12 Best Hotels in London for Families (2026 Guide)

Updated: December 22, 2025
By Santorini Dave • dave@santorinidave.com

My Favorite Family Hotels in London

• Best Pool: Marriott
• Family Suite: Athenaeum
• Family of 3: Darlington
• Family of 4: Park Plaza
• Family of 5: 15 Basil Street
• Family of 6: Grand Plaza
• Victoria Station: DoubleTree
• Paddington Station: Hilton
• Kings Cross: The California

My boys during a walking tour of East London.

London Family Hotels – My Advice

• Book Early (The “Family Room” Shortage): London has a severe shortage of hotel rooms that comfortably sleep 4 or 5 people. “Connecting rooms” are expensive and rare. If you find a true Quad or Family Suite available for your dates, book it immediately. For the best selection, aim to book 6 to 9 months in advance.
• Best Luxury Hotel for Families: Taj 51 Buckingham Gate. This is the gold standard. These are not standard rooms; they are 1, 2, or 3-bedroom residences with fully equipped kitchens and washer/dryers (a lifesaver for families). It feels like a luxury apartment with 5-star hotel service, steps from Buckingham Palace.
• Best for Babies & Toddlers: The Athenaeum. Located right on Green Park (easy for strolling), this hotel has a dedicated “Children’s Concierge.” They provide everything you don’t want to pack: cots, bottle warmers, high chairs, and even arrange vetted nannies so parents can have a night out.
• Best Value & Midrange Hotels:
  Park Plaza Westminster Bridge: Huge, modern “Studio Rooms” that sleep families are the draw here. It has a great indoor pool and is located directly opposite Big Ben and the London Eye.

  The Resident Covent Garden: Unbeatable location. The “Mini-Kitchens” in every room (microwave, fridge, sink, kettle, Nespresso machine) allow you to make quick breakfasts or snacks in the room, saving massive amounts of money on dining out.

  Park Plaza County Hall: The slightly quieter sister to Westminster Bridge, located just behind the London Eye. High floors have spectacular views.

  DoubleTree by Hilton Victoria: The practical choice. If you are arriving via Gatwick Express, this is right next to Victoria Station. The hotel completed a major refurbishment in 2025, adding updated connected family rooms.

• Best Hotels with Pools:
  Marriott County Hall: One of the largest hotel pools in central London (25 meters), set in a stunning historic hall.

  The Berkeley: A luxury splurge with a rooftop pool that has a retractable roof—perfect for London’s unpredictable weather.

  Shangri-La The Shard: The highest pool in Western Europe (Level 52). Note: Kids have restricted swim times (usually 9am–11am and 3pm–5pm), so plan your day accordingly.

• Neighborhood Strategy:
  South Bank: The best area for first-timers. It is pedestrian-friendly (no cars along the river walk), safe, and packed with hits: London Eye, Aquarium, Shrek’s Adventure, and Borough Market.

  South Kensington: The “Museum Quarter.” Stay here to be steps from the Natural History and Science Museums (both free!) and Hyde Park. Upscale and quiet.

  Covent Garden/West End: Stay here if you have teens who want to shop, see theater shows, and be in the middle of the buzz.

• Transport & The “Young Visitor Discount”:
  Adults: Do not buy paper tickets or Oyster cards. Use a contactless credit card or mobile wallet (Apple Pay or Google Pay) at the yellow readers. This is the fastest, cheapest method and includes automatic daily price capping.

  Ages 0-10: Travel FREE on the Tube, DLR, Elizabeth Line, London Overground, and buses when accompanied by a paying adult (up to 4 children per adult). Use the wide luggage gates to walk through the barriers together.

  Ages 11-15: This group requires a physical Oyster card (£7) or Visitor Oyster card. Upon arrival, take the child and the card to a staff member at any Tube station and ask for the “Young Visitor Discount.” This provides 50% off adult fares for 14 days.

  Key Rule: You cannot apply the Young Visitor Discount to a contactless credit card or a smartphone. It must be applied to a physical plastic Oyster card. The child must be present when you ask the staff to apply the discount.

• Dining Tips: London restaurants are very family-friendly, but dinner bookings are essential. Chains like Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza and Heddon Street Kitchen offer excellent “Kids Eat Free” deals (usually for ages 8 or 10 and under) when an adult orders a main meal. Most pubs welcome children, but strict licensing laws often require under-18s to leave by 9pm (some even earlier at 7pm, so check the door policy).

The Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in London

• London Hotel Map

1. Park Plaza Westminster Bridge – South Bank • midrange

Hotel phone: +44 333 400 6112
One-bedroom and two-bedroom suites are fantastic for families. Great location near Big Ben, London Eye, Waterloo Station and many other top sights. Nice indoor pool (though you need to book a time slot to access).
• Hotel website • Check prices for Park Plaza

2. Taj 51 Buckingham Gate – Westminster • luxury

Hotel phone: +44 20 7769 7766
Luxurious 2 and 3 bedroom suites (with turn-down service) have full kitchens and washing machines. The Indian restaurant attached to the hotel serves amazing vegetarian food. Close to Buckingham Palace, many restaurants, and several tube stations.
• Hotel website • Check prices for Taj 51

3. Athenaeum – Mayfair • luxury

Hotel phone: +44 20 7930 4843
Wonderful hotel that goes out of its way to welcome families. The one-bedroom apartments have their own entrance directly off the street, a full kitchen, bunk beds in some rooms, and cribs readily available. There’s a family concierge whose sole job is to help parents navigate the city and plan their visit.
• Hotel website • Check prices for Athenaeum

4. Connaught – Mayfair • luxury

Hotel phone: +44 20 7499 7070
Excellent, luxe pick for families with huge suites for family of four. Game consoles on request, and twice-daily, family-only swimming sessions at the pool. Traditional afternoon tea is family-friendly and exceptionally well done. Many more kid-friendly restaurants are just out the door.
• Hotel website • Check prices for the Connaught

5. Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square – City of London • luxury

Hotel phone: +44 20 3297 9200
The best hotel near the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Fantastic pool, spa, and Jacuzzi. Superb breakfasts. Large one, two, and three bedroom residences sleep families of nearly any size.
• Hotel website • Check prices for the Four Seasons

6. Darlington Hyde Park – Paddington • midrange

Hotel phone: +44 20 7460 8800
Family, triple, and quadruple rooms available (get a quadruple if you don’t want to be on the basement floor). Close to Paddington Station (Heathrow Express to/from airport) and Hyde Park (playgrounds and open fields). Full English breakfast included.
• Hotel website • Check prices for Darlington Hyde Park

7. Grand Plaza Serviced Apartments – Notting Hill • midrange

Hotel phone: +44 20 7985 8000
Family apartments sleep a family of 5 or 6. Quadruples sleep family of 4. All have small kitchenettes. Nice area, close to two tube stations and walking distance from Notting Hill shops and restaurants.
• Hotel website • Check prices for Grand Plaza Apartments

8. Premier Inn County Hall – South Bank • midrange

Hotel phone: +44 15 8256 7890
Large family rooms and good value breakfast. Also close to several restaurants and cafes. 1-minute walk to London Eye, 2 minutes to London Aquarium, 5 minutes to Waterloo station, 7 minutes to Big Ben and Parliament.
• Hotel website • Check prices for Premier Inn

9. The Ridgemount – Bloomsbury • budget

Hotel phone: +44 20 7636 1141
Great location close to the incredible British Museum. Quadruple rooms are perfect for family of 4. Quintuple rooms (with shared bathroom outside the room) for family of 5.
• Hotel website • Check prices for The Ridgemount

10. DoubleTree by Hilton London Victoria – Pimlico • budget

Hotel phone: +44 20 7834 8123
Inexpensive hotel with triples and quadruples. Convenient location close to Victoria Station and many tourist attractions.
• Hotel website • Check prices for DoubleTree Victoria Station

11. Luna Simone – Pimlico • budget

Hotel phone: +44 20 7834 5897
Comfortable homey rooms. Very helpful and friendly staff. A great warm breakfast is included in the room rates.
• Hotel website • Check prices for Luna & Simone

12. Best Western Palace & Suites – Chiswick • budget

Hotel phone: +44 845 373 1023
Family rooms have 1 full and 2 twin beds. This is an inexpensive hotel located in Zone 3. While it offers free parking and easy access to Heathrow, factor in the 25-30 minute tube ride to central London sights.
• Hotel website • Check prices for Best Western Chiswick

More London Hotels for Families

All of these hotels have triple, quad, or family rooms. There aren’t many large rooms in London so they get reserved far in advance. Book early.

• Marriott County Hall
  Nice swimming pool, great location near Big Ben and London Eye, large family rooms.
• Arosfa
  Triple and family rooms available.
• Montana Hotel
  Deluxe family room for family of 4.
• Columbus Hotel
  Triple and quad rooms available.
• Crestfield Hotel
  Triple and quad rooms available.
• The California
  Triple, quadruple, and family rooms available for family of 4-5.
• Rhodes
  Triple, quad, and family rooms (with bunk beds) for family of 5.

Family Apartments in London

A two-bedroom apartment with full kitchen at Park Lane Apartments in London.

Recommended apartments and flats for families in London. Most units have kitchens, washer/dryer, and internet (free wifi). Free parking is effectively non-existent in central London; expect to pay high daily rates at nearby garages if you bring a car.

• Park Lane Apartments
  Apartments with full kitchen and 1 to 4 bedrooms sleep families and large groups. Fantastic central location.
• 15 Basil Street
  Two-bedroom apartments sleep family of 4, 3-bedroom apartments sleep family of 5 or 6
• Arlington House Apartments
  One-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments sleep up to 6.
• 130 Queen’s Gate Apartments
  Two-bedroom apartments.
• Town Hall Hotel & Apartments
  Two-bedroom apartment for family of 4.
• Fraser Place Canary Wharf
  One-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments for 4 to 6 people.