I always book the over night flight from the West Coast of the US to Heathrow. Thus when I land and get through immigration I want to get into the city ASAP. No dawdling. I'm on vacation and I want to begin it immediately.
If I stay at my preferred accommodation I'll check in, drop of luggage and head into Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens to walk about. For me helps to reduce jet lag. I'll then have a late pub lunch or I'll eat at Tudkin which is a Malaysian restaurant that I adore and an easy saunter from the hotel.
Let me get down to the trip....where I went, who I saw, what I explored, how I traveled.
Arrival date Dec 10. Immigration took about 25 minutes if memory serves me well. Lines not abhorrent. Through terminal shopping area and then the long well signed walk to the Heathrow Express. There are moving escalators but do be prepared for the distance.
Given I'd been in London that January I had some left over coinage and a 5 pound note as well as an Oyster card that had money left on it. Upon my arrival at Paddington I topped up the card with the 5 pound note, then made my way to the adjacent Cafe Nero Express station for a coffee.
Having used the tfl.gov.uk website to plan my route I boarded a train to Ealing Broadway ( 7 min ride which I'd discovered during the January visit) exited and boarded a District line train to Turnham Green station. Exited the station, turned left, walked under the over pass, and continued to the Main Street. Crossed at the light and stopped at the Barclays ATM to retrieve cash for my stay. Then walked a block to Devonshire Rd and turned left. Followed it for another 6-7 blocks to the underground tunnel that goes under the Hogarth Roundabout. You will enter the underground tunnel right in front of the Telsa offices (ramp or stairs), walk half way through it then turn right and use stairs or ramp to exit. Comes out adjacent to the large Premier Inn. Pretty certain (although I didn't ask) this was some sort of business office before it became a Premier Inn.The entrance isn't right in front as one would presume. From the underpass you walk past the building on the left and at the back side is the entrance.
Now this is a totally separate story ( which I have no intention of reliving) but when you walk into the entrance which is about 15-20 feet from the street you will encounter elevator doors on the right. I chose the first one on the right. Pressed the floor 1 button, elevator moved, then slammed to a stop. 30 minutes later a repair person was finally able to pry the doors ajar just enough for me to shove out my 22 inch roller bag and small back pack and then I lowered myself to the floor. Not a good beginning. After I'd gotten settled into my room (108) and calmed myself ( no claustrophobia, just impatience) I went back out and via the underground passage made my way to the charming George and Devonshire Pub which is across the road. It is part of the Fuller Brewery. Sat by the fire on a comfy couch and relaxed. Sun had set when I left and I walked back into Chiswick where I ate Bill's on the High Street. Tired and sated walked back to the Premier Inn and fell fast asleep. Even though the view from room was the adjacent road with loads of traffic and the Telsa hdqtrs it was a very quiet room.
Part 3 later....