Best Western London Heathrow Ariel Hotel: the complete traveller's guide
The famous ring-shaped "donut" hotel on Bath Road — the very first hotel built at Heathrow, opened by the Queen in 1960. Full of character, close to the terminals, with runway-view rooms and kids-stay-free. An honest, detailed rundown — rooms, prices, dining, parking, WiFi, accessibility, transfers, and the smartest way to book.
Hotel overview
The Best Western London Heathrow Ariel Hotel is a genuine Heathrow landmark: the distinctive ring-shaped "donut" building on the Bath Road roundabout was the first hotel ever built at Heathrow, opened by Her Majesty The Queen in December 1960. It's right by the airport — about half a mile from the central terminals — which makes it one of the closest hotels to the action, with bus stops and the Hoppa right outside.
Inside, it's a comfortable, characterful 4-star with 184 air-conditioned rooms, double glazing and blackout curtains for a quiet night, power showers, and free WiFi. There's a British restaurant overlooking the runways (The Junction), a lounge bar, a well-regarded Indian restaurant and 24-hour room service. It's a strong family choice too: kids 16 and under stay free, and kids 12 and under eat free at any time in the on-site restaurant.
It suits travellers who want a close-to-the-terminal stay with some personality, families, plane-spotters (runway-view rooms), and park-and-fly drivers. The honest trade-off: it's an older building that shows its age in places, and the inner-courtyard rooms are small — so it's worth asking for an outer-facing room. There's no pool, and it's not terminal-connected.
| Official website | bestwestern.com |
|---|---|
| Address | 118 Bath Road, Harlington, Hayes, UB3 5AJ |
| Star rating | 4-star |
| Rooms | 184 air-conditioned rooms |
| Claim to fame | The ring-shaped hotel — first ever built at Heathrow (1960) |
| Check-in / check-out | From 2:00 PM / by 12:00 noon |
| Distance to terminals | ~0.5 mile (<10-min drive) |
| Parking / family | On-site ~£16–18/day · kids 16 & under stay free, 12 & under eat free |
Star rating and what it means
A 4-star hotel — comfortable, with on-site dining and services — though as a historic building it has a more traditional, characterful feel than a shiny new-build, and some areas feel dated.
| Level | What it broadly means in the UK |
|---|---|
| ★★★★★ Five-star | Luxury: extensive facilities, near-flawless service |
| ★★★★ Four-star (this hotel) | Upscale: restaurant(s), bar, 24-hr room service, executive rooms, meeting space — comfort & character (in a historic building) |
| ★★★ Three-star | Mid-range comfort: en-suite rooms, a restaurant, decent service |
| ★★ / ★ Budget | Simple, functional accommodation |
Reviewers praise the friendly staff, comfy beds, great breakfast, the Indian restaurant and the sheer character of the place (the donut shape charms people), while noting it's dated and some rooms feel small or "rough around the edges." Set expectations for a characterful older 4-star, not a modern build, and it's well-liked.
Brand, ownership & business profile
A Best Western hotel.
- Best Western — a global network of independently owned hotels operating under the Best Western brand, known for comfort and value, with the Best Western Rewards loyalty programme.
You can earn and redeem Best Western Rewards points here. The hotel has traded under other names over the years (older listings may call it the "Holiday Inn London Heathrow Ariel"); today it's the Best Western London Heathrow Ariel — check the current name matches your booking.
Business profile
| Category | 4-star airport hotel (historic ring-shaped landmark) |
|---|---|
| Primary market | Pre-flight stays, families, plane-spotters, park-and-fly, business |
| Brand | Best Western (Best Western Rewards) |
| On-site | The Junction Restaurant (runway views) · Indian restaurant · lounge bar · 24-hr room service · meeting space |
| Signature | Ring-shaped 1960 landmark; runway-view rooms; kids stay & eat free |
Takeaway for travellers: a characterful, close-to-the-terminal 4-star with good dining and genuine family value — best enjoyed for its personality and location, with the understanding that it's a historic building rather than a modern one.
