HILTON HEATHROW T4 By Paul Revel
THE HILTON T4 IS ONE OF FOUR Hilton properties at Heathrow, and the only one directly adjoining the airport – connected to Terminal 4 via a five-minute walk through a covered walkway. Other terminals are reached via the free Heathrow Express shuttle, Piccadilly line tube or Hotel Hoppa bus to T5 (£4.50 one-way). Self-parking costs £20 a day, but cheaper deals can be found online at T4 long-stay parking, which has a free shuttle bus to the terminal. An ongoing major refurbishment of guestrooms and meetings spaces will be completed by September this year.
Terminal 4, Hounslow TW6 3AF • Tel: +44 (0) 20 8759 7755 •
hilton.com
THE ROOMS: The 398 rooms and suites have either exterior views or overlook the large white-and-glass atrium with its bars and restaurants. Standard rooms are a reasonably sized 24 sqm, in a sleek modern palette of greys and neutrals with the odd splash of colour, and design-led furniture. My bathroom featured a large walk-in rainshower (no bath) and Peter Thomas Roth toiletries. HHonors guests get free wifi, otherwise it costs £14.99 – but there is complimentary wifi in the atrium area. Other amenities included bathrobes, tea- and coffee-making, iron and board, desk and 42in flatscreen TV. ‘Non-stop’ checkout – signing a pre-delivered invoice and dropping it through a letterbox on the way out – was useful for an early start. BARS AND RESTAURANTS: Oscar’s restaurant (including Dancers bar, open until 1am) is the casual spot for drinks and classic Hilton fare including club sandwiches, burgers, 28-day-aged rib-eye steak and stir-fries, plus Brit
MOXY MILAN MALPENSA AIRPORT By Jenny Southan
Terminal 2, Somma Lombardo Varese 21010, Italy • Tel: +39 294 757 100
moxy-hotels.marriott.com
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHED its economy Moxy brand last September with this hotel next to Malpensa airport. Hotels are also expected to arrive in Munich at the end of this year, followed by London, Berlin, Frankfurt and Oslo in 2016. The brand has been developed in conjunction with Vastint Hospitality.
ROOMS: Standard rooms are compact, at 19 sqm. Premium accessible rooms are 38 sqm. Facilities include free wifi, a 42in TV with Dolby surround-sound and Apple/Android connectivity, comfy beds, black-out blinds, well-placed EU sockets, an armchair (no desk), coat hangers (wardrobes only in Premium rooms), and a small bathroom with a power shower. RESTAURANTS AND BARS: The 24-hour canteen offers freshly made soups and chilli,
116 BBT MARCH/APRIL 2015
microwave meals, antipasti platters and salads. Food is provided by airline caterer Supplair, but dishes are far superior to what you’d get on board. There is a good selection of fresh juices, coffee, pre-mixed cocktails, beer, wine and prosecco on tap. BUSINESS FACILITIES: This Moxy doesn’t have any dedicated event space but future hotels will have a couple of small rooms. There are, however, public areas, such as the Library, to hold informal meetings, where
you can take advantage of the free wifi and wireless printing. LEISURE FACILITIES: None, although some Moxys will have a gym. VERDICT: Given that I fall under Moxy’s target demographic (Generation Y), it’s no surprise that I enjoyed my experience. Airport hotels have long been dreary places and it’s time someone stirred things up. But don’t worry, it’s not too edgy – it is Marriott, after all.
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM
dishes such as fish and chips. There’s also Italian available at Aroma, and upmarket Chinese at Zen Oriental. BUSINESS FACILITIES: There are several flexible, divisible event spaces for up to 300 delegates, plus smaller meeting rooms. The hotel offers audiovisual equipment and videoconferencing. LEISURE FACILITIES: Notable is the swimming pool in its airy glass pavilion, open 6am- 9pm weekdays, 8am-8pm weekends. The Living Well gym is open 24 hours, and has four running machines, two bikes and three step- machines, plus free-weights, bars and strength machines. The changing rooms share a small sauna and steam room. VERDICT: A welcome resting stop before an early flight – at its most effective if the flight is from T4, but getting to the other terminals isn’t bad either. The gym and pool are a bonus if schedules permit. A bit of work on the laptop, some decent food, a drink and a good night’s sleep – that’s pretty much what I want from an airport hotel.
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