London is an exciting city for all ages, with a long list of things to see and do for the entire family. Remember Alan and I lived there for nearly 3 years, when we were first married. We finally introduced the city to the kids in 2013 and we had so much fun touring around on the hop on hop off bus. We are big London fans and the kids keep asking to return.
The capital even has a wide selection of accommodation that provides a little extra for your kids. So, if you’re planning your vacation, here are some family friendly hotels to consider.
The Level at Melia White House
Just a few steps away from Regent’s Park, ZSL London Zoo, shopping streets and several museums is one of the leading hotels in central London, Melia White House is conveniently located near loads of child friendly attractions. In the hotel, there’s a separate check-in area for children and a club called Kids & Co., where tasty treats and activities await. Click here to see what deals they have on offer.
Athenaeum
Not many hotels can say they’re as dedicated as Athenaeum Hotel in terms of keeping their young guests happy. Over at this luxurious family owned accommodation in Mayfair, kids are presented with their own concierge to make sure that they have everything they need for an enjoyable stay, supplying them with everything from a family oriented itinerary to their favorite DVDs. Children always come first at this amazing hotel. Click here to see what deals they have on offer.
Chessington Safari Hotel
This hotel is the perfect base camp to retreat back to after a fun-filled day at the Chessington World Adventures Resort. The family rooms are quite spacious, and some of them even having a separate TV and sleeping area for children. Each room comes with different perks, some with jungle bunk beds or sofa beds. But if it’s an African adventure you’re looking for, opt for one of the themed rooms decorated with ethnic designs and animal prints, where kids can sleep in the tented area and grown-ups can rest in a double bed with a canopy. Click here to see what deals they have on offer.
Travel to London
If you’re flying internationally, you’ll most likely arrive at Heathrow Airport, where you can take the Heathrow Express to get you to Paddington Station in 15 to 20 minutes. If you’re coming from another destination in Europe, most budget and no-frills carriers fly into Gatwick.
When to visit
Of course London is buzzing all year long, but we have our favorite times of year to visit. We recommend visiting in May/June or in Sept/October. We visited London with the kids over Halloween and it was great. Of course, like most places this is the shoulder season, so you are less likely to fight the big crowds and more likely to find better deals. These months could be a little chilly, so pack with layering your clothes in mind.
Just so you know, August is likely the most crowded month, but still worth a visit. Of course you can always visit in December and enjoy all of the holiday decorations around the city and in the store fronts. If you do visit in the winter, keep in mind there are only about 7-8 hours of daylight.
What do you love about London?