Accommodation in the UK

THE ROYAL GARDEN HOTEL, KENSINGTON

(Feb 2015) I can honestly say I had never thought of taking a small child on a trip to a luxury city hotel. But when asked if we'd like to try out the experience at the Royal Garden Hotel thought that it would be an interesting test of whether five star and family can really be a good mix. And the answer is absolutely!

Of course, you need to make sure you pick the right hotel. The thought of an enthusiastic six year-old in the confines of a stuffy "old school" establishment is still one I wouldn't relish. But staying somewhere that actively welcomes smaller visitors is a different kettle of fish altogether.

First of all check in. Small child was presented with her very own room key (genius - she absolutely loved this!) and was treated just like any other guest rather than simply an add-on. She was also given a backpack containing activities, snacks (healthy!), a water bottle and a teddy as well as a voucher for free cookies at Whole Foods across the road.

The room. Huge! Quiet (this is my number one important thing when I stay in a hotel). Immaculate (a close second!). Lovely view and everything you could possibly need. The bathroom was massive with bath mats for bath and shower and again, sparklingly clean. I loved the (optional) night light detail which I hadn't come across before, At the flick of a switch a dim, low level light comes on in the bedroom and bathroom. Very handy for small (ok and big) people nipping to the loo in the night without having to crash around in the dark and/or switch all the lights on.

Up to two children can share your room - otherwise there is the guaranteed option of interconnecting rooms. DD slept on a sofa bed (which was turned down for us at night) which was very comfortable and in a slight alcove, meaning we could have our bedside lights on without it disturbing her in the slightest. She slept like a log.

The hotel offers other things for children too. You can borrow (free!) micro scooters (of all sizes) - so we did (and I was very pleased to see that helmets were offered too. You can also borrow games and films (and outdoor toys such as footballs and skipping ropes) but we never quite managed to find time to do this.

Interestingly the hotel recently ran a survey which showed two thirds of parents hadn't visited London with their children and the main reason for this is that it is too expensive. And it's true that when you stay somewhere you always have to factor in things like food and trips on top and it can end up being much more than you thought. But, as we found out for ourselves, you can get round this quite easily!

Firstly - the hotel breakfast is amazing and huge (with GF options - hurrah!) It kept us going pretty much all day. Secondly, no need to eat out for every meal. The joy of the Royal Garden is that within a couple of minutes walk is a Tesco, an M&S and a Whole Foods market so picking up bits or stuff to make a picnic is quick and easy. The location is also great if you want somewhere quick/easy/fairly reasonable to eat in the evenings. There is a Giraffe directly opposite. A Wagamama right next door and a number of other popular/family friendly restaurants within a few minutes walk. (Great shops too)

In terms of entertainment - again it's easy to have fun without spending much (or indeed anything). The hotel is right next door to Kensington Gardens with the Diana fountain and memorial playground. Hyde Park and the Serpentine are right there too. Knightsbridge is very close. The big museums which, apart from certain guest exhibitions, are free entry are also an easy walk away (eg the V&A, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum)

The hotel is also very accessible by public transport - five minutes (or less) from the tube and a bus stop outside so you can easily get to many other London sights within a very short space of time. Children under 10 go free on buses and tubes.

The hotel regularly does special offers too - for example they are offering 50% off connecting rooms in the Easter holidays - so it's worth keeping an eye out. We had a great time and found the staff incredibly friendly and helpful and have definitely got over our little-children-and-smart-hotels-don't-mix ideas once and for all.

10/10 (from CariGransnet)

THE COTTAGE, BROXA, N YORKSHIRE

(Sep 11) Just had a brilliant break at this self-catering cottage for two. Beautifully appointed with a few luxuries such as underfloor heating in the bathroom and a hot tub and summerhouse with a stunning view over the steep valleys with cows grazing in the field below. Attached to the house of the owners - a lovely couple. Although the hamlet of Broxa feels remote it is only seven miles from Scarborough so you have the whole of the 'Dinosaur' coast to Whitby and the Moors at hand. Our weather was mixed but there was loads to do close to the cottage and further away, especially if you like walking & geology. Also good theatres and a hidden gem in the church of St Martin's, Scarborough - designed by and containing work of leading pre-Raphaelites such as William Morris & Edward Burne-Jones. Owners very flexible about start days.

