Can luxury ever be family friendly? My husband and I enjoy a bit of luxury every now and then. Every year, we splash out for a couple of nights on really super accommodation in a terrific place. We’ve covered Paris, New York, Rome, Istanbul and the South of France among others. However, we’ve had mixed results when trying to continue this tradition with our kids.

The thing about paying for luxury hotels is that you really want to get your money’s worth. After all, you may have put your retirement back a couple of years to stay there.  With kids, the bar is set higher. It’s easy to be disappointed and harder to be pleasantly surprised.

This summer, we stayed in what I can only describe as the perfect place. It was worth every penny. The hotel was the One Aldwych in London. What makes it worth it to pay out a little (or a lot) more for a hotel when you take your kids? Here are five things which make or break it for me.

1. Acknowledge my kids

Recently we stayed at a 5-star hotel in Monterey, California which claimed to be family friendly, and I don’t think one person addressed my children. Not even a hello or goodbye.  At the One Aldwych, the receptionist and concierge not only spoke to my kids but remembered their names.  Josef, the head waiter in the restaurant was so much fun, my kids insisted on a special visit to say good-bye when we were leaving.

2. Give a break on the second room

One of the ways we splash out is to get an adjoining room for the kids. It means more space and some privacy when the kids are asleep. Many hotels – annoyingly – won’t guarantee adjoining rooms.  The One Aldwych has six interconnecting rooms. Or you can opt for a suite or have a rollaway bed put in your room. And they gave us a discount on the adjoining room too.

3. Location, location, location

Kids plus car plus unknown place equals stress. My advice is to pick a hotel where you do not have to get into a car to go anywhere.  The One Aldwych is slap bang in the theatre district in the center of London. You can walk to the River Thames, Convent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, the London Eye and many other places.

4. Size matters

Larger luxury hotels can be colder and more expensive.  Also, you usually have to wait longer for room service. Smaller hotels are better for families. One Aldwych has 105 rooms – not so small that the kitchen closes early but not so large that it takes 30 minutes to get a jug of coffee to your room.

5. It’s the little things that count

I don’t expect hotels to have gifts for my children when we arrive (the One Aldwych did – a book and a soft toy each). But something small, such as a personal note or cookies can make a difference (all provided here). Also, this hotel had a real children’s menu that included baked beans on toast and egg and soldiers.  And while talking about little things, this hotel made me the best martini and the best cup of tea I have ever had.

The One Aldwych met my standards. I hope you treat yourself one day to this delicious hotel – with or without your kids.  Do you have a favorite luxury hotel?  Let us know.

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