breakfast-Royal Garden Hotel

A Luxurious Break at the Royal Garden Hotel

Royal Garden Hotel-Honest MumOver the October half-term we were kindly invited to spend two nights and three days at the utterly splendid 5* Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, London, set in the most perfect location for all the family.

Royal Garden Hotel

It was wonderful to have my parents come along with us too on this trip, meaning quality family time for us all in the capital.

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate had actually welcomed the President of Singapore, Tony Tan Keng Yam there the week before, with William even commenting he could see their bedroom at Kensington Palace from the hotel!

The Royal Garden is literally adjacent to the Palace with stunning views of Kensington Gardens so I’m not surprised he said that! Our room definitely had a wonderful view!

Executive Room-Honest Mum

Staying in a grand Executive Room perfect for 2 adults and 2 children (under 11) it overlooked leafy Kensington gardens and we loved it at first sight.

We had a huge Queen size bed, wooden cot if we needed it and double sofa bed and ensuite, it was the ideal size for this family giving us space to relax, eat and rest in.

In fact my kids actually sleep better in hotels than our own home and we all had the best two nights sleep we’ve had in a long time!

Check out our room with a view!

Room with a view-Honest Mum

room with a view-Honest Mum

I must state from the offset that this family doesn’t believe that having kids means compromising on luxurious getaways (we work hard and appreciate the finer things in life) but like many parents, understand and share the concern that naturally noisy children might not be wanted at luxe hotels!

I actually remember staying at The Ritz with my parents as kids (I realise we were very lucky children) and being ordered to stop taking photographs of the hotel…how times have changed!

Hands down, the Royal Garden is the most welcoming, child-friendly 5 * star we’ve ever stayed at and that’s not because we were reviewing it either, I observed lots of families at breakfast and afternoon tea, receiving the same fantastic service and treatment as we did, all content that their kids were wanted and encouraged to enjoy the hotel and the surrounding areas.

With kind staff who did everything they could to accommodate the needs of young children with toys and books along with the Royal Garden complimentary backpacks filled with organic food and drinks, playing cards and activity sheets, everything can been considered. We were also offered free scooters and large play bricks and board games to use throughout our stay.

And let me tell you when the ethos of the whole staff is to welcome children, the other guests follow. When a baby was crying in reception, no one batted an eyelid.

Royal Garden backpacks-Honest Mum

So back to our arrival, we were given a Royal welcome ourselves, there were flowers, artisan chocolate cakes, fresh fruit and the kids’ rucksacks waiting for us. Such a thoughtful start to our stay. Within the bags there was also a list of child-friendly activities and hot spots to visit if we so wished while we were there. Another lovely touch!

Rucksack-Honest Mum

Flowers-Honest Mum

cakes-Honest Mumfruit-Royal Garden Hotel-Honest Mum..My Mum who is recovering from an operation on her leg and who dislikes lifts, was given a plush room on the ground floor at our request-nothing was too much trouble at the Royal Garden Hotel.

Now back to our room-talk about palatial huh?!

Isn’t it beautiful. Understated chic with large discreet cupboards, a desk, wide screen TV and lots of floor space for little people!

luxury hotel-Honest Mum

sofa bed in hotel-Honest Mumsofa bed-Honest MumBed-Royal Garden Hotel

bedroomImportantly the huge ensuite was perfect for this busy family, all needing to get washed and ready at the same time!

Royal Garden Hotel-Honest Mum

bathroom-Honest Mum

shower-Honest Mum

sink-Honest Mumbathroom-Honest Mum

Bliss!

After a peaceful night’s sleep we were ready for breakfast and what an epic experience that was- as was all the culinary feasting we partook in-from room service the night before to afternoon tea before we left- delicious, seasonal food that was stunningly presented.

We opted for window seats at breakfast and the sun was out!

