We are relaxing in the absolute lap of luxury in the 5 star Royal Garden Hotel but if you ever thought all quality hotels are stuffy, think again! Miss M asked the Concierge earlier if the hotel was too posh for sweets on the counter and the guy asked her in a deep South London accent "do I sound posh?" He then chatted and had fun with the kids. In fact we have spoken to four of the concierge since we have been here and even the one that did sound posh was really down to earth and joked with the children. They have helped us with meal times, games for the kids to play in the room, where to visit and the loan of scooters and helmets for some fun in the royal park next door.
I think that is the thing when you come away with the kids, you want to know you are staying somewhere they will be welcomed and we really are here. At breakfast the lady that greeted us chatted away to the children and knew their names, she acknowledged the girls were twins and the chef at the buffet cooked them waffles and eggs to order whilst they bombarded him with questions in their usual quick-fire style!
Reception provided the kids with a backpack each and gave them their own keycard and key to activate the lights. Very nice little touches but in truth probably suited to younger children as my 11 year old was a bit nonchalant about it. However the girls loved their activity packs, small teddies, healthy snacks, card game and drinking bottle.
We are staying in a suite which has been a fabulous upgrade from our norm of connecting rooms, it means the kids have been able to watch TV in one room whilst I read in another or they even had a disco at one point as they think it is pretty special to have a speaker in the bathroom! Two toilets also mean there is never an awkward moment where anyone is waiting.
Miss E tells me she is having a bath tonight whilst listening to the Voice and then she will wrap up in one of the bathrobes to have snuggles. I'm under order we need to buy a bath bomb today for this very purpose and she'd like to know why there are not any kids bathrobes for loan? It's a good question I think and child size hangers would be really useful too.
We are off out one heading over to the South Bank for a river walk and to meet Daddy at the Imperial War Museum where he is with his cub pack. I'm not sure where we are dining tonight but I'm seriously tempted to head just across the road to the Whole Foods Market and put together a luxury picnic to eat in the room. We went over there earlier for our free cookies and it is an absolute delight to all the senses.
Our day has been exceptional so far, fun filled but chilled. I'm looking forward to seeing what the rest of the weekend holds.
I'll be writing a full review of the Royal Garden Hotel in the next few days, keep your eyes peeled!
Disclosure: we received accommodation and breakfast for two nights for my family in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Disclosure: we received accommodation and breakfast for two nights for my family in return for an honest and unbiased review.