Rooms, beds & prices
184 air-conditioned rooms — doubles, twins, triples, quads and interconnecting family rooms — all with double glazing, blackout curtains, a choice of soft or hard pillow, crisp white bedding, a flat-screen satellite TV with on-demand movies, tea/coffee facilities, a work desk and an en-suite with a power shower over the bath. Executive rooms add bathrobes, slippers and a Bluetooth sound system, and some rooms have runway views. Rates are competitive for a 4-star near the airport; ranges below are indicative.
| Room type | Beds | Sleeps | Off-peak from | Peak from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Double / Twin | Double or two beds | 2 | ~£65 | ~£125 |
| Executive (runway view) | Double | 2 | ~£85 | ~£150 |
| Triple | Double + rollaway (or singles + rollaway) | 3 | ~£90 | ~£155 |
| Quad / Interconnecting | Two double beds / linked rooms | 4 | ~£110 | ~£180 |
Prices are per room, per night, room-only (breakfast & park-and-fly packages available). A key insider tip: ask for an outer-facing room — they're larger than the inner-courtyard rooms (which can be small), and some have runway views. Double glazing and blackout curtains help you sleep; guests praise the comfy beds and soft pillows. Windows can be opened, and 24-hour room service is available (£3.50 tray charge, limited menu).
- Bed quality: comfy beds, soft pillows, crisp white bedding; pillow choice.
- Room size: outer-facing rooms are larger (and may have runway views); inner-courtyard rooms are smaller.
- Family rooms: triples, quads and interconnecting rooms; kids 16 & under stay free.
What's in every room
| Category | Included in every room |
|---|---|
| Entertainment | Flat-screen satellite TV with on-demand movies |
| Connectivity | Free WiFi (medium-speed); work desk |
| Hot drinks | Tea & coffee making facilities |
| Sleep | Double glazing, blackout curtains, choice of soft/hard pillow, crisp white bedding |
| Bathroom | En-suite with a power shower over the bath, hairdryer |
| Comfort | Air conditioning; openable windows; 24-hr room service (£3.50 tray charge) |
| Executive rooms | Bathrobes, slippers & a Bluetooth sound system |
A comfortable, well-equipped room with helpful sleep touches (double glazing, blackout curtains, pillow choice). WiFi is free but described as medium-speed, so if you need fast, dependable internet for work, check with reception. Executive rooms add some nice extras.
Dining & breakfast
There's a good range of dining for an airport hotel: The Junction Restaurant serves a classic British menu with views over the runways, there's a separate well-regarded Indian restaurant, a contemporary lounge bar for drinks and light fare, and 24-hour room service. Breakfast is a full English and continental buffet, available at an extra charge.
| Venue / meal | What to expect | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast buffet (extra) | Full English + continental; kids 12 & under eat free | ~£12–£16 adult |
| The Junction Restaurant | Classic British menu; runway views | £12–£22 mains |
| Indian restaurant | Authentic Indian cuisine — a guest favourite | £12–£22 mains |
| Lounge bar & room service | Drinks, coffee, snacks; 24-hr room service (£3.50 tray) | £5–£12 / drink |
The on-site Indian restaurant is a real highlight, singled out in reviews for authentic, delicious food — a nice change from the usual airport-hotel menu — and the Junction's runway views are a fun backdrop. Family value is strong: kids 12 and under eat free at any time. Note breakfast is a chargeable extra.
Facilities & services
| Parking | On-site short & long-stay parking (~£16–18/day; public too); Park, Stay & Go packages (keep your keys) |
|---|---|
| Airport transfer | Heathrow Hoppa from outside (~£6pp; up to 2 under-15s free; runs ~04:00–24:00); bus stops directly outside; taxis (bookable at reception); pre-booked cars. No free hotel shuttle |
| Dining | The Junction Restaurant, Indian restaurant, lounge bar, 24-hr room service |
| Business | Meeting & training rooms; 24-hour business centre |
| Family | Kids 16 & under stay free; 12 & under eat free; interconnecting rooms |
| Rail | Heathrow Express to Paddington via the terminals; local buses to London |
| Money / SIM | Vending on site; more in the terminals |
| Safety & security | 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, lifts; photo ID + card at check-in |
| Pool / pets | No swimming pool; no pets (assistance dogs excepted) |
Accessibility & suitability for elderly guests
The hotel has lifts, accessible parking and step-free public areas, and its close-to-the-terminal location is convenient — but as a historic building, layout and room sizes vary, so it's worth confirming specifics.
