We are planning to take our kids (10 and 13) on their first international trip this August to London and Paris.

Planning to fly into Heathrow, spend 5 nights in London, take the train to Paris, do 5 nights in Paris and then fly home.

Would appreciate any tips on where to stay in London as we’re looking for easy access to tube stations, some sights in walking distance and family friendly. Open to hotels or apartments.

For Paris, we are debating staying at an apartment in Montmartre area or Les Jardins de Mademoiselle.

Thanks!

OK -- there are literally hundreds (likely thousands) of properties in central London that are family friendly, close to tube/train stations and bus routes, and convenient to several major sites. What is your budget??

Also one bedroom with sofa bed or two bedrooms or two hotel rooms?

For Paris, Les Jardins de Mademoiselle is in a family-friendly area, near a shopping street (rue de Commerce) and near a park where a lot of local families with kids go (square St Lambert). Of course, I'm thinking younger kids when I say that. Although it is a large park and a lot of people go there for recreation and to relax, exercise classes etc. I sometimes go to the cinema right nearby, great independent theater but you probably won't be doing that with kids.
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https://saintlambert.lescinemaschaplin.fr/

https://parisjetaime.com/eng/culture...-lambert-p1103

https://parisjetaime.com/eng/transpo...commerce-p2044

There is a small park on that street also.
https://www.parisperfect.com/blog/20...e-du-commerce/

There is a great street market on Wed and Sundays, I get off at the Motte Picquet stop for that
https://www.parisperfect.com/blog/20...e-du-commerce/

https://www.paris.fr/lieux/marche-grenelle-5502

As for Montmartre, of course it will be farther away from the center sights. That can be a large area, depends where this apartment is, also.

Great questions as there are so many stay options out there in London!

As we're there for a longer time period, I'd prefer a little more space for our group if possible and some amenities (thinking mid to upper scale $400-$500/night). Regarding 1 or 2 bedrooms, ideally the kids would have their own bedroom to share but I'm open to a 1 bedroom with pull out if it meets all other criteria (convenient location close to tube station, walkable to some sights, family friendly neighborhood with restaurants/shops).

I've been looking at the different Marlin locations in London and while they all look nice, it's been hard to know what's the best location. A few I'm considering are London Bridge - Empire Square, Waterloo, Queen Street. Appreciate any feedback if anyone has experience with Marlin.

My sister has also stayed at the Kimpton Fitzroy before in London so has already recommended that hotel to me. We'd have to get 2 rooms if we stay there. Thanks!

The Monmartre apartment is on 1 rue Durantin. It's only a 1 bedroom but does have kitchen and washer/dryer which sounds very appealing.

$400-$500 is not mid to upper for London

Flying into LHR and leaving on the train from St Pancras makes accommodation close to Kings Cross/St Pancras very convenient. Straight tube ride from LHR to King's Cross and then leave by train from St Pancras, which is right next door. It makes sense to stay somewhere easy to get to and away from, as that's when you're wrangling your bags. Another alternative would be around Farringdon, as that's direct from LHR on the Elizabeth Line and just one stop on Thameslink to St Pancras.

That is a fairly low rate for a two bedroom flat/suite or for two hotel rooms, but you should be able to find many options in a one bedroom. There are family rooms in a lot of moderate hotel chains like Premier Inn and TraveLodge.

I've stayed in just about every corner of central London and in many different hotels/flats/chains from pretty down market (££) to the Savoy (£££££ )-- but never at one of the Marlin's. I am actually staying at the Waterloo Marlin for four nights late next week -- so I can give a real time review then. I don't often stay south of the river but having quick access to Waterloo Station is one of the reasons I booked it this time. I wouldn't consider Empire Square -- it is not near much of anything and while only about 5 min walk from Borough station, it is only on the Northern Line. Queen Street is in 'The City' and close to Mansion House station - not the most convenient location for a family stay -- GREAT for a business trip though.

. . . Was posting the same time as JohnEW2912 -- and yes, near St Pancras / Kings Cross would be very convenient for the Eurostar. But anywhere along the Piccadilly, Northern, Victoria, Circle or Metropolitan lines would have direct connection to the station.

Looking forward to hearing more about your stay at Marlin Waterloo!

Great point about staying by Kings Cross! Will look for hotels in that area as it would reduce our stress level when we head to Paris

Booking.com very useful to look for lodging. I don’t think you need to stay near Kings Cross although it does make your coming and going easier. It’s not hard to take a taxi for four people to St Pancras and you can take the Piccadilly line or Elizabeth line or Just airports Limo to your Lodgings. The area around Kings cross has gotten revitalized but I would probably prefer someplace a-little more central so you can walk to many places from where you stay.

There are hotels at all price points in the Kings Cross/St Pancras area. Right from Travelodges and 3 Premier Inns to wonderful hotels like the beautifully restored Renaissance on top of St Pancras station. Note that Booking.com will not show Travelodge's or Premier Inns - you need to go direct to their sites.

Travelodges are no where as nice as PremierInns. Just saying

I am not familiar with Premier Inns but did just look at the the County Hall location. Any feedback on the location or hotel itself? Price seems very reasonable for London!

You can't beat the County Hall location - on the south bank of the Thames right opposite the Houses of Parliament and ne3xt to the London Eye. It's in the back of the same building as the Marriott, but is a lot cheaper. It's usually a bit more expensive than other Premier Inns b ut if it's in your budget out would be an excellent choice.

Premier Inns are a well regarded budget hotel chain in the UK - none of the full hotel service you would get with other upmarket chains but reliable standards and comfortable rooms. Breakfast is just OK but kids eat free, which would be good for you.

Alternatively, if money is an issue you can rent a family room in yha surprisingly nice and in my mind nicer than travel lodge

We took our two kids to Europe and did almost that exact same trip. Stayed in Kensington area for London part (Gore Hotel) although our last stays to London have been more centrally located at the Hoxton Holborn and a more expensive place in convent garden. In Paris we stayed for part of the time in the Marais at the hotel Jeanne D’Arc and then after a short 2 night stay in the Loire valley we came back to Paris and stayed in the 5th at Hotel des Grandes Ecole (great garden area). This was awhile ago and on subsequent trips we’ve rented apts and appreciated having a living room and a small kitchen to have to at least have breakfast in. I think booking.com has apts listed as well as hotels.

I won’t worry too much about staying near the train station. Pick an area and a hotel or vrbo that you like and you can all get to the train by cab from wherever you are staying. Just give yourself a lot of time since traffic can be very slow in central London.

The County Hall Premier Inn is usually the most expensive of all PI's in London (or anywhere else in the country). It does often book up so if you are interested and there is currently availability you should consider booking ASAP. No charm but modern and clean. No views ( the Marriott and London Eye got all of those ) but out the front door and short walk around the building and you are on the river and standing under the Eye. It is barely a block to Waterloo station and less than a 10 minute walk across the river to Westminster station

County Hall Premier in is indeed in a great location with easy access to Waterloo and Westminster stations which will get you around town via the tube pretty quickly (though many tourist locations will require at least one change of line). The problem could be that they don't have adding rooms and dont allow allow children of that age to stay in their own rooms they would need to stay in your room.

In your situation , I would look at one of the apartotels like Citadines. They have locations at Trafalgar Square and Holborn which are convenient for getting around .