Trinity’s Laura Cook took a visit to Heathrow to see what venues and hotels they have to offer. Read her site visit below!
Thistle Heathrow
Situated just off the motorway this 3* hotel is a functional, easy-access venue for conferences and bedroom stays for delegates wishing to be close to Heathrow terminal 5.The hotel offers 264 bedrooms over only 2 floors, all rooms are tripled glazed as you would expect for a hotel so close to the terminal.If parking at the hotel with an overnight stay you will be able to use 1 of the 600 spaces on site!
The hotel has a fantastic selling point- which no one else has access to! ‘The Pod’. This is a small pod monorail with direct access to terminal 5. It can hold only 4 people and is £5.00 per person each way. The journey takes only 5 minutes which is ideal for any international delegates wanting to travel from terminal 5. The Aviation Suite and Longford room with the catering area is ideal for groups wanting to be self-contained as this room has its own entrance and space for reg tables or exhibition stands.There are many smaller meeting rooms dotted around the hotel.I would recommend using the main hotel restaurant for delegate lunch breaks as the restaurant is flooded with natural daylight with a wall of large windows plus the views are great (overlooking the runway). Delegates can also access the outdoor terrace from the restaurant.Ideal venue for international guest on a tight budget wanting to be close and good access to Heathrow terminal 5.
Currently the hotel has not got a lift to the upper floor (for bedrooms), they hope to have a lift installed by this summer (2015). The hotel in general and specifically the bedrooms are a basic 3* standard which could do with updating. The rates do reflect the standard.
Park Inn Heathrow
This large hotel has recently undergone a full refurbishment (completed in 2015). Located in a central location on Bath row.A large hotel which offers large meeting space in all different sizes.The meeting space is split into zones. If you are booking a main room you ideally would want the syndicate rooms in the same corridor rather than splitting the areas as they are quiet spread apart.
The discovery is the largest room which are flexible as it can spilt into 3 sections benefiting from natural daylight. This area can be exclusive for the group if using all meeting rooms in the area (main room plus 3 syndicate rooms) these are ideal size for syndicate rooms. There is a corridor with 21 small boardrooms which is perfect for a group wanting lots of small rooms in one place such as training or interviews.Offering 895 bright and fresh bedrooms, which are mainly two categories, standard and business friendly. The upgraded bedrooms are at an extra £20 per room per night. These rooms are larger than standard and has a fridge and upgraded toiletries.
I felt the hotel was a good 4* hotel as very fresh and inviting for both corporate and leisure guests. The hotel makes a good choice for large or small meetings due to vast amount of space.Car parking is free for meeting and event users.The car park wraps round the hotel and can be very confusing with different zones are dotted around.The last part of the refurbishment work will be to update the restaurant. This is yet to scheduled but still this area is a very good standard.
Radisson Edwardian Heathrow
You would never think you were entering an airport hotel. The hotel has an opulent feel with sweeping marble staircases, chandeliers and informal sitting areas in the public areas, all of which are beautiful and luxurious.Well looked after and keep to an excellent standard. In all areas the attention to detail is second to none. It was spotlessly clean!
The hotel has 42 meeting rooms- so ideal for groups wanting lots of syndicates as the team section events into different zones.The hotel will offer a catering area for the larger room so delegates can be separate to other groups. I really liked the Atrium space, this is normally offered with the Commonwealth room. The Country & Newbury suite is really nice and has a really nice foyer area when there is lots of room to walk round during break times.
The Connaught rooms have nice views as they have a small balcony area which overlooks the indoor space of the hotel (it use to be a swimming pool, but now changed to an informal area for receptions or exhibition. There are 457 bedrooms, all of which are a good size, nicely decorated in silvers and greys.The upgraded bedrooms are £40 each night but the only real difference is that they are larger- I don’t think it is necessarily worth paying if you are staying for one night as the standard rooms are a very good size and standard.
