For the final lodge keep of my overview journey, I spent an evening on the 710-room Renaissance London Heathrow. I had arrived in British Airways’ 777-300ER top notch from Newark, and was departing the next day in Virgin Atlantic’s A330-900neo enterprise class to Miami.
Heathrow has countless airport accommodations, so why did I choose the Renaissance? Effectively, I really feel like staying right here is sort of a ceremony of passage for avgeeks, because the lodge is understood for its runway views. Nonetheless, that’s nearly the one distinctive factor concerning the lodge. The property is in any other case completely serviceable, however I’d solely suggest particularly looking for out this lodge when you actually love airplane views.
Reserving the Renaissance London Heathrow
For the Sunday night time I used to be staying, the Renaissance Heathrow Airport was operating 107 GBP (~130 USD) all-in. That appeared affordable, so I ended up simply paying money for my keep. As a degree of comparability, the lodge would have price 28,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors. I worth Bonvoy factors at 0.7 cents every, so on this case paying money was the higher deal.
Renaissance London Heathrow location
Usually crucial issue for me with an airport lodge is location. I’m keen to pay a premium to remain at a lodge that’s related to a terminal, and doesn’t require a taxi or shuttle. On this case I made an exception, since I used to be intrigued by the runway views of the Renaissance Heathrow, plus the lodge was far more fairly priced than the properties related to terminals.
The Renaissance Heathrow is positioned towards the east a part of Tub Highway. That places it nearer to Terminal 2 & 3 than to Terminal 5. Airports at Heathrow don’t have their very own free shuttles, however fairly the (paid) Lodge Hoppa affords service right here.
Personally I ended up simply taking a taxi from Terminal 5, which price beneath 20 GBP. That supplied large time financial savings in comparison with taking the Lodge Hoppa however having to attend, make a number of stops, and so forth. A taxi was additionally cheaper than Uber, for no matter purpose.
It’s additionally value preserving in thoughts that taxis at Heathrow don’t thoughts making native journeys, as a result of in the event that they’re assigned these sorts of journeys, they get to chop the queue after they return to Heathrow. That is in stark distinction to another airports, the place you’ll get chewed out by a taxi driver when you request a brief trip.
The next morning I took an Uber to Terminal 3, which price simply 10 GBP.
Renaissance London Heathrow foyer & check-in
The Renaissance isn’t about to win any design awards from Architectural Digest. The property is 5 tales (together with a basement degree), and it’s fairly sprawling, on condition that there are over 700 rooms with so few flooring.
Given how massive the lodge is, I used to be anticipating that there can be a queue at reception. As a substitute there wasn’t even an affiliate at check-in. After ready for a minute, somebody lastly appeared.
The particular person checking me in was pleasant, although suggested me my room wasn’t prepared (which is honest sufficient, because it was simply after 10AM). I requested if any room was prepared, as I used to be glad to have a distinct mattress sort for my brief keep, I simply needed to maximise my time in a room. Certain sufficient, she managed to discover a twin room with a runway view, in order that labored nice for me. She additionally defined the hours of the membership lounge, and the lodge’s different options.
With a key in hand, I headed to my room. The foyer has loads of comfy seating, although I discovered the design to be a bit random.
Renaissance London Heathrow visitor room
I used to be assigned room 2218, on the second flooring. Fortuitously there are many useful maps on every flooring, as a result of in any other case you could possibly simply spend half of your keep looking for your room.
The Renaissance Heathrow was final renovated in 2015, which might be what you’d anticipate from trying on the property. The design isn’t terribly outdated, but in addition isn’t innovative.
Rooms on the Renaissance Heathrow are marketed as being 247 sq. ft (23 sq. meters), in order that they’re on the compact aspect. Nonetheless, my room didn’t really feel uncomfortably small. Upon getting into the room, the toilet was to the fitting, whereas a closet and the minibar setup was to the left.
The room had two twin beds, which I discovered to be extraordinarily comfy. The mattresses have been comfortable, and the pillows substantial. I suppose one profit of getting two beds when touring alone is that you just get much more pillows!
The room had a small chair and aspect desk by the window.
Then throughout from the beds was a desk, in addition to a TV on a stand.
The minibar space had a kettle with prompt espresso and tea, in addition to two bottles of water.
There was additionally an empty mini-fridge.
The toilet was additionally fairly compact, and had a sink, bathroom, and a bathe and tub combo. The one weird factor was that there was solely a single towel within the lavatory, which appeared stingy… hopefully that was a fluke?
