The Day My Three-Year-Old Stayed In A 5* Hotel

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Kids today, hey? *rolls eyes* London Edition Hotel family style package

That phrase is usually used when talking about kids wearing hoodies and tearing it up in a shopping centre or two, but I mean it in a ‘These kids! They don’t know how lucky they are!’ way. Yes, I fully realise this makes me sound 55. But it’s true.

There are so many things that my three-year-old has experienced in her short little life so far, that I didn’t experience until I was an adult. She’s been to the Royal Albert Hall (something I didn’t do until I was 22). She’s been abroad (something it took me until I was ten to achieve). She’s been to a festival (my first one was V97 when I was 18).

She has also now stayed in a five star hotel.

My posh hotel habit has had to go slightly on the back burner since having my daughter. Aside from the money aspect – we’ve been spending more on nappies, small boxes of raisins and entry to London Zoo than extravagant mini breaks – I’ve never considered 5* hotels as being particularly child-friendly. Until now, that is.

A few weeks ago, we headed into central London to stay at the London Edition. The Edition group of hotels is a new concept from Ian Schrager, the man behind The Sanderson in London, The Mondrian in West Hollywood and The Delano in Miami. He knows his hotel stuff. As well as being brimming with luxurious touches (and an awesome bar and restaurant… more on that later) the London Edition has a Family Style package which looks after the little ones as well as you.

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London Edition Hotel room

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London Edition hotel books

What the three-year-old loved…

She had attention lavished upon her from the moment we arrived. At check-in, the staff used her name and chatted to her, complimenting her on her Rapunzel dress. The fact that she had a room of her very own went down well (we were given a Loft room with a connecting room) and you should have SEEN her excited face when she realised she had her own bathroom (“If you need a wee, you can use your toilet. But if I need a wee, I’m going to use MY toilet”).

We popped out for a quick lunch nearby and when we got back, our room had some extra special additions…

London Edition Hotel family package review

London tube kids tent

tube tent for kids

We spent the next few hours playing in the London Underground themed tent and tunnel, with the three-year-old being the ticket seller and me and Mr P being customers.

Her: “Where do you want to go?”

Me: “Oooh, Camden please.”

Her: “No, sorry, you can’t go there. You can go to Scotland.”

Me: “Um, OK. One ticket to Scotland please. I guess…”

bathrobes

While Mr P took over as the customer, I snuck off for a mid-afternoon bath with a copy of Vogue. Well, it’s got to be done when you’re in a nice hotel, hasn’t it? Afterwards, the three-year-old decided she wanted a bath too. Once we were all clean and shiny, we put on our bath robes (there was even a mini bath robe for her) and snuggled on the big bed and watched 101 Dalmations, one of the kids’ films that had been pre-loaded onto the iPad in the room (complete with bounce-proof rubber case).

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There was also a brilliant guide to kids’ activities in London and a London Underground themed scrap book to fill in and keep. Despite the fact that our original plan had been to check in and head straight out to the Natural History Museum, it was suddenly 4pm and we were still in the hotel room! So we cut our losses and got some crafting materials out that we’d brought with us. After a quick picnic tea, we discovered some milk and cookies had been left in the other bedroom…

Milk and cookies at The London Edition hotel - brilliant family package!

Soon it was time to tuck the little one up in her massive bed and she quickly drifted off to sleep.

What we loved…

Apart from the gorgeous decor and friendly service, the best thing for us about the Family Style package at the London Edition was the babysitting service. 15 minutes after the three-year-old was tucked up in bed (with the complimentary baby monitor switched on), our babysitter arrived. Arranged by the hotel and included in the package, the service gave us four hours of a fully qualified childcare professional. Earlier in the afternoon, I had called the agency to chat to them and find out more about the babysitter, and they told me she worked at a nursery and was fully qualified. We chatted to the three-year-old about the fact that a babysitter would be here for her and if she needed anything, to either call out or come through to our room to see her. As we tucked her in, she said with a smile “Night night. And if I need anything, I will come and ask the lady.” It made me feel happier, knowing she was comfortable asking the babysitter for help.

