Family friendly holiday apartments in London

Go Native Hyde Park apartments. Copyright Gretta Schifano

When we arrive at the London apartment we’re staying in for the weekend the children rush straight up the spiral staircase to the mezzanine bedroom. They immediately start arguing over which of them will sleep in the double bed up there. My husband is already exploring the kitchen and announces that there’s fresh milk in the fridge and tea and coffee by the kettle. I’m downstairs in the sitting room admiring the high ceiling and ornate cornices.

Go Native apartments

We’ve just checked in to Go Native Hyde Park on Sussex Gardens. The Grade II listed stucco fronted terrace dates from 1840 and has been restored and converted into swish serviced apartments which can be rented by the day, week or month. We’ve been invited to stay for the weekend to review a Premium Family One Bed Apartment.

Go Native Hyde Park. Copyright Gretta Schifano

As I look from one sofa to the other I know where everyone will sleep. I lift up the seat of the largest sofa and find white cotton bedding underneath – it’s a double sofa bed. The children finish their exploration of the compact apartment. The eldest proclaims that she approves of the White Company toiletries and the thick, fluffy white towels in the upstairs bathroom and downstairs cloakroom. As they come into the sitting room the youngest says: ‘But where’s the other bedroom?’  Then they see the sofas and the eldest declares, inevitably: ‘I’m not sharing that sofa bed with him’, while the youngest eyes the flat screen TV and begs: ‘Can I sleep on the sofa?’

Sleeping arrangements in place, my husband pops out for supplies with the eldest (shops you can walk to are a novelty for us as we live in a tiny village) while the youngest and I sort out the free wifi and unpack our bags. I call down to reception for another set of bedding for the sofa. A smiley Polish lady brings it up to us two minutes later. It’s very warm in the apartment even though there’s no heating on and it’s not hot outside. I open one of the huge sash windows to let some air in.

Hyde Park

The apartment works for our family (my children are 15 and 11) but I wouldn’t like to be around the spiral staircase or mezzanine bedroom with a toddler. The apartment is maybe three minutes’ walk away from the Lancaster Gate entrance to Hyde Park. Once we’ve settled in we go for a stroll in the royal park and I’m amazed by the tranquillity it offers in the heart of the city. We see swans and squirrels, horse riders and picnickers and visit the Princess Diana Memorial fountain for the first time. There’s nobody swimming in the Serpentine but there are some boats out on this artificial lake at the centre of the park.

Travelzoo

The apartment is well-placed for getting around London. We have an early dinner at The Rib Room in Kensington (a delayed Mother’s Day treat courtesy of some Travelzoo vouchers) and are back at the apartment in time to watch a film together before we go to bed.

London Zoo

The next day we have breakfast in the apartment before heading out. The children want to go to London Zoo and it’s lovely just to hop on a bus and be there in no time. The youngest is particularly keen on the new Thomas Heatherwick-designed Routemaster buses.

We’ve never stayed in London together as a family before although we often visit for the day. Staying over was fun and an interesting experience for the children. I’d recommend Go Native Hyde Park as a comfortable and convenient family base for a London trip.

The lowdown

A Go Native Hyde Park Premium Family One Bed Apartment costs from around £249 per night including VAT.

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