For the final resort keep of my evaluate journey, I spent an evening on the 710-room Renaissance London Heathrow. I had arrived in British Airways’ 777-300ER top notch from Newark, and was departing the next day in Virgin Atlantic’s A330-900neo enterprise class to Miami.
Heathrow has infinite airport inns, so why did I choose the Renaissance? Properly, I really feel like staying right here is nearly a ceremony of passage for avgeeks, because the resort is thought for its runway views. Nonetheless, that’s nearly the one distinctive factor in regards to the resort. The property is in any other case completely serviceable, however I’d solely advocate particularly looking for out this resort if you happen to actually love airplane views.
Reserving the Renaissance London Heathrow
For the Sunday evening I used to be staying, the Renaissance Heathrow Airport was operating 107 GBP (~130 USD) all-in. That appeared cheap, so I ended up simply paying money for my keep. As a degree of comparability, the resort would have value 28,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors. I worth Bonvoy factors at 0.7 cents every, so on this case paying money was the higher deal.
Renaissance London Heathrow location
Usually an important issue for me with an airport resort is location. I’m prepared to pay a premium to remain at a resort that’s related to a terminal, and doesn’t require a taxi or shuttle. On this case I made an exception, since I used to be intrigued by the runway views of the Renaissance Heathrow, plus the resort was way more moderately priced than the properties related to terminals.
The Renaissance Heathrow is situated towards the east a part of Bathtub Highway. That places it nearer to Terminal 2 & 3 than to Terminal 5. Airports at Heathrow don’t have their very own free shuttles, however relatively the (paid) Lodge Hoppa provides service right here.
Personally I ended up simply taking a taxi from Terminal 5, which value beneath 20 GBP. That provided enormous time financial savings in comparison with taking the Lodge Hoppa however having to attend, make a number of stops, and so on. A taxi was additionally cheaper than Uber, for no matter motive.
It’s additionally price conserving in thoughts that taxis at Heathrow don’t thoughts making native journeys, as a result of in the event that they’re assigned these sorts of journeys, they get to chop the queue after they return to Heathrow. That is in stark distinction to another airports, the place you’ll get chewed out by a taxi driver if you happen to request a brief trip.
The next morning I took an Uber to Terminal 3, which value simply 10 GBP.
Renaissance London Heathrow foyer & check-in
The Renaissance isn’t about to win any design awards from Architectural Digest. The property is 5 tales (together with a basement degree), and it’s fairly sprawling, provided that there are over 700 rooms with so few flooring.
Given how huge the resort is, I used to be anticipating that there can be a queue at reception. As a substitute there wasn’t even an affiliate at check-in. After ready for a minute, somebody lastly appeared.
The particular person checking me in was pleasant, although suggested me my room wasn’t prepared (which is honest sufficient, because it was simply after 10AM). I requested if any room was prepared, as I used to be completely happy to have a distinct mattress sort for my brief keep, I simply needed to maximise my time in a room. Positive sufficient, she managed to discover a twin room with a runway view, in order that labored nice for me. She additionally defined the hours of the membership lounge, and the resort’s different options.
With a key in hand, I headed to my room. The foyer has loads of comfy seating, although I discovered the design to be a bit random.
Renaissance London Heathrow visitor room
I used to be assigned room 2218, on the second ground. Thankfully there are many useful maps on every ground, as a result of in any other case you possibly can simply spend half of your keep looking for your room.
The Renaissance Heathrow was final renovated in 2015, which might be what you’d count on from trying on the property. The design isn’t terribly outdated, but in addition isn’t leading edge.
Rooms on the Renaissance Heathrow are marketed as being 247 sq. toes (23 sq. meters), in order that they’re on the compact facet. Nonetheless, my room didn’t really feel uncomfortably small. Upon coming into the room, the toilet was to the proper, whereas a closet and the minibar setup was to the left.
The room had two twin beds, which I discovered to be extraordinarily comfy. The mattresses have been gentle, and the pillows substantial. I suppose one profit of getting two beds when touring alone is that you just get much more pillows!
The room had a small chair and facet desk by the window.
Then throughout from the beds was a desk, in addition to a TV on a stand.
The minibar space had a kettle with immediate espresso and tea, in addition to two bottles of water.
There was additionally an empty mini-fridge.
The lavatory was additionally fairly compact, and had a sink, rest room, and a bathe and tub combo. The one weird factor was that there was solely a single towel within the rest room, which appeared stingy… hopefully that was a fluke?
