Heathrow Airport London is the busiest international airport in the world. Around 35% of its passengers are transit passengers, i.e. passengers that are just using London to make connections.Just one reason why there are nearly 40 airport hotels at Heathrow serving the local demand for overnight stopovers.For many of these hotels the businessman with an expense account is their bread & butter. This article seeks to address the leisure traveller, providing a guide to getting value for money locating a bed at Heathrow.We’ll start off by dividing the hotels into three categories.There are the large 4 and 5 star chain hotels like Hilton, Radisson & Sheraton aimed at the businessmen, typically charging $US200 during the week, half that at weekends.Then there are the 2 and 3 star hotels, again mostly chains, like Comfort Inn, Ibis & Premier Travel Inn, aimed at the leisure traveller and the businessmen on a budget. These will typically charge just over $US100 during the week, about $US75 at weekends.
Room rates can seem good value, especially at weekends when the businessmen are away & everyone deep discounts to fill beds. However, beware, what the hotel doesn’t get in room rates they’ll try and get out of you in other ways.There are no hotels in the central passenger area where Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are located, though there is a hotel linked to Terminal 4 on the south side of the airport – the expensive Hilton Hotel, not for most leisure travellers.This means a bus transfer, & unlike most international airports there are no complimentary hotel transfer buses. The airport authority provides ‘Hoppa Buses’, mid-size buses that run every 10-20 minutes on fixed routes to Heathrow Hotels. At 3 GBP per person per journey, thats an extra $US20 for a couple staying at a Heathrow Hotel.Most hotels will charge anything from $US10-$US30 for breakfast, and at most hotels there isn’t viable competition outside the front door. Dinner is similarly expensive & entertainment is largely limited to an expensive bar.So, tips for the leisure traveller trying to economise.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/95444
