Crowne Plaza London Heathrow: the complete traveller's guide
A full-facilities 4-star IHG hotel on Stockley Road with a proper leisure club — indoor pool, sauna and steam — two notable restaurants, big parking and a pet-friendly policy. An honest, detailed rundown — rooms, prices, dining, the pool, parking, WiFi, accessibility, getting to each terminal, and the smartest way to book.
Hotel overview
Crowne Plaza London Heathrow is a large, full-facilities 4-star IHG hotel on Stockley Road in West Drayton, about five minutes' drive from Terminals 2 & 3. It's one of the better-equipped airport hotels in the area: 465 rooms over five floors, a genuine leisure club with an indoor swimming pool (plus a children's pool, sauna, steam room, plunge pool and whirlpool), two well-regarded restaurants and two bars, and a large on-site car park.
The dining is a highlight — the award-winning Eriki Indian restaurant and Orwell's Brasserie, plus Dr O'Driscoll's Irish pub and Orwell's Bar. Rooms are contemporary with soundproofed windows, fridges, bathrobes and Temple Spa toiletries, and the hotel runs "Quiet Zones" overnight for undisturbed sleep. Two things set it apart from most Heathrow hotels: the proper pool/leisure club, and that it's pet-friendly.
It suits families (children's pool, kids eat free, leisure club), business and event guests, park-and-fly drivers, and travellers bringing a pet. It is not terminal-connected — you reach the airport by the Heathrow Hoppa, a taxi or a pre-booked car. One honest caveat: unlike some hotels there's no free hotel shuttle, so the Hoppa (paid) or a car is how you'll get across.
| Official website | ihg.com |
|---|---|
| Address | Stockley Road, West Drayton, UB7 9NA |
| Star rating | 4-star (IHG — Crowne Plaza) |
| Rooms | 465 rooms over 5 floors |
| Signature features | Indoor pool & leisure club; award-winning Eriki Indian restaurant; pet-friendly |
| Check-in / check-out | From 3:00 PM / by 12:00 noon |
| Distance to T2/3 | ~5 min drive |
| Parking | Large on-site car park (~620 spaces) |
Star rating and what it means
UK hotel stars are awarded against published quality criteria, most visibly through the AA. Here's where a four-star badge sits.
| Level | What it broadly means in the UK |
|---|---|
| ★★★★★ Five-star | Luxury: extensive facilities, near-flawless service |
| ★★★★ Four-star (this hotel) | Upscale: quality rooms, restaurants & room service, good facilities (here a full leisure club & pool) and professional service |
| ★★★ Three-star | Mid-range comfort: en-suite rooms, a restaurant, decent service |
| ★★ / ★ Budget | Simple, functional accommodation |
This is a well-equipped four-star — the leisure club, pool and two restaurants put it among the more facility-rich Heathrow hotels. The value is those facilities plus the pet policy, rather than a terminal connection (it's a short transfer away).
Brand, ownership & business profile
A Crowne Plaza-branded hotel under IHG.
- Crowne Plaza — IHG's premium, full-service upscale brand aimed at business and leisure travellers who want proper facilities: restaurants, meeting/event space, leisure clubs.
- IHG Hotels & Resorts — the parent group (InterContinental Hotels Group), a large British-American multinational running brands from budget to luxury.
You earn and redeem IHG One Rewards points here, with member perks and mobile services via the IHG app.
Where Crowne Plaza sits in IHG's ladder
| Tier | IHG brands (selected) | Positioning |
|---|---|---|
| Budget / express | Holiday Inn Express, avid, Candlewood | Value, essentials-focused |
| Full-service mainstream | Holiday Inn, Garner | Comfortable, family-friendly |
| Premium | Crowne Plaza, voco, Hotel Indigo, EVEN | Upscale, full-facility (this hotel) |
| Luxury | InterContinental, Kimpton, Regent, Six Senses | Premium & luxury |
Business profile
| Category | 4-star premium airport & events hotel (full-facility) |
|---|---|
| Primary market | Families, business & events, park-and-fly, pet owners, IHG members |
| Brand / parent | Crowne Plaza / IHG Hotels & Resorts |
| Loyalty programme | IHG One Rewards |
| Scale | 465 rooms · 2 restaurants + 2 bars · leisure club with indoor pool · ~20 meeting rooms · ~620 parking spaces |
Takeaway for travellers: a premium IHG Crowne Plaza with real leisure facilities and a pet policy — more of a full-service "resort-lite" airport hotel than a simple overnight stop, with IHG One Rewards points.
