Sheraton Skyline Hotel London Heathrow

The staff at the front desk were extremely pleasant, the rate was dirt cheap, and it's a 15-minute ride to Terminal 5. Those are the reasons I gave it four stars. The lobby looked modern and clean, and the Wi-Fi was fast and reliable. There's a very good pub nearby, The Pheasant, about a 10-minute walk away. I recommend it. My room was an odd mix. The bathroom looked newer than the living area, and both it and the sheets seemed clean. But the baseboard behind the bed looked water-damaged, and there was a bug trap behind the bed, presumably for roaches. I wasn't thrilled to see that. The Club Lounge was okay, with drinks and snacks in stock, and it was nice to grab water. I didn't go during the food hour, but despite having card-reader access, the lounge isn't open around the clock, so I couldn't get coffee before my flight. I presume they close it while preparing breakfast, but it was still a letdown. The location is good. Just be careful not to take the Hotel Hoppa to the wrong Sheraton.

The parking was very safe and breakfast was nice, but our club-room experience was probably the worst we've had. The bed base stank, and there was plywood placed underneath it. The lounge offered a very basic food selection, no choice of spirits and no rosé. The young woman working there was put in a difficult position by management, left to deal with complaints about what was on offer. Downstairs at the sports bar, a burger and chips cost £19, Stella was £6.55 and Thatchers £7.55. We were in London, sure, but then they added a 12.5% service charge. There's no way the staff see any of that.

The staff are excellent, and it can be good value, though the place feels dated. My Club room was large and practical, but the decor was old-fashioned. The hotel had the feel of a soulless conference centre. The Executive Lounge was stylish and comfortable, with good evening food, but seating was limited. The 6-8 pm Happy Hour included complimentary wine and beer, plus a good help-yourself spread of hot and cold food. The hot dishes were particularly good, better than the canapés. During the day, though, only hot and soft drinks were available. Breakfast in the restaurant was better.

The room was spacious and well equipped, with a big comfortable bed. We paid for an upgrade and thought it was well worth it. Breakfast was very good, and the Lounge had substantial snacks and drinks during happy hour. Staff were helpful, and both check-in and checkout went smoothly. We stayed overnight and parked the car. Getting to the Central Bus Station was easy: the TFL bus stop is only a five-minute walk away, then it's three stops to the airport. Google Maps says the stop is a 13-minute walk from the hotel, but that's wrong. Excellent location. We'll use it again.