Are you wondering how to entertain the kids this half term? Does a little trip – and treat – the whole family will enjoy sound up your street? Then read on!
The Arch Hotel in London is offering families a VIP stay at their 5-star hotel during half term week with a family fun package featuring little touches like child-sized bath robes, kids’ bathroom products and milk and cookies at bedtime.
The words 5-star hotel and milk and cookies at bedtime in the same sentence sounds like an excellent idea to me, so of course when we were asked if we would like to go and see what all the fuss is about the answer was yesssss!
What you get
Think 5-star luxury boutique hotel (four poster beds you have to climb onto to get into, Malin + Goetz bathroom products and complimentary mini-bar) that’s also child-friendly (mini bath robes and slippers, Childs Farm bathroom products and a toy box in reception).
It’s hard to picture I know, but The Arch has pulled it off. My first thought when I looked at the website with mirrored coffee tables and plush furnishings was who in their right mind would take kids here, but on arrival I quickly realised it’s the relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff – as well as the thoughtful little touches – that make it child-friendly.
We were given a suite of rooms with interconnecting doors – a bedroom, sitting room and bathroom for us – and a separate bedroom and bathroom for the kids.
There was a gorgeous plate of macarons to greet us on arrival and BB’s eyes nearly popped out of her head as she’d never seen anything quite like it. To be honest neither had I!
A photo posted by Natalie Brown (@confessionsofacrummymummy) on
Even Misery Guts cheered up when he discovered a TV at the end of the bath from which he could have a soak, drink a cold beer and watch Top Gear.
Things to do
Hunter 486
The hotel’s restaurant Hunter 486 (named after the 1950s dialling code for Marylebone) looks like something out of a Bond film with padded leather booths, curtains for privacy and swanky décor. But don’t let this put you off taking your whirling dervish there – there’s colouring books on hand to entertain the kids and child-sized cutlery which I think is a really thoughtful touch for a high-end hotel.
The package includes a free kids’ meal with every adult main course, and the menu is fine dining-style (think soused mackerel with horseradish cream, crab with pink grapefruit and flat iron steak) but with food the kids will actually eat (fish and chips and pizza).
There’s also a martini library, a gym and reception area with a toy chest bursting with toys and games for kids of all ages.
The package also includes a full English breakfast the following day, served in the restaurant, and when I say full I mean full. There’s absolutely everything you can think of, from honey you actually scrape from the comb yourself to artisan breads, Bircher muesli in Kilner jars, fresh and dried fruit and all sorts of pastries.
The cooked menu is equally impressive, featuring everything from porridge with spelt and quinoa to Canadian pancakes with bacon and maple syrup and of course the full English.
Once again – and quite uncharacteristically for that early on a Saturday morning – Misery Guts had a smile on his face.
Days out
The hotel is in Great Cumberland Place, just a stone’s throw from London’s Marble Arch and is the perfect base from which to explore London. Minutes from Hyde Park, Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street, the hotel is really central for everything.
The Tower of London
BB had been asking to see the Crown Jewels for months so after our stay at The Arch we headed to the Tower of London so she could see them for herself. This isn’t the cheapest day out – you’re looking at £62 for a family of four with one child under five – but if you book online it’s cheaper and you also avoid the queues for tickets at the gates.
Leicester Square cinemas
If they’re a bit overexcited and you want some quiet time head to the cinemas in Leicester Square. There are lots of films on over half term – we visited the Odeon where we saw the new Trolls movie, complete with actual Trolls at the door!
A photo posted by Natalie Brown (@confessionsofacrummymummy) on
Ripley’s Wicked Halloween Week
The West End musical Wicked is taking over Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! museum at Piccadilly Circus from Saturday October 22 – Sunday October 30 with a child-friendly Halloween experience. There’s face painters, balloon artists crafting balloons into broomsticks and witches hats and more than 700 artefacts over five floors – including shrunken heads and rare animal skeletons. Tickets are £65.39 for a family of four with one child under four if you book 1-13 days in advance, but there’s currently 15% off if you book online.
The Shard
Two kids go free with each paying adult visiting the View from the Shard in London Bridge Street during half term week, from Saturday October 22 – Sunday October 30. You can see the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, the London Eye and Buckingham Palace all at the same time from London’s highest viewing platform. Adult entry is £25.95 when booked in advance.
The Natural History Museum
Kids can find out what it’s like to be a scientist for the day throughout half term week at the Natural History Museum by exploring hundreds of real life specimens and speaking to the museum’s ‘science educators’ who are on hand to help. The event is drop-in so you can go any time between 11am and 4.30pm each day and even better entry to the museum is absolutely free!
My verdict
Until we visited The Arch my idea of staying in a 5-star luxury hotel was most definitely without the kids, but I stand corrected.
Everything was made easy and although Little B left his fingerprints all over the mirrored coffee tables and the kids dropped crumbs from their cookies everywhere I didn’t feel like we were an inconvenience or we were somewhere we shouldn’t have taken the kids.
The family package The Arch is offering for half term is from £390*, which I think is really great value for money considering everything it includes and everything we experienced – the hotel was an oasis of calm for the whole family, as well as a luxury treat.
Have you ever taken your family to stay in a 5-star hotel? What was your experience?
We were given a night’s stay at The Arch Hotel in exchange for this review. As always all opinions are my own and based on my own honest experience.
*Prices correct as of October 2016
Now I fancy a family break to our lovely capital! #BestWorst
Oh wow this look and sounds like a wonderful experience. There is so much to do in London and staying in a beautiful hotel like this with your family would be so lovely! This is something I’d really consider for a mini break in October half term and I know my girl would love it too! #bestandworst
Ooh fancy! I love it, what a gorgeous experience 🙂 #thelist
Oooh this sounds fab! I’ve never stayed in a 5* hotel (with or without kids) but it looks lovely! London is such a great place to visit, too, because there’s just so much going on for every age group. I think the Natural History Museum or the Crown Jewels would be top of our list. Great review #TheList
Great ideas for half-term and it looks like a fab hotel. I think most 5* hotels have got a lot better with children …otherwise they would be alienating most of the population! #thelist
Wow! Love the idea of a child friendly luxury hotel break. Not sure I could relax completely with a not wuite two yr old in tow-although the martini library would help! #TheList
Looks like a great place to stay. I’ve stayed in a traditional 5* hotel with N, and it was great. They really do look after thekids as though they’re like adults.
That looks like a wonderful place to stay and great ideas on things to do whilst there #TriedTested
I do love the extra touches for the kids, my two would love that and they love a trip to London.
What a wonderful way to spend a family weekend in London #TriedTested
What an amazing hotel! I think its a fantastic idea and I know Mia would absolutely love her own bits and pieces in a hotel room! I love the fact they have thought about families visiting London! We really enjoy the Natural History Museum but we have yet to go to the Shard! 🙂
#TriedTested
Wow that hotel sounds amazing and I love all the little touches to make it welcoming for the children too 🙂 #TriedTested
This place looks great and there sure are some wonderful things on in London. Having seen Wicked I’d love to see the exhibition. #TriedTested
I took the kids on their first trip to London this week for a PR event – it definitely made me realise I could manage to take them for a proper adventure now! Will bear this ideas in mind for our next trip!
Thanks for sharing your review on #TriedTested this week x