Donna Richardson, mother, and travel journalist spent the weekend in the capital. Hilton London Bankside is a family friendly hotel, making it the perfect base for families exploring London.
At the end of the school holidays, we decided to head to the sizzling capital for a weekend of family bonding. London is a great place to take kids, and the Hilton London Bankside is one of the best examples of kid-friendly hotels we have been to.
Upon arrival, we were given Prosecco, and our daughter was told she could help herself to sweets from the sweet carton. The concierge took our bags to our rooms so we could enjoy the complimentary snacks and drinks in the executive lounge.
The Rooms
As honorary diamond members for our stay, we were surprised and delighted to find out that we had been upgraded to a suite on the sixth floor.
To the delight of our little one, we walked into a huge lounge that was made up as her bedroom and found a ‘Foxcub Welcome,’ with her bed featuring fox-themed bedding, cushions, and exclusive fox teddies to make their stay magical. She especially liked her fox blanket, cuddly toy, and the exciting range of Melissa and Doug activities. The spacious bathroom had a bath, a walk-in shower, and a huge mirror with lighting.
The bedroom was large, with a comfortable bed, a huge TV, and another one in the living area. A table with welcome snacks and cookies awaited us, and hot chocolate stirrers were also available. There was also a kettle for making teas and coffees and a minibar stocked with snacks and goodies.
In the lobby of the family friendly hotel, there is a temporary pop-up play area with a plentiful selection of Melissa &Doug’s popular foodie-themed toys, making it the perfect place for little ones to delve into their culinary toy world where young imaginations can run wild. There is a Melissa & Doug’s ice cream, slice and stack sandwich counter, snacks and sweets food cart, shopping trollies, slice & bake cookie Set, taco till & spill and more.
At the family friendly hotel’s entrance, guests can pose for Instagram photos by the huge lettering or by the wall of sunflowers. The trendy yet luxurious lobby is full of nods to the area’s shipping heritage.
Whats for dinner?
Every night from 6 p.m., grown-up guests can enjoy free canapés and alcoholic drinks during happy hour in the executive lounge. Then, they can head to their evening meal reservation at either The Distillery or OXBO restaurant. Here, they also have a very kid-friendly menu—the fishcakes are recommended, followed by ice cream with whipped cream and marshmallows. After dinner, kids can enjoy a game of ping-pong.
Adults can order from a comprehensive menu, which includes asparagus with purple sprouting broccoli and chicken wings. The main dishes include sirloin steak and chips, chicken and pea sorrel, and, to finish, there are some delightful desserts, including mango and pineapple cheesecake with pistachio ice cream. Kids under eight can enjoy a complimentary main course from the kid’s menu and ice cream on Monday to Friday evenings when their adults order at least two dishes. The staff at the hotel are very attentive and helpful, explaining all the benefits in great detail and going the extra mile.
Wellness amenities
Guests have exclusive access to the swimming pool and gym area. The pool is warm, inviting, and ideal for all ages, and there is also a ballroom. Hilton Bankside is a short walk from the South Bank, a family-friendly location. All along the riverbank street, entertainers and magicians regale youngsters. There are also scores of stalls selling sweets and snacks.
You can walk down to the Southbank Centre and enjoy the Queen Elizabeth Roof Garden, an urban oasis filled with wild plants and spaces to plan a picnic. Be sure to buy a book from the second-hand marketplace under the bridge to read while you are there.
This family freindly hotel is in the vibrant cultural hub of London’s Bankside, near iconic attractions like the Tate Modern, The Shard, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and Borough Market. London has something for all ages, from Shrek’s Adventure to Buckingham Palace. We are looking forward to visiting again soon.
