Before our early morning flight to Orlando from Heathrow Terminal 3, we stayed overnight at Radisson Red Heathrow, located just a short drive from the terminal. From the hotel you can watch planes take off and land, and if you’re lucky enough to get a room on one of the higher floors with a runway view, it’s a plane-spotter’s dream.
We booked a stay-and-park package with Holiday Extras, which offered great value and was cheaper than booking hotel and parking separately. We’ve stayed at Radisson properties before, but this was our first time at a Radisson Red — a brand designed for the cool, modern traveller. Think of it as somewhere between a Moxy and a Hotel Indigo, with stylish, quirky interiors and fun, vibrant bedrooms.
First Impressions of the Radisson Red Heathrow
First Impressions of the Radisson Red HeathrowWe arrived in the late afternoon after a long drive down the M4. The lobby was busy, but what immediately stood out was how trendy and unique the interiors were — completely belying the 1960s exterior. Part of the building has been modernised with sleek white cladding, while the Radisson Red side retains the structure of the former Park Inn.
A striking new glass-and-mirror entrance, complete with a red Mini Cooper parked outside, creates the perfect Instagram-worthy photo spot for teens (and grown-ups too).
Parking and Location Near Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3
Parking was a little challenging. Our Holiday Extras package included overnight parking at the hotel and meet-and-greet parking the next morning. The hotel car park is large, but with so many rooms, spaces can be scarce. Top tip: head straight to the back of the car park, where there are usually plenty of spaces in the overflow area.
When it comes to location, Radisson Red Heathrow couldn’t be much closer to Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3. It sits right on Bath Road, facing the roundabout with the huge Emirates A380 model — just before the tunnel to the terminals.
We drove to Terminal 3 for our meet-and-greet parking, which took less than 10 minutes. If you’re not driving, the Hotel Hoppa bus runs to Terminals 2, 3 and 5 between 4:15 am and 10 pm daily, with a journey time of 20–30 minutes. The hotel also partners with WeKnowLondon for private transfers — a service we’ve used before and found excellent.
Design and Atmosphere
From the pop-art-style artwork to the three bright red phone boxes near reception, the Radisson Red Heathrow has a distinctly British feel. The stylish open-plan lobby features exposed filament bulbs and leads into a spacious bar and restaurant area. Complimentary flavoured water is a thoughtful touch for guests arriving from long journeys.
Although this is a dual-branded hotel (shared with the standard Radisson Heathrow), both properties share the same reception and facilities. Radisson Rewards members have their own check-in lane, but we had to mention our status at check-in to ensure we received access to the executive lounge.
Check-in itself was busy, and although there are self-service kiosks, a dedicated Radisson Red desk would make the process smoother.
Radisson Red Heathrow Family Rooms
The property is effectively two hotels in one — the Radisson and the more premium Radisson Red — sharing facilities such as the car park, restaurant, and leisure club. We actually stayed here over 20 years ago when it was the Park Inn, and it has since undergone a major renovation. As part of the 2020 transformation, the building was divided into two: the Radisson Red with 258 rooms and the Radisson with 637 rooms.
Our family rooms were impressive — especially spacious for an airport hotel. At 30 m² (323 sq ft), they’re larger and more stylish than the standard Radisson rooms. The huge mural above the bed made a striking statement, and the beds were exceptionally comfortable — perfect for a good night’s sleep before our 4:30 am wake-up call.
Our ground-floor room didn’t have much of a view (just some overgrown bushes), but rooms on higher floors overlook the runways — ideal for aviation enthusiasts.
Inside, a sleek Scandi-style desk, plentiful USB charging ports, wooden flooring, leather armchairs, and even a retro red rotary phone gave the room real personality. The wall-mounted TV offered streaming and casting options, and when our first room’s TV failed, staff handled the issue quickly and moved us to another room beside the girls’.
The bathroom was one of the most stylish we’ve seen in an airport hotel — featuring a large illuminated mirror, industrial-chic finishes, and a powerful rainfall shower.
The Executive Lounge at Radisson Red Heathrow
One of the highlights of our stay was the executive lounge, located on the fourth floor. As a family, we really value hotels that offer this facility — it makes travelling with teens so much easier.
The lounge is modern, spacious, and calm — ideal for relaxing after a long drive or before a long-haul flight. All-day refreshments include tea, coffee, soft drinks, fruit, and biscuits. Between 6 pm and 8 pm, complimentary canapés, wine, beer, and spirits are served — a lovely way to unwind away from the busy main bar. It’s absolutely worth upgrading to a room with lounge access or using your Radisson Rewards status to enjoy it.
Facilities and Dining
For a Heathrow airport hotel, the range of facilities is impressive. Guests have access to a full leisure club with a gym, pool, sauna, and steam room — all shared with the Radisson side. The property is also a major conference venue, with two multipurpose centres and 41 meeting rooms.
There isn’t much directly around the hotel, but within a few minutes’ walk you’ll find a McDonald’s, a local pub (where we ate dinner), and a petrol station for snacks. On-site dining includes the Icons Bar and Fellini Restaurant — although the latter was closed during our visit.
Breakfast was included in our rate, but with an 8 am flight (and a 5 am airport arrival), we had to skip it. The restaurant, though, looked modern and stylish — in keeping with the rest of the property.
Is the Radisson Red Heathrow Family-Friendly?
Absolutely. The Radisson Red Heathrow is one of the most stylish and family-friendly hotels near Heathrow Airport. Its location close to Terminals 2 and 3 makes it ideal for early or late flights, and the quirky design adds a touch of fun for kids and teens.
Overall
If you’re looking for a modern Heathrow airport hotel with parking, great family rooms, and easy access to terminals 2 and 3, the Radisson Red Heathrow is an excellent choice. The interiors feel more boutique than business, and the executive lounge access is a real bonus. The only downside is the busy car park, so allow a little extra time for parking.
Ready to Book?
Park-and-fly packages at Radisson Red Heathrow with Holiday Extras start from around £209 through Holiday Extras, including a standard double room, breakfast, and two weeks’ parking.