Day 1 continues.............
Checking –in
The Sofitel London Heathrow – Club Level – Booked Privately
Honestly, who feels like going back to revisit something you’d crossed off your planning list months ago? Not us. First place we turn to solve our hotel problem is directly with the Sofitel. Good thing. A search for 3 adults, does exceed capacity for the standard room, but not for a suite.
This was the lowest category offered:
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junior Suite - large room with king-size bed plus sofa bed, Club Millesime Lounge access.
3 Adults , 0Child
35 m²/373 sq.ft., bathroom with bath and separate walk-in shower, sofa bed ideal for up to 2 children. Club Millésime Lounge access. FREE unlimited WIFI or broadband Internet access, FREE light breakfast in Club Millésime. FREE soft drinks in minibar.
Members Rate, Room only
GBP 281.30 per night
Up to 10% extra off
Members' rate, Join while you book
Total price VAT included for 1 night
Taxes included
This rate is reserved for members of the Le Club AccorHotels, a free loyalty programme.
members rate conditions:
Take advantage of the hotel's most flexible offer. Be or become a member of Le Club Accorhotels. Members must present their card upon check-in at the hotel (or their member number if they have not yet received their card).
- Payment at the hotel
- Free cancellation
Breakfast included
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If you convert the GPB @ 1.28 USD = $ 725 USD total for 2 nights.
wow. A mini-suite for all of us for 2 nights with lounge access for $192 more than the $ 534
DCL was charging for 2 standard hotel rooms to accommodate the 3 adults for just a single night.
We’ll take it.
There was no charge to become a member of the Le Club AccorHotels so we signed up. This allowed us to reserve the room with just a card on file - no deposit down, free cancellation & a 10% discount. If anything else changed we were covered.
The only thing left was to call the DCL and see if we could cancel the room reservation but still keep the cruise transfers from the Sofitel to the port. Their answer - "yes you can still have the transfers."
And there it was right on the cruise reservation. Room dropped but transfers from the Sofitel still listed.
That was easy. We really lucked out.
The suite life @ the Sofitel London Heathrow
We knew nothing about this hotel. Non-generic online pics were hard to come by and the club level description was vague.
The jr. suite we initially reserved only posted this 1 stock photo:
I say
initially because this isn’t the room we wind up with. 5 days before we are about to leave for this trip, the Sofitel emails an upgrade request for their Prestige Suite.
I ignore it.
JQ on the other hand………. (apparently isn’t as cheap as I am)
Next thing I know this arrives in the inbox: (too funny)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear xxx
We have received your Sofitel London Heathrow eStandby Upgrade® request.
What's next?
•
You will find out if you are upgraded when you arrive at the hotel.
•
If you are upgraded you will be charged the additional nightly fee shown below for your new room type.
•
If you are not upgraded you will keep your currently reserved room,
and pay nothing extra. (See confirmed room details below).
Your requests are awarded subject to availability. At most one premium room request can be awarded.
Requested eStandby Upgrade(s)® Prestige Suite
Extra per night £61
Total extra for the stay £122
All prices subject to applicable taxes.
You can
MODIFY or
CANCEL your request(s) up to 24 hour(s) prior to day of arrival by clicking
HERE
Currently Reserved Room
All prices subject to applicable taxes.
Room Type: Junior Suite
Arrival: July 07, 2017
Departure: July 09, 2017
eStandby Upgrades® at these substantial savings are determined at time of check-in and are not guaranteed.
Remember:
Find out at check-in if you receive an eStandby Upgrade®. If not, keep your original booking and pay nothing extra.
We look forward to welcoming you as our guest!
Warm Regards,
Sofitel London Heathrow
+44 20 8757 7777
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You can see where this is going - of course it comes through.
(There goes another piece of that 750 we saved)
But I have to admit, JQ scored a big win on this impulse!
By the time we check-in it’s close to 9pm UK time. We’ve been up since 2am US time. So it’s taken a good 14hrs to get here. We open the door, and this is what greeted us.
Yes, that’s the sleeper sofa all prepped and waiting for Iron Man.
They were expecting him.
With clean towels on the bed.
His own bathroom (off the entryway)
A well stocked fridge – all complimentary
and some fresh baked cookies sitting on the desk
Continued in the next post..............