Best family hotels UK: where to stay with kids, as recommended by Mumsnetters

Reviewed by Mumsnet Travel Editor, Rachel Erdos: read our full review of Fowey Hall Hotel

Overlooking the cute coastal town of Fowey, this former manor house offers contemporary good looks, child-friendly facilities and a thoroughly warm welcome. Fabulous rooms and lounges are designed for luxurious lounging and there are fun family activities on offer every day.

Rates include 90 minutes of childcare each night at the Four Bears Den (for kids aged between three months and eight) where you can expect your little ones to join in with crafting, playing, singing and rabbit-feeding.

There's a playground and zipline in the grounds (it got a lot of use during our stay) and there's an indoor pool and a showstopper on an outdoor pool with stunning sea views. The on-site cinema and games room are handy for rainy days.

Start the day with pancakes in the elegant dining room and finish it with storytime served with milk and cookies in the lounge.

Mumsnetters love this luxury hotel for its stylish rooms, kid-friendly activities and stunning setting.

Nearest train station: Par (4.5 miles)

There's much debate about London hotels on the Mumsnet holiday forum. Finding a property that's well located and welcoming to kids of all ages is hard to find according to Mumsnetters. But if there's one property that gets namechecked on a regular basis, it's the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.

Located on London's South Bank, it's something of a rare beast: a mid-range London hotel with a choice of interconnecting and family rooms and a good-sized indoor pool. Plus, its riverside location makes it easy to visit many of the capital’s kid-friendly attractions, including the London Eye, Tate Modern and the BFI IMAX cinema. It also puts you within walking distance of Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square and Oxford Street.

After a day of exploring, blackout curtains and soundproofing will help everyone get a good night's sleep. First, though, take the chance to peek across the twinkling cityscape, especially if you've booked one of the rooms with views of Big Ben.

Mumsnetters love the hotel's excellent location, it's family-friendly rooms and its indoor pool.

Nearest train station: Waterloo (0.4 miles)

The Lakeside Hotel & Spa sits on the picturesque southern shore of Lake Windermere and is well located for scenic walks and boat trips in the Lake District. The comfy family suites have separate sleeping areas for the kids (complete with bunk beds). Plus, there are interconnecting rooms that work well with teens and bigger groups. The indoor family pool is sure to please all ages, as are the hearty breakfasts.

Mumsnetters rate the hotel's lakeside location which is close to family-friendly attractions like the Lakes Aquarium and Motor Museum, as well as the dining options and lovely indoor pool.

Nearest train station: Oxenholme Lake District (17 miles)

Crieff Hydro in Perthshire is a magnificent family-friendly resort set on 900 acres in the Scottish Highlands. There are self-catering lodges, apartments and cabins available for between two and 16 guests (plus your dog) so it's a great option if you're travelling with a big family or as a group of friends with kids.

The resort has six different bars and restaurants, a swimming pool, Victorian baths, a spa, and a cinema. And there are lots of fun activities on offer for kids of all ages including a soft play centre, trampolines, a ball pool, a games room, a crazy golf course as well as bike trails and quad bikes. The best bit? Rates include two hours of childcare per night for kids aged two to 12. Perfect if you want to make use of the spa or indulge in a spot of afternoon tea.

Explore the lovely small town of Crieff or the beautiful forest walks of Perthshire. Nearby attractions include the Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre and Drummond Castle.

Mumsnetters appreciate the huge range of family-friendly activities on offer at this luxury retreat in the Highlands.

York’s only 5-star hotel knows how to welcome parents and kids with its special check-in for children and plush family rooms. Head to the The Grand's cookery school for family classes without the clean-up (from age 8). Or unwind in the serene hotel spa, which includes a 14-metre swimming pool and offers manicures for under-16s.

The Grand’s location is handy for the train station, as well as York’s huge range of kid-friendly attractions including the National Railway Museum, JORVIK Viking Centre and York Castle Museum).

Mumsnetters rate York as a destination for a family city break in the UK and rave about The Grand thanks to its central location and gorgeous family-friendly pool and spa.

Nearest train station: York (0.3 miles)

Reviewed by Mumsnet Editor, Poppy O'Neill: read our full review of Moonfleet Manor

Just across the Fleet from Chesil Beach and a short drive from Portland and Weymouth, Moonfleet Manor is a grand family-friendly retreat.

Rooms and suites sleep couples and families of up to six and there are loads of fun on-site activities. We loved the swimming pool, spa and the gigantic games room, as well as windswept walks along the coast.

Like other hotels in the Luxury Family Hotels chain, parents can take advantage of the OFSTED-registered Four Bears Den, which offers two hours of free childcare for each night you stay.

Dogs are also welcome at Moonfleet, with biscuits, water bowls and dog washing stations dotted around the hotel, and treat-packed goody bags and comfy dog beds to greet them in your room.

For a relaxing getaway or a base to explore the Jurassic Coast, Moonfleet Manor offers a warm welcome to families. While it may have been wet and windy during our stay, there was so much to do at the hotel that it didn't dampen our enjoyment at all.

Do your kids love rides? If so, treat them to a stay at the Big Blue Hotel at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, home to some epic rollercoasters as well as the UK’s only Nickelodeon Land. The hotel offers private access to the park. The funky family rooms feature a separate children’s area with bunk beds and inbuilt PlayStations. Come mealtimes, head to the buzzy brasserie where kids can create their own pizzas.

Mumsnetters love the fact that some of the rooms overlook the neighbouring rollercoasters and rides, which may even turn your kids' attention away from the TV.

It's an affordable hotel, particularly if you stay on a Sunday night. We found family rooms available on a range of dates for less than £100.

Nearest train station: Blackpool Pleasure Beach (0.1 mile)

Luccombe Hall Hotel is a real favourite with families thanks to its friendly service and beautiful clifftop location in the seaside town of Shanklin. Originally built in 1870 as the Bishop of Portsmouth’s summer palace, the hotel now feature plenty to keep modern families busy including indoor and outdoor pools, a children’s playground, a mini putting green, plus steps that lead you down to the beach. The airy family rooms have a double and bunks. Nearby you’ll find a great range of kid-friendly attractions, including the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, Dinosaur Isle and Blackgang Chine – the UK’s oldest amusement park, which comes highly recommended by Mumsnetters.

Nearest train station: Shanklin (1 mile)

Reviewed by Mumsnet Editor, Poppy O'Neill: read our full review of Bedruthan Hotel & Spa

Set above the golden sands of Mawgan Porth Beach, Bedruthan Hotel & Spa blends laid-back luxury with family-friendly charm. Nearly every window frames sweeping views of the north Cornish coast and its clean, airy design makes it feel both stylish and welcoming. Families are well looked after here, with everything from kids’ clubs and a creche to craft sessions and a sensory spa garden for all ages. Add in the beach just steps away, the sustainable Wild Cafe, and easy access to Cornwall’s top spots, and you’ve got the perfect base for a coastal escape.

Nearest train station: Newquay (6 miles)

Around an hour south of Belfast airport, Slieve Donard Resort is set between the Irish sea and the magnificent Mountains of Mourne. Little sandcastle builders can head to Newcastle’s wide sandy beach, and the town also has fun-filled amusements, as well as a glut of well-rated cafes and restaurants. That’s if you can tear yourself away from the resort itself - with its swimming pool, tennis courts, pub-style bistro and luxury spa.

Mumsnetters love the stunning sea views from this grand Victorian hotel, particularly from the luxurious spa pool which sits opposite the beach. Kids can use the pool every day between 9.30 and 5.30.

Nearest train station: Newry Station (23 miles)