< Introducing London
Accommodation
The elegant exterior of the Arosfa B&B near Regent’s Park.
Staying in London is expensive, but there are plenty of family options among the hotels, B&Bs and apartments. Some hotels and B&Bs provide rooms for four, or suites of connected rooms. Some can provide camp beds or sofa beds, but typical rooms are not large and will be a squeeze for four. Apartments can be more flexible. The best family accommodation provides cots, high-chairs and even babysitting services. Check what is on offer before you book. For information on accommodation options, go to the Visit London website.
Hotels
London hotels once had a reputation for being unfriendly places for families, where children were rarely seen, and if they were, they should certainly not be heard. But times have changed and most welcome children now. Many have special children’s rates or allow kids to stay free in their parents’ room and provide them with complimentary or half-price breakfast. Some also have flexible meal times. Expensive West End hotels are now among the most child-friendly. Many employ kids’ concierges, who can suggest fun outings and make reservations for shows and attractions. They also keep collections of story books, toys and suitable DVDs, arrange special meals, and provide a host of things to tempt tinies, from fun bed linen to cookery sessions. Hip designer hotels are not often so family friendly, but in the same price bracket there is a core of charming, family-run establishments with genial staff prepared to go the extra mile for their younger guests.
Chain hotels can be an excellent choice for families. What they lack in character and location, they make up for in value for money and children’s facilities. Among the family-friendliest chains are Apex, Crowne Plaza, Marriott, and Park Plaza at the upper end of the market, and All Seasons, Novotel and Premier Inn at the budget end.
Bed & breakfast
There are two types of B&B: a simple hotel with no restaurant, and a private home where bedrooms are let out to guests. At their best clean, comfortable and friendly, the former offer a less expensive alternative to hotels and a base from which to explore the city (most have limited public areas and are not generally places in which to hang out). The breakfast is usually a full English and included in the price.
If the owners are welcoming and amenable, staying in a home can be remarkably successful, and you might even make friends for life. But success is not guaranteed: most private houses only have a few rooms to let and it can be tricky to find one with suitable family accommodation. Using a specialist
home stay agency is advisable, or try the
Bed & Breakfast and Homestay Association, an affiliation of several reputable agencies whose properties are inspected regularly.
Stylish bedroom at The Hoxton hotel in Shoreditch.
Self-catering
Staying in an apartment is probably the most relaxing option for families, especially if you are in London for more than a few days. Most apartments have a minimum stay of two nights to one week. Jet-lagged children, on the go from dawn, can have the run of the apartment without disturbing others. It also means you don’t always have to eat out. You can cook your children’s favourite meals (particularly useful for fussy eaters) and save money. Another alternative, is a home swap. This is best arranged through an established agency such as Home Base Holidays, Home Link, Intervac or the US-based Home Exchange.
The choice of apartments is between serviced and privately owned. Most London apartments are serviced, with a concierge and a cleaner.
BridgeStreet,
Cheval Residences,
Citadines,
Fraser Place and
SACO all have several buildings in good locations for families. Other apartments are attached to a hotel, where guests can still have breakfast and use the facilities. Privately owned apartments are less expensive, but harder to find. Some
agencies have them on their books). Most are in the suburbs.
The kitchen and living area of one of the self-catering SACO – Holborn apartments located in Central London.
Rates
London hotels usually quote room rates rather than prices per person and include VAT, but not always breakfast (double check before booking). Rates tend to remain high throughout the year, although it is possible to find reductions through special offers and weekend breaks, often on a minimum two-night stay. Generally, the longer you stay, the better the rate, and the best-value deals are available by booking in advance online. If they are not fully booked, some hotels offer last-minute discounts on their published “rack rates”. Some of the best deals are available through websites such as
Late Rooms and, for city breaks as well as accommodation, Expedia,
lastminute.com and
Travelocity.
Price categories
The three price categories in this guide are based on accommodation for a family of four for one night during high season, inclusive of service charges and any additional taxes. The inexpensive category is under £150; moderate is £150–250; and expensive is over £250. Inexpensive accommodation is extremely hard to find in London, where hotels are notoriously costly.