So, that sorted, off we went! We headed to the hotel bar – The Punch Room – for a couple of drinks and then we went to the Berners Tavern for dinner (excuse the grainy iPhone snaps…)

The Punch Room, London

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It was such a brilliant evening – a real treat to be in a gorgeous grown up restaurant, knowing we only had to head upstairs to our room afterwards. The Berners Tavern is a real destination restaurant and can be tricky to get a reservation at short notice. I loved the relaxed atmosphere and it was so buzzy, despite being a huge room with a high ceiling. The food was amazing and I totally stuffed myself. Afterwards we sat in the lobby bar for a couple of drinks and did some people watching. Because there’s a trendy members only basement club in the hotel, there were all sorts of interesting characters coming in (Cara Delevingne and co were regulars during fashion week, apparently, but no sign of them that night…)

berners

After a sleep in an extremely comfortable bed, we were woken at 5.40am (groan!) by our little cherub. But the thought of breakfast downstairs at the Berners put a smile on my face. And what a breakfast it was! The waiter brought a Disney Princess colour-in jigsaw for the three-year-old which kept her busy while we ummed and ahhed over the menu. She told me she wanted sausage, bacon, toast and baked beans, and I had to explain to her that there were no baked beans on the menu, so it would have to be just sausage, bacon and toast. She happily accepted that, but when our breakfast arrived, the kitchen had done her a little bowl of beans! She was thrilled and it really impressed me. While she munched, I ate my eggs benedict and read Sunday Times Style. It was so bloody blissful.

Breakfast at Berners Tavern

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Sunday-Times-Style-tea

After another hour of playing in the tent, we checked out and went to Coram’s Fields for the morning. As we left, the reception staff chatted away to the three-year-old again and gave her a goodie bag containing a Frozen sticker album and stickers. We all left with a big smile on our face.

• Thank you to the London Edition Hotel for inviting us to review the Family Style package. All views are my own.  The Family Style package at the London Edition Hotel starts at £535 for bed, breakfast, babysitting service and treats. It’s by no stretch of the imagination a cheap break but for a special occasion, I can’t recommend it enough.

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27 Comments

  1. August 22, 2014 / 11:12 am

    Ooooh my first festival was V97 too! I was completely overawed. (I might have been a little bit older than 18 too).

    Agree that our kids have so much more than we did, but I wonder how much of that is the generation, and how much the fact that we have more money than my parents did back then. (I sound like my Grandma now – and that on top of the ‘bedjacket’ thing)!

    We had a similar experience at the Cavendish – paying attention to the children is one of the things that makes a parent’s stay in a hotel so much more special. Very few establishments have that sorted yet, but the ones that do will always stick in my mind and get my recommendation.

    • Alison Perry
      Author
      August 22, 2014 / 12:22 pm

      We probably bopped along to Shed Seven together (I have no idea if they were playing or not…) and yes, totally agree about those hotels that make the effort with kids standing out from the rest.

  2. August 22, 2014 / 12:01 pm

    I actually made little sighy/swoony noises reading this – I am sooo envious! Belle and I absolutely LOVE staying in hotels. Whenever we go away anywhere it’s all I can do to get her to leave, so I’m impressed you managed a short outing!

    • Alison Perry
      Author
      August 22, 2014 / 6:03 pm

      I make little sight/swoony noises when I remember being there! Your recent road trip looked amazing though.

  3. August 22, 2014 / 2:28 pm

    I think this looks amazing. I would always choose to stay somewhere that might cost more but has that ‘personal’ touch that makes you feel special. It’s worth every penny. x

    • Alison Perry
      Author
      August 22, 2014 / 6:03 pm

      I think if you can afford to splash out every now and then, it’s good to treat yourself!

  4. August 22, 2014 / 3:46 pm

    oh oh oh my I am hooked and looking it up as we speak. We took our under 2 son to stay at the Soho Hotel in May and it was absolutely excellent (https://twitter.com/Peagreen98/status/466106860194787328) the staff really made him feel special and he had a blast. BUT some the extra’s in this package have me bouncing off the wall – next family London trip seems here might be on the cards

    • Alison Perry
      Author
      August 22, 2014 / 6:04 pm

      The Soho is another favourite of mine. They’re started doing kids’ film clubs on a Saturday morning too!