Toiletries have been in wall-mounted containers, and have been from TokyoMilk.
Wi-Fi within the room was quick and free, and the room additionally felt fairly clear. As you possibly can in all probability inform, there’s nothing particular about this room… besides the view. OMG, what an epic runway view! You’re so near the departure level for runway 27R, and as an avgeek I discovered this view to be unbeatable.
One factor to notice is that the runway view rooms listed below are noisy. I don’t even need to blame the lodge for having dangerous sound insulation, however fairly I believe a variety of noise is sort of unavoidable when you’re this near a runway.
As somebody who sleeps with a loud white noise app on, this didn’t hassle me one bit, since I discover the sound of airplane engines to be fairly soothing. However when you’re a lightweight sleeper and bothered by this, then chances are you’ll need to keep away from a runway view room. Do understand that Heathrow has only a few arrivals and departures in a single day, so this isn’t a significant problem from late at night time till the morning.
Renaissance London Heathrow membership lounge
The Renaissance Heathrow has a membership lounge on the third flooring. You may entry this both by reserving a membership room, or by being a Bonvoy Platinum member or above. As a Bonvoy Titanium member, I acquired complimentary entry to the lounge. I respect that the lounge is open 24/7, in an effort to come right here any hour of the day or night time to seize a cup of espresso or a comfortable drink.
The membership lounge is an extended and slender room, and architecturally isn’t a really inspiring area. There are tables, a number of couches, and a few high-top seating.
The one factor that makes this lounge completely epic (I imply, form of) is the views. I sat right here for many of the day working and having fun with the views of all of the planes taking off. I additionally wasn’t the one avgeek, as all through the day I noticed a number of individuals sitting right here for prolonged durations, with a lot of commentary about which planes have been touchdown, and so forth.
Whereas the lounge has wonderful views, you’ll undoubtedly need to handle your expectations with regards to the meals choice.
Espresso, comfortable drinks, nuts, and cookies, can be found all day.
I arrived on the lodge proper on the tail finish of breakfast. The choice was exceedingly fundamental, and consisted of chilly cuts, pastries, bread, cereal, fruit salad, and orange juice.
Then within the evenings there was a cheerful hour, with free drinks and snacks. As soon as once more, the choice was very restricted. The self serve choices included bread, crackers, cheese, and cake.
Along with these choices, every visitor was introduced a pre-made plate, which… didn’t look terribly interesting to me.
Alcohol was additionally obtainable from the server within the lounge. There was the selection of two white wines, two crimson wines, and three beers (Budwesier, Miller, and Coors). I simply had a glass of white wine, which was at the least a beneficiant pour.
The attendant within the lounge was pleasant. I felt dangerous for her, as there was one jerk within the lounge who basically chewed her out about how dangerous the beer choice was. Discuss misdirected frustration.
Renaissance London Heathrow gymnasium
The Renaissance Heathrow’s gymnasium is on the basement degree. It had first rate tools, but in addition wasn’t notably giant for a 710-room lodge.
Renaissance London Heathrow restaurant & bar
I didn’t find yourself visiting any of the meals & beverage shops on property (past the membership lounge), although there are three choices to select from, all on the foyer degree.
There’s Market Backyard Restaurant, which serves breakfast and dinner each day, described as providing “seasonal European eating in a casually elegant ambiance.”
Then there’s Bar Eleven, which is sort of a big bar serving drinks and meals from noon till late.
Lastly, the Renaissance Heathrow has Cafe Cha, a espresso store serving a wide range of drinks and light-weight snacks. Sadly it has pretty restricted hours, and is open from 6AM till 3PM.
Backside line
I’m glad I lastly had the prospect to take a look at the Renaissance Heathrow, since I’ve seen so many footage and movies of airplanes through the years that have been taken from this property. The Renaissance Heathrow is a very run-of-the-mill Heathrow Airport lodge, and there’s nearly nothing particular about it… besides the views, that are superior.
If you happen to like aircraft views, by all means verify this property out. If you happen to don’t like aircraft views, solely keep right here if it’s the most effective worth on your keep.
Would I keep on the Renaissance Heathrow once more? Whereas I loved the aircraft views, sooner or later I’d in all probability as soon as once more want a property related to the terminal I’m departing from, just like the Hilton Backyard Inn Terminal 2, Hilton Heathrow Terminal 4, or Sofitel Heathrow Terminal 5.
What do you make of the Renaissance Heathrow Airport?
