I'm trying to make plans to visit London with my family of five, and I'm encountering problems with accommodations: I am unable to find a hotel in London that will put us in one room, or even a suite. Two adjoining rooms would be fine, but they will not guarantee that we will be on the same floor, let alone adjoining. We want to stay in a luxury-class hotel with all the amenities, so an apartment/flat is out of the question. Any help you could give us would be greatly appreciated.
Gee, sounds like an awesome trip. Need a nanny? Seriously, London is a great choice for families for a first European experience. There's no language barrier (for the most part!) and it's easy to get around. Regarding accommodations, here's the deal. City regulations in London limit the number of bodies that can be housed in one room, including small fry. Ask for a "family room," which typically sleeps four or five, or connecting double
rooms. Check out the London Tourist Board's Web site, London Town, for info on lodgings, as well as restaurants and attractions. They are also a booking service.
Here are some hotels that are known to treat families well; we'd start with these. The London Marriott at County Hall offers package deals and has an indoor pool and other amenities. The family-owned 22 Jermyn Street has a mere 18 rooms, but welcomes families with books, videos, and puzzles. They should be sympathetic to your situation. Also, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park woos their littlest guests with a keepsake teddy bear.
We can't resist passing along some more pointers: When you arrive, pick up a copy of KIDS OUT magazine (available at newsstands), offering lists of activities for families. Some of our favorite things to do in London include visiting the Tower of London (the grisly tales of the bloody tower are fascinating to kids!) and the National History Museum, offering the liveliest science lessons you'll ever experience. For shopping, pre-teens and teens love Portobello Road, home of all that's trendy--and the latest fad gear that hasn't crossed the pond yet. Hamley's of London is an awesome toy store--as fun as Harrod's famous toy kingdom, we think. And allow some time for meandering through London's gorgeous string of parks, looking for surprises along the way like the Peter Pan statue in Hyde Park. Have a jolly good time!
For more tips on what to do while in London, read our story, London for Kids. And don't forget to read up on how to cope with jet lag.
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Originally published in March 2001. Updated April 2006.
