The Thistle Hotel Terminal 5 at Heathrow has become our default overnight stop for early morning flights out of London. Firmly located at the ‘budget’ end of the price scale, this hotel has the distinction of being the closest to Terminal 5 – other than the luxury Sofitel which is connected directly to the airport.
This is now the third time we have stayed at this Thistle hotel.
Check in
Having booked and pre-paid via Ebookers/Expedia, check-in was quick and easy – just collect a keycard from reception. There was no additional paperwork to complete, nor any need for ID or credit cards for ‘incidentals’.
The room
On this occasion we had a king-size double room which I think is supposed to be at the upper end of the accommodation options. The bed was decent (Linda says the mattress was too hard for her) and the crisp, white linen clean and comfortable. The fixtures and fittings in the room were in generally good condition.
The shower is warm and the water flow perfectly reasonable. There is a bath tub if you are that way inclined.
Pros: We had a Nespresso coffee maker and capsules
Cons: No runway view in room 209. It’s a long walk between reception and room 209.
Top tip: The electrical socket mounted above the desk has 1 x USB-A and 1 x USB-C charging ports for your electronic devices.
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Other facilities
The Thistle Hotel Terminal 5 has had a few upgrades since our last visit, most notably the addition of a ‘shop’ in reception. This replaces the vending machines of old, selling over-priced beer and snacks. There is also a Costa Coffee machine for those staying in non-luxury rooms.
Food and drink
There is a restaurant and bar on the first floor offering excellent runway views across Heathrow Airport – expect to pay approximately £20 per person for a main meal (pizza, burger, fish and chips etc). We did not visit either on this occasion.
We opted for KFC delivery instead.
Top tip: Meet your delivery driver at the front gate to the car park. They will be extremely grateful for saving them from the parking ticket hell that ensues once they pass the entrance barrier.
Appearance
The Thistle Hotel Terminal 5 is very much a product of its time. The 1970s building has the same vibe as many British Telecom telephone exchanges and other utilitarian buildings of that era. Externally, it has definitely seen better days.
Inside, the hotel fares much better. And is actually in relatively good shape considering the sheer number of people passing through every day.
Check out
Very quick. Just drop your keycard in the glass bowl, nod to the receptionist and leave.
The Heathrow POD
The most important reason for using the Thistle Hotel Terminal 5 is its unique transport deal with the airport. Guests are permitted to use the automated Heathrow POD transport system to and from the terminal. It’s a journey that takes just 5 minutes in little autonomous vehicles that run on their own dedicated track, away from the busy airport ring road.
The PODs run from level 2 of Heathrow Terminal 5 to the nearby ‘POD car park’ which backs onto the Thistle Hotel. There is a security gate between said carpark and the hotel grounds, offering a slightly cheaper, faster alternative to taxis (and far less stress than the Heathrow Hoppa hotel bus service).
On arrival, simply press the ‘Call’ button to gain access.
NOTE: The POD service is NOT free for hotel guests. You are supposed to pay a fee of £8 per person per trip at the hotel reception. Whether you are actually charged or not is at the discretion of the person on the hotel reception desk.
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The same process applies for the return journey. Technically you must pre-pay at Reception to get a PIN code which opens the gate.
The POD is a novel and fun way to travel. We were able to fit ourselves, the mobility scooter and three suitcases without too much of a problem.
NOTE: The POD service runs from 04:30 – 00:30, seven days per week. If you need a transfer to Terminal 5 outside those hours, Heathrow provides a free shuttle bus service departing from the POD station in the carpark.
Given that I was quoted upwards of £50 for a taxi to do the same five minute journey, the POD represents reasonable value.
Can residents of other hotels use the POD?
There are several hotels near the Thistle, such as the Premier Inn and the Sheraton Skyline. Which raises the question, can residents of other establishments use the PODs?
Officially, the answer is no. There is an exclusive agreement in place between Heathrow Airport and the Thistle.
