Novotel London Heathrow M4 Jct 4: the complete traveller's guide
A genuinely family-friendly 4-star Accor hotel off the M4 at Cherry Lane, with a heated indoor pool, a kids' play room and standout family offers. An honest, detailed rundown — rooms, prices, dining, the pool, parking, WiFi, accessibility, getting to each terminal, and the smartest way to book.
Hotel overview
Novotel London Heathrow Airport M4 Jct 4 is a contemporary 4-star Accor hotel on Cherry Lane in West Drayton, just off Junction 4 of the M4 and about 1.2 miles from Terminals 2 & 3. It's built around Novotel's family-friendly formula: a heated indoor pool, a 24-hour gym, a Brasserie-style restaurant and bar, an outdoor courtyard/garden, and — unusually for an airport hotel — a proper kids' play room with an Xbox, Nintendo Wii, toys and puzzles, plus an interactive kids' games screen in the atrium.
With 178 rooms over a low-rise layout, it's smaller and calmer than the big conference hotels, which suits families and stopover travellers wanting a quiet, comfortable night. Novotel's family offers are the real headline: up to two children under 16 stay and have breakfast free per paying adult's room, there are kids' menus and baby equipment, and a generous late Sunday check-out (5pm).
It suits families above all, plus business and leisure stopover guests and park-and-fly drivers. It is not terminal-connected — and there's no hotel airport shuttle — so you reach the airport by the paid Heathrow Hoppa, a taxi, or a pre-booked car. That transfer gap is the main thing to plan around.
| Official website | all.accor.com |
|---|---|
| Address | Cherry Lane, West Drayton, UB7 9HJ |
| Star rating | 4-star (Accor — Novotel) |
| Rooms | 178 rooms |
| Signature features | Heated indoor pool; kids' play room; strong family offers |
| Check-in / check-out | From 2:00 PM / by 12:00 noon (5pm Sundays for families) |
| Distance to T2/3 | ~1.2 miles / ~5 min drive |
| Airport shuttle | None — Hoppa, taxi or pre-booked car |
Star rating and what it means
Novotel is Accor's contemporary midscale-to-upscale brand, classified here as 4-star. Here's where that sits.
| Level | What it broadly means in the UK |
|---|---|
| ★★★★★ Five-star | Luxury: extensive facilities, near-flawless service |
| ★★★★ Four-star (this hotel) | Upscale: quality rooms, restaurant & room service, good facilities (here a pool, gym & family amenities) and professional service |
| ★★★ Three-star | Mid-range comfort: en-suite rooms, a restaurant, decent service |
| ★★ / ★ Budget | Simple, functional accommodation |
A solid, contemporary four-star (rated by Accor). The value here is the pool and the family-friendly extras rather than a terminal connection or luxury finish. Guest ratings sit around 7.8/10 — comfortable and reliable rather than plush.
Brand, ownership & business profile
A Novotel-branded hotel under Accor.
- Novotel — Accor's contemporary, family-friendly upscale brand: consistent, spacious rooms, a pool where possible, and strong kids' offers. Aimed at both business and leisure travellers.
- Accor — the parent group, a large French multinational running brands from budget (ibis) to luxury (Sofitel, Raffles), with the ALL – Accor Live Limitless loyalty programme.
You earn and redeem ALL – Accor Live Limitless points here. (Accor also runs the nearby Sofitel London Heathrow at Terminal 5 — a very different, five-star property.)
Where Novotel sits in Accor's ladder
| Tier | Accor brands (selected) | Positioning |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget | Budget, essentials-focused |
| Midscale | Mercure, Novotel, Adagio | Contemporary, family-friendly (this hotel) |
| Premium | Pullman, Swissôtel, Mövenpick | Upscale full-service |
| Luxury | Sofitel, Fairmont, Raffles, Raffles | Premium & luxury |
Business profile
| Category | 4-star contemporary airport hotel (family-friendly midscale/upscale) |
|---|---|
| Primary market | Families, stopover travellers, business & small events, park-and-fly |
| Brand / parent | Novotel / Accor (France) |
| Loyalty programme | ALL – Accor Live Limitless |
| Scale | 178 rooms · restaurant & bar · heated indoor pool & gym · meeting space up to ~180–250 · kids' facilities |
Takeaway for travellers: a reliable, contemporary Accor Novotel that leans hard into family-friendliness — pool, play room and free kids' breakfast — with ALL loyalty points, at competitive airport prices.
