less frequently than the Tube).

ROOMS

There are 369 rooms split between standard and twin Kings (22 sqm), family rooms (33 sqm), accessible rooms and suites (41 sqm).

All have free wifi, tea and coffee facilities, desks with ergonomic chairs, 55-inch TVs, mini fridges and ironing boards. Rooms run from floors five to

13, and aviation lovers should request one of the 32 rooms with runway views if one is available; mine was perfect for watching the hum of airport life from the desk. There is excellent double glazing, and my King room was very quiet.

The room design is simple – dark wood furniture and fabrics in varying shades of grey. For a one-night stay I found it comfortable, roomy and well-equipped. Everything was clean and new. The bathroom had a powerful shower, Crabtree and Evelyn toiletries and a large, well-lit mirror. The desk was a little small but fine for a laptop, and there were USB ports and plugs by the bedside.

FOOD AND DRINK

The Apron restaurant on the first floor serves a plentiful buffet breakfast (£16.88) from 6am to 10am, followed by an all-day menu. I enjoyed my Wednesday evening meal surrounded by other solo business travellers. Staff were friendly and the atmosphere relaxed. The menu is standard British restaurant fare – fish and chips, sausage and mash, curry, grilled meats, pasta. The starter list is a little more exciting, with dishes including salmon gravadlax, chicken and apricot terrine, and wild mushroom vol-au-vent. I had a plate of three scallops, which were very tasty, followed by a filling curry. You could certainly have a pleasant meal here to kick off a trip, especially if followed up by a visit to the 14th-floor Runway bar, which, as you may have guessed, has runway views.

MEETINGS

Five rooms, all with natural light, can be combined to fit 110 people theatre-style.

LEISURE

There is a large 24-hour gym.

VERDICT

Hilton Garden Inn is a midrange brand, but this hotel feels high quality (if not luxury). It will be convenient for business travellers thanks to the excellent location and room amenities, but would also be a good option for leisure travellers wanting somewhere to enjoy a meal and a drink the night before a flight.

BESTFOR

Big, well-equipped rooms and excellent airport access

DON’TMISS

A peek at the Runway Bar

PRICE

Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in May started from £175 for a King room

CONTACT

Tel +44 (0)20 3972 9700; hilton.com