Thistle London Heathrow Terminal 5

Once I worked out how to get there, the driverless pods were an easy and fun option from the terminal. They take around six minutes, cost £4.50 each way, and fit up to four people with luggage. I arrived on the Heathrow Express from Paddington to terminal 2/3, then took the free transfer to terminal 5. From arrivals, follow signs to car parking/pod. A taxi would cost £22, so the pods are the best deal to and from the terminal. Check-in can be done at reception or contactless. I used contactless and found it straightforward and easy. The room was clean and good value for a three-star hotel, with a spacious sleeping area, desk, TV, and a bathroom with a tub and shower. It’s not very modern, but the rooms are great. There’s also a bar and restaurant with a full menu. The food was good, and there was a great choice of beers and wines. I’d stay here again if I needed to.

The best part of my stay was leaving the next morning in the pod. The pod itself is cool and well worth using if you need an inexpensive way to get to the hotel. I hadn’t known what it was, though, and ended up spending far too much on transport. The hotel is in the Heathrow Airport Zone, rather than inside the airport. That’s not the hotel’s fault, but I’m mentioning it for others. I found it after googling “airports inside Heathrow.” They had emailed that the pod goes directly from the airport to the hotel for 8.25. After arriving, I just wanted to change into pajamas, order room service and rest. I called room service repeatedly for several minutes, then tried the restaurant with no answer. The front desk didn’t pick up either, despite several attempts. So I got dressed and walked through the hotel to place my order, then went back to my room and put my pajamas on again. The server who brought the food was lovely, no complaints there. The internet kept dropping all night, coming back for a few moments and then cutting out again. It wasn’t a relaxing stay, and the hotel wasn’t what I was looking for.

The runway terrace on the second level was amazing for plane spotting. I went up on a Sunday morning after sunrise, and the view and its quality were superb. A public bus from the airport takes just 10 minutes and is cheap, if you’d rather avoid spending extra on the pod shuttle or hotel hopper bus. The bed was comfortable and the toilet was clean and useful. There wasn’t much storage by the sink, though, and the bathtub could get slippery. There was no proper power outlet beside the bed. It’s an old hotel and can feel a bit cramped.

The rooms are basic but clean, and the staff are very friendly. The sports bar was good, though the portions were small for the price. You’re paying for convenience, and the same goes for the small shop. If you’re heading to T5, the automated pods leave from the gate in the car park and take about five minutes.