We will need a hotel at LHR and want something close to the terminals,easy to drag bags for an AM departure...any suggestions?

Which terminal will you be departing from? There's a Sofitel attached to Terminal 5 and a Hilton attached to Terminal 4. And there's a shuttle to other hotels in the vicinity. If your flight's really early, check if the shuttle will be running.

I just stayed at the Rennaisance airport. There is a shuttle for something like 4 or 5 pounds. I took a taxi for a rediculous 20 pounds. (a five minute ride)

In the past I've stayed at the Holiday Inn and the staff gave me a ride free.

We stayed at the Hilton attached to Terminal 4 - there's a pretty long slightly uphill walk into the airport but at least it doesn't cost anything.

I've stayed at Jury's Inn next to the Hatton Cross tube station. It is about a 10 minute walk from the tube station.

We've used the Hilton at T4 and found it convenient and comfortable.

I hate the Hoppa! It can take ages to get to your hotel.

The Sofitel at T5 is really lovely (stayed twice) and the Hilton at T4 is also nice. If you land at the other terminals you can get the free Express train.

oh yes, i should have added that we found the Hilton comfortable and clean.

it mostly depends on your budget. The hotels on site are expensive but convenient (though not convenient to every terminal -- that makes a difference too). Some off airport hotels are actually more convenient depending on the terminal.

So -- what is your budget? And which terminal(s) are you using?

Which terminal is key. If it's Terminal 4 you can sleep IN the terminal at the Yotel.

we used the Hilton because of its parking which was comparatively reasonable when linked with a hotel room.

We stayed at a hotel nearby - The Swan in Staines. It was on the banks of the Thames and lovely - hard to beleive we were minutes away from LHR. We arranged for a taxi and I don't remember the exact price (I'm cheap) and it wasn't bad. But we really enjoyed our last night in England there at the inn, much nicer than a souless airport hotel and we had a nice dinner in the pub watching the swans and sculls on the Thames glide by.

We love the Yotel in Terminal 4. Yes, it's a pod, but by the end of our vacation, we're focused on going home. No worries about taxis, strikes, etc. Just get up, take the elevator, and you're at the airline check-in desk.

Wetherspoon's restaurant is right there, plus all sorts of sandwich and coffee bars.

Only IF you are flying out of T-4. Otherwise it is inconvenient.

(The yotel is fine for a short layover, but for overnight it's fairly expensive since they charge by the hour )