Best family hotels in London: where to stay in the capital with babies and kids in tow

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? To save you time, we've consulted the Mumsnet forums to read hundreds of reviews and recommendations from savvy Mumsnetters 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 with a pool: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge

• Best in the city: Pan Pacific London

• Best for views: London Marriott Hotel County Hall

• Best for babies and toddlers: Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington

• Best family apartments: Cheval Harrington Court at South Kensington

• Best for large rooms: The Landmark London

• Best for interconnecting rooms: The Clermont, Victoria

• Best for teens: Town Hall Hotel and Apartments

1. Best overall family hotel in London: Athenaeum Hotel and Residences

Athenaeum Hotel and Residences | Check availability

Our verdict

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.

Read next: The best hand luggage to buy for your next weekend away

2. Best budget family hotel in London: Premier Inn London County Hall

Premier Inn London County Hall | Check availability

What Mumsnet users say

"I find the County Hall one very convenient. 5 mins walk to Westminster or Waterloo, lots of buses nearby." LetsChaseTrees

Our verdict

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.

3. Best London family hotel with a swimming pool: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge | Check availability

What Mumsnet users say

"Rooms were massive - king bed one side bathroom in middle to divide and double other side. 2 tvs too?!?!!! Also had fridge and microwave. Prices vary by the day, but good location, pool and def enough space." Jamandtoastfortea

Our verdict

Reviewed by Mumsnet Travel Editor, Rachel Erdos: read our in-depth Park Plaza Westminster Bridge review

With a great choice of family suites and studios, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is in a brilliant spot right on the South Bank with some rooms overlooking Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the river Thames.

The location puts London firmly in the frame and there are a bunch of family-friendly amenities that make travelling as a family a little easier. I checked in with two kids and we loved being able to take a pre- and post-sightseeing dip in the 15-metre basement swimming pool (note that sessions are limited to 20 minutes and need to be booked in advance).

There's a choice of restaurants serving French dishes (Brasserie Joel) and Japanese platters (Ichi Sushi) and I found the room service good value and also super speedy - look out for the family meal bundles.

We appreciated the kitchen facilities (microwave, fridge) in our 14th-floor studio as well as the excellent blackout blinds and ESPA toiletries in the bathroom.

It's a huge hotel home to 1,000+ rooms so it feels big and busy and bustling but with that comes access to useful on-site amenities, and the location + pool combo is hard to beat for the price.

4. Best family hotel in the city: Pan Pacific London

Pan Pacific London | Check availability

Reviewed by Mumsnet Travel Editor, Rachel Erdos: read our in-depth Pan Pacific London review

Within walking distance of Spitalfields Market, Brick Lane and Shoreditch, and right opposite Liverpool Street station, Pan Pacific London offers a luxurious base for families in the city of London.

Despite its corporate credentials and high-rise facade, it's incredibly serene and calm and there are thoughtful family perks throughout, from the in-room teepees (quite possibly my kids' favourite ever room amenity) to the children's afternoon tea and free meals at Straits Kitchen for kids under six.

The 18.5-metre infinity pool is a standout feature. With floor-to-ceiling windows offering city views, luxury loungers and tropical plants, it's a lush spot for a swim and there are dedicated family swim times so you don't feel like you're annoying business travellers seeking a relaxing dip.

Family rooms (with two queen beds) don't come cheap but it's a great option if you're looking for a gorgeous grown up stay with access to a pool and wellness centre in a location that makes it easy to explore east London's best bits.

5. Best London family hotel for views: London Marriott Hotel County Hall

London Marriott Hotel County Hall | Check availability

Our verdict

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.

6. Best family hotel for babies and toddlers in London: Royal Garden Hotel

Royal Garden Hotel | Check availability

Our verdict

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.

7. Best family apartments in London: Cheval Harrington Court at South Kensington

Cheval Harrington Court at South Kensington | Check availability

Our verdict

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.

8. Best family hotel with large rooms in London: The Landmark London

The Landmark London | Check availability

Our verdict

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.

9. Best with interconnecting rooms in London: The Clermont, Victoria

The Clermont, Victoria | Check availability

Our verdict

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.

10. Best family hotel for teens in London: Town Hall Hotel and Apartments

Town Hall Hotel and Apartments | Check availability

Our verdict

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.

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 area 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 top travel publications, and what customer reviews said about them. Having collated all that information, we then narrowed our list down to put together a curated selection of the best family hotels in London.

About the author

Jenny Elliott is a freelance lifestyle and travel writer based in Leeds. Her work has featured in publications such as the Guardian and Lonely Planet. She also runs her own blog, The Little Adventurer, where she documents the joys and frustrations of travelling with her two rascals.