However… Having arrived at the hotel, you may be able to feign ignorance and pay your fee at Reception before heading on to your hotel. Similarly, you could turn up at Thistle’s reception the next day and purchase a return ticket – it is unlikely the receptionist will ask too many questions.
Please proceed at your own risk.
Overall rating
The Thistle Hotel Terminal 5 is unlikely to win any style or design awards. And you wouldn’t stay here for a romantic weekend away. But as an airport adjacent crash pad, it’s a solid choice.
Cost: £152 booked through ebookers.com
Fair value: £70
Thistle Best Rate Guarantee
Thistle Hotels offer a price match guarantee. Find a cheaper price and Thistle will honour the lower rate and reduce theirs by a further 10%.
That’s a pretty good deal, but there are some hoops to jump through:
- You have to book direct with Thistle
- The cheaper price has to be on a publicly accessible website
- The lower price must be found prior to, or within 24 hours of booking your hotel room
If you find a cheaper pre-pay, no cancellation rate elsewhere, you will need to make a Best Rate Guarantee claim in advance.
It’s also worth noting that you can get a flat rate 10% discount on the Thistle rate by joining their membership program (use the link in the top right corner of the Thistle homepage).
The T&Cs are a little fuzzy, but it is unlikely the guarantee will match ‘loyalty discounts’ as per the Booking.com Genius program or Expedia’s One Key program.
Find out more, or make a claim, here: Thistle Best Price Guarantee
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Thistle Terminal 5 Hotel Heathrow FAQs
The Thistle London Heathrow Terminal 5 Hotel is one of the closest hotels to Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5, just 0.8 miles away. It offers a direct link via Heathrow’s driverless POD shuttle system, which connects to Terminal 5 in approximately five minutes for a small fee of £8 per person each way. Guests also note that local buses and taxis are available, while the location is convenient for quick overnight stays between flights
No, but guests can use the Heathrow POD system to travel between the hotel and Terminal 5. This service operates frequently throughout the day and is particularly ideal for travelers catching early or late flights. The hotel does not run its own shuttle but assists with local taxi bookings or directing guests to free Heathrow buses
Rooms are clean, quiet, and comfortable, with essential amenities like free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee facilities, and air conditioning . While the decor is dated and sound insulation could be improved, the beds comfortable and the environment suitable for a short layover or early-morning departure . Upgraded rooms offer more space and better views of the runways
Yes, the Thistle Terminal 5 is particularly popular among aviation enthusiasts because the terrace and on-site bar provide panoramic views of Heathrow’s runways . The Aviator Sports Bar and Restaurant overlooks the flight paths, making it a unique place to stay for those who enjoy watching planes arrive and depart.
The hotel has an on-site restaurant, the Aviator Sports Bar, which serves British and international dishes along with a selection of beers and cocktails. The menu options are a little limited and prices slightly high compared to nearby alternatives like McDonald’s or the Esso garage across the street . Room service and grab-and-go food are available for early travellers.
Key amenities include free Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas, a 24-hour front desk, meeting rooms, and on-site parking for guests driving to the airport. Rooms feature flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms, and in-room tea and coffee facilities . The hotel also has a terrace popular for its runway views and outdoor dining.
Yes, families can stay comfortably at the Thistle Terminal 5, as it offers triple and adjoining rooms, as well as cots on request. Although there are no specialist children’s play facilities, the easy airport access and reasonable pricing make it a practical choice for families catching connecting flights.
The driverless Heathrow POD transfer costs £8 per person per journey. It takes around five minutes to travel between the hotel and Terminal 5 and operates from the car park next to the hotel, offering a quick and novel connection.
Yes, paid parking is available on-site for hotel guests . The car park is convenient for those arriving in their own vehicle before a flight, though you should arrive early to secure a good spot.
The Thistle Terminal 5 Hotel is a great budget-friendly option for Heathrow stays, especially when factoring in the POD transfer convenience and proximity to Terminal 5. It’s not a luxury hotel, but for the price, often around £60–£80 per night, it’s clean, comfortable, and practical for short layovers or business trips.
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