The Arrival at Ibis Hotel Heathrow Airport

Today, I decided to do something a bit different and booked a stay at a hotel near Heathrow Airport. No holiday planned, but thought it’d be fun to try something new. I booked the Ibis London Hotel Heathrow Airport, a 3-star hotel. I used the online travel agent Travel Up since it was £10 cheaper than booking directly through the hotel website. Sometimes a quick Google search for better hotel deals can save you a little! The confirmation email came through really quickly, and I was happy with the service.

As a rule, I always book holidays or experiences with my credit card for extra protection. Just a little tip — if you use a credit card, make sure to clear the balance to avoid any extra charges.

Ibis Hotel Heathrow Airport – Arrival and Check-In

The Ibis Heathrow Airport hotel is pretty easy to spot. There’s a small drop-off area if you’re arriving by taxi, and a bus stop nearby too. Parking is available for £15 a night, which is not too bad. The hotel lobby was surprisingly spacious with lots of sofas and seating areas to relax. I even spotted a pool table, which was a fun touch.

There was a very short queue when I arrived. When it was my turn, the friendly receptionist greeted me and asked for my full name. Once I gave that, all my details were already in the system, so it was a quick process. They even asked if I had a preference for the floor! I was a bit confused and just said, “whichever is best!” — ha! In no time, I was handed my keycard and was ready to head up to my room.

My room was on the 4th floor, and I made my way to the lift lobby. I was really happy to see that this hotel had plenty of lifts. I’ve been to hotels where there’s only one or two, and during peak times, you end up waiting ages for a lift. So, this was definitely a nice feature!

Just a heads-up — the hotel is cashless. I used the self-service kiosk in the hotel lobby to grab a Granola Bar for £1.30. There were other snacks available as well, but just a quick note that the prices here are inflated compared to what you’d pay in supermarkets. It’s one of those things to keep in mind if you’re trying to save on snacks.

After that, I took the lift up to the 4th floor, excited to see what my room would be like.

The Room Experience

I opened the door and felt genuinely happy with what I saw. The room was a little smaller than expected, but it was clean, and the bed was nicely made. It gave off that neat and tidy vibe, which always makes a difference after a journey — even if you’re only travelling a few miles!

I did notice there wasn’t a hook near the door to hang my coat, which would’ve been useful — but it’s not a major issue, just something to be aware of.

To the left of the entrance was the bathroom, which was compact but had everything I needed. There were two towels, a bath mat, and a combined conditioner/body wash all provided. I also spotted two toilet rolls, which is always appreciated — it’s the small things!

The TV was nicely positioned opposite the bed, tucked into a slim unit, which I thought was quite clever — it gave me more space to move around without feeling cramped. Small design choices like this really do make a difference in hotel rooms, especially near airports where space can be limited.

The heating unit was mounted to the side of the room. It wasn’t a fancy LED system or anything high-tech, but it was really easy to use, which is all you need sometimes.

One thing I did notice was that the room felt a little dark. When I opened the blinds, the window faced quite close to another wall, so not a lot of natural light came in. That said, the indoor lighting was totally fine, and the room still felt cosy — but it’s something to keep in mind if you prefer brighter spaces.

I decided to sit on the bed for a moment — and I was happy to find it was nice and comfortable. I had booked a double room, though there was an option for a twin room when booking. If you’re travelling with a friend or family member, it’s great to have the flexibility.

The bed had two pillows and a soft duvet, and I noticed there were extra pillows stored in the cupboard, which is always a bonus if you like a bit more support while you sleep. There was also a hairdryer conveniently placed by the side — no need to call down to reception or go hunting for one.

One of the little details I appreciated was the power sockets near the bed. It might seem minor, but having a place to plug in your phone or devices without getting out of bed is such a convenience.

After spending some time relaxing on the bed, I noticed a kettle with tea and coffee sachets placed neatly in the room — always a welcome touch after a long day. There was also a bright, clean bin tucked under the desk, which just made the space feel tidy and thoughtfully arranged.

The desk was located near the window, and I could definitely see myself sitting there with my laptop, either catching up on emails or browsing travel ideas. Whether you’re staying for work or leisure, it’s a practical setup.

On top of the cupboard, there were plenty of shelves and four hangers, giving enough storage space for a short stay. Everything was in order and easy to find.

All in all, no complaints from me — the room had everything I needed, and I was genuinely looking forward to a good night’s sleep at the Ibis Hotel near Heathrow Airport

The Departure

Unfortunately, I didn’t get the best night’s sleep — but to be fair, this had nothing to do with the hotel itself. Sometimes it just takes me a bit of time to adjust to new surroundings. One thing to note is that the walls are a little thin, so you might hear footsteps or movement from nearby rooms. Not a dealbreaker, but something to be aware of if you’re a light sleeper.

Since I was only staying for one night, I didn’t use the “clean my room” or “do not disturb” signs, but they were provided. I also checked the fire exit instructions on the back of the hotel room door — always worth a glance just to stay informed and safe.

One really great perk of staying at the Ibis London Hotel near Heathrow Airport is that you don’t need to check out until 12pm. That gave me plenty of time to have a relaxing shower in the morning (with lovely hot water, which I really appreciated — I do like it hot, ha) and maybe catch a bit of TV before heading off.

Exploring the Area Around Ibis London Heathrow Airport

It was a lovely day, so I decided to explore the area around the Ibis London Heathrow Airport hotel and see what was nearby. I took the lift down, dropped off my keycard at the counter, and headed out. Since I was only travelling with a small bag, I didn’t bother leaving anything behind — super convenient for a quick overnight stay.

As I stepped outside, I noticed a pillar near the entrance displaying the daily room rate. Since it was a weekday, the rate was a bit lower.

If you’re ever struggling to find the hotel, the images below might help — it’s always handy to recognise a place by how it looks from the outside, especially when you’re navigating around Heathrow Airport hotels

As soon as I walked outside the Ibis Hotel near Heathrow Airport, I could already see planes lining up to land — and honestly, it was amazing to watch. The view alone made the stay feel worthwhile. I’d genuinely consider booking this hotel again just for this experience.

I turned right after exiting the hotel and walked for around five minutes. I didn’t have a specific destination — I just kept taking photos. Being so close to the planes as they came in to land was incredible. If you’re an aviation enthusiast or just someone who enjoys seeing planes up close, this is definitely a great spot.

What I decided to do next was walk towards the nearby bus stop and hop on the Bus 285, which conveniently takes you straight to Hatton Cross Bus & Underground Station. It’s a handy little route if you’re staying at the Ibis London Heathrow Hotel and want to explore a bit more of the area without walking too far.

I wouldn’t have minded the walk, but I thought sitting on the top deck would be a nice way to take in the views. It’s a short ride, but you get to see a bit of the airport surroundings and local area, which makes it feel like more of an experience rather than just a journey.

Final Thoughts on My Stay at Ibis London Heathrow Airport Hotel

All in all, my spontaneous stay at the Ibis London Heathrow Airport Hotel turned out to be a really enjoyable experience. While I didn’t have a flight booked, it was a fun way to try something different — and the location near the airport makes it ideal for a short stay or an overnight layover.

The hotel was clean, the bed was comfy, and I appreciated the late 12pm check-out. Plus, being able to see planes land from just outside the hotel really added something special to the stay — a perfect bonus for any aviation fans!

If you’re looking for a convenient and affordable hotel near Heathrow Airport, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a go. It ticks all the boxes for a short break: accessible transport links, helpful staff, and everything you need for a comfortable night.

Thanks again for reading — and as always, I’m learning more with each trip and blog post. Until next time!