The Athenaeum wins Best Family Hotel award

The Athenaeum hotel is delighted to announce it has been awarded the title of ‘Best Family Hotel’ (UK) in the 2011 Junior Magazine Design Awards.

This prestigious award from the world’s finest parenting magazine confirms the hotel’s position as the leading family-friendly hotel in the capital.

The athenaeum has been recognised as the leader in the ‘Family Friendly Hotels’ category in the first ever Junior Magazine Design Awards, and praised for it’s outstanding facilities for families seeking an action-packed break in London. Winners were selected by a group of panellists from the prestigious parenting magazine who were looking to showcase the very best and most beautiful products from companies who share their commitment and passion for all things beautiful in your child's life.

The number of children staying at the athenaeum has doubled since the introduction of the Kid’s Concierge service in 2009, which was the first service of it’s kind in London. The Kid’s Concierge ensures the children’s’ favourite toys, drinks, snacks, magazines and music are awaiting their arrival. A bespoke itinerary is created ensuring the family makes the most of their stay in London - everything is possible from organising tickets to the musical of the moment or the latest science exhibition to limousine rides around the capital and even trips to Hogwarts. Sandwiched in-between the Royal Parks the hotel also benefits from green open spaces and offers bikes, kites and even birdseed to take in to the park a stone’s throw away.

Following this, in 2010 the athenaeum recruited three fabulous nannies to work alongside the kid’s concierge. A panel of children along with TV personality Lynda Bellingham interviewed the nannies before the hotel appointed three. The nannies are now available for complimentary babysitting* for guests staying in the newly refurbished family apartments in the evenings and at weekends.

In December 2010 the athenaeum went on to launch a themed playroom filled with toys from the iconic toy store, Hamleys. The playroom will re-open for every school holiday throughout 2011 and the theme will continue to change taking inspiration from the latest children’s blockbuster film or musical hit. The Kid’s Concierge hosts a complimentary ‘Children’s High Tea’ every Saturday in the playroom with an evolving menu of delicious treats.

Family packages are introduced every school holiday or half term – recent offers have included VIP tickets for families to ice-skating at Winter Wonderland, VIP out of hours access to Hamleys toy store, cookery classes for kids with the head chef in the athenaeum playroom and tickets to exhibitions such as ‘The Royal Beasts’ exhibition at The Tower Of London.

Nicolette Robinson, Marketing Director of the athenaeum comments on the hotel winning the award:

“We are absolutely thrilled to receive the award for ‘Best Family Hotel’ (UK) in the 2011 Junior Magazine Design Awards in recognition of our family friendly credentials. We love it when families stay with us - we are a family-run hotel after all and we understand that when the kids are happy, their parents are more likely to relax and thoroughly enjoy their stay with us.”

Over the Easter period the Athenaeum has apartments available starting from £350 + VAT. T&C apply.

* Nanny Bookings - 5 hours of complimentary babysitting per family per visit, subject to availability. Bookings must be made 48 hours in advance.

For more information and bookings, visit: athenaeum