Travel: Postcard from The Wellesley, Knightsbridge
A luxurious city break for families with mini travellers in tow is now easier than ever, thanks to The Wellesley’s new Little Explorers package. Danielle Wilkins checks in
With a prestigious London location, brilliant views of Hyde Park and a restaurant that offers up some of the best Italian fare in the capital, I already knew we were in for a treat when we visited The Wellesley. But what I hadn’t realised before was just how much the five-star Knightsbridge hotel welcomed families – with plush two-bedroom suites and a new package to make even the youngest of guests feel at home.
And ‘at home’ is the only way to describe the feeling, as you sink into the sofa in the spacious lounge area of your park-view suite. The finishing touches – like the generous fruit platter, stocked mini bar and piles of magazines – and the cosy, art deco interior are enough to leave you ready to hole up inside for the weekend and leave the hustle and bustle of the city firmly on the pavement outside.
There are 36 rooms in total. The vibe is elegant and opulent, with 1920s-inspired artwork on the walls and an ample, Italian marble bathroom complete with Hermès toiletries, but it’s also a space that you and the kids can relax in, particularly when they discover the child-sized plush robes and slippers that have been thoughtfully left on the bed for them, alongside a selection of Burt’s Bees kids’ bathroom goodies. Your very own twinkly-eyed butler is there to cater for your family’s needs 24/7, and there are complimentary movies on demand. There’s no doubt, The Wellesley has all the luxury of a grand art deco hotel, but the comfort and cosiness of a family guest house. It exudes class and charm, without a single ounce of pretension.
With Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Gardens and the sights and sounds of Knightsbridge all within easy reach, The Wellesley is perfectly placed for exploring London with the children on foot, or by using the hotel’s complimentary Rolls-Royce drop-off service. But if you’re checking in for date night, you can’t go wrong with dinner and a glass of something chilled and fizzy at the hotel’s intimate Oval Restaurant, before ending with a nightcap in the Jazz Lounge or Cigar Terrace. Follow that with a full English and continental buffet with the kids back in the restaurant the following morning, and you’ll be ready to take on the capital all over again.
The Little Explorers package is priced £1,395 per night for two adults and two children. Visit thewellesley.co.uk