Accessible strengths:
- Lifts to floors; step-free public areas; accessible parking bays
- 24-hour front desk and room service; on-site restaurants (no need to go out)
- Very close to the terminals; bus & Hoppa outside
- Ground-floor and larger outer-facing rooms available on request
Worth confirming first:
- It's an older building — confirm accessible-room features and layout with the hotel
- Inner-courtyard rooms are small — request a larger outer-facing room
- Not terminal-connected — a door-to-door car may be easier than the Hoppa
Suitability verdict for elderly & less-mobile guests: workable — lifts, accessible parking, on-site dining and room service help, and it's very close to the terminals. As it's a historic building with variable rooms, confirm the accessible-room details and request an outer-facing room; a door-to-door car is smoothest for the airport leg.
Insider details
The famous donut — history & a room tip in one
The hotel's ring shape isn't just a talking point (it was the first hotel at Heathrow, opened by the Queen in 1960) — it also affects your room. Rooms face either outward (larger, some with runway views) or into the inner courtyard (smaller). The single best booking tip here: request an outer-facing room for more space and, often, a view of the planes.
Great family value — kids stay and eat free
A standout for families: children 16 and under stay free in your room, and children 12 and under eat free at any time of day in the on-site restaurant. With interconnecting and quad rooms available too, it's one of the better-value family options right by the airport.
The Indian restaurant & a characterful (if dated) stay
Two honest notes. On the plus side, the on-site Indian restaurant is a genuine highlight, repeatedly praised by guests for authentic, delicious food. On the flip side, the hotel is a historic building that shows its age — clean and comfortable, but "rough around the edges" in places, with some small rooms. If you value character and location over a modern finish, it's a charming pick; if you want a slick new-build, look elsewhere. If you're a light sleeper, request a room away from the main road.
WiFi coverage & signal strength
Free WiFi runs throughout the hotel and rooms, described as medium-speed. Signal-strength-by-area detail (which floors are strongest) isn't published — confirm with hotel, or share guest reviews and we'll add specifics.
General guidance for a historic building: signal can vary by room and thick walls, so if you need reliable speed for work, ask reception for a well-covered room or use the business centre.
Practical information
| Check-in | From 2:00 PM (early check-in on request) |
|---|---|
| Check-out | By 12:00 noon (late check-out on request) |
| ID at check-in | Photo ID + payment card required |
| Parking | On-site short & long-stay (~£16–18/day; public); Park, Stay & Go |
| WiFi | Free (medium-speed) throughout and in rooms |
| Breakfast | Full English + continental buffet — extra charge; kids 12 & under free |
| Pool / pets | No pool; no pets (assistance dogs excepted); non-smoking |
| Payment | Cards & cash; card required for incidentals |
Getting to the terminals
The hotel is very close to the terminals but not connected — so it's the Hoppa (from outside), a local bus, a taxi or a pre-booked car.
| To… | Best way | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminals 2 & 3 | Hoppa (from outside), local bus, taxi or car | ~5–10 min | Hoppa ~£6; bus low; taxi ~£10–12 |
| Terminal 5 | Hoppa or car | ~10–15 min | Hoppa ~£6; taxi ~£16–20 |
| Terminal 4 | Hoppa to a central terminal + free inter-terminal train; or taxi | ~15–25 min | Hoppa + free train; taxi ~£16–20 |
| Central London | Heathrow Express from the terminals to Paddington; or Elizabeth line/Piccadilly | ~15–50 min | Rail fare |
The Hoppa (~£6, up to two under-15s free) and local buses stop right outside; for T4 change to the free inter-terminal train. There's no free hotel shuttle. For a guaranteed door-to-door pickup with luggage, an early flight or a family, a pre-booked RushXO car is simplest and covers every terminal 24/7.
