cynstalker

Kavey, Julian, everybody????? I was able to get our flights rearranged so we are now flying Bos/LHR/AFRICA/LHR/Bos. To arrange this miracle, we are now spending a night in London on the return. We arrive LHR at 4:40, and depart 10:30am next day. Can anyone suggest a hotel near the airport that would have a nice bar, and either a good restaurant at the hotel or nearby? (I did post this on Europe too, but...I have such faith in the advice I get from this board that I feel better if I hear from you all!)

Cyn

Kavey

Let me do a little checking...

Do you have a budget?

Kavey

Googling brings up massive lists:

http://www.holidayextras.co.uk/heathrow-airport-hotels/
heathrow-airport-hotels.html

(rejoin the two lines of that link before using)

One I have stayed in myself is the Meridien which is hugely convenient for terminals 1, 2 and 3.

cynstalker

No, budget not a problem. Just something relatively near the airport, that has fairly good food. I was just checking out the Radisson Edwardian?

I've stayed at the Meridien on Boston, which was fine. I'll look at that too.

Cyn

Kavey

I can't give much help in terms of actually having stayed at many - don't forget that I live in London so I've very seldom any reason to overnight at the airport. We did it once for a particularly early flight and have also done it at Gatwick when the cost of hotel plus parking (for the duration of the holiday) was only slightly more than parking on it's own.

Which terminal are you leaving from?

thit_cho

I once stayed at the Hilton since it was attached the LHR. I was able to walk to the terminal in the morning.

Kavey

That's what we liked about the Meridien - being able to walk into the terminal buildings directly...

cynstalker

thit cho:

We have a day room booked there for our trip on the way to CPT. Do you recall how the food was?

Kavey:
Yes, I forget that in big cities there's literally hundreds of hotels...so how and why would you know? I live in a town of 12000 and there are maybe 10 hotels. I don't know what terminal we fly into.

Cyn

thit_cho

I'm sure the food was fine, but I was looking for convenience, not gastronomy.

Patty

Cyn,
If you're flying NBO-LHR on BA, you'll arrive at terminal 4. The following day you'll depart from terminal 3 if you're flying AA or terminal 4 if it's BA for your LHR-BOS flight.

Leely

You know, Cyn, with that arrival and departure, you do have time to go into the city, have a nice dinner and spend the night there.

>

pnd1

I can't tell you where to stay, Cyn, but I can tell you where not to stay. Avoid the Holiday Inn-Heathrow-Ariel. I stayed there on my way home from Zambia last month. I did not mind that the room was about the size of a big closet. However, they charged $25 for a five minute call to London, $30 for for a small salad in their restaurant, $12 for a continental breakfast, and when I returned home I found that they had double billed me for the room. I am trying to get a refund, but am having difficulties.
I was not expecting luxury, nor was I expecting an inexpensive evening. But I don't feel this hotel delivers value for the money spent.

Kavey

The food at the Meridien was nice. Not fabulous but certainly acceptable...

cynstalker

Ok, Hilton it is - convenience wins! Thanks everyone for suggestions (Phil - good luck with your refund. Leely - by that time I think we're going to be "touristing-out" Patty - AA out, so looks like in on 4, out on 3).

Cyn

barnetda

Most of ther hotels close to heathrow are typical one night only stays. I would stay at the Shearaton heathrow if i was you. Check their site but you should get a room for £80

Leely

cyn, I was teasing; your trip is already so elaborate and impressive, part of me just wanted you to complicate it even further a la Rocco. >

You are going to have a GREAT time, and a comfy place to rest before your last long-haul flight will feel fantastic. But I'm betting by the time you get to Heathrow you will already be missing Africa.

Have a safe and wonderful journey.