Rooms, beds & prices
178 rooms: standard/superior doubles and twins, superior rooms with a sofa bed (sleeping up to 4), and junior suites. All are air-conditioned and soundproofed with contemporary decor, an LCD TV, minibar/fridge, in-room safe, work desk and blackout curtains. Connecting rooms are available for families. Rates are competitive; ranges below are indicative.
| Room type | Beds | Sleeps | Off-peak from | Peak from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard / Superior (Double / Twin) | Double or two twins | 2 | ~£75 | ~£130 |
| Superior + sofa bed | Queen + double sofa bed | 4 | ~£100 | ~£160 |
| Junior Suite | King | 2 | ~£130 | ~£190 |
Prices are per room, per night, room-only. The family maths is generous: up to two under-16s stay free in a parent's room and get free breakfast — a real saving versus hotels that charge per child. Superior rooms with a sofa bed sleep a family of four in one room.
- Bed quality: Novotel's contemporary bedding; soundproofed rooms with blackout curtains; rooms rated comfortable and spacious.
- Large & family rooms: superior rooms with sofa beds (sleep 4) and connecting rooms.
- Baby facilities: baby equipment available; family-focused throughout.
What's in every room
| Category | Included in every room |
|---|---|
| Entertainment | LCD TV with digital/satellite channels |
| Connectivity | Free WiFi; work desk / laptop workspace |
| Hot drinks | Tea & coffee maker; free morning newspaper |
| Minibar / fridge | Minibar & refrigerator |
| Bathroom | Shower/tub, eco-friendly toiletries, hairdryer |
| Comfort | Air conditioning, soundproofing, blackout curtains, in-room safe, 24-hr room service |
A minibar/fridge and eco-friendly toiletries come as standard. Accor's ALL members can use digital services; rooms feature eco-conscious touches (LED bulbs, recycling, green cleaning products).
Dining & average prices
The Brasserie-style restaurant (also branded Elements) serves simple, home-style meals — burgers, steak, chicken pie — plus a buffet breakfast, with a bar for drinks and a kids' menu.
| Venue / meal | What to expect | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Buffet breakfast | Weekdays 07:00–10:00, weekends to 11:00; up to 2 under-16s free per adult | ~£16.45 pp |
| Brasserie restaurant | Home-style mains — burgers, steak, chicken pie; open 18:00–22:30 | £14–£22 mains |
| Kids' menu | Two courses for children under 12 | ~£7.95 |
| Hotel bar | Open ~10:00–midnight; ~£4 a pint, ~£6 a cocktail | £4–£8 / drink |
| 24-hour room service | In-room menu at any hour | À la carte + tray charge |
Breakfast is ~£16.45, but with up to two children free per adult it's good value for families. There are multiple breakfast formats (early bird, city breakfast, full buffet, room service) to suit early flights.
Facilities & services
| Pool & gym | Heated indoor swimming pool (open ~06:00–22:30); 24-hour fitness centre |
|---|---|
| Kids' facilities | Play room with Xbox, Nintendo Wii, toys & puzzles; interactive games screen in the atrium; playground; arcade/game room |
| Parking | On-site self-parking ~£12–£15 per night (with in/out privileges) |
| Airport transfer | No hotel shuttle. Heathrow Hoppa to T2/3/5 (paid, ~every 20 min, 25–30 min with stops); taxis (~£10–16); pre-booked cars |
| Outdoor space | Garden patio / outdoor courtyard |
| Business & events | Meeting rooms for up to ~180–250 guests; 24-hour business centre |
| Money / SIM | Not on site — available in the terminals; reception can advise |
| Safety & security | 24-hour front desk, in-room safe, luggage storage; photo ID + card at check-in |
| Pets | Not allowed (assistance dogs excepted) — per the hotel's own policy |
Accessibility & suitability for elderly guests
The Novotel provides accessible rooms and wheelchair access, plus accessible parking, in a low-rise, lift-served building — straightforward to move around, with the usual airport-hotel caveat of a short transfer to the terminals.
