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Not another 'help me find a UK toddler hotel' request

8 replies

HystericalDinosaur · 18/01/2024 11:22

I've looked at lots of threads like this but none that quite fit what we're looking for. We've had a rough time and our 2 year old has multiple severe allergies which puts us off going abroad.

Looking for:

toddler friendly hotel within 2 hours of London/Hertfordshire
baby monitoring/listening service
interested in crèche/babysitting but nervous as though our son does do nursery he can be unsettled at being left
indoor swimming pool important. Spa nice to have
Good food options on site. Don't want to do self catering
some kind of toddler activities on site
£2000-2500 max Inc food

We never get to go on holiday anymore, family are very kindly offering to help with price. Having said that we're still looking at around only £2000 for 6 nights.

Have looked at Ickworth Hotel which seems to fit the bill, but am anxious about mixed reviews. This is such a rare thing for us we would be gutted if it didn't feel worth it.

We just want to be looked after I think.

Don't like Center parcs - find it too busy and their restaurants refuse to cater for allergies.

My son is train obsessed, so if it were near Thomas land or a steam train that would be a huge bonus, but it's not at all essential. The priority is a space we can unwind it.

Thank you so much for your help

OP posts:

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sarahb083 · 18/01/2024 12:51

We stayed in New Park Manor last year, which is part of the same group as the Ickworth. It was lovely and had an indoor pool and spa. The food was very good and there was plenty to do for small children. It's near the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu which he might enjoy.

We had a room above the restaurant which meant we could take our baby monitor to the restaurant and it didn't feel that we were too far away. Personally I wouldn't trust the monitoring service, especially for a child that can climb out of their cot/bed.

They often have deals on if you're willing to go midweek or in the off season.

We tried the creche but my daughter wouldn't settle, despite being in nursery. So I wouldn't assume the creche will work out.

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TheSoundOfMucus · 18/01/2024 13:00

We went to Fowey Hall in Cornwall. It was lovely - very laid back, warm staff, great indoor and outdoor places to stay. There was a warm indoor pool that divided its time between family sessions and adult only, and a small spa. The children went to crèche for 2 hours a day - on Sunday, they collected the children and delivered coffee and newspapers from our room at 9am!

The food was delicious and a lovely childrens menu/ tea was available around 5. I think there is a listening service or they will assist in booking a sitter. We wouldn’t take the risk of a listening service and instead, we settled the children to sleep and ordered supper to our room. we ate be bed watching the telly which was a lovely treat.

Lovely, quiet location, but walking distance to a lovely beach, and Fowey itself.

However, it is not AI and your budget would not stretch for 6 nights. I think we about that for 3 nights inc everything - this was with a separate bedroom for the children but it was before COVID.

HTH.

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DaveWatts · 18/01/2024 13:09

I stayed at the Ickworth with baby dd a couple of years ago and loved it - only slight issues were slow service in the restaurant, and a hot bedroom (it was during a massive heatwave and it's an old building so no air conditioning. That's not something you'd need to worry about for 99% of the year though!) We took our own video monitor and used that so we could go downstairs for a cocktail on our own in the evening. We really, really enjoyed our stay, so many lovely touches (free milk and cookies!) and it felt like a proper break. Lovely location too, we went round the National Trust building, walked in the deer park etc. We're going to one of the others, Moonfleet Manor, next week so will be interesting to see how it compares.

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starsinyourpies · 18/01/2024 18:08

I have stayed at all the above (they are all the same group) over the years. Fowey Hall has had a refurb and prices now insane. Ickworth was a while ago, beautiful property with bedrooms slightly tired.

They do make it easy though so I think they are the best places for a relaxing stay with a toddler, restaurant etc all set up for it and boxes of toys around.

I think New Park Manor is closed for refurb, that is also good.

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starsinyourpies · 18/01/2024 18:22

If you can get it in budget I would do Fowey Hall, lots of lovely beaches nearby, little ferry and the Eden project.

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Forgottenmyphone · 19/01/2024 08:40

Try Ashdown Park, it might just be within your budget https://www.ashdownpark.com/children-ashdown-park-hotel

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Kayjay2018 · 19/01/2024 08:51

It might not be to everyone's taste (you just need to read the trip advisor reviews) and if you are looking for totally modern then this place isn't for you, we love it.

Knoll House hotel in Studland. They have indoor and outdoor pool, food I have always found great and breakfast is amazing - not sure about allergies as we are lucky not to suffer, would be worth callings. They used to offer baby listening service, they have a kids play area and a tv room, you are right opposite the amazing beaches at knoll and they have tennis courts and little putting type green. In addition they have an outdoor pirate ship play area and out back you can walk across heathland to Agglestone rock. Nearby is Swanage which we live, it has the steam train so you can head towards Corfe castle on that.

I believe the hotel offers some spa treatments, it does allow dogs (can be positive or negative depending on if you like them). Often they have deals on secret escapes or travel zoo which halves the room cost over night

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HystericalDinosaur · 19/01/2024 09:42

Thank you so much everyone, these are brilliant suggestions! (Do keep them coming if anyone else has anything to add).