Family Hotel in London - ideas wanted

[Starmummy]

Hi

Can anyone recommend a family hotel in London for late November? We would like to stay Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Pretty central would be good as we are aiming to do all the tourist stuff. Also if anyone has any ideas for the more unusual places to visit or see that would be great as well.

Thanks

I stayed here when I first arrived in the UK - very friendly owners... located close to Hyde Park, oxford street and a very short walk to a tube station.

here

Grumpyfrumpy - have you stayed at the Novotel? What are the rooms like size-wise? We've previously stayed at the place at County Hall (is it TravelInn, I can't remember) and thought that was great value for money for its location, and good-sized rooms.

We stayed at a Novotel in Paris and it was grotty. The rooms were very small (to have two adults and two children in) and the service was disappointing. But that may just be Paris for you!

We stayed at the marriott in county hall on the southbank in a family room( 2 doubles with roll out beds) and found it excellent. Babysitting, leisure club, and right next to the Eye and the Aquarium. Shop around for rates, but they do good deals on weekend stays of 2 nights+. We're going back there during half term.

Thanks everyone. Its been a great help.

well... for a more budget idea, we stayed at the YHA in Carter Lane when we first arrived in London. The family room cost £60 each night and you get a decent cooked breakfast in the morning. It is located across the road from St Pauls and our room had a fabulous view of it. Dd spent ages staring at it while suffering jet lag!! Because it is located in the city it is close to or has easy access to most tourist venues. It's a short walk to the wibbly wobbly bridge, Tate Modern and Southbank. I have so many ideas of what you could do We love London and enjoy getting out and about most weekends. The river is great and there are all sorts of boats which travel up and down it. City Cruises are great (Westminster / Tower Bridge / Greenwich) and usually have an amusing commentary which is really informal, done by one of their staff. The Princess Diana Memorial Playground is another favourite which is in the north western corner of Kensington Gardens. It's location is chosen because it would have been in Diana's view across her back yard. The Rainforest Cafe is meant to be good for kids (I haven't been there yet). Hamleys is a dream - six floors of toys and lots of demonstrations on the way round. My dd usually walks out with loads of free stuff.

Let me know if you want any more ideas. I will get my dd (9) on to it

Thanks grumpyfrumpy

Thanks Kiwibelle and others sounds like you're all having a blast.

We only have 2 days and possibly a morning. We def must go on the eye. DS wants to do the frog? a boat/bus I think. We def want to do one of the museums any ideas which one is best for Ds age 9? Also we'd love to go to a show. So disapointed that Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has finished. Recomendations would be great. keep 'em comming.
Thanks again.

Starmummy,

Think you mean the London Duck Tour - link for it is here:-

www.londonducktours.co.uk

Would strongly advise you book in advance if you want to do this as their tours do sell out.

Thanks. The trip is a surprise for DS (age 9) for settling so well at his new school and working so hard (1 hour of homework a day minimum!!!) But thats another story. As the trip itself is a surprise we have asked what he'd like to do when we eventually go. So far it includes far more than we can do in 2 1/2 days (lol). He wants to do the wobbly bridge, Cutty Sark, London Bridge, Tower of London, Hamleys, all the musuems, the Rainforest Cafe (because we went in Florida). I'm sure if he could think of more he would.
We booked train tickets yesterday, with GNER, from Wakefield on Friday night to come back Monday afternoon for £19 each!!!! When DH goes for business even standard class costs £120 - shock horror.
Even I'm getting excited now