Rooms, beds & prices
465 rooms across five floors: standard double/twin, club-lounge rooms, and suites. All are air-conditioned and soundproofed with contemporary decor, a fridge, plasma-screen TV with on-demand movies, work desk, bathrobes and Temple Spa toiletries. Note: rooms generally can't take extra beds, so larger families should book multiple/connecting rooms. Rates are mid-range; ranges below are indicative.
| Room type | Beds | Sleeps | Off-peak from | Peak from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (Double / Twin) | Double or twin | 2 | ~£90 | ~£150 |
| Club Lounge room | King or twin | 2 | ~£130 | ~£200 |
| Suite | Bed + living area | 2 | ~£180 | ~£280 |
Prices are per room, per night, room-only. Club Lounge rooms include lounge access with complimentary soft/hot drinks, snacks, continental breakfast (full English served in the restaurant at weekends) and limited alcoholic drinks. There's no capacity for extra beds in a room, so families needing more space should book connecting rooms.
- Bed quality: luxury soft bedding, aromatherapy kit; rooms rated comfortable and quiet.
- Large & family rooms: no extra beds in-room — use connecting/multiple rooms; the children's pool and kids-eat-free offer help families.
- Baby facilities: cots on request — confirm with the hotel (no extra-bed capacity).
What's in every room
| Category | Included in every room |
|---|---|
| Entertainment | Plasma-screen TV with on-demand movies & satellite channels |
| Connectivity | Free WiFi; work desk & chair |
| Hot drinks | Tea & coffee maker; bottled water |
| Fridge | In-room refrigerator |
| Bathroom | Bath & shower, fluffy bathrobes, Temple Spa toiletries, hairdryer |
| Comfort | Air conditioning, soundproofed windows, iron/board, 24-hr room service (tray charge) |
An in-room fridge (useful for medication, baby milk or drinks), bathrobes and Temple Spa toiletries are nicer touches than the airport-hotel norm. "Quiet Zones" run 9pm–10am Sun–Thu, with no housekeeping/engineering noise unless you request service.
Dining & average prices
A strong dining line-up for an airport hotel: the award-winning Eriki Indian restaurant, Orwell's Brasserie, plus Dr O'Driscoll's Irish pub and Orwell's/poolside bar. Kids eat free from the Grow Healthy menu.
| Venue / meal | What to expect | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast buffet | Cooked classics, porridge, waffles; 06:00–10:00 (to 10:30 weekends) | ~£15–£18 pp |
| Eriki (Indian) | Award-winning; tandoori, biryani, lamb masala; lunch 12:00–15:00 (closed Sat lunch) | ~£14 mains |
| Orwell's Brasserie | British/international mains; dinner from 18:00 | £15–£20 mains |
| Dr O'Driscoll's / bars | Irish pub & poolside bar; drinks, coffee, light bites | £8–£14 / drink |
| Kids' menu | Grow Healthy children's menu — kids eat free | Free (with paying adult) |
| 24-hour room service | In-room menu at any hour | À la carte + ~£3.50 tray charge |
Breakfast is usually not included room-only. Eriki is a genuine draw — an award-winning Indian restaurant is unusual for an airport hotel, and it's well priced. Kids eating free is a real family plus.
Facilities & services
| Leisure club & pool | Indoor swimming pool, children's pool, sauna, steam room, plunge pool, whirlpool, gym, beauty/therapy room, solarium, children's play area |
|---|---|
| Parking | Large on-site car park (~620 spaces); long & short-term rates; you keep your keys; managed by ParkingEye — register at reception on parking packages |
| Airport transfer | Heathrow Hoppa to T2, T3 & T5 (paid; ~every 20 min); taxis; pre-booked cars. Note: no free hotel shuttle |
| Car rental | Car hire available on site |
| Events & business | ~20 meeting rooms, banquet hall, business services |
| Money / SIM | Currency exchange on site; SIMs in the terminals |
| Safety & security | 24-hour front desk, in-room safe, luggage storage; photo ID + card at check-in |
| Pets | Pets welcome (confirm any fee/room-type limits when booking) |
Accessibility & suitability for elderly guests
The Crowne Plaza is a well-equipped hotel for accessibility, with accessible parking, public toilets, lifts and fully accessible rooms, in a large single-building layout.
