Get an overnight covid test and 5* Heathrow hotel stay from £179

Arora Group, which operates a number of hotels in and around Heathrow Airport, is offering a new rate that bundles an overnight stay with a 24-hour Covid test.

You can now book a ‘Test & Rest’ package at the Sofitel Heathrow Terminal 5. Rates start at £179 (£199 midweek) for bed, breakfast and PCR test for one person. Additional tests are £60.

HALO, a UK biotech firm, will provide the PCR test, which is based on a self-administered saliva sample.

Guests at the hotel simply download the HALO app, scan their test kit, spit in a tube and put it back in the Halo pack.

Arora states that tests submitted by 8pm will be processed overnight, with results returned via the app by 10am. The app acts as a certificate in the case of a negative test result.

Which Heathrow hotels are eligible for ‘Test & Rest’?

‘Test & Rest’ is due to be available at all Arora-run Heathrow hotels at some point. However, I don’t – for example – see it on hilton.com for the Hilton Garden Inn Heathrow Terminal 2/3 or marriott.com for the Renaissance Heathrow.

It IS available for booking via the Accor website. However, it is hidden. You need to select the ‘Packages’ tab on the pricing page to see it:

If I try to book a room for two people, I get this at £60 more:

Conclusion

This is an interesting initiative by Arora As long as your destination will accept the saliva-based PCR test, with results delivered by an app and not a paper certificate, then this is a good option.

The pricing is also keen, given that most private tests cost from £150. The Sofitel’s weekend rates of £179 for a test plus overnight stay (£199 midweek) are very competitive.

You can book via the Accor website here. Remember to select the ‘Packages’ tab on desktop.

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