Plane Spotting Heathrow
The majority of hotels of use for Plane Spotting and Aircraft Photography at Heathrow are located on the perimeter on Bath Road to the north of the airport.
Hotels are located all along the perimeter giving opportunities for viewing both ends of the runway depending of the runway in use.
| Renaissance London Heathrow Hotel | ||
| Is joint top in bookings for Heathrow Airport with our readersThe hotel is situated on the Northern perimeter road and is linked with all the terminals with a shuttle bus. Ask for a room on the third floor overlooking the airport. From here you will have great views of runway 27R / 09L and many of the taxiways. Distant views of runway 27L / 09R can be seen from the rooms, although flight tracking would be useful to assist in reading any movements that use this runway. With patience, you can expect to read virtually everything off during the day. | ||
| Location: | *** | Couldn’t be much better than this being so close to 27R / 09L |
| Spotting: | *** | With the correct rooms you will not be disappointed. Room 2185 is a twin room and confirmed as having great views. The room overlooks the terminal 1 cul de sac and has close views of the nearby runway 27R. From this room departures landing or lining up on Runway 27L can also be read off with a good pair of binoculars.Note : Reports indicate that most Twin Rooms DO NOT overlook the runway. It is reported that all of the rooms with the views are now classed as Superior Rooms.
Report from 2016 credit Beech Lad: I’ve stayed at the Renaissance Hotel twice this year both times for two nights & found it to be the perfect location for ‘spotting’. I had a grandstand view of landings on 27R – brilliant. All other movements were visible from my window & with the help of a flight tracking app all were identified too. There is a desk & chair sideways on to the window which was ideal for my laptop, binoculars & notebook, there is also an easy chair right in the window which makes for comfortable & very civilised spotting! The room was equipped with a tea/coffee making facilities. Runway/taxiway photography needs no more than a 200m lens in my opinion (the windows were very clean on my visit). I paid £104 per night for a runway view room which included breakfast. When booking on the hotel website make sure you choose a ‘Runway View Room.’ Report 2018 credit Joost de Bruin Stayed at the refurbished Renaissance hotel couple of months ago and it was better than before! I must say we booked the club rooms with exec lounge access. You pay more but during happy hour all drinks (beers) and snacks where included. The staff was great, served us quite some nice cold beers! Also you have breakfast incl so you don’t have to get away from the action! Off course you pay quite some money but this was my best visit and I go try to go there at least once a year since 2010…. |
| Photos: | ** | Good photos are possible from the rooms depending on the runway in use. The glass in the rooms does not pose a problem. On a sunny day you are into sun therefore the hotel is no good in the winter for photos. In the summer good shots can be had early morning and from 1800 in the evening. |
| Value: | * | An expensive hotel with prices generally over £100 |
| Book: | Click on this Booking.com link to be taken to the hotel description where you will find an option to reserve the runway facing room or the highly recommended Executive package.We highly recommend an upgrade to a Executive room if your budget allows. This gives access to the club lounge which also has great views of the airport. Free buffet food is available in the evening along with a buffet English breakfast in the morning which often works out better value than paying for your meals in the local fat food outlets.
Please help support our site. We are constantly checking the links for hotels to find the best price offered for our readers. If the price on this site is the best quote you receive, please help us by booking your hotel from the link provided as we receive a small commission payment from the hotel. This helps contribute to the running costs of this site enabling us to continue to offer a great service. |
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Above : Typical shot from the Heathrow Renaissance Hotel upper floor rooms
Credit : Subscribe to Aircraft HD youtube page for more excellent videos
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| Typical room view gives the expansive views across the airport (double click photo to expand)
Credit Tripadvisor |
Runway shots require a shorter lens due to its proximity to the airport. Credit Tripadvisor |
| Hilton Garden Inn Terminal 2 | ||
| Is a new hotel only a 10 minute walk from terminal 2 arrivals. Runway views are available from this hotel. A main attraction is the rooftop sky bar with great views out onto the airport. | ||
| Location: | *** | Excellent, only a 10 minute walk from terminals 2, 3 and the central bus and train station. |
| Spotting: | ** | Runway view rooms give a view over to runway 27L/09R, and parts of terminal 3. The sky bar opens at 1500 and gives great views over the airport and is highly recommended.Room 1228 has great views of Runway 27L restricted views of traffic rolling out on Runway 27R |
| Photos: | ** | We are still awaiting the initial reports from the hotel however the rooms and bar appear to have views over to the runway and taxiway, however for most of the day will be into sun. |
| Value: | * | Rooms generally between £100-150 |
| Book: | Please click on this Booking.com link to be taken to the hotel description
If the quoted price is acceptable please make the booking through this link as the small commission paid by the hotel helps to fund our website |
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| Comment! | If you want to add or update anything, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page! | |
Above : A typical view from the Hilton Garden Inn Terminal 2 looking out over terminal 3 and the Runway 09R threshold.
