CBeebies Land Hotel review: "this hotel knows exactly who it’s for"

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My verdict of CBeebies Land Hotel

If you’ve got a CBeebies-obsessed child under about seven, this place will feel pretty magical.

We stayed at CBeebies Land Hotel on a press trip for the launch of the new Bluey ride, Bluey: Here Come the Grannies. We had our Bluey-mad four-year-old with us, so we were always going to be an easy audience. Even so, it beat my expectations, mainly because it knows exactly who it’s for.

Image: Alton Towers Resort | A view of the reception and shop entrance

This isn’t a regular hotel that happens to tolerate kids. It’s built around young children: their routines, their attention spans and their need for constant distraction. The big win is that loads of that entertainment happens without you having to be the cruise director.

It’s not perfect. The food isn’t amazing, for example, but it’s very much aimed at what small kids will actually eat. Our youngest is picky and there were plenty of safe options. It can feel busy and noisy, but that’s also the point. And yes, it’s pricey, but you’re paying for the whole experience, not just a bed for the night.

In the end, it does what it says on the tin: an immersive, high-energy stay that kids love and that takes some of the pressure off you. For a lot of families, that’ll be enough to justify it.

How we tested

Mumsnet were invited to the launch of the new Bluey ride at Alton Towers. As part of the press stay, we spent one night at CBeebies Land Hotel as a family of four, with two young children.

Don’t think our boys realised that the CBeebies presenters were in front of them… 

We arrived the day before the launch, had dinner at the neighbouring Alton Towers Hotel’s Secret Garden restaurant, then spent the evening and following morning trying out the entertainment in what’s called the Musical Meadow, the room, the facilities and breakfast in the Windmill Restaurant.

It was a quick stay, but there was plenty of time to work out whether it’s worth it and whether it lives up to the hype.

What are the rooms like at CBeebies Land Hotel? 

We stayed in a Something Special themed room, which any parent of a CBeebies watcher will instantly recognise as Mr Tumble’s domain.

Now, I’ll be honest - waking up to Aunt Polly staring at me from the wall was… a lot. Not quite my ideal aesthetic for a relaxing break. But that’s missing the point entirely. Because the important thing is that our two DC absolutely loved it.

The bed was comfortable, though not tremendously large

The rooms are genuinely set up for families, not just “child-friendly” in a vague way. There’s a separate sleeping area for children, bunk beds (immediately declared “the best thing ever”) and little interactive play bits built into the walls to keep them busy.

The bunk beds were a big hit with our boys

The separate area for the kids has enough to keep them occupied

The practical stuff is what impressed me most. The bathroom is kitted out for small children, with a potty, nappy bin and a step for the sink. You’ll also find toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner and hand wash.

The theming is equally as impressive in the bathrooms, too 

In the room there’s also a travel cot, baby bath and bottle warmer. It means you can leave half the nursery at home, which is no small thing when you’re travelling with young kids.

The theming is bold and very bright. It’s not subtle, but it’s not trying to be. The whole point is that your child walks in and feels like they’ve stepped into their favourite show. Ours did.

What activities are on offer at CBeebies Land Hotel? 

This is where it really earns its keep. Something is going on every 30 minutes, and that’s not an exaggeration. More than once we thought we’d had our fill, and then another show kicked off.

Over the evening we dipped in and out of live shows, character sessions and interactive bits. Our eldest is currently dinosaur-obsessed, so the Andy slot went down very well. Then there was Bing, later Octonauts, and plenty more. It’s all pitched at exactly the right age.

The Musical Meadow bar is open from 1.30pm to 9.30pm

Every half an hour there is entertainment to enjoy

It’s lively, but it doesn't feel chaotic. And because there’s so much on, you can choose what suits your kids rather than feeling like you need to do everything.

Octonauts are a favourite of our eldest’s so he loved this show

The Musical Meadow is where you’ll find entertainment - and seating for tired mums and dads

One unexpected highlight was the drone show, put on for the Bluey launch. The hotel describes it as the largest drone show performed in front of a live audience in the UK, and it was genuinely impressive. 

The drone show was a particular highlight for us - well done Alton Towers!

