Well, I've got to hand it to Marriott Heathrow, owned by Marriott Inc., they tried to create the pinnacle of the stable at Europe's busiest airport, yet not just somehow, but in most respects, failed.
Why do I say this? Well, you know, as Phil Collins sang, it's a kind of magic. But not in a magically good way. You see, the problem, systemically, for Marriott at Heathrow is that they have six properties, each of them offering something to your personal taste. Theoretically, this hotel should be the very best. It carries the original Marriott name, after all. Yet, in terms of price, lounge and room quality, it just doesn't feel like the premium price tag that it carries.
The Finale..
In the final of my six part series on Heathrow Marriott properties, I introduce you to the main brand (and most expensive) of all Marriott brands based here at the west London airport.
Previously, we've looked at the Moxy, Sheraton, Sheraton Skyline, Courtyard and Renaissance hotels. All part of the Marriott Inc. group of Heathrow hotels.
Opened in 1998 and subsequently refurbished in 2018, this hotel actually doesn't feel much different to when I first stayed here twenty years ago. Maybe it's me, maybe it's Marriott, but across its 393 rooms and frankly decent (on paper) offering, the welcome, even for an airport hotel, was lousy.
It took ten minutes to check in because there were only two people manning reception, although plenty of staff milling about, they took a look at the check in queue and you could see in their eyes thought "nah, can't be bothered with that".
The Room
I could tell you that the room felt modern, had lots of flair and was up to modern standards. Yet, it was neither.
What this room was, was no better than the 1971 Sheraton Skyline which I stayed at the week prior. Despite the nearly 35 year age gap between the two hotels, you'd be hard pressed to differentiate between the two, proving the problems that Marriott face with their ageing and very tired main brand Marriott properties.
On the day of arrival, thanks to my Bonvoy Platinum status, I was elevated to a 'Superior Room'.
The room was functional but to me, nowhere near as spacious or even as nice as the room that I stayed in at the Sheraton Skyline which sits literally next door.
The Marriott brand is retained here unlike some of the other older UK Marriott's which have been downgraded to Marriott’s ‘Delta’ brand (basically invented for the Marriott properties they didn’t want to invest in - some had their lounges removed)
The Executive 'M Club' Lounge
Lounge access is conferred to Marriott Bonvoy Platinum and above members, as well as those staying in rooms with lounge access included.
This was probably my favourite lounge of all six of my Marriott Heathrow property stays. The food was much more upmarket and there was plenty of it. I tried a variety of dishes and all were very tasty. I went back for more of that spicy pumpkin soup!
Again, in a positive surprise, you can get breakfast in here, something which a lot of hotels have simply abandoned since Covid.
The M Club food and surroundings
The Restaurant
I wasn’t in the mood for dinner - a mixture of tiredness, eating bits in the exec lounge and just wanting to sit in the bar with a drink and watch the world go by. I do love people watching!
The hotel has an onsite Carluccio’s Italian restaurant which I have eaten at previously. It’s nice enough but like all airport hotel restaurants, it is overpriced.
The redeeming factor..
Yep..the hotel has a pool, sauna and jacuzzi..and it's still free to guests..
Those familiar with UK hotels will know that over recent years, they've started charging to use the pool - and not insignificant sums either. £10 per person is not unusual. To find these facilities at Heathrow is even more unusual, let alone included in the rate.
I like a pool so hats off to the hotel owners for including this is the rate.
Conclusion
As I mused my thoughts about this hotel, with my £14 double Jamesons, I was genuinely torn.
I’ve been staying in Marriott’s for nearly 30 years and back in the late 90’s when Marriott made a rapid charge onto UK shores, I remember them fondly. The rooms were really luxurious, well appointed and the staff had an amazingly regal uniform including a posh looking crest of arms. Roll on to 2024 and I’m still staying in the same hotels, and they haven’t really changed.
The main brand Marriott, like main brand Hilton’s, feel tired to me. The rooms are bland and they’re being overtaken by more modern sub-brands offering something specific. I liken it to Woolworths before they went bust in 2009. I had a reason for visiting Harrods. I had a reason for visiting Poundstretcher. But I never found myself thinking "I must visit Woolworth's to buy x...". Main brand Hilton and Marriott is just like that. I know why I would stay at Moxy, or Courtyard. But I don't know why I'd stay at main brand Hilton or Marriott. I can't even identify in my mind what they stand for. Just like back in the day, Woolworths.
Back in the 90’s people were happy with decent but dull hotels and I think that’s what this hotel is, decent, but dull. This should be one of the finest hotels at Heathrow, which is actually setting the bar quite low. Yet, it isn't. The fact that I enjoyed the 1971 Sheraton Skyline next door more than this, tells you all that you need to know. It's not just a nicer hotel, it's much better value for money.
I paid £203 for my entry level ‘deluxe’ room and was upgraded to a ‘superior’ room the night before check in.
Add comment
Comments