Need Help at Heathrow

HELP! I haven't been to Heathrow in about 15 years. In previous visits, I've gone from baggage claim to the Princess transport & directly to Southampton.

I've booked 1 night at the Novotel near the airport, noting that they listed as having a shuttle from/to the airport (5 pounds each way). Now, I've emailed them & it appears that it's not the hotel's shuttle but a generic bus from/to several hotels. Does this sound right?

I'm supposed to have wheelchair escort from the gate to baggage claim. Now it seems that I'll need further assistance.

After I claim my bags, should I just get the escort to get me to a taxi rather than struggle with the bags & bus?

Any advice appreciated!

I've booked 1 night at the Novotel near the airport, noting that they listed as having a shuttle from/to the airport (5 pounds each way). Now, I've emailed them & it appears that it's not the hotel's shuttle but a generic bus from/to several hotels. Does this sound right?

For the same reasons as for the OP of that thread, I think you would probably be best off just getting a taxi.

This is exactly the point I made on another thread about hotels advertising a shuttle, when they mean the Hotel Hoppa bus. No hotel is allowed to operate its own shuttle to LHR.

The buses used by the Hoppa are accessible, but if you need assistance with luggage I heartily endorse Globaliser's comment - take a taxi.

We just dealt with Heathrow. It will be far easier to just get a taxi. You may want to book one ahead of time. We got in at 9 pm yesterday and spent the next three hours in a queue at immigration unless you held EU, Swiss, Norwegian, or British passports. I think the added security will be continuing for awhile.

Good luck.

Thanks, Everyone!

I foolishly assumed that when the hotel listed an airport shuttle among the amenities, it was actually the hotel's shuttle as is the case here in the US.

Guess I'll be getting a taxi.

Now, I must make sure that American Airlines gets me wheelchair assistance at the arrival gate!

Depending on the terminal you are flying into, you may want to check out the Sofitel which is attached directly to terminal 5 making it very easy to access. It is a beautiful hotel. The Hoppas stop at a number of hotels so can take a while. Terminal 5 is also connected by train to other terminals for free.

Thanks, Everyone!

 

I foolishly assumed that when the hotel listed an airport shuttle among the amenities, it was actually the hotel's shuttle as is the case here in the US.

Not foolish at all, that is what some of the Heathrow hotels deliberately try to make people think. I give them a slight pass when using the pre-formatted lists of amenities on their websites, but easy to make clear in descriptions and some of them do not.

We used the Hotel Hoppa and it worked out very well.

If you are in a wheelchair c and immigration will be a much shorter time.

Depending on the terminal an electric cart will pick you up at the gate,

take you thru c and I and to the baggage. That is all. One can get a trolly to take cases on. The suggestion of Sofitel is great. We always stay there on our

trips, in and out of Heathrow especially if you arrive at terminal 5.

All good advice above, but I wondered why you are staying at the airport. Unless you are arriving late, it would make more sense to head straight for Southampton (If that's where your cruise starts).