…
Ahead of the Olympics, leading family travel website Takethefamily.com has lifted the lid on what constitutes family-friendly in a huge capital city such as London.
Says Takethefamily’s Head of Editorial, Rhonda Carrier, who has also reviewed hotels in the British capital for the ‘Time Out London Guide’ and ‘Frommer’s London with Kids’ (of which she is sole author):
"It’s easy to have a family-friendly hotel out in the country or by the coast, where there is generally plenty of space for extra leisure amenities such as playgrounds and swimming pools, and where guestrooms are usually larger. In London, it’s difficult to provide such a welcome for kids – hence the relative scarcity of truly family-friendly hotels in the city. However, we’ve found a number that do it really well, and we’ve decided to publish a list across all budgets to share our first-hand experience with our readers."
Takethefamily’s criteria for child-friendly hotels in the capital includes the following:
1) Location. Not all our chosen hotels are bang in the centre of London – that can sometime
s prove more of a curse than a blessing, especially with very young kids. But they all share a great setting in terms of local attractions and, if they aren’t in the centre, offer benefits that compensate for that. And all are well placed for transport links and for open spaces where kids can let off steam, whether it’s riverside walks or great parks.
2) In-room amenities. These can range from nappy bins and changing mats to books and Playstations, depending on your kids’ ages. But most helpful of all is a mini-fridge. Many of our chosen hotels also have kitchenettes for snacks and small-scale self-catering.
3) Deals and discounts. Most of our recommendations offer money-saving packages and/or free accommodation or meals for children under a certain age sharing a room with parents.
4) Private space. If you do share a room or suite with kids, many of our options offer ways of dividing off your space for a little parental downtime after they’re asleep. Most also offer interconnecting rooms.
5) Child-friendly eats. We know from experience how tricky it can be staying in an city such as London – eating out three times a day can become boring as well as expensive. If any of our accommodations don’t have self-catering facilities, we’ve made sure they offer flexible eating options and food that genuinely appeals to younger guests.
Concludes Rhonda: "It’s easy for a hotel to claim that it’s child-friendly, but regardless of specific facilities, what it really comes down to is whether families are made to feel truly welcome and relaxed in a given accommodation. And everything on our list has been tried-and-tested to ensure that this is the case.
"However, we do recognise that things change quickly, and so we actively solicit reviews, forum debates and recommendations on these and other London accommodation options for families from our readers. We firmly believe in parent power and information-sharing as key to successful family holidays and breaks, in London and elsewhere."
One Aldwych, Covent Garden
A chic boutique hotel that goes out of its way to welcome junior guests, with flexible room and suite offerings (some with small kitchens), a wonderful pool, and fantastic family brunches in its Indigo restaurant.
onefinestay, various locations
London’s first ‘unhotel, with an ever-growing choice of family-friendly apartments, all of them lived in by real-life London families. This means you have access to kids’ toys and games, plus owners’ neighbourhood recommendations via the iPhone that all guests are loaned.
Park Plaza County Hall, South Bank
A super-family-friendly option with London Eye and Thames views from some rooms. Many have kitchenettes with microwaves and mini-fridges, and some have separate living areas with a double sofabed, while activities include weekly pizza-making classes and regular chocolate-fountain days.
B+B Belgravia, Victoria
An award-winning B&B, holder of a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, with stylish decor. As well as family rooms, it provides excellent hearty breakfasts, free Internet, a cosy round-the-clock lounge with free hot drinks, mags, books, DVD player and laptop, and a small garden.
The Athenaeum, Mayfair
A famously child-friendly option with a plum location overlooking St James’s Park and a few steps from Hyde Park, with family-friendly apartments as well as rooms, books, toys and games for all ages, and a dedicated kids’ concierge.
Chancery Court, Holborn
A great choice for those in town for a West End show, with interconnecting rooms, kids’ activity packs, child-friendly films and children’s menus and mini-bathrobes among the offerings, plus an excellent concierge.
Citadines Prestige Trafalgar Square
The most central of London’s four Citadines apart’hotels, newly refurbished with a bright, modern vibe. The well-equipped 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, combined with hotel facilities, take all the hassle out of family breaks.
Grange City, Tower Bridge
A great option in an unconventional location for families, though some of London’s best family attractions, including the Tower of London, are on the doorstep. Some rooms have two double beds and small seating areas, and there’s a great basement pool, a very good kids’ menu, and a private outdoor piazza housing a section of London’s original Roman wall.
Milestone, Kensington
A popular choice with families, set right opposite Kensington Gardens, offering children the chance to go behind the scenes in various departments. There’s also an in-house nanny service, equipment hire (from playpens to buggies), children’s menus and much more besides.
51 Buckingham Gate
One of London’s best hotels for a splurge, with an incredible location a minute’s walk from Buckingham Palace and from one of London’s very best parks for kids, St James’s – if you can bear to set foot outside its luxurious self-catering suites.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