Accessible strengths:
- Fully accessible rooms available
- Accessible parking spaces and accessible public toilets
- Lifts to all floors; step-free access to restaurants, bars and the leisure club
- 24-hour front desk and room service
Worth confirming first:
- Accessible room numbers are limited — book early and state exact needs
- The Hoppa adds a step to the airport journey (and there's no free shuttle) — a door-to-door car may be easier with mobility limits
- Specific equipment (shower chairs, visual alarms) should be requested in advance
Suitability verdict for elderly & less-mobile guests: good within the hotel — fully accessible rooms, accessible parking and toilets, lifts and step-free public areas. As with all non-connected Heathrow hotels, plan the airport leg: a door-to-door car is usually smoother than the Hoppa if mobility is a factor.
Insider details
The leisure club — a genuine differentiator
Unlike most Heathrow hotels, this one has a full leisure club: an indoor pool, a separate children's pool, sauna, steam room, plunge pool, whirlpool, gym, and a beauty/therapy room. If you want a swim before or after a flight — or you're travelling with kids who need to burn energy — it's one of the few airport hotels that delivers. Pool access is generally complimentary for guests; confirm opening hours, as they can be limited early/late.
Bringing a pet
The Crowne Plaza is pet-friendly, which is rare near Heathrow — useful if you're travelling with a dog before a flight or a long drive. Confirm any pet fee, weight limit or eligible room types when you book, and note pets aren't allowed in the pool/leisure or dining areas.
WiFi coverage & signal strength
Free WiFi runs throughout — guest rooms, suites, business centre and public areas. 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 large single building: signal is typically strongest in the lobby, business centre and Club Lounge, and reliable in rooms. Ask at reception if you need dependable fast WiFi for work.
Getting across to the airport — no free shuttle
Worth knowing before you book: there's no complimentary hotel shuttle. You'll use the paid Heathrow Hoppa (to T2, T3 & T5, roughly every 20 minutes), a taxi (some guests report ~£18 to a terminal), or a pre-booked car. A couple of reviewers were caught out expecting a free hopper — so plan your airport leg in advance.
If you want a fixed price rather than a metered taxi or a multi-stop Hoppa, a pre-booked car is both predictable and door-to-door — the simplest option with luggage or an early flight.
Practical information
| Check-in | From 3:00 PM (early check-in on request, subject to availability & charge) |
|---|---|
| Check-out | By 12:00 noon (late check-out on request, may incur a charge) |
| ID at check-in | Photo ID + payment card required |
| Parking | Large on-site car park; long & short-term rates; keep your keys |
| WiFi | Free throughout the hotel and in rooms |
| Pool | Indoor pool & leisure club (generally free for guests; check hours) |
| Pets | Welcome (confirm fee/room-type limits) |
| Payment | Cards & cash; card required for incidentals |
Getting to the terminals
The hotel is close to T2/3 but not walkable — and there's no free hotel shuttle — so you'll use the Heathrow Hoppa, a taxi, or a pre-booked car.
| To… | Best way | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminals 2 & 3 | Heathrow Hoppa (~every 20 min), taxi or car | ~5 min by car | Hoppa ~£5; taxi ~£15–18 |
| Terminal 5 | Heathrow Hoppa or car | ~10–15 min | Hoppa fare; taxi ~£15–18 |
| Terminal 4 | Hoppa/car to a central terminal, then free inter-terminal train; or taxi | ~15–25 min | Hoppa fare (train free); taxi ~£15–18 |
| Central London | Elizabeth line from West Drayton, or Heathrow Express via a terminal | ~30–45 min | Rail fare |
The Hoppa runs roughly every 20 minutes and stops at other hotels en route, so allow extra time. With no free shuttle, a metered taxi can be ~£15–18 to a terminal. For a fixed fare, door-to-door pickup with luggage or an early flight, a pre-booked RushXO car is the simplest option and covers every terminal 24/7.
