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Best family hotels in London: where to stay in the capital with babies and kids in tow
With its iconic sights, world-class museums and huge parks, London makes a fun-filled destination for families. But with so much excitement on offer during the day, it's a good idea to have somewhere child-friendly to rest up come nightfall. That's why we've rounded up the best family hotels in London, as tried, tested and recommended by parents.
By Jenny Elliott | Last updated Feb 16, 2024
There’s something magical about a child’s first trip to London. Days spent tiptoeing past Egyptian mummies at the British Museum, riding high in the London Eye, and eyeballing the crown jewels at the Tower of London will make memories that last a lifetime. And with so many things to see and do, it’s a city worth returning to again and again.
Alongside its varied neighbourhoods and attractions, though, London also comes with a bamboozling choice of hotels and apartments. So where to stay in London with kids? Don't forget your travel cot, because to save you time, we've consulted the Mumsnet forums to read hundreds of reviews and recommendations from savvy Mumsnet users to find some great family-friendly London stays.
What are the best family hotels in London?
Best overall: Athenaeum Hotel and Residences
Best for budget breaks: Premier Inn London County Hall
Best for luxury: One Aldwych
Best with a pool: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge
Best family apartments: Cheval Harrington Court at South Kensington
1. Best overall family hotel in London: Athenaeum Hotel and Residences
Athenaeum Hotel and Residences | Check availability
Overlooking Green Park, this elegant central London hotel really goes above and beyond for families. The dedicated children's concierge can supply little ones with kites, bikes and duck food for memorable outdoor adventures. What's more, they'll even be in touch before you arrive to make sure they equip your room with favourite toys, films and games.
For larger broods, there are interconnecting rooms, and additional children's beds or cots are available on request. Plus, the hotel has generous serviced apartments with their own front door, kitchenette and extra bunk bed or sofa bed.
Milk and biscuits can be delivered for bedtime. And if parents fancy a grown-up night out, the hotel has a team of experienced nannies and babysitters on call.
What Mumsnet users say:
"We did a Top Secret Hotel and got The Athenaeum in London. It was perfect in every way!" – tried and tested by Mumsnet user, Maximum4
Minimum price per night: £247
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2. Best budget family hotel in London: Premier Inn London County Hall
Premier Inn London County Hall | Check availability
Sure, Premier Inn hotels aren't going to win any awards for cutting-edge design. But, if you're after clean, good-sized family rooms, brilliant value and don't want to stress over tots knocking over an expensive vase, they make a first-class choice.
For families wanting a truly budget-conscious London stay, it's worth looking a little out of the centre, with the chain's Stratford and Greenwich locations popular with many Mumsnetters. That said, although it can be a touch more expensive, it's hard to argue with the central location of the Premier Inn County Hall, which sits beside the buzzy South Bank and close to a host of family-friendly restaurants and attractions. All-you-can-eat cooked breakfasts are served in the onsite restaurant, and kids eat for free with a paying adult.
What Mumsnet users say:
"We like the Premier Inn at County Hall - right by the London Eye, loads to see at the South Bank and close to a big playground" – recommended by Mumsnet user, inthekitchensink
"Premier Inn isn't fancy, but you know what you're getting, so if you're going for the London experience rather than the hotel itself, that's what I would go for" – rated by Mumsnet user, TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross
Minimum price per night: £66
3. Best London family hotel for views: London Marriott Hotel County Hall
London Marriott Hotel County Hall | Check availability
London Marriott Hotel County Hall has also bagged itself a prime spot on the South Bank, within the grand, stone building above London's SEA LIFE Centre and The London Dungeon. Both the stylish onsite restaurants come with startlingly good views of Big Ben, and from many of the bedrooms, you feel almost within touching distance of the London Eye.
Yet, it's not just the views that make this 5-star hotel a popular choice with families. Big, airy family rooms with two double beds give plenty of space to unpack and relax. Then the building's top two floors contain a huge fitness centre, including a 6,000 square-foot gym and a light-flooded indoor swimming pool, with family swimming times from 8 am to 6 pm every day.
What Mumsnet users say:
"It was fab - great view of Big Ben and the London Eye passes your hotel room!" – recommended by Mumsnet user, MildlyMonica
Minimum price per night: £236
4. Best London family hotel with a swimming pool: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge | Check availability
With a great choice of family suites and studios, as well as some interconnecting rooms, this modern hotel, also on the South Bank, knows how to please a family crowd.
After a day spent touring the sights, enjoy a splash in the 15-metre swimming pool - something of a rare find in a mid-range hotel in central London. And if the thought of heading back out to dinner feels like a hassle, there are onsite restaurants and cafes, including a popular sushi and sashimi bar.
Come bedtime, blackout curtains help ensure a good night's sleep. But be sure to let the kids catch one last glimpse of the shimmering city lights, especially if you've snagged one of the rooms looking out across the river to Big Ben.
What Mumsnet users say:
"We stayed at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in the summer - lots of adjoining rooms, mostly families staying there, great location and not too extortionate" – recommended by Mumsnet user, mamaduckbone
Minimum price per night: £188
5. Best luxury family hotel in London: One Aldwych
One Aldwych | Check availability
If you want to make a family trip to London feel extra special, splurging on a stay at the five-star One Aldwych is an excellent choice.
Despite the Edwardian building exuding grown-up elegance, the hotel caters exceptionally well for families of all sizes, with a choice of interconnecting rooms and spacious suites. Extra beds, cots and bed rails can also be provided, and children are welcomed with arrival gifts, as well as kitted out with cute mini bathrobes and slippers.
The central location on The Strand makes it handy for sightseeing. Return for a swim in the hotel's 18-metre chlorine-free pool, which has its own fun underwater soundtrack. Or, head to the high-ceilinged restaurant for the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed afternoon tea. Clouds of candy floss, bottles of chocolate milk and scones with snozzberry jam help guarantee a splendiferous time.
What Mumsnet users say:
"It's opposite Waterloo Bridge, right near Covent Garden. We have stayed there many times … Lovely pool, really lovely hotel in a great location" – recommended by Mumsnet user, Cartoonjane
Minimum price per night: £400
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6. Best family hotel for babies and toddlers in London: Royal Garden Hotel
Royal Garden Hotel | Check availability
The Royal Garden Hotel sits on the edge of beautiful Kensington Gardens, a short stroll from the Diana Memorial Playground, with its vast sandpit and magical pirate ship.
Inside, even the youngest guests are given the five-star treatment, with the hotel providing toys, games and tipi tents for rooms, as well as lending out micro-scooters for zooming about outside. Meanwhile, the rooms also tick all the family-friendly boxes: deluxe options can sleep two adults and two children under twelve, cots are available, and interconnecting rooms can be guaranteed.
Parents of babies and toddlers will also love that dining in the Park Terrace restaurant starts early at 5.30 pm, which should help pave the way for a relaxed bedtime. And mealtimes themselves shouldn’t be too fraught with both children’s menus and highchairs on hand.
What Mumsnet users say:
"Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington is fab" – recommended by Mumsnet user, helsy
Minimum price per night: £293
7. Best family apartments in London: Cheval Harrington Court at South Kensington
Cheval Harrington Court at South Kensington | Check availability
As locations go, this handsome redbrick aparthotel is on to an absolute winner. On the doorstep of South Kensington's boutiques, cafes and underground station, it’s just a two-minute walk to three of London's most child-friendly museums: the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and V&A.
Inside, there's a range of spick-and-span studios and one and two-bedroom apartments, with tasteful decor and well-equipped kitchens. Parents who want to pack light may be glad of the washing machine and tumble dryer. As you'd expect from a 4-star property that prides itself on attentive service, cots and highchairs can be provided for free when arranged in advance.
Minimum price per night: £238
8. Best family hotel with large rooms in London: The Landmark London
The Landmark London | Check availability
The Landmark London is located at the heart of upmarket Marylebone and is understandably popular with families who like space to sprawl.
Even the smallest rooms here provide some serious square footage and can easily fit in one of the extra beds or cots. However, if you’re after a real showstopper, consider booking the 560 ft² family room, which includes two good-sized doubles and a sofa – and still has bags of space (which you can try to fill by requesting one of the colourful play tents).
The hotel has a 15-metre chlorine-free swimming pool and allotted family swim times for a relaxed splash about. Kids will undoubtedly also get a kick out of tucking into breakfasts of pancakes or waffles while sitting under the towering palm trees in the glass-ceilinged courtyard.
What Mumsnet users say:
"They have the biggest hotel rooms in London and are often discounted" - recommended by Mumsnet user, cos
Minimum price per night: £301
9. Best family hotel with interconnecting rooms in London: The Clermont, Victoria
The Clermont, Victoria | Check availability
This Grade II listed railway hotel at Victoria Station certainly looks the part, with sweeping staircases and swooping chandeliers. But behind the glamorous Victorian exterior, families will find an easy-going atmosphere and a welcoming, friendly service.
The hotel has a range of generous rooms, many including a king and sofa bed. Cots are available free of charge, and should anyone need a bit more space to spread out, there are also adjoining rooms. What's more, children aged 12 and under eat for free when accompanied by a paying adult, both at breakfast and from the all-day menu.
Of course, the station location makes trips across the city a breeze. And for kids keen to soak up some classic London experiences, it's a short walk to hear the bongs of Big Ben and to spy the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace.
What Mumsnet users say:
"The Clermont Victoria is really nice … an easy walk through Green Park to Oxford St, etc" – recommended by Mumsnet user, HelloDulling
Minimum price per night: £177
10. Best family hotel for teens in London: Town Hall Hotel and Apartments
Town Hall Hotel and Apartments | Check availability
Combining space and convenience with effortless cool, the Town Hall Hotel and Apartments in the vibrant East End is somewhere both teens and parents are bound to love.
Less than a five-minute walk from Bethnal Green tube station, the building itself was once an Edwardian town hall, and the interiors now blend contemporary style with some fun vintage touches. The ample one and two-bedroom apartments come with well-equipped kitchens. There’s also Musetti coffee-makers for that all-important morning cuppa. Plus, the 15-metre swimming pool is open to guests from 6 am to 10 pm daily.
You’re well located here for hip independent eateries, including a couple of excellent pizza and burger joints. However, should you want an extra special culinary treat, you need look no further than the hotel's two-Michelin starred restaurant, Da Terra.
What Mumsnet users say:
"The rooms are huge, with interconnecting apartments (a separate room for the kids, and some privacy from them), fully fitted kitchens with washing machines, but boutique modernist luxury" – recommended by Mumsnet user, zan1bar
Minimum price per night: £215 for a family apartment
Is London good for families?
London makes a brilliant family break whether you have a dinosaur-mad tot eager to visit the Natural History Museum or teens keen to tour the city's street art.
The trick to holidaying in this vast, lively city is to have at least a vague itinerary and stay somewhere well-placed for your chosen sights or the city's efficient public transport system.
Where's the best place for families to stay in London?
Basing yourself close to one of London's grassy parks makes sense if you're travelling with kids. Another good option is to stay on the South Bank, with its convivial atmosphere and beautiful views over the Thames.
Consider a hotel close to the world-class museums in smart South Kensington for young culture vultures. Meanwhile, teens may enjoy staying in the East End, which is handy for vintage fashion markets, hip cafes and independent galleries.
How can you get a good deal on a family-friendly hotel in London?
It's a good idea to follow the golden rule of hotel booking and make a reservation well in advance to get the best price on a family-friendly London hotel. Of course, there are some good last-minute deals too, but these tend to be much rarer during the school holidays and will limit your options of where to stay.
London hotel rooms can be cheaper during the winter months (and with so many great indoor attractions, the weather doesn't have to be too much of a factor). To make sure you are getting the best deal, it's also wise to use a price comparison site such as TripAdvisor and Expedia.
What's the best family-friendly hotel in London?
The Premier Inn London County Hall offers brilliant value for family stays, and we’re also big fans of the hip design and generous apartments at the Town Hall Hotel and Apartments. However, if we had to pick one London hotel that really pulls out all the stops for families in terms of personalised service and thoughtful extras, it would be the Athenaeum Hotel and Residences.
How we chose our recommendations
Because we know that there's nothing like a real recommendation, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out what family hotels in London were being recommended.
We then did some research across the wider web, looking at what family hotels in London had won accolades or been featured in 'best choice' lists across websites, and what customer reviews said about them. Having collated all that information, we then narrowed our list down to the best family hotels in London at the moment.
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