| Premier Inn Terminal 4 | ||
| Is a new hotel opened in 2017 which is connected to Terminal 4 by walkway. Airport facing rooms give an excellent view over the airport. This Hotel is now tied with The Renaissance Hotel as our most booked hotel by Aviation Enthusiasts.There is 24 hour free wifi available in the rooms. Check In commences at 1400 with check out at noon.
The hotel also has a bar area with outdoor veranda however you can only see distant 27R arrivals from this point which require tie ups from flight tracking programs. The hotel has underground parking and multiple entries and exits can be arranged with reception for the one price. |
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| Location: | *** | Excellent, only a 10 minute walk from terminal 4. The hotel is within the free Heathrow Travel zone, bus numbers 482 and 490 run free of charge to the hotel from terminal 5 (leave the bus at Starlight Way, the stop after terminal 4). If travelling to terminal 5 from the hotel catch the bus at Sheffield way which is a short walk after turning right out of the hotel entrance. The hotel is around a 20-30 minute walk to the famous photography points at Myrtle Avenue-head to the Sheffield Way bus stop then cross the road through a gap in the fence and head towards Hatton Cross station. |
| Spotting: | *** | Excellent views can be had of aircraft on both runways and over to terminal 2 and certain terminal 3 stands. The Runway 27 configuration gives the best overall view of action-all traffic can be seen. If on Easterly operations, arrivals on Runway 09 can be seen if they take a long landing roll, all departures can however be easily seen. Rooms from the 4th floor upwards will give the above views, the higher floor the better. The rooms with views end in the range *65-*95 ODD NUMBERS ONLY. Many of the described rooms are double rooms with sofa beds.In the event that the rooms above are not available, the following rooms also give acceptable, however slightly restricted views.
758,759,760,761,762. Views of 27L AND 27R approaches and the airport between BA Maintenance to the Terminal2 Satellite. 792,793,794,795,796,797,798 Give good panoramic views over the airport. Room allocation is usually by automated machine, making a request in advance generally does not seem to guarantee a room with a view. All is not lost however as staff are very helpful and used to our hobby. In the event of receiving an automated key for a poor room, simply ask reception with your requests and subject to availability they will allocate you a room with a view. Northolt movements can be seen in the distance on clear days. It should be noted that flight tracking signals are very poor in the hotel and only really displays traffic on the ground or on very short finals. An internet hook up to Flight Radar 24 or similar is therefore required to show a more comprehensive view of traffic in the area. |
| Photos: | *** | As the hotel faces North this gives opportunities for photography with the sun behind you which is unusual for a Heathrow Hotel. Good runway shots can be taken from the room as well as certain taxiway shots on terminal 4. |
| Value: | *** | Can range from £30-80 |
| Book: | The Premier Inn website generally offers good rates at this hotel. If the quoted price is acceptable please make the booking through this link as the small commission paid by the hotel helps to fund our website | |
| Comment! | If you want to add or update anything, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page! | |
| Thistle Hotel | ||
| is now regarded as the place to go when Heathrow are on Easterly ops. The hotel has an excellent outdoor terrace with tables and chairs. Recent reports indicate that the terrace is only available to hotel guests. A Mcdonalds and small garage/shop can be found around a 2 minute walk from the hotel | ||
| Location: | *** | On the northern perimeter adjacent to the runway 09L threshold. |
| Spotting: | *** | Ask for a room overlooking the airport. This will give views views of RW09L, you can also read off Runway 09R line ups with a good telescope as well as aircraft in view on Terminal 5.If westerly ops are in use you can see most arrivals roll out after landing on 27R and all arrivals distant on 27L down to around 100 feet before they disappear behind the airport buildings. All departures on 27 ops can be seen.