If you’ve got kids who find fireworks too much (ours do), it’s a great alternative: all the wow, none of the banging. The Bluey Sleepytime bit was the standout, and yes, I got a bit wobbly.

What amenities are available for kids? 

They’ve thought of a lot. The entrance is bright, colourful and full of things to keep children busy while you check in, which immediately helps.

Around the hotel there are play areas and interactive features, so kids stay entertained without you having to constantly redirect them. It also feels contained and safe, which matters when everyone’s excited and running around.

Cot beds and baby baths are stocked in every room

Every room comes well-equipped with baby and toddler items - and a TV for the grown ups

The in-room baby and toddler kit is a real plus. Having a cot, baby bath and bottle warmer there takes a chunk of the stress out of travelling, and not every “family hotel” gets that right.

There’s also a small shop onsite with CBeebies bits and the useful essentials, like nappies, wipes and Calpol, for when you realise you’ve forgotten something.

What’s the food and drink like at CBeebies Land Hotel? 

We only had breakfast at the Windmill Restaurant, so this is mainly based on that.

Aptly named the Windmill Restaurant thanks to the large windmill in the center of the room

The room itself is fun and themed, and kids love it. The food is fairly standard: cereals, pastries, toast and the usual cooked breakfast options. 

It’s not exciting, but it is the kind of thing children will eat. We had a peaceful breakfast, which frankly is priceless.

The theming in the restaurant had our kids standing in awe

Hot food is available, alongside your usual pastries, fruit, cereals

One very welcome detail: you can order Costa coffee to your table. Yes, there’s coffee on the buffet, but having a proper latte arrive while you’re juggling children and plates felt like a tiny holiday in itself.

This saved my sanity on the morning of the Bluey ride launch

Our two DC with the balloon our youngest has formed an unhealthy attachment to

From other reviews I’ve seen online, food is one of the more mixed parts of the stay, and I can see why. It doesn’t quite match the price tag. 

What is there to do nearby at CBeebies Land Hotel? 

Most families will be here for Alton Towers, and staying at the hotel makes it easy to get to:

• Alton Towers theme park (including CBeebies Land for younger kids)

• the Alton Towers Waterpark

• Extraordinary Golf

• other restaurants and hotels on the resort

The hotel is in close proximity to the main Alton Towers theme park

There’s also a shuttle to the theme park, which is handy if you want to avoid driving and parking. Standard parking is an extra cost (£15 on the day, £13 if you book in advance).

CBeebies Land is very much aimed at younger children, so if you’ve got older ones too, you may end up splitting up to keep everyone happy.

What are the staff and service like at CBeebies Land Hotel?

Really good. The staff are engaged with the kids and it doesn’t feel forced. They know this is a big trip for a lot of families and they lean into it in a nice way.

From reception to the entertainment team, everyone was upbeat and helpful. Special mention to the man who convinced my kids that if they went through the tunnel to the shop, their parents had to follow. They found it hilarious. We, thankfully, managed to talk them out of doing it again.

Final verdict of the CBeebies Land Hotel

This hotel knows exactly who it’s for. If that’s you, it works brilliantly. For families with young children, especially those in a full CBeebies phase, it’s immersive, busy, colourful and genuinely memorable. The constant entertainment, the sensible room set-up and the baby and toddler kit make it feel easier than family travel usually does.

Families with young children will certainly enjoy a stay at CBeebies Land Hotel

Just go in with your eyes open: it’s expensive, and it’s not a calm, subtle break. It’s full-on, especially when you spend a day or two in the theme park. Your kids will love it, though you might need a lie down afterwards.

As a one-off treat, though? If your child is obsessed with Bluey, Bing or Mr Tumble, it’ll feel worth it.

About the author 

Rebecca Roberts is a Leeds-based writer and editor at Mumsnet. She commissions, writes and edits the sort of no-nonsense content parents actually need. While typically focused on lifestyle and home, she’s a mum of two young children - making her well equipped to try out trips on behalf of Mumsnet. Plus, as a mum herself, she’s very familiar with the reality of travelling with small kids - including the logistics, the snacks, the “where’s the nearest loo?” and the question of whether something is genuinely worth the money. She looks at places through a practical parent lens: what makes the stay easier, what’s good for kids, what’s bearable for adults, and what you’ll wish you’d known before you booked. 

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