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

[Dishwashersaurous]

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

@Atla

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

Total agree with this!

@Wtfdidwedo

Also I can understand the room occupancy for fires but I can promise you my husband and I would be carrying our under 5s out in a fire!

I assume most parents think this is what they would do, alas if the parent was injured or overcome by smoke inhalation, someone would be carrying them out/searching for THEM! I sincerely hope nobody here is involved in any serious fires/accidents, but it can happen.

Agree that the comments about firefighters only searching for the number of listed room occupants are ridiculous (and plain wrong).

The fire service isn't stupid - I'm pretty sure they're fully away that hotel rooms may hold more occupants than registered for all sorts of genuine or sneaking-an-extra-person-in reasons.

@SeeminglyOblivious

Agree that the comments about firefighters only searching for the number of listed room occupants are ridiculous (and plain wrong).

The fire service isn't stupid - I'm pretty sure they're fully away that hotel rooms may hold more occupants than registered for all sorts of genuine or sneaking-an-extra-person-in reasons.

None of the hotels I've been have turnstiles at the entrance even if a certain room has 2 occupants, doesn't mean they're there at, say, 2am. They could be partying somewhere else

@Dishwashersaurous

All of the options I suggested allow one room to be booked for 5 people, if that room is available.

We stayed in the youth hostel in Cambridge. Due to Covid the communal kitchen was closed, but we got a room that sleeps six, private bathroom, and free bike storage for three nights for about £130 (all in). We had a breakfast bap each morning. Youth hostels are no frills but they are good value and often central. Many more rural ones also have bell tents you can hire. I love it as an institution (I'm a member - and I'm in my 40s!)

I've stayed in Holiday Inns where the rooms have a double bed and then the sofa turns into another double bed. Not sure how they feel about 5 people sharing the one room though.

As you’re not staying in a hotel in the US why would you expect a UK hotel to be the same?
Would you like to drive on the right hand side of the road as well??

Have you looked on

sleeps5.com/destinations/british-isles/england/

I have found you have to call the hotel direct. Try the Royal Bath in Bournemouth. Two massive connected rooms with one bathroom bit can only book online.
It's a bit old school and tired in places but kids love it, on the beach and gas an indoor pool

@LouBan

I've stayed in Holiday Inns where the rooms have a double bed and then the sofa turns into another double bed. Not sure how they feel about 5 people sharing the one room though.

Depends on ages. Teenagers no, but my 3 kids under 6yo are staying in the same room as me and DH!

Just stayed in Holiday Inn with two queen beds... Some B&B might. I'd try Booking.com to search as hotels use it too.

Marriot are the best hotel chain for this - they will let you book a room with two doubles and put a camp bed in but you need to ring to get it not online.

You don't need to sneak a kid into a Premier inn anymore than you need to sneak your own snacks in the cinema.

It isn't against the rules.

This is always our struggle too OP. Holiday Inns usually have a family room with two queen sized beds and this works for us. Not exactly high end but does the job

Not read the thread but Marriott!

Given that you say that you’re happy camping, this is not camping, but not as glamorous as a “proper” hotel.
I’m going to suggest the YHA. They do family rooms with en-suite in most hostels. I have a family of 5 and I can only praise the YHA for their rooms. We also did a combo of eating in their restaurant and self catering when my DC were younger… self catering area was great because we could tussle up packed lunches before heading out for the day.
Have a look…. I strongly recommend 👍

Tussle = russle
But with 3 young’ uns it often felt like that 🤣

YANBU
We have things problem. Sometimes we have to get 2 rooms which makes it very expensive.

We found one in London, like a modern hostel, KIP. try hostels with group rooms/family rooms.

Depends on budget but Holiday inn do HUGE “ junior/ family suite” with two ( v large) double beds and a fold out ( double) sofa bed. Fantastically spacious. Or as others have said Youth hostel and take up a family room. Failing that would you consider a cabin/ cottage rental? With food delivery companies now so prolific the catering might not be an issue , and most you can arrange to have a cleaner?

I know a friend who has booked a holiday inn hotel in Sheffield close to Meadowhall I think , for a family of 5 at a reasonable price too. I think if you call them direct rather than try online may be able to arrange something ?

The Accor group (Novotel, Ibis, Sofitel) often do a family deal with a second room at 50% which we use when we can.

Call the hotel, is the way, many have larger rooms that aren’t bookable online.

Thanks all for the tips.

The sleeps 5 website, alas, most of these are not accurate anymore.

And the various suggestions of chains when putting in five no options come up, even if it let's you put in five. Eg marriott has rooms with two double beds which is exactly what I want but won't allow me to book for five

So Looks like phoning is the only option and like most people I do admin really late in the evening .

Hope that other people find this helpful as well