Rooms 151-175 odd numbers only give great views. The outdoor terrace offers great views and is a relaxing place to sit and observe arrivals when on Easterly ops. Breakfast is also served in the restaurant next to the balcony, ask for a window seat for great views. Report Credit Bob Kimmings: Stayed in the Thistle, room 151, great runway views. Guests are welcome on the restaurant terrace. On easterlies, on a cloudy day, which it always was, you can snap some good pics. If sunny, easy enough to get the car park pod to T5. |
| Photos: | *** | The location is into sun, however great landing shots can be had early morning/late evening as the sun moves around (see below). A 15 minute walk takes you around to the grass banking area around the terminal 5 area where great landing shots can be had. |
| Value: | ** | Rooms generally between £50-£100 |
| Book: | Please click on this Booking.com link to be taken to the hotel description. If the quoted price is acceptable please make the booking through this link as the small commission paid by the hotel helps to fund our website |
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| Comment! | If you want to add or update anything, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page! | |
Below : A relaxing stay can be had from the balcony of the Thistle Hotel for hotel guests who have booked a room
| Holiday Inn London Heathrow Ariel | ||
| is located just 1/4 mile North of the threshold of runway 27R. The hotel offers a shuttle bus to the terminals for a one-way fee of £3.00. As usual ask for a room overlooking the airport to avoid disappointment. Note that the hotel is circular, and only the rooms described below give the best views, other rooms may give very limited views of part of the airfield but are far from ideal. | ||
| Location: | *** | Fantastic location close to the threshold of 27R |
| Spotting: | *** | From one of the rooms quoted above you will not have any problems reading the majority of the movements if the airport is on westerly ops. Easterly ops would give distant views of departures from 09R (SBS required) howvere only a limited number of arrivals on 09L would be seen depending on which terminal they park on after arrival. Note all the rooms described only have double beds, the rooms with twin beds face away from the airport and are of no use for spotting.Report credit Dory:
As an update to your list, the hotel advised that Executive Rooms 378, 380 and 384 on the top floor were the best for spotting, and they were kind enough to hold one of those rooms for me. These would be one floor up from the rooms suggested in your write-up (so slightly less of the street lights poking into your photos), and the executive rooms are not that much more expensive than the standard rooms. Also worth noting is that the windows open to the outside (or at least the one in my room did) about 4 or 5 inches — just enough to poke your camera out so you don’t have to photograph through the glass, if you don’t mind the aircraft and traffic noise. |
| Photos: | ** | From the hotel you would be facing into sun and good quality shots would be limited. If it is overcast, great runway shots such as the A380 photo below can be hadYou are around a 15 minute walk away from the cargo sheds which are a great photo spot for 27R arrivals |
| Value: | ** | Rooms generally between £50-£100 |
| Book: | Please click on this Booking.com link to be taken to the hotel description. If the quoted price is acceptable please make the booking through this link as the small commission paid by the hotel helps to fund our website | |
| Comment! | If you want to add or update anything, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page! | |
| Ibis Hotel (Do not confuse with The Ibis Styles) | ||
| is located on the same street as the Holiday Inn above but slightly further East. Hint : just across the road at the lights there is a free bus to the airport. Catch 105,111,140 & N9 to terminals 1,2 & 3. For terminal 5 catch bus number 423.
