Hilton Heathrow Airport, London

Long journey required a place to recover. The architecture of this place is quite fascinating. All the rooms look down on the central atrium where the bar and restaurant is. It’s very interesting but not intrusive. Rooms are clean and of high specification. No complaints. Top marks to the check in team who on spotting I had been through a gruelling journey gave me a free drink voucher. It’s the small things that matter!

I was on a marathon of flights needed to get between meetings in Sweden and UK so it was a frantic transfer before arriving at the Heathrow Hilton, so I was really craving a spot to recover. During the check in the team spotted my weary look they provided me a complimentary drink voucher. It was one of those small gestures that makes you feel seen especially after a gruelling journey.

There was direct access to Terminal 4 via a covered walkway and terminals 1, 2 and 3 sat just over four miles away. The tube is also in T4 so it was super easy to get to other terminals or up to central London the next morning.

Once inside my room I found it spotless and fitted out to a high specification. The soundproof windows kept all airport noise at bay the 42-inch TV was perfect for zoning out tea and coffee gear awaited my caffeine fix and the air-conditioning ensured I slept without overheating. The website says the Wi-Fi carries a surcharge but I don’t remember paying for it but it ran smoothly so I could catch up on emails without a hitch.

From the moment I’d walked into the lobby I’d been struck by the architecture. Now in my room I could appreciate the way every room looked down into the soaring central atrium felt grand without feeling overbearing. Below me I could see the bar restaurant and café going about their business yet I couldn’t hear a single aircraft despite being at an airport hotel, a rare luxury for an airport hotel.

The restaurant was really excellent as well but it was a bit pricey, that is normal at an airport hotel but the food was really excellent and organic. Breakfast was equally good in a buffet form.

Elsewhere on property there was a gym where you could sneak in a quick workout. The hotel was accessible and pet-friendly (I even spotted a very relaxed terrier by the café).

All told the Heathrow Hilton felt like a well-oiled machine designed to get you back on your feet. From the breathtaking atrium views to the soundproof sanctuary in your room and the team who went out of their way to make me feel welcome this recovery stop turned into one of the smoothest layovers I’ve ever had.