Reality Check
REALITY CHECK
FLIGHTS / HOTELS / APARTMENTS / CAR HIRE / TRAIN JOURNEYS / CHAUFFEUR DRIVE / AIRPORT PARKING
HOTEL HILTON LONDON HEATHROW (TERMINAL 4)
THE HOTEL: Ideally-situated for passengers departing on an early flight or arriving late into Terminal 4 with its own covered pedestrian access to the Terminal. The 398-bedroom property, including 82 Executive rooms and five suites, is also good for Terminal 5 with complimentary shuttle bus connections. THE CHECK-IN: Instant acknowledgement by a friendly receptionist and an efficient and speedy check-in with an invitation to the Executive Lounge for refreshments. The perfect welcome to a light, modern hotel. THE ROOM: The hotel is currently under- going a makeover and my twin-bedded executive room felt spacious and contem- porary, furnished in neutral colours. Features included a sleek desk, fridge cabinet and floor-to-ceiling wall mirror. The large window overlooking gardens was super-sealed and I did not hear a single plane! A flatscreen TV dominated the desk. High-speed wifi access was free. Other features included tea and coffee-making facilities and safe. The wallpapered bathroom featured a large walk-in shower. Amenities were by Peter Thomas Roth. THE BUSINESS: The Business Centre offers guests sercretarial and computer services.
The Executive Lounge is available to those in premium rooms, offering a pleasant oasis along with snacks and a bar and several workstations. There are 30 meeting rooms and suites and a conference centre for up to 300 delegates. DDR from £55 excl VAT. THE FACILITIES: There's a choice of three restaurants including the Zen Oriental featuring Asian dishes and the airy Aromi Restaurant for informal all day dining and breakfast. There is a health club open 24/7 with pool, sauna and steam room. Parking is available at a reduced rate for guests. THE VERDICT: An impressive hotel offering
the full range of facilities and an ideal place for meetings. The modern, airy, bright design gives a sense of space and guests can relax in a choice of seating and dining areas under the main atrium. The hotel's proximity to Terminal 4 is excellent. THE DETAILS: Hilton London Heathrow Airport, Terminal 4, Heathrow Airport, Hounslow, Middlesex, London TW6 3AF. Standard Queen guest rooms from £149 per night; King Executive rooms from £185 per night. Both rates include breakfast and VAT. Tel 0208 759 7755; see
www.hilton.com JO AUSTIN
HOTEL BEST WESTERN ATLANTIC BEACH RESORT, MIAMI
THE HOTEL: Located 20 blocks from the buzz of South Beach and the Conference Centre this hotel is nonetheless perfectly located for a quick 20-minute run to/from the airport located as it is on the major expressway on 41st and Collins with a good beachfront spot. THE CHECK-IN: I had a short queue waiting in the colourful open-plan lobby before a seamless check-in. A package I was expecting was handed over promptly, together with the code to access the hotel’s free wifi. THE ROOM: I was on the tenth floor in a large King Room Oceanfront corner room with terrace on two sides, small bathroom and additional room that acted as a dressing room and storage for the fridge, safe, iron and ironing board and hairdryer. What let it down was the décor, which is the case everywhere except the lobby. My room had one pale blue wall and another in yellow, yellow drapes, pale wood furniture that had seen better days and white plastic seats on the terrace. The bathroom was small with a shower in a low-level bath and the bedroom had a modern flatscreen TV. THE BUSINESS: There were two workstations in the lobby and free wifi throughout the hotel. There is also extensive meeting space,
located in the basement area, with two conference rooms, accommodating ten and 20 people respectively, plus a banquet room for 40 and ballroom for 120, both pillared, and a pre-function area. THE FACILITIES: The Aqua restaurant serves up a good hearty or healthy breakfast and is also open for dinner and the Wave bar on the mezzanine level operates weekends only. There is also an ATM, laundry and small gym, ice and vending machines on each floor, and a pool area in desperate need of a makeover. THE VERDICT: One of the older Miami Beach
properties but perfectly comfortable at this price point. It’s far enough away from the hordes of partying spring breakers in March that patronise the trendy South Beach hotels and close enough to North Miami Beach. The phones went dead one afternoon and the key card gave up on another but these issues were attended to promptly. THE DETAILS: 4101 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140. Rates start from US$260 per night excluding 13% room tax. Tel 305 673 3337; see
www.bestwestern.com GILLIAN UPTON
72 THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MAGAZINE
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76