Customer reviews
The hotel reviews solidly, with the friendly staff, comfy beds, great breakfast, the Indian restaurant, character and close-to-terminal location the main positives; a dated feel, small inner-courtyard rooms and the extra-cost breakfast are the usual caveats.
| Theme | What guests say |
|---|---|
| Character & location | Iconic donut shape; very close to terminals; bus & Hoppa outside |
| Rooms & sleep | Comfy beds, soft pillows; quiet with double glazing — but some rooms small/dated |
| Dining | Great breakfast; the Indian restaurant is a highlight |
| Staff & family | Friendly, helpful staff; kids stay & eat free |
| Common gripe | Dated/rough around the edges; small inner rooms; breakfast an extra |
Ratings are solid for a characterful older 4-star — confirm current numbers on your preferred platform. Share specific reviews and I can add a scored breakdown like the Sofitel guide.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Iconic, characterful ring-shaped landmark — very close to the terminals
- Runway-view rooms; comfy beds, double glazing & blackout curtains
- Excellent family value — kids 16 & under stay free, 12 & under eat free
- Good dining, including a well-regarded Indian restaurant; 24-hr room service
- On-site parking & Park, Stay & Go; bus & Hoppa right outside
- Executive rooms with robes, slippers & Bluetooth; Best Western Rewards
Cons
- Historic building — dated in places, "rough around the edges" for some
- Inner-courtyard rooms are small (ask for outer-facing)
- Breakfast is a chargeable extra; WiFi only medium-speed
- No pool; no pets; not terminal-connected
- Some guests flag cleanliness/updating — request a refreshed room
Travel tips
- Ask for an outer-facing room — larger than inner-courtyard rooms, often with a runway view.
- Travelling as a family? Great value — kids 16 & under stay free and 12 & under eat free.
- Try the Indian restaurant — a genuine guest favourite.
- Light sleeper? Request a room away from the main road.
- Driving? Use Park, Stay & Go to keep your keys and leave the car while flying.
- Hoppa & buses are outside (Hoppa ~£6; up to two under-15s free).
- Pre-book your onward car — for T4/T5, an early flight or a family with luggage, a fixed-fare door-to-door transfer is simplest.
Best way to book online
| Book via | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Official site (bestwestern.com) | Best-rate, Best Western Rewards points, member perks | Request an outer-facing room; add breakfast |
| Best Western Rewards | Member rates & points | Need to be a (free) member |
| Park-and-fly specialists | Bundling room + parking (Park, Stay & Go) | Check which package & transfer terms |
| Major OTAs | Comparing dates & deals | Note it may appear under former names; breakfast is extra |
In short: book directly with Best Western for the best rate and Rewards points — and request an outer-facing (larger, possibly runway-view) room. Add breakfast and parking if you need them. Then book your airport transfer separately with RushXO for a fixed fare, meet & greet and flight tracking.
Book your transfer → · Call the 24/7 team
FAQs
Why is the hotel ring-shaped?
The Ariel was the first hotel built at Heathrow, opened by Her Majesty The Queen in December 1960, and its distinctive circular "donut" design is part of its heritage. It also means rooms face either outward (larger, some with runway views) or into the inner courtyard (smaller) — ask for an outer-facing room.
Do kids stay and eat free?
Yes — children 16 and under stay free in your room, and children 12 and under eat free at any time of day in the on-site restaurant, making it strong value for families. Interconnecting and quad rooms are available.
Is breakfast included?
No — the full English and continental buffet breakfast is available at an extra charge, though kids 12 and under eat free. Check what your rate includes.
How close is it to the terminals?
Very close — about half a mile, less than a 10-minute drive. Bus stops and the Heathrow Hoppa are right outside; the Hoppa is about £6 per person (up to two under-15s free) and runs roughly 04:00–24:00.
Is there a swimming pool?
No — there's no swimming pool, and pets aren't accepted (assistance dogs excepted). The appeal is the character, dining, family value and location.
Is it a modern hotel?
No — it's a historic building (1960) with genuine character. It's clean and comfortable with good dining, but shows its age in places and some inner rooms are small. Request an outer-facing, refreshed room for the best experience.