Recommendations for London layover?

On our move to Bristol we're going to arrive at Heathrow around 8PM.  Rather than hustling to catch a train to Paddington and another to Bristol we thought we'd spend the night in London and catch a train to Bristol the next day.

Anyone know of a hotel between Heathrow and Paddington Station that might offer shuttle service to both?  Or any other recommendations?

BTW, the folks on this board have been too helpful to be believed.  I hope someday I can pay it forward...

Not knowing what your budget is, I might recommend that you jump on the Heathrow Express to Paddington and stay somewhere in that neck of the woods if you can't face the onward rail travel (or just want to make a fun night of it). I can recommend http://www.theroyalpark.com. My MiL stayed there once and loved it, and I can attest that it's lovely as I visited her there.

And there's the Bathurst Deli nearby to grab some croissants and coffee for a picnic in Hyde Park before you rush off to Bristol.

Another (cheaper) option is to just stay at Heathrow - a friend of mine had a 7hr layover on her way to Florence, so she stayed at the http://www.yotel.com at Heathrow to catch some shut eye. It's in Terminal 4. Interesting idea if you just want to chill after your flight and don't want the hassle of an onward train journey.

Interesting.  Budget is not a huge concern this time, but we're also not keen to spend a ton of money on a place merely to regroup/sleep.  The yotel might fit the bill, but I'm definitely open to other suggestions.

Anyone know of a hotel between Heathrow and Paddington Station that might offer shuttle service to both?  Or any other recommendations?

Last autumn I had to spend a night in London before flying out from Heathrow, and I used this service. I didn't stay anywhere near Paddington or Heathrow - I just chose a nice hotel in Kensington as I wanted to do some museum-ing that day. The shuttle was good, efficient, etc. and, as far as I can see, will collect you from just about any hotel in London. I did have to get up very early to be collected, but I didn't mind that. I can't actually remember how much it cost, but I thought it was reasonable and it saved me the bother of having to lug my suitcases onto taxis or on the tube.

Never heard of Yotel. How cool.

I know it isn't the fun option, but there's also national express that can take you from Heathrow to Bristol without all the stairs/escalators/trains etc. Just one coach. If you catch the 22:25, you're in Bristol 2 hours later. Just sayin'...

I know it isn't the fun option, but there's also national express that can take you from Heathrow to Bristol without all the stairs/escalators/trains etc. Just one coach. If you catch the 22:25, you're in Bristol 2 hours later. Just sayin'...

Yes, we looked into that.  We really prefer the "fun" option.  We get in at 20:10, so I want to leave plenty of time for reporting lost luggage, getting through customs, getting lost, etc.  Checking into a hotel gives us all the next day to get to Paddington and on to our hotel in Bristol.

We really prefer the "fun" option.

I hear ya!

Another (cheaper) option is to just stay at Heathrow - a friend of mine had a 7hr layover on her way to Florence, so she stayed at the http://www.yotel.com at Heathrow to catch some shut eye. It's in Terminal 4. Interesting idea if you just want to chill after your flight and don't want the hassle of an onward train journey.

I would suggest this for ease or Premier Inn for the slightly cheaper option - they have 2 near Heathrow and the Hoppa Bus isn't too expensive.

It turned out we couldn't find any hotels at the price/location we were hoping for.  We wound up at a hotel in Slough and took a train from there the next day.  Relatively easy, especially the trains.