The Hotel is around a 10 minutes walk to the Visitors Centre Viewing area and the nearby McDonalds. A 10 minute walk in the other direction takes to a number of pubs, take away food outlets and supermarket. |
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| Location: | ** | Well away from the central terminal complex however ideally placed to see the action on the northern runway, especially when on westerly ops. The hotel is only a 10 minute walk away from the photo spot at the Cargo Sheds for 27R arrivals. |
| Spotting: | *** | Ask for a room on the 4th or 5th floor ending in *03,*05,*07 (eg 503 etc) and you will see all movements on 27R with views over in the distance of 27L.If operations are Easterly you would see about 50% of the arrivals as they vacate 09L and have distant views of traffic climbing out from 09R (SBS required) |
| Photos: | *** | No actual reports from the hotel as you would be shooting into sun, however the hotel is only a 10 minute walk away from the photo spot at the Cargo Sheds for 27R arrivals. |
| Value: | *** | Great value with a twin room at a weekend costing just £40. |
| Book: | Please click on this Booking.com link to be taken to the hotel description
If the quoted price is acceptable please make the booking through this link as the small commission paid by the hotel helps to fund our website |
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| Comment! | If you want to add or update anything, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page! | |
| Premier Inn Bath Road | ||
| is located on the same road but further East of the IBIS. Because of it’s location on the approach it is very difficult to observe any traffic moving on the airfield and is only of use for arriving traffic when Heathrow are on Westerly ops. Arrivals on 27R arrive more or less over the hotel, arrivals on 27L can be seen and identified on SBS
Outside of the hotel is a picnic area with tables, great landing shots can be taken from here however you are shooting into sun for most of the day. The Hotel is too far from the airport to take advantage of the free perimeter bus servive, you would need to walk out of the hotel for 10 minutes towards The Sheraton Hotel if you want to benefit from the free bus journeys to the other photo spots. |
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| Location: | ** | Well away from the central terminal complex however ideally placed to see the arriving action, when Heathrow are on Westerly Ops. |
| Spotting: | ** | On a limited number of rooms overlook the approach to the westerly runways. When checking in ask for a room overlooking the approach or maintenance area, they get plenty of spotters here and should know what you are talking about!.
Caution, there are two levels of double glazing to the windows. On a previous visit a lace curtain was located in between layers, the room side window was locked which rendered the view almost non existant! Rooms 2071-2091 are reported to have the best views, 2085 is the one to get if you can. |
| Photos: | ** | Photos of arrivals onto 27R can be taken from the hotels rear car park although you are into sun most of the day. The cargo sheds are around a 10-15 minute walk away from this hotel |
| Value: | ** | Rooms generally between £50-£100 |
| Book: | This hotel can be booked through the following sites : Premier Inn . | |
| Comment! | If you want to add or update anything, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page! | |
Above : An arrival on Runway 27R seen from the room at The Premier Inn, Bath Road
| Hilton Garden Inn Bath Road (Previously Jury’s Inn) | ||
| is located behind the British Airways maintenance facility at Heathrow. One side of the hotel looks out to the 27R approach, the other side looks out to the 27L approach. The hotel is also midway between the 2 photo locations used when Heathrow are on Westerly Ops (around 2/3 of the time). A 15 minute walk will take you to the Cargo Sheds for 27R or Cairns lane for 27L arrivals | ||
| Location: | *** | Well away from the central terminal complex however ideally placed to see the action, especially when Heathrow are on Westerly Ops |
| Spotting: | *** | Ask for as high floor as possible. Rooms on floor 5/6/7 from 45-50 are probably best as they overlook the majority of the airport
Report below thanks to Nick WebbI stayed in room 649 which faced west and gave and overall view of the airport and both runways. The room was a double bed though not a twin. I am not sure which rooms are twins if required. Looking at other rooms, 646 through all numbers to 652 should give similar views also facing west. Any rooms lower than the 6th floor may obscure some runway views. Rooms 610 to approx 618 inclusive face South so will only give you 27L arrivals with no other views that i can see. Rooms 645 to 634 inclusive face North and will give you views of 27R as well as the far end of 27L as already reported.
I am also not sure if the 7th floor are exec rooms but if they are not then the views will be even better but the 6th floor is more than suitable.
