Sam White

Review of Sofitel T5

Recently l booked the Sofitel Heathrow Terminal 5 ...

Recently l booked the Sofitel Heathrow Terminal 5 overnight accommodation deal that included Covid test by another company with a desk in the hotel lobby operating under the name of HALO.
Even though Sofitel under their disclaimer insist that HALO is an independent 3rd party
The Sofitel reception front desk staff handle the Covid test kits and are well versed in the procedure helping customers like myself arriving at checkin for the test.
The test kits are sent overnight to a laboratory for overnight analysis with the results expected early next morning to enable people to travel with a negative Covid result via an app or email or a downloadable certificate to show immigration authorities.
Due to an error in the lab the test had to be rerun which resulted in receiving my result 2pm next day.
My 11am flight was therefore cancelled and I lost 1000.00 Sterling as the ticket was non refundable as well as holiday accommodation booked and extras including the Sofitel package 199.00 and transport to and from Heathrow.
The whole experience was abysmal and left a bad taste in ones mouth.
Other distraught passengers in the lobby included 2 women who missed their flight and Christmas holiday to Tenerife as well as a couple flying to Zagreb.
The hotel sent us an apology but neglected to offer any kind of recompense or refund.
I was contemplating boarding the flight regardless but transiting thru Belgium would mean Covid isolation returning to these shores not to mention 2 weeks quarantine on arrival in Gambia without producing a Covid fee test certificate on arrival

For anyone contemplating the Sofitel hotel test package be warned of the inherent danger involved both financially and mental well being