Park Grand London Heathrow

Fighting for attention amid the other airport offerings, the Park Grand Heathrow has an uninspired roadside location, though things are far more pleasant once inside. From the outset, guests are greeted by a fantastically modern reception which has a bar on one side and dining area to the other. The contemporary furnishings and fresh flowers add some finesse and are an uplifting contrast to the gray motorway outside. Although unattractive to look at, the busy Great West Road seamlessly connects the hotel to the airport. Travelers -- including cabin crew, corporate guests, and holidaymakers -- made full use of the hotel’s ample communal areas during our 2017 visit, which gave the hotel a pleasantly social vibe. Check-in is an efficient affair, which is in keeping with the hotel’s on-the-go clientele.

As the name suggests, the hotel’s location is ideal for those who want to be close to the airport. There’s no denying that the area itself isn’t the most appealing, but it is well connected. Sitting on the A4 -- which whizzes commuters to Heathrow Airport in just under 10 minutes by car -- the hotel is also within walking distance of two tube stations. Osterley station is just a 13-minute walk away, as is Hounslow East. There isn’t much in the way of shopping or restaurants in this part of Hounslow, but Harrods, Oxford Street, and Regents Street are 45 to 50 minutes away on the tube. Osterley Park and House -- a beautiful Georgian estate with landscaped parks and gardens -- is 10 minutes away by taxi for those looking to scope out local sights. Alternatively, the H91 bus -- which stops just outside the hotel -- can take guests into leafy Hammersmith in 40 minutes. For sporting fans, the hotel is perfectly positioned to get to Twickenham Stadium, budget around 20 minutes for this journey by car, depending on match day traffic. 

The rooms here come equipped with all of the contemporary trappings a modern traveler needs while commuting. There are ample outlets and good-sized desks with ergonomic chairs for business travelers that have to attend to any work. The dark color scheme helps to keep things cozy and adds a sense of upmarket polish to the rooms. Gray leather headboards with dark wood frames are one of the particularly attractive design elements that we spotted on our 2017 visit. Noise problems are surprisingly uncommon, with most guests enjoying relatively peaceful nights sleep in the comfortable beds. However, light sleepers will occasionally hear the planes taking off from Heathrow. Features include powerful air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, LCD TVs, safes, and free cell phones that can be used for international calls. Seating areas are included in some rooms, and there's also a decent amount of storage space across all categories. Perfectly clean bathrooms feature shower/tub combos or showers with rainfall showerheads, plus heated floors, toiletries, and just enough counter space.

Given the hotel’s isolated location on a large main road, it's helpful that there are just enough facilities here to add some value to a stay. Guests can be found chatting and relaxing in the well-appointed bar area, or playing a game of pool just off the main lobby. The open-plan nature of the communal spaces creates a leisurely and social vibe that adds some life to this chain property. The Grill Restaurant serves an a la carte menu as well as a buffet breakfast. The hotel also offers its airport bound guests a Park and Fly package, which includes discounted parking rates for longer stays. There are a few meeting and event spaces, plus a Club Lounge with panoramic views of London’s skyline. However, the Club Lounge perks are pretty scant according to previous guests. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Parking for overnight stays is free, but limited. Unfortunately, there are no shuttles to the airport.