Arriving Tuesday at around 8 PM. Will be taking tube to hotel (Days Inn Westminster - Belgrave Road). Would we be better grabbing something to eat at airport before going to hotel, or might we find something to eat at 10 PM around there. Unable to determine from hotel website when their restaurant closes.

I don;t think there is any food in the arrivals area - it's all in the departures section. Don't kow if you can access any of it without an out-going ticket - in any case you would be running all over the airport - and presumably away from your transit into town.

Why eat there - and not after you get to your hotel? (I know it will be 10pm London time - but only 4pm your time).

Hi g,

>Unable to determine from hotel website when their restaurant closes.<

Have you phoned the hotel?

If you're arriving at Terminal 4, the pickings are pretty slim. There's a WH Smith that will have some prewrapped sandwiches and snacks (chips, candy, soda, etc) and also a coffee bar, Starbucks, I think.

I'd keep investigating what will be open in the neighborhood of your hotel. I'm sure there will be something.

The reason I am asking is after 10 PM during the week in Boston (where we are from) there is zero chance you will find anything open - am hoping London is different.

I answered your other thread about the tube w/ info about eating. There are landside places to eat at LHR - but which terminal are you using?

I did say on the other thread to eat at LHR because you have one or two tube line changes to get to you hotel. But thinking about it more - I probably eat near Victoria before going on to the hotel.

BUT - will all this schlepping around be upsetting to your Mom since she is used to tours?

What I'd REALLY do - I'd get a car service. it is easy and not that expensive. They would take you right to your hotel. You could drop your bags and then ask teh fron desk for the nearest place still serving. There will probably be something w/i walking distance. There are Chinese, Spanish and Indian restaurants very near there that serve after 10 p.m..

Gail, I think you'll find London is different. You might not have many options for full scale sit down dinners but there are lots of casual take away places that will be open at 10pm

The very first time we took the day flight to London arriving at night, we grabbed some of those sandwiches from the WHSmith, "just in case" we couldn't find something near the hotel.

At the very least there's going to be a Tesco Metro or Sainsbury (or both, they're groceries) in your immediate neighborhood and many are open until 11pm.

Again, if your coming into T4, you're going to have to spend some time seeking out a restaurant somewhere other than the arrival area. I wouldn't waste the time and would rather head to the hotel directly.

BTW, did you decide on the tube or a car service?

And do ask the hotel. This can't be the first time the question has been asked!

I checked out car service website mentioned in other post. Unable to determine if quoted price is per person or per car - but emailed them and awaiting reply. If price is right, might tend to go with car service since our return flight is Sunday AM and this might work better on the return end.

I am really not as concerned about starving as this post may seem - I'd be happy grabbing just about anything and heading off to hotel.

If the car service was justairports.com, the quote is per car not per person. And someone probably recommended you pay in cash which IS a good idea as the rate is much lower. You can get the cash from an ATM on the arrival side of Heathrow.

You don't sound flipped out about the food at all! It is something to consider. We love the day flight, really reduces jet lag.

For most any car sevice the price is per journey, not per person. Sometimes there are add-ons if they need a larger vehicle or some special requirements. But that doesn't apply in your case.

Yes - it is justairports.com. Price is very reasonable if it is per car - I think we will go with that, then. My mother will be so relieved that she will probably pay for it!

There is a Marks and Spencer at Terminal 3 arrivals, just on the left as you come through the doors to the meeting area. To the right, a cafe and a set of steps that takes you to departures where there is a food court. This might help if there is a delay with your flight and things are getting really late in the day.

Don't know if this will appeal or not upon landing, but I love Wagamama's, which is kind of a new concept "Asiany" noodle place and very reasonable pricewise by London standards. They have multiple locations and I know the Soho one is open late:

http://www.wagamama.com/wayto/index.php

Just to let anyone interested know what we did - took justairports from LHR - got to hotel about 9 PM local time. Pizza/pasta place was around the corner as was a Vietnamese place - both open. We opted for salads and pizza from former (and tried Vietnamese place on the day we had tea at Harrods since we just wanted something light then). Thanks to all who offered suggestions.