Accessible strengths:
- Accessible rooms with wheelchair access
- Wheelchair-accessible parking on site
- Low-rise, lift-served layout; step-free access to restaurant, bar and pool areas
- 24-hour front desk and room service
Worth confirming first:
- Accessible room numbers are limited — book early and state exact needs
- No hotel shuttle, so the airport leg needs the Hoppa or a car — a door-to-door car may be easier with mobility limits
- Specific equipment (shower chairs, visual alarms) should be requested in advance
Suitability verdict for elderly & less-mobile guests: good within the hotel — accessible rooms, accessible parking, lifts and step-free public areas in a calm low-rise building. As with all non-connected Heathrow hotels — and with no shuttle here — plan the airport leg: a door-to-door car is usually smoother than the multi-stop Hoppa if mobility is a factor.
Insider details
Best Heathrow hotels for families — this is one of them
If you're travelling with children, this is one of the stronger picks near Heathrow. Beyond the heated indoor pool, there's a dedicated kids' play room (Xbox, Wii, toys, puzzles, TV), an interactive games screen in the atrium, a playground and an arcade. Add up-to-two-kids-free (room and breakfast), a £7.95 children's menu, baby equipment and a 5pm Sunday check-out, and it's built around family travel in a way most airport hotels aren't.
The pool — check the hours
The heated indoor pool is open roughly 06:00–22:30 and is a genuine plus (one of the few Heathrow hotels with one). If a swim matters for you or the kids, confirm the day's hours at reception, as they can vary.
WiFi coverage & signal strength
Free WiFi is available in all rooms and public areas. Signal-strength-by-area detail (which floors/wings are strongest) isn't published — confirm with hotel, or share guest reviews and we'll add specifics. Note: a few older listings mention a WiFi charge, but current sources show free WiFi throughout — confirm on booking.
General guidance for a low-rise hotel: signal is typically reliable throughout, strongest around the atrium and public areas. Ask at reception if you need dependable fast WiFi for work.
Getting across to the airport — no hotel shuttle
Worth knowing before booking: there's no hotel airport shuttle. You'll use the paid Heathrow Hoppa (to T2, T3 & T5, ~every 20 min, but 25–30 min with stops at other hotels), a taxi (~£10–16, cheapest booked via reception), or a pre-booked car. For Terminal 4 the Hoppa doesn't run direct, so a taxi/car is recommended.
Because the Hoppa is multi-stop and there's no free shuttle, a pre-booked car is often the least stressful — a fixed fare, door to door, and it covers Terminal 4 directly.
Practical information
| Check-in | From 2:00 PM (earlier than several rivals; early check-in on request) |
|---|---|
| Check-out | By 12:00 noon (families: late 5:00 PM check-out on Sundays) |
| ID at check-in | Photo ID + payment card required |
| Children | Up to 2 under-16s free (room & breakfast) per paying adult; kids' menu; baby equipment |
| Parking | On-site ~£12–£15/night with in/out privileges |
| WiFi | Free in rooms and public areas |
| Pool / pets | Heated indoor pool (~06:00–22:30); pets not allowed (assistance dogs excepted) |
| Payment | Cards & cash; card required for incidentals |
Getting to the terminals
The hotel is close to T2/3 but not walkable, and there's no hotel shuttle — you'll use the Heathrow Hoppa, a taxi, or a pre-booked car.
| To… | Best way | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminals 2 & 3 | Heathrow Hoppa, taxi or car | ~5 min by car; 25–30 min by Hoppa (stops) | Hoppa ~£5; taxi ~£10–16 |
| Terminal 5 | Heathrow Hoppa or car | ~10–15 min | Hoppa fare; taxi ~£12–16 |
| Terminal 4 | Taxi or car (Hoppa doesn't run direct — via T5 + free train otherwise) | ~15–20 min | Taxi ~£12–16 |
| Central London | Elizabeth line from Hayes & Harlington, or Heathrow Express via a terminal | ~30–45 min | Rail fare |
The Hoppa runs ~every 20 minutes but takes 25–30 minutes with stops at other hotels. A taxi (~£10–16) is quicker and reception can often get the cheapest fare. For a fixed fare, door-to-door pickup with luggage, kids or an early flight — and direct Terminal 4 access — a pre-booked RushXO car is simplest and covers every terminal 24/7.
