Arriving at Heathrow airport around noon. Should we go east or west?

Have you traveled to UK or Europe before? I ask because you should expect to be jet lagged and tired when you arrive. I suggest heading for your hotel, leave your bags if the room isn't yet ready and head out for a walk. Sunshine and exercise are the best cure for jet lag.....oh, and espresso. I love Windsor, but you would probably be too tired to really appreciate it. I remember my first trip to the UK. We landed and went on one of the double decker bus tours. I was almost falling asleep most of the time, but at least I was outside and getting fresh air. Have an early dinner, take a refreshing shower back at the hotel and try to stay up until at least 8 or 9 pm.

Unless one of your travel goals is to experience London traffic jams firsthand, I would NOT do any hop on hop off buses.

I'd head directly to your hotel and drop your bags. Depending on the crowd at Border Control it may take you a couple of hours to exit the airport and get into town, so maybe you'd be at your hotel at 2PM.

Have you decided on your transportation to your hotel? Looking at the location, I'd recommend you take the National Express coach to Victoria Coach Station. From the Arrivals Hall to your hotel is about a 6 minute walk per googlemaps. The coach takes about an hour. You won't have to be on crowded transport with your bags. No need to buy the coach ticket ahead of time.

https://goo.gl/maps/5RZ3Y27oKSm9wAtV9

Get something to eat, then walk to St James' Park and see the front of Buckingham Palace so you can be out in the sun.

Most hotels will allow you into your room if you arrive a few hours early (even if you didn't pay for early-check) if the room is ready.

Born when Truman was in office.

Travel to London nearly every year. LAX overnight flight to LHR on Virgin Atlantic.

Biggest waste of time and money are the Hop On Hop Off busses.

Walk around your neighborhood. Find the closest market/grocer for bottled water and snacks, closest underground station, closest Boots pharmacy ( just in case), cafe ( for coffee and a nosh).

https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/airport-services/left-luggage

Costly and time consuming leaving luggage at the airport.

Definitely confirm with hotel that it permits luggage storage.

Try to travel only with carry on luggage.

Besides you’ll be lucky to deplane, go through immigration and retrieve your bags in under 2 hours.
Depends at which terminal you arrive at and how many other flights as yours arrive as well.

Lastly, never assume.

It took us about 3 hours from plane landing to arriving at hotel.

That's an easy decision made then! Thank you all -- I do think heading straight for the hotel from the airport sounds like the best idea, followed by lunch and a nice stroll around the area. :)

We’ve had good luck being able to check in early when the room was ready. Since you’ll be arriving close to check in, there’s a good chance it will be ready by the time you make it to the hotel.