Heathrow Spotting Hotel

[Matt Molnar]

I got a copy of Airliner World a couple days ago, which I had never read before. Awesome photos and articles.

Most interesting thing I saw was actually an ad for a "spotters package" at the Renaissance London Heathrow Hotel.


Offer includes:
• Club bedroom with tea and coffee-making facilities,
soundproofing and air conditioning
• Access to the Club Lounge which offers complimentary soft
drinks and fantastic view of the airport
• Full English Breakfast in the Brasserie Restaurant
• Return tickets to the airport on the Heathrow Hoppa Bus
• Car parking for the duration of your stay
• Certificate to commemorate your stay
• Complimentary use of the health club

For only £93.00 per night, you can't go wrong!

http://www.marriott.co.uk/Channels/hote ... Code=lhrbr (http://www.marriott.co.uk/Channels/hotels-uk/hotels/specials/mesoffer.mi?country=UK&marrOfferId=140893&marshaCode=lhrbr)

Anyone know anything about this? It sounds really neat.

[LGA777]

Matt, I have stayed at the Heathrow Renaissance twice, nice place. It only has three levels. you need to on the top (3rd floor) for decent views. The Good; When they are landing 27R/9L they roll out so close to the hotel you need a 28mm lense to get a 747 full frame. I have stayed at many on airport or airport view hotels over the years and the view from here is one of my favorites. Though the windows don't open (common) I did not have a problem with reflections unless lights are on in the room. The full English breakfast, though different from this country, was quite good and a much higher standard than you would normally get for free in a hotel. The Bad: All airport view rooms face south so on the minority of the days where the sun is actually shining in London you are shooting right in to the sun, whether it's 700AM or 700PM its right there. Conclusion, to watch incredibly interesting traffic up very close I give the view and 11 out of 10. For getting photos for publication quality I give it a 3 out of 10, as they will be either backlit, or it will be a cloudy day, one of the other. Overall Highly Recommended.

Cheers

LGA777

[LGA777]

Matt,

here are a few photo samples of/from the Hotel.

Hotel Exterior and proximety to runway.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0921378/L/

They say a picture is worth a Thousand Words ! If this photo does not making anyone viewing this post want to stay at this hotel, I don't know what will !

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0647347/L/

Cheers

LGA777

[stuart schechter]

Camera Equipment: $1400
Plane ticket to London: $1700
Hotel meant for spotting: 93 GBP
Getting the spotting experience of your life...Priceless

[Matt Molnar]

Awesome, thanks Ron. I really want to go.

[markg]

You need to make sure that the wind is out of the west, and it's the week for landing on 27R otherwise you won't get much of a view!

[LGA777]

markq, unless something has changed Heathrow switches at 1500 every day, so if they are landing 27R in the morning and departing 27L then at 1500 they depart 27R and land 27L. This is for noise relief for the locals and has been done this way for many years. I do not believe this is in effect on the 9's though, it's always land 9L and depart 9R.

Cheers

LGA777

[markg]

Of course you are right LGA :oops:

I'm not sure why I was thinking weekly, maybe I'm suffering from withdrawal!! It's been 6 years at least since I was last there!

You are correct about the 9's. There is not enough hold space for departures on the left side.