Toiletries have been in wall-mounted containers, and have been from TokyoMilk.
Wi-Fi within the room was quick and free, and the room additionally felt fairly clear. As you’ll be able to in all probability inform, there’s nothing particular about this room… besides the view. OMG, what an epic runway view! You’re so near the departure level for runway 27R, and as an avgeek I discovered this view to be unbeatable.
One factor to notice is that the runway view rooms listed here are noisy. I don’t even need to blame the resort for having dangerous sound insulation, however relatively I believe loads of noise is nearly unavoidable if you happen to’re this near a runway.
As somebody who sleeps with a loud white noise app on, this didn’t trouble me one bit, since I discover the sound of airplane engines to be fairly soothing. However if you happen to’re a lightweight sleeper and bothered by this, then you might need to keep away from a runway view room. Do take into account that Heathrow has only a few arrivals and departures in a single day, so this isn’t a significant concern from late at evening till the morning.
Renaissance London Heathrow membership lounge
The Renaissance Heathrow has a membership lounge on the third ground. You’ll be able to entry this both by reserving a membership room, or by being a Bonvoy Platinum member or above. As a Bonvoy Titanium member, I acquired complimentary entry to the lounge. I recognize that the lounge is open 24/7, in an effort to come right here any hour of the day or evening to seize a cup of espresso or a gentle drink.
The membership lounge is a protracted and slim room, and architecturally isn’t a very inspiring house. There are tables, a couple of couches, and a few high-top seating.
The one factor that makes this lounge completely epic (I imply, form of) is the views. I sat right here for a lot of the day working and having fun with the views of all of the planes taking off. I additionally wasn’t the one avgeek, as all through the day I noticed a number of folks sitting right here for prolonged intervals, with a lot of commentary about which planes have been touchdown, and so on.
Whereas the lounge has superb views, you’ll positively need to handle your expectations with regards to the meals choice.
Espresso, gentle drinks, nuts, and cookies, can be found all day.
I arrived on the resort proper on the tail finish of breakfast. The choice was exceedingly fundamental, and consisted of chilly cuts, pastries, bread, cereal, fruit salad, and orange juice.
Then within the evenings there was a cheerful hour, with free drinks and snacks. As soon as once more, the choice was very restricted. The self serve choices included bread, crackers, cheese, and cake.
Along with these choices, every visitor was introduced a pre-made plate, which… didn’t look terribly interesting to me.
Alcohol was additionally obtainable from the server within the lounge. There was the selection of two white wines, two purple wines, and three beers (Budwesier, Miller, and Coors). I simply had a glass of white wine, which was not less than a beneficiant pour.
The attendant within the lounge was pleasant. I felt dangerous for her, as there was one jerk within the lounge who basically chewed her out about how dangerous the beer choice was. Discuss misdirected frustration.
Renaissance London Heathrow health club
The Renaissance Heathrow’s health club is on the basement degree. It had first rate gear, but in addition wasn’t notably massive for a 710-room resort.
Renaissance London Heathrow restaurant & bar
I didn’t find yourself visiting any of the meals & beverage shops on property (past the membership lounge), although there are three choices to select from, all on the foyer degree.
There’s Market Backyard Restaurant, which serves breakfast and dinner every day, described as providing “seasonal European eating in a casually elegant environment.”
Then there’s Bar Eleven, which is sort of a big bar serving drinks and meals from noon till late.
Lastly, the Renaissance Heathrow has Cafe Cha, a espresso store serving quite a lot of drinks and light-weight snacks. Sadly it has pretty restricted hours, and is open from 6AM till 3PM.
Backside line
I’m completely happy I lastly had the prospect to take a look at the Renaissance Heathrow, since I’ve seen so many photos and movies of airplanes through the years that have been taken from this property. The Renaissance Heathrow is a very run-of-the-mill Heathrow Airport resort, and there’s virtually nothing particular about it… besides the views, that are superior.
For those who like airplane views, by all means examine this property out. For those who don’t like airplane views, solely keep right here if it’s the most effective worth to your keep.
Would I keep on the Renaissance Heathrow once more? Whereas I loved the airplane views, sooner or later I’d in all probability as soon as once more desire a property related to the terminal I’m departing from, just like the Hilton Backyard Inn Terminal 2, Hilton Heathrow Terminal 4, or Sofitel Heathrow Terminal 5.
What do you make of the Renaissance Heathrow Airport?
