As a couple, all I thought about when booking a hotel, was how romantic it was, if the rooms were nice and if they had a spa. Once my daughter came along, things like what they offer for for babies and children and how well they are looked after, became equally as important. You really do want child-friendly.
The family-friendly Athaneum, a 5-star hotel located in Mayfair, have launched a new Nanny Service and to celebrate it, they hosted a Teddy Bears’ Picnic in Green Park, on Saturday. My 2 year old and I were kindly invited to go along. The dress code was ‘Wear something red…and bring a bear’.
The Athaneum, the first London hotel to have a Kids Concierge, prides itself on their home from home atmosphere and in keeping with this, there were only a small number of people, mostly the hotel’s family guests, the Kids Concierge and a couple of other mummy bloggers: Octavia from Notsoyummymummy and Jen from Jenography.
After being greeted by a giant Hamleys teddy bear (or person dressed as one), which terrified my 2 year old who then clung to me when he was near, not taking her eyes off him even for a second, we followed the bear down to the woods Green Park, armed with picnic hampers, blankets and teddies. There was face-painting, feeding the birds (in true Mary Poppins-style) and games.
We also got to meet Anthea, one of three nannies who was recruited in The Athaneum’s nationwide search for a real life Mary Poppins, fronted by Loose Women’s Lynda Bellingham. She was warm and friendly, and my 2 year old took to her straight away.
The Athaneum’s Nannies will look after and entertain the children at the hotel, whether this means babysitting or taking older ones to the cinema. They can fly a kite, ride a bike or feed the birds in Green Park (just like in the Mary Poppins film). The hotel even provides family picnic hampers – which I think is a really lovely idea, and caters for babies and toddlers too.
It’s a great child-friendly hotel for a weekend break in London. Rooms start from £160.00 per night. Shame I live in London!
http://www.athenaeumhotel.com/
Nearest Tube: Hyde Park Corner or Green Park
