The Royal Horseguards Hotel
LONDON, ENGLAND
🏙️ City Stay 👶 Great with toddlers 🧒 Great for older kids 🍝 Great food 🏡 Characterful ✈️ Easy airport access 🥾 Great for walking 🚲 Great for cycling ✨ A bit special
A grand riverside London hotel where families can wake up in the heart of Westminster, with iconic sights, parks, the Thames and family-friendly attractions all within easy walking distance.
Enjoy riverside views at The Royal Horseguards Hotel
At a Glance
The accommodation:
A grand riverside hotel with elegant interiors, comfortable rooms and a historic Whitehall setting. There are family room options for up to three guests, making it a practical choice for smaller families.
The location:
Right in the heart of Westminster, beside the River Thames. Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and St James’s Park are all within easy walking distance.
What to do nearby:
Spend the day exploring London’s biggest sights, walk along the Thames, visit the London Eye and South Bank, wander through St James’s Park or head into the West End for a show. There are plenty of family-friendly attractions within easy reach without needing to rely on the Tube.
Best for families:
Families wanting a central London base with lots to see and do right outside the door. It’s particularly good for a weekend city break, first-time London visit or a special family trip where location really matters.
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Accommodation Types
Family rooms from around £300 per night
The Royal Horseguards has a good range of rooms and suites for families, from standard twin rooms to a dedicated Deluxe Family Room with a king-size bed and sofa bed.
Family-friendly features:
The Deluxe Family Room is the most straightforward option for families wanting everyone in one room, while larger suites are worth considering if you want more space. Rooms have tea and coffee-making facilities, Wi-Fi and modern bathrooms, with many rooms accessible by lift.
Cots & extra beds:
Cots are available on request and are free for children aged 0–2. Extra beds for children aged 3+ are also available on request at no additional cost, although availability and the number of beds permitted depends on the room booked.
Connecting rooms:
The hotel offers a range of room configurations, but connecting rooms are not something I would rely on when booking. For families, the dedicated Deluxe Family Room or a larger suite is the safer option.
Prams & accessibility:
The hotel has lifts serving the upper floors, making it practical for families with prams. Ground-floor room availability should be requested directly with the hotel if required.
Dogs:
Dogs are not permitted at The Royal Horseguards.
Breakfast:
Breakfast is not automatically included with every room rate. It can be added when booking, with current Booking.com rates showing breakfast at around £24 per person, although the price can vary.
Good to know:
The hotel is particularly well suited to families who want a central London base rather than a hotel packed with children's facilities. Its biggest advantage is the location, with many major attractions within walking distance, meaning less time on public transport and more time exploring London together.
Getting there
Nearest Airport(s): London City Airport is around 40 minutes by car. Heathrow Airport is around 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic.
Nearest Train or Tube Station: Embankment Underground Station: around 3 minutes’ walk.
Charing Cross Underground & National Rail Station: around 5 minutes’ walk.
Waterloo Station: around 11–13 minutes’ walk, or just a few minutes by Tube from Embankment.
Nearest Town / City: The hotel is right in central London, in Whitehall beside the River Thames. Westminster, Trafalgar Square and the South Bank are all within easy walking distance, making it particularly convenient for a family city break.
By car: There is no on-site parking. The nearest car park is Q-Park Trafalgar Square, a few minutes' walk away.
Good to Know
Brilliant for first-time London visits: So many of the classic sights are close enough to walk, including Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, St James’s Park and the London Eye.
Kids’ menu: The restaurant offers a dedicated children’s menu with three courses from £15, making it easy to keep little diners happy after a busy day exploring London.
Perfect for older children: The West End is close by, making this a great base for a family theatre trip. You can also walk along the South Bank and visit the London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium or Shrek’s Adventure.
Make the most of the Thames: The riverside location means you can easily add a Thames sightseeing cruise to your stay, giving tired legs a break while seeing some of London’s most famous landmarks.
Book attractions ahead: Popular London attractions and West End shows can sell out, particularly at weekends and during school holidays, so booking in advance is a good idea.
“We love The Royal Horseguards for its brilliant location, giving families the chance to walk to so many of London’s iconic sights without spending the day on the Tube. It feels like a special city break stay, while the family rooms, children’s menu and riverside setting make it a practical choice for exploring London with kids.”
Explore The Royal Horseguards Hotel
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London is one of the best cities in the world for family adventures and surprisingly, many of the best things to do in London with kids are completely free.