The hotel has two entrances, ideally you would park up and use the front entrance as the back doesn’t give the same grand impression. Car parking is chargeable even for delegates attending an event
Sheraton Skyline
A 4* deluxe hotel which is the sister hotel to the Sheraton Heathrow down the road. When you first walk in you will notice the light and bright public areas which have a real buzz as it popular with both leisure and corporate guests (especially with the American market). The hotel has a welcoming informal feel. The hotel prides itself on a fantastic American service.
The hotel is built in a hollow square around an indoor tropical swimming pool. The cocktail bar can be used for guests which make you feel like you’re on holiday! A nice relaxed additional treat for guests staying at the hotel.
The hotel has a dedicated conference entrance for to use if holding a large meeting.There are 17 meeting rooms in total which can hold up to 500 delegates. Plus lots of foyer spaces for groups wishing to have lunch outside the meeting room. There are 350 spacious bedrooms, which are fairly traditional. The hotel can offer upgraded bedrooms at £54 per room per night. You will benefit from a larger room (normally with a sofa bed) and access to the executive lounge.You must visit the Canadian bar in the hotel when staying as it is something totally different- a great sports bar which offers superb food!
Parts of the hotel are a little tired and could do with a refreshment or refurbishment.The hotel was very warm when I visited and I suspect most days. I think could be due to the fact of the swimming pool in the centre of the hotel.
Hilton- Terminal 4
The hotel was once a state of the art example in building design, as 2 walls are made with glass which floods natural daylight into the reception, atrium and restaurant. It is a very open, light and modern space. The hotel has a Living well gym and swimming pool for all guests plus an executive lounge for the upgraded bedroom types.
The meeting space has a number of rooms which can accommodate different sized group and all the meeting rooms are close together. The space is located on the lower ground floor, and although pleasant, is due to go through a refurbishment which is to be completed by 20th July 2015. It is worth noting that the largest meeting room ‘The Heathrow Suite’ which holds up to 140 delegates cabaret style back projection (with a stage) has not got natural daylight and has pillars but I still feel this is a nice room for large groups.
All bedrooms are at a good standard and are very modern. The upgraded bedrooms have a very high-spec bathroom which is really outstanding in quality for an airport hotel. This an ideal venue for guests wishing to be close to Heathrow Terminal 4 as the hotel has a covered walk way from the hotel front door to terminal 4. This is really is fantastic as only takes approx. 6 minutes to walk to the terminal. All other terminals can be accessed through the underground train system at the airport. The hotel also has a shuttle which will stop at the other terminals if needed. There are 250 car parking spaces. The hotel will offer complimentary spaces for some meeting and event packages. Some bedrooms face into the reception area so only have secondary natural daylight – would have to request a room facing outside if natural daylight is important to you
Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Airport (was the Jurys Inn Heathrow)
The Jurys Inn Heathrow has recently changed brands to Hilton Garden Inn. It is still operated by the same management and team offering the same fantastic service. I found this hotel to be intimate and welcoming tel. All areas in the hotel (including public areas and bedrooms) have recently been refurbished.
The hotel offers 7 meeting rooms for up to 40 delegates in a cabaret style. Some meeting rooms are in the main building and 4 are in a self-contained building a few steps through a courtyard. The self-contained meeting block ‘the Pavilion’ is ideal for groups wanting to be away from other guests. The bedrooms are very modern and fresh, but still warm and cosy in a duck egg colour scheme. All rooms have a fridge which is great for the independent traveller. The hotel has some unusual benefits which is targeted at the sole traveller which is a really different idea and great for guests, such as a 24 hour Pavilion Pantry Market and Laundry room.
This is the best situated hotel for Hatton Cross underground which is only a 6 minute walk offering easy access to all terminals. A shuttle bus is also available to all terminals. Terminal 4 is the closet to the hotel, a 10 minute taxi journey. Parking is available but chargeable, but it is one of the more reasonably priced car parks in the Heathrow area. They offer complimentary parking for delegates attending a meeting.