10/10 (from Gadaboutgran)

HANSEN RESIDENCE

(Sep 14) This place is a serviced apartment block. It was lovely to have our own sitting room and kitchen. We could really relax. It's very well furnished and the location is fantastic in an old building overlooking a square right at the end of Union Street. It's unobtrusively managed, but smiling staff were unfailingly helpful. We loved it!

10/10 (from Jane10)

DOLPHIN HOUSE GUEST HOUSE, EAST LOOE, CORNWALL

(Nov 11) A beautiful guest house which is very popular with guests returning year after year. The rooms are extremely comfortable & food the best I've tasted. The owners are a lovely couple & nothing is too much trouble for them. Not suitable for wheelchair access as set above the road with a steep slope & a few steps. Private parking available free across the road. Perfectly located just 100 yards from shops, restaurants & railway station

10/10 (from lizd31)

BLUESTONE NATIONAL PARK RESORT, PEMBROKESHIRE

(feb 14) I won a weekend at Bluestone National Park Resort in a Gransnet competition. When I won the prize I expected DD might say "Oh, Mummy" rather disparagingly, but NO. "When are we going?" was the prompt reaction.

We went for the first weekend of February half-term. We travelled there on "Frightful Friday" which was difficult, [we being DD, GS1 (8), GS2 (6), and GD (3) and me] so it was lovely to be welcomed very pleasantly at the entrance and congratulated on my win!

The Resort is about six years old and built on farmland. At the centre of the village are stone-terraced cottages for guests, and shops, restaurants and a pub are scattered around a large area. There are about 300 dwellings, all spread out. We were in a two-bedroom "upside down" lodge. The two bedrooms downstairs both had en-suites - a wet room in one and a bath in the other. The boys shared the double bed and GD stayed in our room in a very large cot bed that came as standard. Upstairs the large living area was clean and well appointed. The three areas did not impinge on one another and the kitchen was so well equipped. I saw a dishwasher and was relieved to discover that the "welcome pack" contained three eco-friendly tablets! It is all very green.

The lodge was self catering and it was a joy to use the kitchen! The beds were comfortable and the linen (all provided) was lovely.

On the Saturday I had a two-hour session in the spa. I didn't opt for treatments, but used the two different heat saunas, two different steam rooms, the ice room and the salt room, the jacuzzis and the experiential showers! Bliss. Meanwhile the others were in the activity centre doing sky walks and playing indoors. It was a 12-minute walk there, which gives an indication of the size of the site.

The site is car free after unloading, apart from electric buggies. The children had a bike ride and then we went off to the Blue Lagoon. It had waves, three exciting slides, and a lazy river, and was a super place for under-fives. The sandy beach area had water just 20cm deep, which was surrounded by lots of wet sand to make castles with or just be messy with and enjoy!

On the Sunday tree climbing and messy play ensued (there are exciting activities for older children and adults too) and another visit to the pool. On Monday I came home after breakfast, but the family stayed and had another time indoors at the activity centre as one's stay can be enjoyed until 3.00pm.

It was all superb and I'm booking for next year's February half-term. It’s a very suitable holiday destination for a family group. We were blessed with dry (and sunny) weather for our days there, but as one can be indoors it does not really matter! A splendid safe environment for bike rides, walks in forests and by streams. All in all ********!

10/10 (from eGJ)

This is weird.

76 DUKE ST B&B, WINDSOR

(2012) A lovely, comfortable and spotlessly clean small B&B. The owner Julia is very pleasant and welcoming and extremely helpful. A private bathroom is available and although not ensuite, it was not a problem at all. Beautiful bathroom, great shower/bath, and fluffy white towels too.

It was a great base for visiting Windsor, and only a short pleasant walk along river path into town.

10/10 (from Gilly70