Photographs can be taken with a long lens but as the windows are double glazed and do not open they are not particularly good. Also,if you have an SBS or similar then the reception signal from behind the hotel is quite poor and most aircraft will not be picked up until they are on short finals.
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| Photos: | *** | Distant room shots although a short walk in each direction will take you to the popular photo spots when arrivals are on westerly ops. |
| Value: | ** | Rooms generally between £50-£100 |
| Book: | This hotel can be booked through the following sites : Booking.com | |
| Comment! | If you want to add or update anything, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page! | |
Below : An airport facing room at The Hilton Garden Inn Bath Road give great views onto the South Runway at Heathrow
| Radisson Hotel And Conference Center (formally Park Inn Heathrow) Last Update 2020 | ||
| is another hotel situated on the perimeter Bath Road with similar views obtainable as from the Ibis and Holiday Inn above | ||
| Location: | * | Located on the Northern perimeter |
| Spotting: | *** |
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| Photos: | * | None reported, however shots may be possible as the hotel is ideally located on the perimeter |
| Value: | ** | Can be expensive at around £90 a night |
| Book: | An airport facing room can be pre booked through the Radisson Hotels website | |
| Comment! | If you want to add or update anything, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page! | |
Above: Typical view from airport facing room at the Radisson
| Premier Inn Terminal Five | ||
| is a fairly new hotel located at the very Western End of Bath Road looking across to Terminal 5. This is a good option when Heathrow are on Easterly operations as aircraft land directly in front of the hotel. The hotel has a McDonalds situated next door. Wifi is available for around £3 per night. Parking is an additional £12 a night and must be factored into your overall bill. The Thistle Hotel is only a short walk away where you could purchase a coffee on their outdoor terrace if the weather is good. | ||
| Location: | *** | Excellent location with views over the threshold of Runway 09L and terminal 5. |
| Spotting: | *** | Great views over the touch down zone of Runway 09L and terminal 5. Departing aircraft taxying to the threshold of Runway 09R should be seen from many airport facing rooms although flight tracking software would be required to tie these up. Certain rooms will also gives distant views of traffic climbing out from 09R. Rooms 456 and 470 are reported to have good views. Ask for a Runway facing room on a high level, the staff have many requests!
Report 1 I’d like to strongly recommend the Premier Inn London Heathrow Terminal I stayed there for 5 nights in May (18-23/5) mainly for spotting, and the views from my top floor room over 9L landings and T5 movements was excellent. Weather was mostly cloudy so no problems with sun-facing photography. I’m taking photos for myself only (not the photography websites), so quality wasn’t of the highest importance, although you get excellent shoots all the same. 100-140mm will perfectly cover anything from A319 to A380. The view over Terminal 5 is quite impressive, especially early morning The triple-glazing is so good you can hardly hear anything (except when |
| Photos: | ** | Low quality shots possible from the room although you are into sun for most of the day. The Thistle hotel is only a short walk away where you can use the cafe terrace to take great landing shots early morning or late evening during the summer months. The fields at the end of Runway 09R are around a 20 minute walk away. A free bus departs from across the Road to terminal 5 where good photo vantage points can be found at each end of the departures level |
| Value: | ** | Rooms generally between £50-£100 |
| Book: | This hotel can be booked through the following sites : Premier Inn | |
| Comment! | If you want to add or update anything, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page! | |
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| Shot from room 456 of the Premier Inn Terminal 5. Note Runway 09L in the foreground. Double click picture to expand
Credit Tripadvisor |
| Travelodge Terminal Five | ||
| is a relatively new hotel build on an industrial estate between the parallel runways on around a 3/4 mile final. The hotel is only really of use when ops ore Easterly (around 1/3 of the time). When on westerlies, outbound’s can be seen from the hotel, however many are high and SBS would be required. For the more energetic this is the closest hotel to the King George Reservoir photo spots (around 30 minute walk) were great banking shots can be had of heavies departing 27L. Wifi is avaiable but is reported to be expensive | ||
| Location: | ** | In between the approach to the Easterly runways. Due to its remote location a car is required, otherwise the bus from the airport is £4 each way. There are no real shops or restaurants around the hotel, although the hotel itself does have it’s own restaurant and bar. |
| Spotting: | ** | Assuming that the airport is on Easterly ops ask for a room in the Annex as this will give excellent views of traffic landing 09L (the main landing runway on Easterly Ops). A family room should also give views of the 09R holding bays for outbound traffic. High level rooms on level 3 or above are required, otherwise other buildings obstruct the views. When Heathrow are on westerly ops the departures off 27R are quite hard and high to identify, the majority of traffic off 27L would also be out of view. |
| Photos: | *** | When on Easterly ops great approach shots should be possible from the area around the hotel with the sun behind you for most of the day. All is not lost if the airport is on westerly ops as great banking shots can be taken of the heavys from the location at King George Reservoir (shown on the map below). This location is around a 30 minute walk from the hotel.
