The Athenaeum Hotel, Westminster, London

The luxury Athenaeum couldn't be better placed for five-star family breaks in London, with Hyde Park and Green Park on your doorstep (picnics provided on request).

It’s not cheap, but the vast majority of guests feel it's worth the cost whether you are spending a couple of nights in the big smoke or an extended stay. Most families choose one of the apartments with a very handy kitchen and washing machine plus a separate living area giving you plenty of space. The apartments are set within Edwardian townhouses beside the hotel (some interconnect for extended families) and you still get access to all the hotel facilities.

Kids are spoilt rotten with mini bathrobes and slippers, popcorn with their DVDs, and milk and cookies at bedtime - all for free. A Kids' Concierge is on hand to arrange anything (within their remit), whether that be arraning a kite flying session in a local park, sending a hoard of books and toys to your room or apartment, or arranging tickets for a West End production.  Parents can enjoy the facilities at the newly refurbished spa, with sauna, steam rooms and treatment rooms, and the afternoon tea is definitely not to be sniffed at! 

See our feature on a family break at the Athenaeum.