inexpensive lodging near Heathrow

Terminals 1, 2 and 3
There are numerous airport hotels surrounding the area around of terminals 1, 2 and 3 with the Holiday Inn Heathrow being the closest. This is a contemporary hotel with extensive facilities and amenities that's well connected with transport links to the airport. As well as also being the closest to the airport the Holiday Inn Heathrow boasts great value for money on top of the usual facilities you'd expect from this level of quality accommodation.

There is actually little in the way of terminal specific hotels at Heathrow airport. Most of the major chains are located very close to one another and the various transport options also provide a great deal of flexibility in the choice of airport hotels making it easier for people to stay at a hotel further away if it better suits their needs.

Terminals 4 & 5
There are two hotels directly connected to Heathrow airport; the Hilton at Terminal 4 and the Sofitel at Terminal 5. The area surrounding the airport also has numerous other hotels close by although separate from the airport itself. They are all well served with cheap and reliable transport connections making it easy to get to any of the hotels around Heathrow airport regardless of their proximity to your departure terminal.

There is also the Yotel, actually in Terminal 4. I haven't stayed at a Yotel yet, but if I had a suitable layover I'd certainly try it.

http://www.yotel.com/Hotels/London-Heathrow

I flew back from Heathrow a week ago and spent the preceding night at the Premier Inn on Bath Road. (There are two Premier Inns at Heathrow.) I recommend it. It cost me GBP55, and it has a good restaurant as well as a bar.

There's a "hoppa" bus service between the terminals and nearby hotels (http://www.londontoolkit.com/lhr/hotel_hoppa_bus.htm) but I splurged and took taxis for GBP12 each way. Check-in and check-out were quick and easy. The hotel phoned for a taxi for me on my way back to Terminal 1 and it arrived within two minutes. I think the taxi ride took no more than 10 minutes.

I haven't stayed at the Holiday Inn so I can't comment on it. I suggest you compare prices. If the Premier Inn is significantly less expensive, you won't suffer if you choose it.

If you're flying on United, check on the Heathrow terminal from which your flight will depart. Not all United flights to the US use the same terminal.

Very good value, clean , bus to terminal