When you're a mum (and it doesn't always happen quite as often as you 'd like), spending time in stylish places is even more exciting. Book one now-- and take the kids with you!
If you thought treading the parenting path meant no more spontaneous weekend's away, think again. The UK is heaving with stylish places to stay where little ones are as welcome as a glass of merlot at the end of the day.
1. The perennial fave
Despite being one of the most luxurious boutique hotels in the UK, Babington House is also surprisingly, and impressively, baby-friendly. Set in the rolling Somerset countryside, it's every bit the plum hideaway you 'd imagine with sumptuous interiors, a tip-top Cowshed spa, two swimming pools, cinema, tennis courts and an amazing restaurant.
Rooms start from around ₤ 220 a night staying in the Coach Hous.
2. The New Parent's Dream
With a fully staffed creche for children over three months, baby listening, kid's club and cinema, this is the ultimate in kiddie-friendly hotels. Sitting on a clifftop overlooking Cornwall's unspoilt Lizard Peninsula, the Polurrian has recently been given a stylish makeover and with 12 acres of grounds to explore, a swimming pool, tennis court, sports field, spa, and fab restaurant with food prepared by Charlie Mozley, who trained at Bocca di Lupo, Soho, you 'd struggle for want for anything else.
A room sleeping two adults and two children costs from ₤ 185 a night with breakfast.
3. The one showing 'em how it's done
Located in one of Yorkshire's prettiest market towns, the luxury Black Swan in Helmsley is the 'daddy' (pardon the pun) of baby-friendly boutique hotels. Where do we start ... the children's DVD library and DVD player in each room, the separate children's dinner menu-- the Little Adults Menu-- but the thing that really swings it is the mini bathrobes they provide for your littlies-- how cute is that?
When your children are sharing a Superior Bedroom with you and children up to four years are free when sleeping in a cot bed, a charge of ₤ 25 per child applies. Rooms start at ₤ 189 for a superior room.
4. The Newbie
Little ones are well looked after-- cots are ₤ 10, extra beds are ₤ 30; there's a children's menu and bikes and scooters on loan. Plus babysitting with a local nanny can be arranged for ₤ 55 an evening with 48 hours notice. Quite literally, heaven in a hotel.
A double Eaves room with space for a cot, including breakfast and full use of spa, costs ₤ 255 per night.
5. The Expert Choice
According to Emma Barnett, Founder of Totstoo.com, Woolley Grange in Wiltshire is the go-to boutique hotel for parents with little nippers. 'Not only does it have a beautiful spa, with an amazing view over the walled garden, but the staff welcome families with no restrictions,' she says. 'The Woolley Bears Den has a team of brilliantly creative staff for kids and although free, you 'd do well to book in advance as it is hugely popular and they operate with limited spaces.'.
The UK is heaving with stylish places to stay where little ones are as welcome as a glass of merlot at the end of the day. Despite being one of the most luxurious boutique hotels in the UK, Babington House is also surprisingly, and impressively, baby-friendly. Where do we start ... the children's DVD library and DVD player in each room, the separate children's dinner menu-- the Little Adults Menu-- but the thing that really swings it is the mini bathrobes they provide for your littlies-- how cute is that? Little ones are well looked after-- cots are ₤ 10, extra beds are ₤ 30; there's a children's menu and bikes and scooters on loan. Plus babysitting with a local nanny can be arranged for ₤ 55 an evening with 48 hours notice.
Standard doubles/small suites for two adults and two children starts at around ₤ 200.