Half term in a teachers household means one thing – time to up sticks and have some family fun. February half term is always one of my favorites as we try to go away, even if only for a night. It maybe cold but it is getting lighter and we all benefit from getting out of the house. We have visited London a few times in February as we love doing the touristy things that London has to offer. This February though we had great plans. We were living just a little like VIP’s. We have Merlin passes and the children had asked if they could do Madame Tussauds and get some photo’s with their favourite idols. This fitted in perfectly with staying at the five star Royal Garden Hotel where we were their guests for a night.
A few months back I wrote a post about how being a family of five made staying at hotels tricky. Not so, for the Royal Garden Hotel, who simply gave us connecting rooms that meant the older two had a twin room with their own sofa area and bathroom.
Everything about the Royal Garden is perfectly kitted out for families. As we checked in the younger two were given back packs with colouring, a water bottle and snack in. Erin delved right in there and did not want to leave the room!
Once settled we headed back out and over to Southbank where I knew there was activities on for the children and places to eat. We had a great evening out and enjoyed a family at Zizzi’s (I used vouchercodes to save 25% off all food too).
The following morning after such a heavenly sleep in our queen size bed I needed an alarm to wake us all. My children thankfully like to sleep and we finally opened our bleary eyes at 9am. Erin had to be convinced to get out of her bed even then!
Breakfast was a grand affair and I loved that the children were very much welcomed and treated as a guest rather than an add on. They were offered hot chocolate at breakfast which was served in a teapot much like dad’s tea and mum’s coffee. Breakfast is always there favourite meal when we go away and they were not disappointed. From being asked how they wanted their eggs with their Full English to being offered pancakes afterwards. The mini little pastries are always a hit with Dylan and Erin whilst Chloe stocks up on fresh fruit (that is her idea of a heavenly brekkie).
After a leisurely breakfast we decided to walk it off by heading out into the Royal Park which the hotel overlooks. Some rooms have the park as their view although I was pleased to have the high street as I love looking out over the London skyline. Another fab feature that illustrates just how much the hotel caters for families is that they have scooters available to borrow and use in the park (they also have board games if you are staying in your room). The hotel really has thought of what makes a family stay enjoyable. We also had an interesting conversation about the cost of staying in the hotel. Where many guests are in the hotel on business the hotel actually drops it’s room rates in the holidays. There are less business customers at this time and therefore it becomes more affordable for families to stay in luxury at competitive prices. London has much to offer for families in the holidays with museums being free and events put on, like the one we visited at The Southbank. Tube travel is also free for under 11’s when travelling with paying adults. we had day riders which gave us the freedom of the city.
Madame Tussauds was great fun and the children enjoyed posing with their idols. Erin even had a blessing from the pope whilst I had words with David Cameron – I had a lot to say to him as you can imagine!!
The trip to London was great and gave us that much needed family time and obviously we had to have a family selfie!
You can see our vlog of the trip too.
Disclosure: We would like to thank The Royal Garden Hotel for having us to stay as their guests for the night.
22 Responses
Emma this looks like a really lovely place to stay. We have never gone to London as a family but are planning our first trip soon 🙂
Sounds like the perfect arrangement for a bigger family. I remember in my childhood it was difficult because we usually needed 3 rooms for our family. Interconnecting rooms sounds ideal. Great looking hotel too. We are well overdo a London trip so I’ll pop that one on the list.
That looks like a lovely hotel and perfect that it is so family friendly. We really want to visit London with our children soon.
That looks like a lovely hotel. Having interconnecting rooms sounds like a really good idea, much better than all of us having to go to sleep at 8pm!
It’s lovely that the hotel made the effort to accommodate a larger family. it is a problem we have faced ourselves. We have never visited London but would like to in the summer.
What a great hotel to stay in, it looks really lovely, always good to find a quality hotel to stay in with the kids in London it’s often a problem to find one. Great photo’s of your adventures 🙂
The hotel looks amazing! Defo important to find a good quality hotel when staying with kids.
Looks like you had a fab time x
Wow, this is one amazing looking bathroom!
Sounds like you had an amzing time and the hotel sounds perfect x
It looks wonderful here, we are looking to do an overnighter in London with the kids so will definitely remember this one.
Love the idea of goodie bags for the kids
The connecting rooms sounds a great idea much easier than cramming into one room or having to split mum and dad in separate rooms.
We love our trips to London- nothing better than a bit of time exploring the capital. It looks like you had a great time and the hotel looks lovely.
I have never come across this place before but it sounds as though it had everything you needed to have!
Wow, fab hotel and looks like you all had a great time
What a lovely place! The connecting rooms is such a good idea xx
Wow this looks perfect, as a family of 6 we really struggle with hotels too so it’s nice to know that there are places which cater for the larger families amongst us. Sounds like you had a lovely time – it’s good to get away, you really feel like you have had a break don’t you 🙂
I’ve stayed here a few time but quite a while ago. Nice to see they’re keeping up their high standards. We’re like you and need connecting rooms or family rooms that can make a few days away expensive
what a fab place to stay – looks like you had a great half term
Wow! The hotel looks fantastic. I would so love to give it a try, pocket permitting.
Wow, what an amazing place to stay. The breakfast sounds perfect, everyone in my family would be happy with that 🙂
Take advantage of our great family offer this Easter at the Royal Garden Hotel with 50% off connecting rooms. To find out more, visit our website and start your London family adventure – http://www.royalgardenhotel.co.uk/hotel-offers
I would love to stay at this hotel