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 quality from Newark, and was departing the next day in Virgin Atlantic’s A330-900neo enterprise class to Miami.
Heathrow has countless airport motels, so why did I choose the Renaissance? Nicely, I really feel like staying right here is nearly a ceremony of passage for avgeeks, because the resort is understood for its runway views. Nonetheless, that’s nearly the one distinctive factor concerning the resort. The property is in any other case completely serviceable, however I’d solely advocate particularly in search of out this resort when you actually love airplane views.
Reserving the Renaissance London Heathrow
For the Sunday evening I used to be staying, the Renaissance Heathrow Airport was working 107 GBP (~130 USD) all-in. That appeared affordable, so I ended up simply paying money for my keep. As some extent 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
Sometimes crucial issue for me with an airport resort is location. I’m prepared to pay a premium to remain at a resort that’s linked 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 far more moderately priced than the properties linked to terminals.
The Renaissance Heathrow is situated towards the east a part of Tub Street. That places it nearer to Terminal 2 & 3 than to Terminal 5. Airports at Heathrow don’t have their very own free shuttles, however fairly the (paid) Lodge Hoppa gives service right here.
Personally I ended up simply taking a taxi from Terminal 5, which value below 20 GBP. That provided big time financial savings in comparison with taking the Lodge Hoppa however having to attend, make a number of stops, and so forth. 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 once they return to Heathrow. That is in stark distinction to another airports, the place you’ll get chewed out by a taxi driver when you request a brief experience.
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 stage), and it’s fairly sprawling, provided that there are over 700 rooms with so few flooring.
Given how large the resort is, I used to be anticipating that there can be a queue at reception. As an alternative there wasn’t even an affiliate at check-in. After ready for a minute, somebody lastly appeared.
The individual 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 special mattress sort for my brief keep, I simply wished to maximise my time in a room. Certain 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 snug 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 flooring. Luckily there are many useful maps on every flooring, as a result of in any other case you would simply spend half of your keep looking for your room.
The Renaissance Heathrow was final renovated in 2015, which might be what you’d anticipate from wanting 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 aspect. Nonetheless, my room didn’t really feel uncomfortably small. Upon coming into the room, the toilet was to the suitable, whereas a closet and the minibar setup was to the left.
The room had two twin beds, which I discovered to be extraordinarily snug. The mattresses have been smooth, and the pillows substantial. I suppose one profit of getting two beds when touring alone is that you simply get much more pillows!
The room had a small chair and aspect 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 on the spot 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 toilet, 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 may 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 unhealthy sound insulation, however fairly I believe a number of noise is nearly unavoidable when you’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 when you’re a light-weight sleeper and bothered by this, then you might need to keep away from a runway view room. Do remember that Heathrow has only a few arrivals and departures in a single day, so this isn’t a serious subject from late at evening till the morning.
Renaissance London Heathrow membership lounge
The Renaissance Heathrow has a membership lounge on the third flooring. You possibly can 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, with the intention to come right here any hour of the day or evening to seize a cup of espresso or a smooth drink.
The membership lounge is an extended and slender room, and architecturally isn’t a really inspiring house. There are tables, just a few couches, and a few high-top seating.
The one factor that makes this lounge completely epic (I imply, type 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 durations, with a number of commentary about which planes have been touchdown, and so forth.
Whereas the lounge has wonderful views, you’ll positively need to handle your expectations in relation to the meals choice.
Espresso, smooth 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 primary, 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 accessible from the server within the lounge. There was the selection of two white wines, two pink wines, and three beers (Budwesier, Miller, and Coors). I simply had a glass of white wine, which was a minimum of a beneficiant pour.
The attendant within the lounge was pleasant. I felt unhealthy for her, as there was one jerk within the lounge who primarily chewed her out about how unhealthy the beer choice was. Discuss misdirected frustration.
Renaissance London Heathrow fitness center
The Renaissance Heathrow’s fitness center is on the basement stage. It had first rate tools, but in addition wasn’t significantly 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 stage.
There’s Market Backyard Restaurant, which serves breakfast and dinner day by 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 possibility 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 completely run-of-the-mill Heathrow Airport resort, and there’s virtually nothing particular about it… besides the views, that are superior.
When you like aircraft views, by all means examine this property out. When you don’t like aircraft views, solely keep right here if it’s the most effective worth on your keep.
Would I keep on the Renaissance Heathrow once more? Whereas I loved the aircraft views, sooner or later I’d in all probability as soon as once more want a property linked 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?