ibis London Heathrow Airport

The hotel's modern interior is far more cheerful than its dreary highway location surrounded by other budget airport hotels. The lobby, restaurant, and bar meld into one space, decorated in dark, moody tones with stylish furnishings and trompe l'oeil wallpaper. Charcoal walls, columns, and ceilings plus gray carpeting set the trendy tone, which are livened up with bright-red and orange retro seating, photo mural of colorful stacked suitcases, and a ceiling section that looks like someone wrote all over a whiteboard. Interactive screens display flight and weather information, tips for visiting London, and even allow guests to send digital postcards. The restaurant has a similar cool, laid-back look with bookshelf-print wallpaper adjacent to an actual bookshelf. The minimalist rooms aren't quite as interesting, but they provide a decent place to sleep for the majority of guests who are here for only one night.

There's nothing to the hotel's neighborhood except for its convenient proximity to Heathrow Airport. It's just a 10-minute drive from the airport, but nearby restaurant and fast-food joints are few and far between. A hotel shuttle runs every 20 to 30 minutes (from 4:20 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. during our stay), however journey time is roughly 30 to 40 minutes and it requires a fee. A free nearby bus also goes there, though note guests will need to cross the highway to reach it. Most travelers are here for quick overnight stays, as getting into London proper requires an hour drive or use of public transportation. Parking is available on-site for a cost.

Minimally decorated rooms are small and a bit dark on account of tiny windows, but they're soundproofed and block out noise from overhead planes. Queen-size beds have white linens, built-in bedside lamps, and light-wood headboards that connect to the small desks and closest with exposed shelving and hanging space. Retro bright-orange plastic chairs and blue accent walls add some much-needed dose of color. Rooms lack fridges, but all have a flat-screen TV, phone, full-length mirror, and hairdryer, plus tea- and coffee-making facilities. Compact bathrooms with charcoal tile are equipped with walk-in showers, illuminated mirrors, and towels, but toiletries are very basic and limited to wall dispensers. Wi-Fi is free.

The Ibis' layout may be simple and un-fussy, but for an airport hotel, it's got some well thought-out additions. Fogg's Kitchen and Bar offers casual international dining, with a range of Italian, British, and Mexican dishes, as well as curries. It doubles up as a breakfast space, which is served buffet-style for a fee. Traditional British cooked items of bacon and sausage are accompanied by continental fare such as pastries, cereals, and yogurt. The restaurant also has an outdoor seating area. There's no gym, but some handy additions include an ironing room and free use of computers and printers in the lobby. Pets are allowed for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout.