London is a very family-friendly city break destination. It's packed with an endless choice of museums, theatres, parks, and attractions (many of which are free). However, to get the most out of your trip a little pre-planning can go a long way. The city is large and, therefore, your hotel's destination is crucial to avoid long slogs back and forth from your room. Also, some of London's hotels are more family-orientated than others. With this in mind, our hotel experts have compiled a collection of the best family hotels in London selected on their location, service, amenities, and child-friendly offerings. The list includes a wide choice of properties to suit all tastes and budgets. So why not browse through our collection to start planning your next family trip?
For a grande dame
- St Ermin's Hotel has been converted from a striking red-brick mansion block near St James’ Park. From the elegant, sometimes theatrical, decor you might not guess this is such a family-friendly London hotel. However, it has a range of comfortable family suites and the excellent staff are welcoming and helpful. Kids will love the spy-pack given to help them spot the hotel keepsakes and the beehives that can be safely viewed from a glass screen.
- The Berkeley is another grand dame, this time impressively positioned across from Hyde Park. Families are warmly welcomed here from the children's treats at check-in to the games consoles, the dedicated family hours at the pool, and the childminding and babysitting services. For adult enjoyment, there's the renowned Blue Bar, a seriously spoiling spa, and dining at Marcus Wareing's Michelin starred restaurant.
For luxury
- The Ritz is a luxury choice which is very accommodating to those travelling with children. Rooms and suites offer numerous family-friendly configurations, and their younger guests will feel just as well looked after as their older ones, with plenty of added extras like free ice creams and the option to have games consoles in the room. They also offer a babysitting service.
- St. James’s Hotel & Club in Mayfair is a luxurious Mayfair hideaway. The rooms are spacious with classic but contemporary decor and there are plenty of good configurations for families. The dedicated children’s concierge is a real plus.
- The Goring is a family-owned hotel in the heart of Belgravia with an award-winning afternoon tea and a Michelin-starred restaurant. If that doesn’t impress your kids, the secret garden and the wealth of goodies that they have on offer from a dressing up box and bedtime story library to activity packs, just might. For adults, there’s the house-blended tea and the Gainsborough silk-lining on the walls. Nothing is too much trouble for guests here.
- The Marylebone Hotel is set in the desirable Marylebone village. The hotel is big with 257 rooms and suites and a choice of configurations to suit your family. The hotel size means the facilities are big too; there’s an 18-metre pool, a state of the art gym, a health club and great places to eat and drink. The best bits for the youngsters are fabulous teepee tents to hang out in, family hours at the pool, children's toiletries, and milk and cookies at turndown.
- No.11 Cadogan Gardens is a luxurious hotel converted from a private members' club. Inside, expect eclectic and lavish decor. This is a warren of a hotel with rooms of all different shapes, sizes, and decorations. For families, they’ll add extra beds to the suites or offer interconnecting rooms, plus they provide a wide range of DVDs to keep everyone entertained.
For the location
- Brown’s of London is an old-world institution in an unbeatable Mayfair location. The quintessentially British feel remains but there has been some contemporary style added. Brown’s suites are ideal for families who want space and a fantastic location. They've thought of everything for families here from cots and mobiles, to games consoles, books and activity packs — even your teenagers won't be bored!
- The Kensington Hotel has been converted from a row of four elegant white-stuccoed townhouses. This stay offers easy access to the museums, Kensington Palace, the Albert Hall, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. The decor is luxurious, but unfussy, with arty touches. There’s a range of room configurations and the same perks as The Marylebone Hotel above (they're both part of the Doyle Collection).
- Knightsbridge Hotel is ideally located in West London, just a stone’s throw from Harrods. It's a stylish stay, set across three townhouses, with eclectic and contemporary design. A drawing-room, library, and an honesty bar all lend a homely touch. Children are treated to milk and cookies at bedtime and there’s a children’s menu, plus the option of interconnecting rooms.
- Haymarket Hotel is a chic hotel in a perfectly central location beside Trafalgar Square. Highlights include effortless contemporary styling, a buzzy restaurant, and a glitzy indoor pool (with inflatables for kids). Children can expect all sorts of extras including mini bathrobes, milk and cookies at bedtime, family Sky TV and more!
- If you want to be close to Covent Garden, Somerset House, the BFI and The National Theatre, then One Aldwych will tick your boxes. The hotel has undergone a recent refurb and while it’s still elegantly classical on the outside it’s now chicer on the inside. The 18-metre pool in the basement will keep kids entertained as will the DVD and games library plus Wii console and games.
- Traditional elegance meets sexy chic at the Covent Garden Hotel located in a prime Covent Garden location. Classic rooms are exquisitely decorated, with all luxuries considered and children more than catered for. Breakfast is a lavish affair, as is an evening cocktail in the drawing-room.
For self-catering
- Europa House is a collection of 14 luxuriously kitted out one, two or three-bedroom apartments in a leafy spot in Little Venice. For self-catering this is ideal: the apartments have dishwashers and washing machines, Nespresso machines and a fridge that comes pre-stocked with some ‘little somethings’. Guests also have access to three acres of garden. The staff will help you with the details, like grocery orders and dinner reservations. A real home-from-home.
- No 5 Maddox Street is a suites only self-catering hotel just off Regent Street in Mayfair, close to the shops and Soho. There are both two and three bedrooms suites on offer, but only 12 of them, so it’s a small property. The kitchens are well planned and provide everything you need, though you’re also in a great spot for eating out.
For great value
- The London Bridge Hotel is great value and friendly while boasting a fantastic location. Rooms come in a range of sizes including a family-sized room, adjacent rooms, or two-bedroom apartments that also have cooking facilities. The British restaurant and bar serving casual small plates is a real crowd-pleaser.
- B+B Belgravia and Studios@82 offers stylish and affordable studio apartments. Located just a stone’s throw from Sloane Street and Sloane Square and therefore walking distance to many of the main attractions for kids, including the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. Be sure to book in advance, these studios fill very quickly.
For a hip stay
- Clerkenwell’s Zetter Hotel is youthful and bright; expect pop art and site-specific installations, plus fun details in the decor. All the rooms are different, some more conservative than others, and there are a good range of interconnecting rooms for families. The hip cocktail bar will please adults and the use of local companies in their toiletries and bar supplies is a nice touch.
- Mama Shelter London is a chic East London hotel offering guests a friendly home-away-from-home. The eclectic and colourful guestrooms have quirky soft furnishings and the larger rooms are well suited to families. Complete with a cocktail bar and a restaurant, this is a stylish stay.
Still not sure where to book?
