Heathrow airport hotel launches packages with Covid-19 tests
An airport hotel has launched a new package that includes a Covid-19 PCR test.
The Sofitel at London Heathrow is now selling “test and rest” stays for travellers, comprised of a night at the hotel, breakfast and a PCR test.
On arrival at the Terminal 5 hotel, guests take a self-administered test that requires them to spit in a tube.
This is then couriered to a lab at Imperial College in London for processing overnight.
The testing programme is being delivered by biotech firm Halo, and guests must also download the Halo app when they check in.
The app is linked directly to their test, so their result and certificate appears in the app as soon as it’s ready.
It means that, provided they don’t test positive for the virus, travellers can wake up ready to fly to the many destinations that currently require proof of a negative test result.
The package offers good value – considering many private Covid-19 tests cost around £150 – with prices starting from just £179.
According to Arora Group, the company that owns the Sofitel, if the package proves successful it will be rolled out across the brand’s other airport properties.
“Our beloved hospitality, airline and the wider tourism industry has been devasted by the pandemic and we felt the need to do something to give both business and leisure travellers the confidence to travel,” said Surinder Arora, founder and CEO of Arora Group.
“The ability to stay in a hotel the night before a flight and get a recognised PCR saliva based Covid-19 test and subsequent result before the flight the following day just made sense”.
Dr Nigel Kellow, chief medical officer at Halo, added: “We believe that in Halo we have created a system that offers hotel guests and many others a safe, secure and simple way to travel and enjoy life again in confidence.
“We hope more organisations in the travel industry will follow Surinder Arora's example.”
Read more
Heathrow Covid lamp test - what happens in the pop-up clinic
