I feel compelled to warn potential guests about several serious issues with this hotel that aren't disclosed upfront.
1. Hidden Check-In Policy: If you book through Expedia, your check-in time is 3pm—highly unusual for an airport hotel where travelers frequently arrive on morning and midday flights. What makes this worse is that they charge £40 per hour if you want to check in earlier. When I raised this concern, I was told I "should have booked directly through the hotel website." This feels like a deliberate trap for third-party bookings.
2. Misleading Pricing Strategy: The irony is that Expedia's rates are actually lower than booking direct, which makes their excuse even more frustrating. They're essentially penalizing customers for finding a better deal elsewhere, then charging exorbitant fees to access basic services you'd expect from an airport hotel.
3. Poor Value: The manager told me my windowless room should cost £290 per night—pricing comparable to a 5-star hotel in Central London, not what you'd expect for a basic room at Terminal 3. While the lack of windows wasn't my primary concern, at this price point, the overall value proposition is simply unacceptable.
4. Bottom Line: The combination of hidden policies, aggressive upselling, and premium pricing for substandard accommodation makes this hotel difficult to recommend. Book elsewhere or, at minimum, ensure you understand all policies before confirming your reservation.