London hotels for families of 5 – we love the St. Ermin’s Hotel
A heavenly hotel heaped in history, delivering first-class hospitality, and boasting bags of character. The spacious well-appointed rooms are a great option for families of 2+3 and boast two beautiful bathrooms per room. You and your brood will be delighted by lots of wonderful little complimentary personal touches throughout your stay. As affordable London hotels for families of 5 go, the St. Ermin’s hotel in the heart of Westminster is a sure winner.
Hotel overview and why it’s a great option when it comes to London hotels for a families of 5
The St. Ermin’s Hotel is an affordable and beautifully appointed four-star property that nails it on value, experience and that all-important home-away-from-home feel. Perfectly balancing the right amount of glitz and glamour with down-to-earth, freshly painted old-school charm.
Posh enough to ensure our stay felt like a proper treat without the pretence of so many other luxury hotels in London.
A recent £30 million renovation has seriously spruced up one of London’s most fascinating hotels with plenty of style and substance. The St. Ermin’s is, quite simply, in a league of its own, and as ‘Girl About’ as it gets.
Accessible to all and a real treat for couples and families alike
We are only a family of four, however, I can promise you, the family rooms are perfect for 2 + 3 - so a great choice of London hotels for families of 5
Ted (age 9) was in his element with the hotel’s stories of sleuths and secret spies. He’s always got his (plastic) pistol on his person so when he was handed his Secret Agent package and a ‘Top Secret’ briefing at check-in the excitement bubbled over.
No one batted an eye-lid at our offspring darting around the public areas playing out scenes from James Bond movies. I didn’t feel the need to quash their fun in fear of being glared at by disapproving eyes. We immediately felt at home.
The hotel has a captivating and colourful history and is shrouded in mystery – the building was used by officers of the Secret Intelligence Service during the 1930s.
It is rumoured that a tunnel runs from underneath the grand staircase in the lobby all the way to the Houses of Parliament!
The best of London locations
Tucked away in a quiet side street in the heart of Westminster, just steps away from St. James’ Park and a hop, skip and a jump from Victoria station, St. Ermin’s location is bang on. Especially if you’re looking for London hotels for families of 5 – the family rooms are right on the mark.
It doesn’t get much better if you’re wanting to visit London’s most famous landmarks. The Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards Parade, The Southbank, The London Eye, Trafalgar Square – all these top London sights are easily reached on foot (or on your scooter!).
Ticking every box
The building is beautiful – enter through the imposing iron gates and up through a beautifully kept tree-lined courtyard and the hustle and bustle of central London disperses into what feels much more like a posh suburban street in leafy Hampstead.
The staff were superb – from the moment we entered through the big glass doors, we were greeted with warm smiles and gracious greetings from everyone.
The lobby is something else. Beautifully restored brilliant-white-painted period plasterwork with intricate Victorian sculpting clash with mismatched patterns, tiles and antique furniture give this space the WOW factor. It’s like a great big over-the-top royal-icing-covered wedding cake!
Beyond the lobby there are quiet corners, sofas and secluded seating areas with glass cabinets filled with antique relics from days gone by that lead into the Caxton bar and through to the hotel’s signature restaurant – the Caxton Grill.
Our family suite on the 2nd floor was very specious, with two queen beds, two bathrooms and a daybed. The gorgeous marble bathrooms feature fluffy robes, White Company miniatures and plenty of towels. As London hotels for families of 5 go, these rooms are ideal.
The room itself came with good, firm beds, made up with decent cotton bedding and an overkill of pillows and scatter cushions. LED TV, free Wi-Fi, MP3 docking station, hairdryer, tea and coffee-making facilities, Mini-bar, free still water, and treats for the kids were all available in the room.
Wardrobe space, black-out blinds, good lighting and rich, warm decor added to the cosiness and comforts – we really couldn’t have asked for anything more.
Oh and 24-hour room service is available too.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay as a family of five – as London hotels for families of 5 go, St. Ermin’s has nailed it.
It's more than the breakfast that's the bee's knees
Breakfast is served right up until 11am in the Caxton Grill restaurant. I was shocked by the transformation of the restaurant from dusk to dawn. We’d tucked into deliciously succulent steaks with thick-cut double-cooked chips (burgers for the kids) the night before in a restaurant that felt dark and dramatic, with low lighting and teak-stained partitions between tables.
For breakfast, the restaurant transforms into a light and bright space full of energy – a great place to start the day.
We tucked into the English Breakfast Plate with pretty much all the works – two free range eggs (my poached eggs were cooked to perfection), British back bacon, Cumberland sausage, field mushrooms, roasted tomato, hash browns, black pudding and baked beans.
Meanwhile the kids ordered a smorgasbord of seasonal fruit, homemade pancakes with maple syrup and bacon, yogurt, and a couple of standalone Cumberland sausages for good measure.
All served with hot toast, tea and coffee, and freshly-squeezed juices.
There was somewhat of a wait, but I’m putting that down to a shortage of staff due to being midway through a pandemic.
We were in no rush, and when the food did finally arrive, it was well worth the wait.
Make sure you make the trip to the hotel’s third floor roof which is home to 350,000 good-tempered bees – they can be viewed safely from a huge glass panel. They reside up here in the cleverly named ‘ Bee & Bee Hotel’.
Hats off to a pretty special place where amazing memories were certainly made as a family.
THE DETAILS
Deluxe Doubles
Deluxe Doubles have wo double beds, ideal for a family of four (and the family pooch can stay for free) from £261 inc VAT per night;
Family Rooms
Very large room with two double beds, two bathrooms and a day bed easily accommodates family of five if the fifth person is a small child sleeping on the daybed (pooch stays free), from £409 inc VAT per night
Junior Suites
Spacious suite with separate lounge, large double bedroom, king bed and sofa bed for family of four (family pooch stays for free) from £399 inc VAT per night
This is a Girl About Travel Review
This is a Girl About review. I was invited by the management to visit free of charge in exchange for an honest and frank review. All my opinions are my own and in no way have they been swayed by their kind invite. Girl About Travel reviews are always 100% honest. We only publish reviews that, for the most part, are positive.
Handy links list
Read more of my blogs and articles
CLICK HERE