Customer reviews
The Novotel rates around 7.8/10, with the pool, family facilities, spacious rooms and quiet stopover comfort the standout positives; the no-shuttle transfer and occasional restaurant inconsistency are the main caveats.
| Theme | What guests say |
|---|---|
| Family & pool | Great for families; kids love the pool and play room |
| Rooms | Spacious, comfortable, quiet; good for a stopover night |
| Location | Cozy, minutes from the airport, easy M4 access |
| Dining | Brasserie fine for home-style meals; a few mixed comments on consistency |
| Common gripe | No hotel shuttle — Hoppa is slow/paid, taxi needed; pool hours vary |
Ratings are indicative (~7.8/10) — confirm current numbers on your preferred platform. Share specific reviews and I can add a scored breakdown like the Sofitel guide.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Heated indoor pool — rare among Heathrow hotels
- Excellent family offer: up to 2 kids free (room & breakfast), kids' play room, playground, arcade
- Late 5pm Sunday check-out for families
- Spacious, quiet, soundproofed rooms; minibar/fridge as standard
- Earlier 2pm check-in; on-site parking with in/out privileges
- ALL – Accor Live Limitless points; easy M4 access
Cons
- No hotel airport shuttle — Hoppa (slow, paid), taxi or car needed
- Hoppa doesn't run direct to Terminal 4
- No pets allowed
- Restaurant quality can be inconsistent per some reviews; pool hours vary
- A short drive out at Cherry Lane rather than right on the airport
Travel tips
- Travelling with kids? This is a strong pick — pool, play room, playground, up-to-2-kids-free and a 5pm Sunday check-out.
- Use the sofa-bed superior rooms — a family of four fits in one room.
- Check the pool hours — roughly 06:00–22:30, but confirm on the day.
- Plan the airport transfer — there's no shuttle; book a taxi via reception or a car in advance; Terminal 4 needs a taxi/car.
- Book breakfast for the family — up to two under-16s free per adult makes the ~£16.45 buffet good value.
- Join ALL – Accor Live Limitless — for points and member rates.
- Pre-book your onward car — for T4, an early flight, a family or heavy luggage, a fixed-fare door-to-door transfer removes the connection stress.
Best way to book online
| Book via | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Official site (all.accor.com) | Best-rate, ALL points, member perks, family offers | Compare total incl. breakfast & parking |
| ALL – Accor Live Limitless app | Member rates, points, digital services | Need to be a (free) member |
| Park-and-fly specialists | Bundling room + parking (good value for drivers) | Check cancellation terms |
| Major OTAs | Comparing dates & deals | Fewer perks; confirm pet/pool details |
In short: book directly with Accor for the best rate, ALL points and family offers; if you're driving and flying, a park-and-fly bundle is good value. Then book your airport transfer separately with RushXO for a fixed fare, meet & greet and flight tracking — especially handy here, since there's no hotel shuttle.
Book your transfer → · Call the 24/7 team
FAQs
Is the hotel connected to a terminal?
No — it's on Cherry Lane in West Drayton, about 1.2 miles (five-minute drive) from Terminals 2 & 3. There's no hotel shuttle; reach the terminals by the paid Heathrow Hoppa, a taxi, or a pre-booked car.
Is there a swimming pool?
Yes — a heated indoor pool, open roughly 06:00–22:30, plus a 24-hour gym. It's one of the few Heathrow hotels with a pool, and popular with families.
Is it good for families?
Very — up to two children under 16 stay and have breakfast free per paying adult's room, there's a kids' play room (Xbox, Wii, toys), a playground and arcade, a £7.95 children's menu, baby equipment, and a late 5pm check-out on Sundays.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 2:00 PM (earlier than many rivals) and check-out by 12:00 noon — with a generous 5:00 PM Sunday check-out for families. Early check-in and late check-out may be available on request.
How much is parking?
On-site self-parking is roughly £12–£15 per night, with in/out privileges. Confirm the current rate when booking.
How much is breakfast?
The buffet is about £16.45 per person, with up to two under-16s free per adult — good value for families. Multiple breakfast formats are available for early flights.
Are pets allowed?
No — per the hotel's own policy, pets are not allowed (registered assistance dogs excepted). Some third-party sites list it as pet-friendly, so confirm directly if this matters.
How do I get to Terminal 4?
By taxi or a pre-booked car — the Heathrow Hoppa doesn't run direct to T4 (you'd otherwise go via T5 and the free inter-terminal train). A car is simpler if time is tight.