Help pls! Celebrating our anniversary

If your accommodation budget is between $350-$700 you can easily afford the 15 minute Heathrow Express ride from LHR to Paddington Station. Look online for cheaper tickets or simply use you debit card at the kiosks when your arrive. Kids will travel free.

From there take a black cab. It will be tight but there is substantial space and unless you have overpacked I believe you'd all fit inside. A ride in a black cab is as about as iconic London as you can get, Look at this link regarding the test these drivers have to take to get their license. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3307245/the-knowledge-taxi-test-exam-london-black-cab-drivers/

If you want to be close to the iconic sites then see if you can get rooms at the Premiere Inn London Waterloo, The Marriot Hotel County Hall, Park Plaza London Waterloo, Hampton by Hilton London Waterloo, You'll see the reason I've suggested these hotels when you read about transport to Southhampton. https://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/southampton_train.htm

Please know that hotel rooms in London aren't usually as large as you'll find in the States. Maybe not as large as the cabin you'll have on the cruise. I've never stayed in any of the hotels I've suggested so you will need to peruse each to see if any meet your standards or offer suites.

London is packed with tourists in July. Best book your rooms ASAP.

Hotels in the UK and Europe are pretty well accustomed to Americans arriving (in a jetlagged state of consciousness) on morning flights and desiring early check-in. Since your July 7 stay is only one night, it's understandable that you want to get settled and then go out to see the sights of London, not hang around the hotel for hours waiting for your room to be ready. I'd inquire about this when you book your reservation, as they might have an early check-in fee or some other policy that would meet your needs -- or, if they don't, then go on and ask the next possible hotel.

Thank you so much, Claudia.
Regarding the Heathrow express, will there be stairs and escalators from Terminal2, before we ride the train? My kids are only 7 and 8 yrs old so that's why I was wandering if I should just hire a private transfer to London but not sure of a good company to use.

For the black cab-- i thought they are strict on having 5 passengers only? we are 4 adults and 2 kids, and possibly 4 big luggages.

Thanks again!

Thanks for the info @Epltd.

I can see why this is confusing because you have several pieces to put together and you have many options.

I would start by figuring out how you are going to get to Southampton. If all 4 adults have good mobility, I would look at taking the train. Getting a private car sounds expensive and it is a long way. You can get taxis to and from the station. You can always split up and take 2 taxis.

Once you figure out how you are getting to Southampton, you can figure out the rest. If you take the train from Waterloo or Victoria, then you could stay close to your station. Say you take the train to Southampton from Waterloo. Then, you might not want to take Heathrow Express to Paddington.

I don't have any experience with private cars.

My last piece if advice is that I have found RS guidebooks helpful for finding hotel rooms for my family of 4 because he indicates how many people can stay in rooms at his recommended hotels. He doesn't go up to 6 -- but you could get 2 triples or a quad + double.

My thoughts exactly Eef......There's not much hotel choice in terms of hotel for 4Adults, 2 kids , even a suite for 6. Right now they are charging at least $1,200 for all of us/one night.........And yes, the trip to Southhampton
is stressing me out since I have 2 kids ages 7 and 8 and not sure how inconvenient the train/going to the stations will be.

I am looking at National Express bus which leaves at Victoria coach station but can't find any decent hotel for 6 close to it ........sigh

Thank you so much for the advice and i will look into The RS hotel list!!

Have you looked at Premier Inns? They are everywhere and quite reasonably priced. I like them for one-or-two night stays when proximity to transportation is important.

The London Elizabeth Hotel is a great hotel in a great location. It's a 7 minute walk from Paddington Station, which is where the Heathrow Express comes into. It's a two minute walk from Lancaster Gate tube station, around the corner from The Swan Pub and across the street from Kensingston Gardens/Hyde Park.

Thank you @Laurel. I was looking for a nice hotel for our anniversary. I will check it out.

Thanks @Robin Z. I will check it out. Right now I am planning the best way to get to Southampton for 4 adults and 2 kids.

I don't think going to Southampton is going to be difficult. Ask your hotel to order you a taxi or two depending on your luggage. When you get to the station, get a luggage cart (or two). Tell the kids to hold on to the carts.

Look at getting two rooms. You might be able to get connecting rooms. Premier Inns are good basic hotels and will work for your kids. I don't know about your anniversary. Hotels in London are expensive and rooms are small. We have stayed at two hotels -- one in Kensington and one near the British Museum -- with tiny rooms that somehow had beds for 4. We didn't spend much time in our rooms so it was fine.

Thanks again, Eef! I appreciate it. Take care.

Trains leave from London Waterloo Station to Southampton, one leaves at 8:35am arrives at 9:49am. If bought today ticket would be £62.00 for the group.

Thank you, Robin Z. So helpful!