Nice family hotel for weekend away with a toddler

[Bumperlicioso]

DH and I put aside a little bit of money for a holiday (that we can little afford but haven't had a holiday since our honeymoon 3 years ago). After threatening to go on a cheap holiday in Europe we decided it just wasn't worth the hassle with DD (2.4yo). I saw linked on here a gorgeous hotel that welcomed kids and had a creche, babysitting, spa etc but it would have been about £750 for us for two nights . Ideally I would like to stay somewhere for a couple of nights for less than £500.

If I am going to spend that amount of money I would want a creche or kids club of some sort that we could put DD in for a couple of hours, baby listening so we could chill out in the bar/lounge instead of being stuck in a hotel room while DD is asleep, and somewhere that had a pool. I'm not really fussed where, we live in the west midlands so anywhere within a few hours drive would be great, ideally somewhere that is nice to visit, by the coast or something. A hotel where part of the event is staying at the hotel rather than it being just a place to sleep. Can anyone recommend anything that meets those criteria?

We have stayed here twice:

www.theelmshotel.co.uk/

10% mumsnet discount. If you go midweek off season then it would fit your budget. LOvely creche and nice pool/spa.

There is also a room with a adjoining v small bedroom that you can get for the same price as an ordinary double, which means dc can have their own room. You have to ask for it though.

Thanks for that, am having a look at all of those hotels in that brand. Can you remember what type of room it was that had the adjoining room for the same price as a double? There are various options like classic, coach house etc.

Did you enjoy your stay there?

It was a classic

We loved our stay. Really nice. Don't think I would want to pay the 'top rates', but well worth the standard 'bed, dinner and room' deal, as long as you go off peak (and get your 10% discoubnt!)

We are going back next week.

DD already talking about going back to the 'Four Bears Den'!

I have stayed at the Ickworth in this group and the staff were not as nice, and the overll facilities not as good

Have also heard that Moonfleet Manor is a bit 'tired'.

Do you think you could go midweek? Most hotels offer very good deals if you're not staying at the weeekend

That's good to know notyummy. We are happy to go midweek squeaver. Calcot Manor was the really expensive but gorgeous one I saw.

I just want something to make up for the fact that we aren't having a nice sunny holiday which is why a pool is essential , and lovely country style. I hate generic hotels. I don't want to feel like I might as well have spent the weekend at home which I understand I might have felt had I trekked abroad somewhere.

Anyone else got any other recommendations or reviews of any of the other Luxury Family Hotel Chain? It's such a lot of money to spend, I really want to make the right decision.

I know you said Calcot was too dear but we had a lovely couple of nights there in half term.

They do special offers especially mid-week in term time which its worth checking their website for.

We did Moonfleet Manor and it was very tired and very expensive. Two nights cost us the same as 4 nights at Bedruthan in Cornwall, which I would recommend... its all about the kids. and you get 10% discount

We have been to Ickworth, Calcot, (got married there), Watergate Bay and most recently Bedruthan.

We would go back to Bedruthan or Calcot.

HTH.

Looked at Bedruthan and it doesn't have the luxury that we are after, and I looked at the prices and it would still be about £250 a night, plus you have to pay for childcare on top of that.

I've had a closer look at Calcot and for a midweek 2 night break in January it would be about £800 , so still looking and still debating. I'm leaning towards The Elms but trip advisor gives mixed reviews. I am a very picky person and if I were paying £250 a night I would want everything to be perfect.

I've looked at other 'family hotels' but not all offer childcare, and it sounds mean but that is pretty important to the weekend! DD won't mind at all and we really need the break.

The problem I think you face is that the childcare element really bumps the price up. If you want 5 star uber luxury AND childcare then you are looking at Calcot Manor/The Grove/Babington House....and none of these come in much under £400 per night tbh. Having an OFSTED registered facility on site is pretty expensive to run and this does bump up the prices - plus hotels know that parents will pay extra and charge accordingly.

I also looked at the reviews on tripadvisor about the Elms and they are mixed, although more positive than negative. We;ve been there twice and have only had good experiences, however each to their own. I would say that the vitriolic review from the person who expected a nursing chair and blackout blinds was quite simply deluded....you could have a suite in the Ritz abd you wouldn't get those! Also, the same reviewer (who by the sounds of it stayed in the same room as we have done - and we thought it was fine) thought the furniture was old and a bit mismatched. It's a country house hotel. If you want design and utter chicness then pay the extra £200 per night and go to Babington House....but they wont have blackout blinds either (nutters!!)

In hotel pricing land, £250 a night for bed, dinner, breakfast and childcare is actually seen as good value for money (I know...!) so you may not get the really perfect experience you want. Remove the childcare element and you could probably get a REALLY swiah hotel for that money. With childcare you will get a 'nice' one.

'swish' hotel

Thanks notyummy, really appreciate your advice on this. Agree with all of your post (I too thought that review was a bit much!).

PS Bumper....just returned from another 2 nights at the Elms. Had a lovely time. Breakfast a bit slow on the first day with our coffee/my smoked haddock and poached egg, but apart from that all good.

Dd already asking when she can go back to the Bears Den. Parents are just sooooo boring...