Heathrow T5's first hotel opens
by Caroline Wilkinson | 06 Aug 2008
Arora International Hotels has opened its £180m five-star Sofitel London Heathrow – the first hotel to open at the airport's Terminal 5 (T5).
The 605-bedroom property, designed by architect Stephen Williams – who also created Hilton's Conrad Hotel in Chelsea Harbour – features an Imperial Suite, a brasserie and tea room, two bars and a spa with a health suite and gym.
The spa is operated by Sofitel London Heathrow and uses a full range of ESPA products. Facilities include five treatment rooms and a hydro suite, a vitality pool, aromatherapy steam room, sauna, experience shower, relaxation room and the Heathrow Clinic for Botox.
Heathrow's Sofitel is the first airport hotel to house a 24-hour gym. The facility, installed by Star Trac, features 18 stations, including nine pieces of CV equipment, resistance kit and free weights.
The rest of the hotel comprises of 45 meeting rooms, including the 1,309sq m (14,089sq ft) Arora Suite, which is capable of accommodating up to 1,700 people and houses a 117- seat, tiered, theatre and three boardrooms.
The interior is designed by Khuan Chew of KCA International and the Imperial Suite boasts a Swarovski crystal bathroom.
"The Sofitel London Heathrow is not an airport hotel, it's a five-star luxury hotel which just happens to be at an airport," said Surinder Arora, chair of Arora International Hotels.
Arora International Hotels owns and operates the property under the French Sofitel franchise.
Arora International Hotels has opened its £180m five-star Sofitel London Heathrow – the first hotel to open at the airport's Terminal 5 (T5). The 605-bedroom property, designed by architect Stephen Williams – who also created Hilton's Conrad Hotel in Chelsea Harbour – features an Imperial Suite, a brasserie and tea room, two bars and a spa with a health suite and gym. The spa is operated by Sofitel London Heathrow
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