Hotel report credit :Simon Butler |
| Value: | ** | From £40-80 a night |
| Book: | This hotel can be booked through the website of Travelodge
Please help support our site. We are constantly checking the links for hotels to find the best price offered for our readers. If the price on this site is the best quote you receive, please help us by booking your hotel from the link provided as we receive a small commission payment from the hotel. This helps contribute to the running costs of this site enabling us to continue to offer a great service |
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| Comment! | If you want to add or update anything, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page! | |
Below : Although the Travelodge Terminal 5 is better on Easterly ops aircraft can still be seen climbing out when on Westerly operations Credit Paul Yates
| Travelodge Central Bath Road | ||
| Location: | * | Located on Bath Road a little further north of the Premier Inn Bath Road |
| Spotting: | ** | Right on the final approach to Runway 27R. All aircraft landing, or departing from this runway can be read off. If on Easterlies traffic landing 09L can be read off as it vacates the runway. Departures on 09R can be seen briefly, however flight tracking software is required for tie ups. Reports appear to favour the views from this Travelodge, rather than the one at Terminal 5
Report 1 Just stayed at the Travelodge Central on Bath Road, very impressed. Granted a room on the 6th floor (604) which had unobstructed views looking right down runway 27R. 09L was in use during my stay so everything could be seen arriving so with SBS or FR24 things could be tied up easily. With a good pairs of bins or scope reggies could be read off if they turn off further down the runway. Departures from 09R can be seen as well but need to be quick as not in view for long. WIFI not free in the room but can be purchased for a reasonable rate. Breakfast adequate, cereals and a selection of hot stuff available. Parking still at £7.50 per 24hrs. Agrre with Paul that the views are better than Travelodge T5 and recommend to be in rooms 604, 606 or 608 to get best views. |
| Photos: | ** | You are directly under the arrivals for 27R so not great, however a 10 minute walk down the road should give you better aspects. |
| Value: | *** | Great value with a twin room at a weekend costing just £25 |
| Book: | This hotel can be booked through the following site :Travelodge | |
| Comment! | If you want to add or update anything, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page! | |
Below : Airport facing rooms at the Travelodge Heathrow Central gives views down Runway 27R. The hotel is situated on short final to this runway.
The Ibis Styles
This hotel was opened in 2016 and is situated more or less next door to the famous Renaissance Hotel meaning that it is only a 5 minute walk from the Visitors Center viewing area and adjacent McDonalds.
Breakfast is continental style. Evening meal is optional, if you prefer to eat out The Three Pigeons Pub opposite has great food. There are no tea or coffee making facilities in the hotel however there is a machine found near to the bar which guests can use free of charge.
Room 336 is reported to have excellent views. The hotel is only 4 floors so you do not get the great elevated views as you would in The Renaissance, however all movements can be seen for half of the price.
The trees in front of the hotel hinder photography due to the lack of height, better photos may be possible in the winter time once the trees have lost all of their foliage.
This hotel can be booked through the booking.com site
For detailed information on spotting areas around Heathrow please visit the spotterswiki.com
Booking.com