Breakfast-Honest Mum

condiments-Honest Mum

breakfast-Royal Garden Hotel

Breakfast was a three course affair with a sumptuous buffet of cereals, dried fruit, pastries, bread selection, three fruit salads, a range of yoghurt, cheese and cold meats followed by porridge, a cooked breakfast if you wished (beef, pork and vegetable sausages available), bespoke omelettes, scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, American pancakes and more. You drooling yet?

Buffet-Honest Mum

eating cereal-Honest MumAlexander-Honest Mum

watermelon salad-Honest Mumscrambled eggs with smoked salmon20141029-DSCF9397What a feast!

Oliver eating breakfast-Honest Mum

Cooked English Breakfast-Honest MumAnd to top it all off they gave us a selection of fruit to end on too! Such a delightful way to start the day!

selection of fruit-Honest MumOh and Alexander was given some drawing activities by one of the charming waiters to keep him entertained so we could eat too! It’s these extra touches which make staying at the Royal Garden so effortless and relaxing!

20141029-DSCF9440 (1)

Full and content, we headed for a walk around Kensington, an area we know well and love (we used to live in Barnes), Oliver using a scooter and knee pads from the hotel.

Kensington

scooter-Honest Mum

Tourist shops-Honest MumDespite living in London for 11 years and Oliver being born there (we moved to Leeds when he was 1), we actually felt like tourists again and two of these London bus and taxi sets were purchased for the boys!

My parents went off to do some shopping on their own and we headed for a late (very late, thanks to the breakfast) lunch at the Hare and Tortoise, one of our favourite child-friendly restaurants in London!

Alexander was fast asleep so Oliver got our undivided attention and made a gallant attempt to work the chopsticks!

chopsticks-Honest Mum

As we expected, the fresh salmon and tuna sashimi and sushi was out of this world! Here are just a few pictures I snapped (I focused on food, Peter took the other shots) of what we ate, I was so excited about the food I forgot to take more.

salmon sashimi-Honest Mum

sashimi-Honest Mum

California rolls-Honest Mum

sushi-Honest MumDivine salmon teriaki that Peter and Oliver enjoyed!

Teriaki Salmon-Honest MumAfter what was a whole day of eating with more to come, we headed back to the hotel to relax before dinner at the captivating French restaurant Aubaine! Full review of that gastronomic experience to come on the blog soon!

Aubaine-Honest Mum

The following day we headed straight to the tranquil and Autumnal Kensington Gardens, literally next door to the hotel. The sun was shining and it was a glorious day-surprising for October!

Kensington Gardens-Honest Mum

Autumn-Honest Mum

…Oh how I love this little joyous running sequence of Alexander chasing pigeons in the park!

running-Honest Mum

pigeon chasing-Honest Mum

Nearly got him!

Kensington Gardens-Honest MumLost him!

pigeon gone-Honest MumWe did make some furry friends though!

squirrels-Honest MumThen mischievously my Dad, Papa G left us all for ten minutes and returned with an electric go-kart and car for the boys-so naughty! How lucky are they?!

Lugging the cars by hand through the gardens, we quickly discovered the horse, bicycle and scooter lane so they could go for a spin!

kids electric car-Honest Mum

This go-karting lark is tiring work!

electric car-Honest Mumgo-kart

Kensington Palace-Honest MumReaching Kensington Palace, we embarked on a mini tour!

Kensington Palace-Honest Mum

Alexander stayed to play outside with my Mum and Dad (who visited after us)…

Alexander-Honest Mum

Staggeringly beautiful, I had to share some pictures from inside too!

Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace-Honest Mum

Oliver was in complete awe, asking me if the chandelier was ‘real gold’! I could safely say it was!

Kensington Palace-Honest MumKensington Palace-Honest Mum

Kensington Palace-Honest Mumdresses-Kensington Palace

Oliver and I played snap for ‘gold’ coins in one of the palace rooms! How funny, playing snap in a palace!

playing games-Kensington Palace

An adjacent room was dedicated to dress up and arts and crafts for children. Oliver created a regal plate of food for King George III and had a mini history lesson in the process!

arts and crafts-Honest Mum

We did giggle at these rules for children from 1701 too! Remember to break your bread first kids!

kensignton palaceAs well as the regal dresses, I adored the modern photos in the gallery downstairs of Princess Diana, Princess Margaret and of course Kate and William with Prince George at his christening.

