Luxury T5 hotel marks construction milestone

A luxury hotel currently being built in the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport has marked a major construction milestone.

The £180 million Sofitel London Heathrow celebrated its "topping out" ceremony - where the last beam is placed on the roof of the structure - and held the first preview of its facilities this week.

It boasts 605 superior, deluxe, executive and suite bedrooms and spectacular decor that follows the theme of a different continent in each part of the building, including an intriguing water fountain in the reception area to represent Antarctica.

Hints of Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas are also present in the adjoining public area, while each bedroom will have its own individual style.

"Sofitel London Heathrow at Terminal 5 is set to become the gateway to the world," commented Surinder Arora, chairman of Arora International Hotels.

"The new Sofitel will represent world-class hospitality, with the luxury and comfort associated with the Sofitel brand, along with the convenience and ease the modern-day traveller needs and expects," he added.

Terminal 5 will open in March 2008 and is expected to serve about 30 million passengers a year.

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