Staines, can i recommend a cruise out of southampton, easy to accomadate 5 and everything on hand.....kids get looked after during the day...allowing for plenty of R & R and the occassional bevvy during the day....total chill out. For somewhere other than the Med suggest Norway & mid night sun...something to behold....
Hmmm.........Worth a thought. Thanks mate, wil put that suggestion to Mrs Staines later. Really hadn't thought of that and definately got me thinking. Thanks again
If you want a hotel and value Ciarrai, I have always found the Jurys Inn Heathrow great value. I have booked that for as little as £50 per night. You could get 2 rooms, one for you and the missus and a seperate triple for the kids. I think you can get adjoining rooms. Might be worth having a look at although location wise, not great for Stansted but good if you fly in to Heathrow.
ps dont forget the travelcards for the kids. If you buy at a tube station, U16's are £3 each for the day.
Premier Inn - County Hall. Right in the centre of the action with the Thames, Westminster, Big Ben etc. But a family of 5 is a nuisance as I well know For the kids there is a nearby McDonalds (essential!) and there is even an amusemet hall with dodgems underneath, ideal to kill an hour when they need a bit of relaxing time in the evening. A Premier Inn has also just opened by Waterloo Station which is nearby. They can be a bit expensive, but you done need to buy train/tube tickets because you are in the centre of London.