MaureenB

I know you've been to London several times, so you have a different outlook than I. But still, if it were my decision, I'd think a night near Heathrow would be a waste. I would definitely choose Sussex Gardens, take a walk through the mews on the way to Hyde Park in the morning, ...
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Robespierre

You could also bed down at Heathrow and zip into town for a late dinner on the HX for £16 return on the Visit London ticket. NB: it turns into a pumpkin at midnight.

fall06

Thanks again for all the replies.

For the sake of people who might be lurking on this thread or who stumble across it later, I'm going to continue to think "out loud" about this, because I still haven't made up my mind.

I checked out reviews on Tripadvisor for Holiday Inn and the 4star Heathrow hotels and was left uneasy about what I read. It seems that a number of travelers encounter difficulties with getting a decent meal or getting to and from the terminals. And only a handful of people seem happy with their room.

I still have questions about Priceline: I don't see a way to specify what kind of bed (twin or double) that I want. Am I missing something?

I'm still toying with what flight I want to take to get to Italy. If I ultimately plump for a morning flight, then I probably will do Heathrow overnight. But anything after 11am, and I'm tempted to head for Sussex Gardens. The Hyde Park Radnor appeals to me, and so does the Stylotel.

Robespierre, I wouldn't risk transportation that stops at midnight.

Maureen, I was just in London two weeks ago so it's true I really don't need the "fix." If I've got anytime in the morning, I'd rather dash through the Velasquez exhibit. (Oh-oh, I'm putting on more pounds!)

mclaurie

Priceline bids generally guarantee a room for 2 people. If you need 2 beds, Priceline may not be for you. But assuming you'd rather have a double or queen bed, I think the liklihood is that's what you'd get. I guess at a Heathrow hotel, a bigger issue is smoking vs. no smoking. They will take a request but not make a guarantee.

Robespierre

"Robespierre, I wouldn't risk transportation that stops at midnight."

Hence the caveat, old chum.

fall06

mclauriie,

The whole point of doing the overnight is so that we can fly across the atlantic during the daytime, get a good night's sleep, and then arrive in Italy the next day, wide awake and ready to pick up our car and drive away. Romance can wait until Italy!

We are two VERY VERY tall Americans who argue about whcih one of us steals the covers more often. I want to know I'm getting two beds. A queen or smaller would be a disaster. At that point, we might as well just take the redeye the Italy. (And it's too late for that. I bought the tix to Heathrow yesterday.)