If you do use your car to get to/from the airport, try http://www.holidayextras.co.uk/ for a combined package covering parking with overnight hotel on return. They often have very competitive rates and we've used them many times. You can check out the best deals then tripadvisor the hotels for ratings.

thanks, Gordon,

still not sure what whether we're going to get the train or drive, but i've bookmarked the website for future reference.

Hilton, at the airport, very nice, good food options

thanks, willperson, I'll have a look!

Hi ann...

I always look at holidayextras for parking and/or hotel deals, also purpleparking, pinkelephantparking (cheapest valet parking I've found at Heathrow) among others.

The Hilton is OK, though you have to pay extra for the Hoppa bus to get to and from the terminal.

If I am staying over, I usually stay in a cheap room at a Travelodge (around £29) and book parking separately. This tends to work out cheaper because I'm only away for a few days, but for longer trips it is probably worth looking at a combined deal.

Have a great trip!

thanks, julia!

i suspect that we will drive as we are travelling up on a Sunday, and I don't want to get caught up in the inevitable works on the line.

one snag is that the Hilton offers a deal with 15 days parking, but we actually need 16 days. i suppose i can e-mail them.

We stayed at the sofitel at Terminal 5 in March 2011. The beds were so comfortable we were asleep in minutes.

The main trade-off is cost-convenience, but the terminals at which you arrive/depart are also a consideration.

The nicest hotel is the Sofitel, at T5. It's relatively new and an easy walk from T5; it's a great choice if one or both of your flights is from T5. The Hilton "at" T4 is certainly a decent place, though not quite as nice as the Sofitel. Note that the Hilton is a good 10-15 minute walk from T4, with signposts every 10 meters that you've only got 370 ... 360 ,,, 350 meters left to go. Though they probably says metres, instead. Whatever.

Downside of the Sofitel and Hilton is their price. There are innumerable chain hotels in the Heathrow area (Sheraton, Crowne Plaza, etc.), often available at very reasonable price either directly through the hotel or through Priceline. The big downside for me is that it adds an extra 30-60 minutes to your trip to finally get to these places, via Hoppa or local bus.

it turns out that Sri Lanka airlines fly from Terminal 4, which is tipping me in favour of the Hilton. if you take the cost of parking for 16 days into account [the best quote being about £80] then the hotel begins to look more reasonable.

we don't mind a bit of a walk - better than the Hoppa, especially on the way back.

I suppose i ought to check the cost of the train too.

just checked the train - I can't get details of fares for sept and oct yet, but for july they are about £200 each.

so far the car option is ahead on points.

We always have stayed at the Hilton, easy.