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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want a UK hotel room which sleeps a family of five

282 replies

Dishwashersaurous · 08/01/2022 09:47

So, thinking about having a break in another UK city for a couple of days over half term just to have a break.

We're a family of five, three children primary age.

I envisaged a hotel room with two double beds, like those you get in US motels. Kids more than happy to share a bed.

We've only camped or cottages in UK before.

Now, despite searching and searching it seems that it is impossible to get a hotel room to sleep five. Which means two rooms, which obviously is much more expensive, when literally going to just be sleeping. We all happily sleep in one room in a tent.

So, good people of mumsnet, AIBU to hope someone can help me find a hotel room which sleeps five. Or don't they exist

OP posts:
Atla · 08/01/2022 10:26

But we have also done the premier Inn 2 rooms v cheaply.

KenDodd · 08/01/2022 10:25

This place has rooms for five. Does dinner bed and breakfast deals as well. You might have to call them.

www.tlh.co.uk/

MacTootBlowsonHisBagpipes · 08/01/2022 10:25

Not city breaks but Crieff Hydro have family rooms for up to 6. Athol Palace in Pitlochry also do large family rooms.

Atla · 08/01/2022 10:24

We are a family of 5 as well, we've found with hotels that we have to get 2 rooms (and have an adult in each if not interconnecting).

We find it much better to get an apartment or air BnB - especially as you have separate living space for after kids have gone to bed. I find creeping around a dark hotel room trying not to wake the kids pretty grim and not at all relaxing Grin

Whitefire · 08/01/2022 10:23

Yes we have the same issue, however all five of us in one room doesn't work, so we tend to go for two rooms (or if we are visiting my parents palm one of the children off). If I can get a good deal on a premier Inn it often is still cheaper to pay for two rooms then to find somewhere that takes all five of us.

Russelhobskettle · 08/01/2022 10:23

@Elodeastar

My worry with 'sneaking' kids in is that in an emergency (e.g. a fire) then they wouldn't be officially listed on the list of residents. I know most (all) parents would speak up about the extra person in such a situation, but what if the parent was somehow unable to speak up (trapped/involved) and nobody else was aware? I know this is unlikely but it could happen! Also, if you are having breakfast, then won't the hotel notice the 'extra' person?
Hotels never know who is in what room.
CarbonelCat · 08/01/2022 10:22

We have this issue. We mostly just sneak into a family Premier Inn room and take an extra pillow and sleeping bag. Not only is it a cost issue, but also we want to be in one room as it makes supervising the kids of DH or I want to go to the car or make a phone call etc easier. I don't want to be constantly worried about leaving a child alone in a hotel room. I find it strange that so many places allow a 3rd child if they're in a cot then never mention accomodating them Once they're 2. Annoying!

Am also disappointed that places like Bluestone that used to let you be honest about it and pay more for an extra camp bed have now said no, on the basis of covid...

I'm not sure it works in these businesses favour as rather than us booking double, or bigger, we just don't go!

Velvian · 08/01/2022 10:21

We've managed it by phoning to book at a Travelodge or Premier Inn. I have tried for a few years now though.

MrsGradyOldLady · 08/01/2022 10:21

I had this same issue so tended to stay in cottages or caravans.

We did used to go to The Dalmeny in St Annes for short breaks as they slept up to 6 in a room. Don't know if this would be somewhere you'd be interested in, but we liked it a lot when the kids were younger as there was so much for them to do. The food was great too.

ChateauMargaux · 08/01/2022 10:21

We fine Airbnb usually works out cheaper than 2 hotel rooms. Hostels can also be fun.

VainAbigail · 08/01/2022 10:20

I have the same issue. I can’t find a hotel with enough space for the us all. My problem is I want a specific town as I want to visit a parent so it’s looking like I’m going to have to book a Parkdean caravan as they seem to be the only parks open in February, and they’re cheaper than a hotel at that time of year.

BrieAndChilli · 08/01/2022 10:19

Where do you want to go? We stayed in one last summer in Paddington in London. I’ll see if I can dig out the details - it had 2 double beds and a single.

It was www.belvederehotel.co.uk/

Perfectly fine for sleeping in and then spending the day sightseeing. Breakfast was great, full fry up plus toast cereal etc.

Other than that we either do while apartments or youth hostel type places.

Elodeastar · 08/01/2022 10:17

My worry with 'sneaking' kids in is that in an emergency (e.g. a fire) then they wouldn't be officially listed on the list of residents. I know most (all) parents would speak up about the extra person in such a situation, but what if the parent was somehow unable to speak up (trapped/involved) and nobody else was aware? I know this is unlikely but it could happen! Also, if you are having breakfast, then won't the hotel notice the 'extra' person?

Original poster
Dishwashersaurous · 08/01/2022 10:15

It's the unnecessary cost issue really. We'd be fine, and happier all in one room. But two rooms make it unaffordable. Oh well

OP posts:
Lemons1571 · 08/01/2022 10:15

The trouble with interconnecting rooms is that you generally get charged for 2 rooms.

Hilton have a few 5 person rooms - 1 double 3 singles or 2 doubles 1 sofa bed. You can search for these specifically which also helps.

Nidan2Sandan · 08/01/2022 10:13

We have the same issue and of course 2 rooms instantly doubles the cost

Original poster
Dishwashersaurous · 08/01/2022 10:07

10:0

0Tomnooktoldmeto where are those. I can find ones in the USA but not in the UK

OP posts:
bertieb7 · 08/01/2022 10:05

How about two rooms with interconnecting doors? This is what we used to do.

Original poster
Dishwashersaurous · 08/01/2022 10:05

Thanks all. I think what's so frustrating is that I know that they want to share a bed, but no one seems to let you book one room

OP posts:
Smudge18 · 08/01/2022 10:02

Have you looked at the Park Plaza hotels?

Sassypants82 · 08/01/2022 10:02

We're 5 and have to book two rooms generally. Interconnecting. The youngest is only 2 but even as an Infant, the count of 5 would automatically make the hotel suggest 2 rooms.

Tomnooktoldmeto · 08/01/2022 10:00

We’ve stayed in a number of holiday inns with family rooms that sleep 5, you have to look at the full hotels not express ones but in express ones we just book interconnecting rooms

Freddofan · 08/01/2022 09:58

Have a look at staycity aparthotels, not a luxurious hotel but a great hybrid. www.staycity.com/families/

Isonthecase · 08/01/2022 09:58

The esplanade in Newquay had rooms for 5 when we stayed a couple of years ago

HappyHedgehog247 · 08/01/2022 09:57

We’ve booked family rooms for 4 and just snuck in. Kids share. We’ve only done it for an odd night eg before flights. Otherwise Airbnb and have also joined YHA which works well also.

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