Family of 5: where to stay in London

[AlbertaWildRose]

Hello wise MNers, DH and I and our 3 children (8, 10, and 13) will be visiting London for a few days in July. We are coming from Canada so will be very jetlagged for a little while. I am looking for some advice on where to stay while we're there. Would a hotel or Air B&B be better? Are there hotels that can fit 5 people in a room that don't cost an absolute fortune? Any advice appreciated - it's been a while since we were last in London and we didn't yet have kids.

We have three kids too, similar ages when we last visited London. A room which sleeps 5 is a rare beast. Only really practical when your youngest will fit in a travel cot (which an 8 year old won't).

We ended up booking an apartment through booking.com, worked out well, it was two bedrooms (double and a twin) and the youngest had a fold out bed. Perfect for three nights.

Goes without saying that the closer you are to the city centre, the higher the rates. Personally we felt it was better to pay a bit more to be very central rather than be well outside town and travel to everything we wanted to see.

That's great, thanks. I'll try that site for sure.

An apartment would definitely be best. It's so much easier - you can spread out more, relax in your own place, wash your clothes.

I stayed in the Apple Apartments in Stratford (east London, near the Olympic Park). They were very clean and comfortable and well equipped.

Ok, an apartment sounds like the way to go. Thanks for the advice.

We stayed at a YHA Earls Court as a group of 6 in a room with 3 bunk beds. £99 the room I believe, which is a steal for 6 people. It was shared bathrooms but there was only us and 1 other person that we saw so no problem there.

Is a YHA an ok environment for children, though? I can't quite picture that but am prepared to be contradicted.

I came on to suggest a youth hostel. I've seen plenty of families in them.

We like Airbnb, flats or houses as in the morning you can do breakfast at your own speed and it is so much cheaper than buying 5xbreakfasts.

You can also make a picnic up to take out with you during the day.

We also do all our washing before returning home so when home I just unpack straight into the wardrobes and drawers

With 5 I would definitely say do an apartment or house

YHA Is fine for kids. There are other independent hostels that are aimed more at young travellers which would be noisy. University flats may als9 be available then. They are on booking.com too. You may have good luck with AirBandB.

Thanks for the advice! Definitely helpful.

Second looking at university accommodation and YHA. Something else you could consider us staying a little out, e.g. i see Premier Inn has a new hotel opening in Kingston with rooms from £29. From there you could walk in Richmond Park and see the deer, go on boat trips down the Thames and visit Hampton Court as well as get the train to central London. Premier Inn has a hub hotel by St James Park which always seem very popular with tourists.

I would look at premier inns. Cheap and all over London. Great one right in the heart of Covent Garden. Although you would need to speak to them about a room for 5. Definitely worth looking at apartments too, there are plenty but try and stick with a central location as it’s easier to get round.

Thank you! We are still confirming our dates but I will keep all of this in mind.