  5. August 22, 2014 / 7:16 pm

    OMG you stayed in actual heaven. I am terrified of staying in any hotel with my two … they are just … so … child like … It’s nice to know that even at the top end of the range they are welcomed in some places. When I win the lottery I will move in to this hotel xx

    • Alison Perry
      Author
      August 26, 2014 / 12:53 pm

      When you win the lottery, will you pay for me to live there too? 😉

  6. August 22, 2014 / 9:34 pm

    i’ve never even stayed in a hotel, let alone a 5 star one! i like that you included her opinion too 🙂

    • Alison Perry
      Author
      August 26, 2014 / 12:53 pm

      She would have stayed there for a week, if it had been an option!

  7. August 23, 2014 / 10:12 am

    So tempted… what more could you want from a night off in London?! Sounds amazing x

  8. August 23, 2014 / 11:21 am

    I know what you mean. Florence and I were put up in a gorgeous hotel last time we went down to London for that Boden thing and I thought what a lucky little thing she was. As soon as we got into the room she made a den inside the massive bed cushions! This place looks the business and I’m so glad you had such a nice break (you look well chuffed in those photos and rightly so) xx

  9. Julie (Mumsnet Peterborough)
    August 23, 2014 / 4:52 pm

    Wow that looks amazing. My four year old daughter is obsessed with trains and would freak out over that tent.
    I think I need to start saving!

  10. August 24, 2014 / 5:26 pm

    omg it looks amazing! things like the milk and cookies kind of just top it off don’t they and the babysitting too, brilliant! I had never stayed in a hotel until I was in my twenties, I asked my then boyfriend if you had to bring a towel with you, haha! x

    • Alison Perry
      Author
      August 26, 2014 / 12:54 pm

      haha that made me laugh. This place had more fluffy towels than anyone could use in one night 😉

  11. August 25, 2014 / 1:05 am

    Oh my. This looks amazing! I love the pop up tent and the cookies and milk touches! You look fabulous- five star life really suits you! 🙂 My first festival was V99 by the way! So only missed you by two years. 🙂 x

    • Alison Perry
      Author
      August 26, 2014 / 12:55 pm

      I think I went to V99 too, you know. Used to LOVE a V festival, me.

  12. August 25, 2014 / 10:19 am

    WOW – this look amazing. Defo for a special occasion though -but how lovely that they make a fuss of your little one which lots of treats and kid-friendly ideas! But, I think the fact that you and Mr P felt relaxed too – is worth every penny.

  13. August 25, 2014 / 3:07 pm

    This sounds heavenly and what lovely touches to make sure your daughtr really enjoyed her stay. I totally agree though, the things my children have done compared to what I had done at their age…well, it doesn’t compare!!

  14. August 25, 2014 / 4:20 pm

    Wow this looks amazing! Especially the babysitting part, we rarely get to go out as Mr C’s mum is our only babysitter and she doesn’t live near enough to pop over so that sounds like such a treat. And all the little touches for kids are just amazing, Cherry would have wanted to stay there forever! x

  15. August 26, 2014 / 12:04 am

    Oh wow – seriously how lucky are all of you, especially your daughter and how amazing is that playroom/bed. This place looks seriously incredible – wish I had that much money at hand to have a night there as this really does capture the family friendly feel of it 🙂

    Laura x

  16. August 26, 2014 / 12:37 pm

    Oh me, oh my! I don’t think I have ever enjoyed reading a hotel review so much. Love love love it. Had no idea whatsoever that a 5 star hotel could be SO child friendly. I saw that London Underground tunnel tent at Lollibop last year but had no idea there was a bed thingy too.

    Love your choice of photos. The whole post gives us such a genuine heartfelt insight into your stay there. Beautiful.

    They’ve got it so so right – well done them and you.

    Liska
    @NewMumOnline xx

    • Alison Perry
      Author
      August 26, 2014 / 12:56 pm

      Thank you Liska for such a kind comment! It was a joy to review and write.

  17. August 26, 2014 / 8:45 pm

    Kids today, eh? 🙂 This looks seriously amazing for you all – and how thoughtful were all the little touches. Did she sleep in the tent or just play in it? Really refreshing to see such a ‘trendy’ (I’m my mum) hotel that’s really welcoming to children too.

  18. August 26, 2014 / 10:44 pm

    Oh.My.Word!!!
    Amazing.
    What a stunning hotel and so unusual to get such an amazing mix of family friendly and style.
    You lucky things 🙂

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