My group arrives back on 11 July too late to fly out to USA; therefore, departure will be on 12 July. Need recommendations for a one night stay at hotel nearest Heathrow's Terminal, and perhaps a bit more economical than Sofitel. Think there's an hotel near Terminal 5 with a...tunnel?....that accesses Terminal 5 (sketchy details on that) Appreciate all suggestions as to 'where' to stay for one night, prior to my 11:55 am departure on BA. i would suppose that I need to be in place at Terminal 5 on 12 July, by 9 am Thank you for all tips and suggestions!
The Sofitel is the only hotel connected to Terminal 5. There are other hotels on Heathrow itself connected to other terminals but that would mean a short train ride to Terminal 5 (free) or staying in a hotel on the perimeter of the airport and taking the Hoppa bus. (for a fee.)
Terminal 4 has the most choices including a Premier Inn. (Economical).
I use the usually extremely inexpensive Premier Inn at T4. I can't tell you how long it will take to get to T5 from T4. The hotel is connected to T4 but is about a 15-minute walk. I've always flown out of a different terminal, and I haven't found it onerous to get there from the PI. Some of the hotels at the airport are more than double the cost of the PI; I don't mind staying at the wrong terminal if I can save 50 to 100 pounds.
The PI's rates tend to go up as you get closer to the arrival date.
There is actually a Premier Inn Terminal 5 as well. It is not connected to the terminal but it is a very short local bus 2 stops I think from Terminal 5, very fast and easy and free when you get off at the Premier Inn and the bus stop where you take the bus back to the airport is right across from the lobby. I have stayed at both Premier Inn Terminal 4 and 5, they are both very nice and clean. They have a nice restaurant bar area. Terminal 5 is right next to a MacDonalds if you want to save money on food for your group. Terminal 4 is a long covered tunnel walk. Both are good choices. I usually stay at the one I am departing from.
https://www.hotelhoppa.co.uk/bus-services/
If you scroll down a bit you’ll see all of the hotels that are serviced by the bus from terminal five.
The benefit of using the Premier Inn at Terminal 5 is you don't use the hoppa bus which cost 5 pounds one way. You use the local bus 423 that runs every 15 minutes and is free as long as you get off at that Premier Inn. That can be a significant savings for a group.