Customer reviews
The Crowne Plaza rates well, with the leisure club and pool, comfortable quiet rooms, excellent breakfast, friendly staff and secure parking the standout positives; the lack of a free airport shuttle is the most common gripe.
| Theme | What guests say |
|---|---|
| Leisure club | "Love the health club — pool, steam room etc"; a real plus for an airport hotel |
| Rooms & sleep | Comfortable, quiet, good-sized; Quiet Zones appreciated |
| Breakfast & dining | Breakfast "excellent, covered all choices"; Eriki Indian well liked |
| Parking & staff | Secure parking, keep your keys; friendly, helpful staff |
| Common gripe | No free hopper/shuttle — taxi needed (~£18); pool hours can be limited |
Ratings are indicative — confirm current numbers on your preferred platform. Share specific reviews and I can add a scored breakdown like the Sofitel guide.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Full leisure club — indoor pool, children's pool, sauna, steam, whirlpool, gym
- Award-winning Eriki Indian restaurant plus Orwell's Brasserie & two bars
- Pet-friendly — rare near Heathrow
- Large secure car park (~620 spaces); keep your keys; long & short-term rates
- Quiet Zones, in-room fridge, bathrobes, Temple Spa toiletries; kids eat free
- IHG One Rewards points; ~20 meeting rooms for events
Cons
- Not terminal-connected — and no free hotel shuttle (Hoppa/taxi/car)
- No extra beds in rooms — larger families need connecting rooms
- Pool hours can be limited early/late — check before relying on a swim
- Breakfast usually not included; taxi to terminal ~£15–18
- A short drive out on Stockley Road rather than right on the airport
Travel tips
- Use the pool & leisure club — one of the few Heathrow hotels with a real pool; check opening hours so you don't miss it.
- Book Eriki for dinner — an award-winning Indian restaurant is a genuine highlight and well priced.
- Travelling with a pet? Confirm the policy — pets are welcome, but check fees, limits and eligible rooms.
- Plan your airport transfer — there's no free shuttle; the Hoppa is paid and a taxi runs ~£15–18.
- Families: book connecting rooms — there are no extra beds; kids eat free and there's a children's pool.
- Use the Quiet Zones — overnight, no housekeeping/engineering noise unless you request service.
- Pre-book your onward car — for a fixed fare, an early flight, a family or heavy luggage, a door-to-door transfer removes the connection stress.
Best way to book online
| Book via | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Official site (ihg.com) | Best-rate guarantee, IHG One Rewards points, member perks, app services | Compare total incl. breakfast & parking |
| IHG app | Member rates, points, mobile services | Need to be a (free) member |
| Park-and-fly specialists | Bundling room + parking (good value for drivers) | Register parking at reception; check terms |
| Major OTAs | Comparing dates & deals | Fewer perks; confirm pet policy & breakfast |
In short: book directly with IHG for the best rate and Rewards perks; if you're driving and flying, a park-and-fly bundle is good value. Then book your airport transfer separately with RushXO for a fixed fare, meet & greet and flight tracking — especially useful here, since there's no free hotel shuttle.
Book your transfer → · Call the 24/7 team
FAQs
Which Crowne Plaza is this — is it the one at Terminal 4?
No. This guide covers the Crowne Plaza London Heathrow on Stockley Road, West Drayton (UB7 9NA) — the one with the indoor pool and leisure club. It's a different hotel from the Crowne Plaza London Heathrow T4, which is connected to Terminal 4 by a covered walkway and doesn't have a pool.
Is the hotel connected to a terminal?
No — it's on Stockley Road, about a five-minute drive from Terminals 2 & 3. There's no free hotel shuttle; reach the terminals by the paid Heathrow Hoppa (T2/3/5), a taxi, or a pre-booked car.
Is there a swimming pool?
Yes — a full leisure club with an indoor pool, a children's pool, sauna, steam room, plunge pool, whirlpool and gym. It's one of the few Heathrow hotels with a real pool. Check opening hours, which can be limited early/late.
Are pets allowed?
Yes — the Crowne Plaza London Heathrow is pet-friendly, which is unusual near Heathrow. Confirm any fee, weight limit and eligible room types when booking; pets aren't allowed in the pool or dining areas.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 3:00 PM and check-out by 12:00 noon. Early check-in and late check-out may be available on request.
How do I get to the airport?
There's no free shuttle. The paid Heathrow Hoppa serves T2, T3 & T5 roughly every 20 minutes; a taxi runs about £15–18 to a terminal; or pre-book a car for a fixed door-to-door fare.
Is it good for families?
Yes — there's a children's pool, a children's play area, and kids eat free from the Grow Healthy menu. Note rooms don't take extra beds, so larger families need connecting rooms.
Is it suitable for elderly or less-mobile guests?
Within the hotel, yes — fully accessible rooms, accessible parking and toilets, lifts and step-free public areas. Plan the airport leg: with no free shuttle, a door-to-door car is usually easier than the Hoppa with mobility limits.