A Surprising Airport Hotel Stay at London Heathrow Terminal 4

Over many years of returning home to Canada from distant parts of the world, I have come to value the idea of staying at airport hotels to properly ready myself for long-haul departures. Having those precious hours in the morning to comfortably enjoy breakfast and any last-minute work tasks, before hopping in a taxi or shuttle bus to my airport, has made a huge difference in my overall travel experiences.  

Compared to the stress of rushing through an unfamiliar city, worrying about unexpected delays or transportation issues, I always choose to stay at a quality airport hotel the night before embarking on any international travel. In recent years, I have also recognized the value of staying overnight at a convenient airport hotel during my return journey, as it helps me overcome jet lag, relax my body, and prepare for my pending responsibilities upon reaching my final destination.

My most recent experience highlighting the advantages of travel took place in October 2023, when I had the pleasure of staying at the Holiday Inn Express London Heathrow T4 hotel. This delightful surprise came after a busy week exploring the vibrant cities of London and Liverpool before finally returning home. Situated on 1 Swindon Road in Hounslow TW6 3FJ, this hotel proved to be the perfect accommodation option as I meticulously planned my travel itinerary in the weeks leading up to my flight.  

In my previous visits to London, I would typically choose Air Canada and fly into Terminal 2 for convenience. Returning home was just as straightforward, without much consideration for other airlines or alternative routes. The array of airport hotel options always made it easy for me to find accommodation, whether it was the convenient Hotel Hoppa shuttle service provided by National Express or the slightly pricier but convenient Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3. The latter option, situated within Terminal 2 and directly across from the departures entrance, eliminates the need for any ground transportation.

Finding that small extra advantage to further minimize my stress level whenever I travel internationally is something that every serious world traveler instantly appreciates. However, my reliable plan to return to Canada via Terminal 2 was no longer viable for me this time. As luck would have it, the cost of a return flight from London with my preferred route home was exorbitant and not feasible financially.

While I could have chosen to stick with Air Canada and accept a less ideal itinerary and airport hotel option, I decided to broaden my search and explore alternative scenarios. In doing so, I discovered that Westjet offers direct flights from London Heathrow to Calgary through Terminal 4 at a reasonable ticket price. Not only that, but I also found several conveniently located hotel options within walking distance from the departures area. This led me to the discovery of the Holiday Inn Express London Heathrow T4, which proved to be a suitable and competitively priced choice for my recent travel needs to wrap up my visit to the U.K.

This airport hotel, along with a select few others at Terminal 4, can be conveniently accessed from the departures level via a covered walkway. This walkway takes just five minutes to navigate, leading you directly to the hotel’s entrance. Such easy accessibility is a significant advantage, particularly after a quick journey on the under 30-minute Heathrow Express shuttle train from Paddington Station to Terminal 4. Alternatively, you can opt for a slightly longer 35-minute ride on the London Underground’s Elizabeth Line from Paddington, which includes intermediate stops along the way.

Upon official check-in at 2:00 pm, I arrived within an hour, granting me ample opportunity to unwind comfortably in my room, freshen up, make necessary phone calls, and organize my belongings in preparation for final check-out at 11:00 am the following day. I made sure to fully enjoy the comfortable bed and utilize all the standard amenities tailored to the needs of a typical business traveler, effectively maximizing my time.

Various features available for the Holiday Inn Express guest include complimentary WiFi, a conveniently placed office desk next to a cozy bed and a large screen television offering an array of channels. USB ports are provided for easy charging of electronic devices, and access to spacious meeting rooms for formal events and networking opportunities is also offered. Additionally, for those traveling with vehicles, self-parking access is available. To cater to any last-minute needs, a small gift shop is conveniently located next to the hotel’s main entrance.

For those looking to explore beyond the Holiday Inn Express at Terminal 4, there are exciting options within a 30-minute drive. Experience the grandeur of Windsor Castle or indulge in retail therapy at Windsor Royal Shopping Centre. Sports enthusiasts can conveniently reach Twickenham Stadium for thrilling international rugby matches. And for some adrenaline-pumping fun, the renowned Thorpe Park Resort awaits just southwest of Heathrow Airport.

There are two dining options available for guests staying at either the Holiday Inn Express or the more luxurious Crowne Plaza hotel, both of which are part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts chain. I had the pleasure of visiting the sophisticated Urban Brasserie Restaurant, affiliated with the Crowne Plaza, for an evening meal. Open daily for dinner from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm, as well as on weekdays for breakfast from 6:00 am to 10:00 am, and until 11:00 am on weekends, this restaurant showcases a delectable fusion of classical and modern cooking techniques to create exquisite U.K. cuisine.

It took longer than usual to be seated for dinner, but once settled, I perused the menu options at Urban Brasserie. Alongside the expected appetizers and entrées, they also offered a selection of Indian dishes like Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani and vegetarian Palak Paneer. Despite the tempting variety, I found myself drawn to the Grilled Sirloin Steak 220 Grams with mushrooms, a side salad, large french fries, and a choice of either peppercorn or red wine jus. Opting for the peppercorn sauce, I eagerly awaited my meal.

 

While I cannot assert that consuming this steak was an extraordinary experience in comparison to previous encounters, it was impeccably seasoned and flawlessly cooked to the desired temperature. Thus, it unquestionably met the expectations for a high-end restaurant situated within an airport hotel. Moving on to dessert, my choice was the Apple Mousse, accompanied by a walnut crumble, warm cinnamon custard, and a delightful serving of vanilla ice cream. The composition exhibited a harmonious blend of textures and was truly appetizing. As for the following morning prior to check-out, I found myself at the Express Café & Bar, an establishment run by Holiday Inn Express. They offered a self-serve buffet breakfast commencing at 5:00 am and concluding at 10:00 am, which was included in the room package. 

With plenty of time before my mid-afternoon flight to Calgary, I took the opportunity to chat briefly with a member of the Holiday Inn Express management team about the hotel’s operations. They revealed that this airport hotel has been serving as a more budget-friendly, self-serve option for the past five years, in contrast to the Crowne Plaza which offers personalized catering services for those seeking an extra level of care.

I expressed my pleasant surprise to him upon discovering this airport hotel as a practical choice for me as a Canadian traveler. I assured him that I would definitely contemplate future travels to London via Heathrow Terminal 4 and make use of either the Holiday Inn Express or Crowne Plaza options. Furthermore, the Holiday Inn Express London Heathrow T4 offers the expected quality of service synonymous with a top-tier airport hotel, catering to the travel needs of international passengers arriving in London as their gateway to the U.K. or departing to various destinations around the world.