Need a hotel for family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids)for night before leaving England. Flight is at 9:35 am to Frankfurt from Heathrow.

We'll be staying outside of London (M25 @ J25), Cheshunt, Waltham Cross, Enfield area...

We're debating whether we should stay put for the last night and just get up early to get to the airport -- or stay somewhere closer for just that last night.

We've heard that construction and just typical M25 rush hour traffic could make the trip from Waltham Cross a long one (up to 2 hours maybe?)

However, staying at an airport hotel near Heathrow doesn't sound ideal, either.

Is there a middle ground that would still be a quick or easy cab ride to the airport?

We will not have a car. We are flying out on a Tuesday morning, if it makes a difference.

Recommendations, please! Thank you.

again, I'd consider a car service. We once had one meet us at 4:30 AM. When you get a quote on pick up you might check on the return. I'm unsure how long that drive would be.

I'm sure a car service would be fine. But I like the security of being near the airport. Novotel Heathrow allows two free kids under 12, and possibly Sheraton and Marriott do as well.

We stayed at the Heathrow Marriott last summer for 1 night (our flight arrived in the evening) before starting a weekly apartment rental. We are a family of 4 with 2 kids. The hotel was nicer than I expected. Plenty of room for the 4 of us.

Junction 25 is a long way from LHR. You'll want to be at the airport by 7:30 or earlier. Now, early in the a.m. the M25 isn't nearly as bad as after 8:30 - but it is still a long drive.

I don't think staying out on the north side of the M25 the last night makes any sense - car service or not. There are so many decent hotels right at LHR, it would be <b>much</b> more convenient to stay there.

I stayed at the Sheraton Skyline, booking it through Priceline, about a month ago, and was quite satisfied. If your kids are old enough to stay in a room by themselves, you might consider it (I paid a little over 40 pounds for the room). I've also stayed at the Radisson at Heathrow, booked normally, and liked it a lot, too.

Have you check on the Ibis Heathrow? The Ibis hotels, owned by Accor, are basic but close and not too expensive.

Or the Premier Travel Inn - rooms for 4 at good rates.

Check out Harmondsworth Hall near Heathrow. Only 6 pounds for a taxi to Heathrow, and they will make the arrangements for the taxi for you-very near-lovely place. Just go to Harmondsworthhall.com. Gets some very nice reviews at tripadvisor.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm convinced staying at the airport is the way to go. I'm looking into the hotel suggestions next!

Try www.expedia.co.uk, click on Hotels only, and key in Heathrow as your destination. That will show you a selection of hotels near the airport.