Princess Diana-Honest Mum

Kate, William and Prince George-Honest MumBefore we left, Oliver signed his name (which he can now write in full) in the Visitor’s Book. I wonder if Prince George might one day see it!

Visitors Book-Honest Mum

Oliver-Honest MumWhat a fascinating, fun visit for all the family!

Then it was back to the hotel for afternoon tea at the Royal Garden Hotel-to the restorative piano concertos played for us and soothing cups of tea. The choice was endless but I went for Earl Grey to start and ended with fresh mint tea with the cakes!

afternoon tea-Honest Mum

piano-Honest MumAfternoon tea-Honest Mum

Wearing gifted Fever London

A delectable array of sandwiches and gluten free ones for Oliver too, with various fillings ranging from beef to egg, chicken, salmon and cream cheese and roasted vegetables, all original, delicate morsels of loveliness! They should write that on the menu!

tea at the Royal Garden Hotelgluten free afternoon tea

The cakes were heavenly! Masterful, light, flavoursome pieces from traditional scones with jam and Dewvonshire clotted cream to French pattiserrie cakes.

It is little wonder they were awarded the prestigious ‘Awards of Excellence’ by The Tea Guild for the second year running. If you are seeking a quintessentially English Afternoon Tea, do book in at the Park Terrace Lounge there.

afternoon tea-Honest Mumthe best afternoon tea in the worldQuite possibly the finest afternoon tea we’ve had! Master Oliver was impressed too as you can see!

kids-Honest Mum

desserts-Honest Mum

Below is my favourite shot, Oliver kissing his Papu-the kids were so appreciative of everything and so well behaved, I was very proud of them both!

Grandad with grandsonNow, full of tea and sweet treats, we popped to Harrods with renewed vigour making our way straight to the Toy Kingdom, which I actually prefer to Hamleys- a more serene, spacious, uncluttered haven for kids, it’s almost like a museum for books and toys as much as it is a shop!

Kensington-Honest Mum

Harrods

Toy Kingdom-HarrodsHarrods-Honest Mum

cuddles-Honest MumHarrods-Honest MumToy KingdomPlaying in Harrods

The car below is an absolute bargain! Ha! Santa’s letter for this will be getting lost in the post that’s for sure! Check out the price tag! Ouch!

Hummer for kidsHummer petrol car for kidsAlexander cute

The boys left with a small teddy and car as they’d had enough toys to last a lifetime this trip!

Talking of which it was soon time to try and pack the electric cars into our real one and drive back to Leeds so the boys could sleep all the way (which they happily did), no doubt dreaming of their new wheels!

20141029-DSCF9630

What an incredible break for us all!

Huge thanks to Jonathoan, Anita, Charlotte, Panos and everyone at the Royal Garden Hotel for making our stay so special.

Disclosure: we were gifted 2 nights stay, breakfast, afternoon tea and tickets to Kensington Palace, and my parents were given a reduced rate for their room.

All opinions are honest and my own.

Buy my bestselling book in paperback or audio

My debut book is my guide to surviving and thriving at work and at home and offers insight into how to create a digital business or return to work with confidence.

Mumboss: The Honest Mum's Guide to Surviving and Thriving at Work and at Home
(UK 2nd Edition)

Available on Amazon or Audible

MUMBOSS by Vicki Psarias

The Working Mom: Your Guide to Surviving and Thriving at Work and at Home
(US/Canada Edition)

Available September 8th 2020. Order now on Amazon

The Working Mom by Vicki Psarias

Like what you've read? Then why not follow Vicki on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram

Never Miss A Post!

Subscribe to HonestMum for my weekly email newsletter where I share my new blog posts, blogging tips, event invitations, competitions and news about my new book. I never share your personal data with third parties.