t It’s also worth noting that Heathrow has very good
facilities for cyclists and can be reached via a network of cycle paths. Free cycle parking is available at all Heathrow terminals and most trains have space for bicycles. Length of journey:Heathrow Connect – 25 minutes; London Underground – 50-60 minutes Cost of journey:Heathrow Connect – single £6.90, open return £13.80; London Underground – £5.30 Star rating: ★★★
THE FILM STAR TREATMENT Without doubt the most extravagant way to get to your airport destination is by helicopter. It’s the preferred choice of many business and private individuals purely for the fact that it pro- vides security and confidentiality. Charter-A offer helicopter transfers seven days a week to and
from Battersea Heliport in London to all major English airports. Its fleet of helicopters can carry between three and 15 people at a time plus luggage. For many people, avoiding any traffic at all and being able
to cut travelling time down significantly means that taking to the air is only way to travel. Length of journey: Battersea Heliport to Heathrow – 15 minutes Cost of journey: On application Star rating: ★★★
HOME JAMES One of the most popular forms of airport transfer, particularly among business users, is by private chauffeur driven car. Self- drive car hire is a possibility but it can be time consuming at the airport and, although less expensive than the chauffeur option,
HOTELS
More than just fast track
ARORA HOTEL, LONDON GATWICK If you’re thinking of exercise before or after a flight then the Arora is for you. The Health & Fitness Suite boasts 50 exercise stations, a weight management program, aerobics studio, spa, beauty salon and steam room. The Arora also has a fantastic ‘Meet on Return’ facility where your car will be waiting for you at whichever terminal you arrive back at.
SOFITEL, LONDON HEATHROW The award-winning Sofitel Hotel at Heathrow is the only hotel with direct access to Terminal 5 meaning it cannot be beaten for convenience. As well as that the French cuisine at La Belle Epoque restaurant offers a fine-dining experience not to be missed.
HILTON, LONDON HEATHROW Booking an Executive Room in the Hilton Heathrow gives you access to the Executive Lounge where you can take advantage of private check-in/out, free continental breakfast and pre-dinner drinks. Alternatively you could just relax with complimentary WiFi and newspapers.
RAMADA HOTEL, LONDON GATWICK The Ramada, which is eight minutes from the Gatwick North and South terminals, operates a regular shuttle service between 03:00 and 23:40 to ensure you’re never left hanging around. Hassle-free park and fly packages are also available.
RADISSON BLU HOTEL, STANSTED Radisson Blu has a great reputation among business travellers, and that reputation owes a lot to its impressive Business Centre. With internet access, printing and fax facilities and even a secretarial service you’ll have everything you need to keep you connected while you’re on the move.
The only down side to this option is of course traffic. Despite
improved public transport and the introduction of the con- gestion charge, traffic in London is notoriously bad, particularly during rush hour and in some cases this could double your jour- ney time so it’s probably not the best choice if you’re fitting your journey into a tight schedule. Length of journey: Paddington to Heathrow – 45 minutes Cost of journey: From £75 (Mercedes-Benz E Class) to £295 (Rolls-Royce Phantom) Star rating: ★★★★
A BIT OF LOCAL KNOWLEDGE London taxis are omnipresent in the capital and are available outside each terminal at all airports in the city. You could arrange a private hire taxi to meet you at the airport but it’s highly unlikely that you’ll have to wait for very long, if at all, for a taxi that can get you into central London as soon as you step out- side the terminal building. The cost whether you pre-book or not will be near identical
it has very few extra benefits. The door-to-door service cuts out the need to arrange additional services, like a follow-up taxi, that might be needed if using a rail option. It might not be as thrilling as a helicopter but it
does add a certain amount of luxury to the journey and, unlike most other options, there’s privacy and the abil- ity to get some work done en-route. iChauffeur Ltd is a London-based car hire service that provides airport transfers across the UK. All chauffeurs are licensed professionals and each vehicle can carry up to four passengers (seven if you go for the mini-bus option).
28 MAY/JUNE 2012 |
WWW.EXECUTIVEPA.COM INFO
Heathrow Express
www.heathrowexpress.com
Heathrow Connect
www.heathrowconnect.com
London Underground
www.tfl.gov.uk
The London Heliport
www.batterseahelicopter.com
The Charter-A
www.charter-a-helicopter.co.uk
iChauffeur Ltd
www.ichauffeur.co.uk
but sometimes a flight delay can add extra costs to a pre-book. Although on the face of it this option is the most basic it does have its advantages. It’s the most flexible, there’s no need to pre- book, unless you want to, and it’s the option that you can turn to at short notice. So if your itinerary is subject to last minute changes or you
simply don’t want to be on the clock then using a taxi for your airport transfer is probably more appealing than any other option, no matter how luxurious or quick they might be. Length of journey: Paddington to Heathrow – 45 minutes Cost of journey: £40-£75 Star rating: ★★★
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