Balmer Lawn Hotel: review of family friendly hotel

Looking for a child-friendly hotel in the New Forest, that still provides a fine-dining experience for adults?

Step forward, the Balmer Lawn Hotel.

It's in Brockenhurst, a charming village on a direct train route from London, and is situated right next to the affectionately named 'Brockenhurst beach'.

The ten-minute walk from the train station boded well for a weekend in the country as we passed wild New Forest ponies on the way, although my toddler son insisted they were cows (you can take the boy out of London...).

The building is set in New Forest Park and dates from the 1800s, when it was a hunting lodge. Today, it's a four star star hotel and provides a sense of luxury for those looking for somewhere child - and dog - friendly to stay.

Rooms at the Balmer Lawn Hotel

We stayed in room 27, a suite with an actual four poster bed, that was perfect for our little family.

The lounge area had a small sofa, three chairs, and a Nespresso coffee machine - brilliant for our very early morning toddler wake-up calls. Having said that, the black out curtains meant that he slept in until 6:54am, which is almost unheard of and worth the price of the room alone.

Having a separate lounge area, with a door that closed, meant that after dinner the adults could watch Glastonburycoverage on the enormous TV while our little boy slept next door. A rare hotel stay treat.

The bathroom's huge, with a shower big enough for a big person and a small one to wash at the same time. There was a deep bath, and a selection of toiletries too.

But, back to dinner....

Food at the Balmer Lawn Hotel

Beresfords restaurant at the hotel is a two AA Rosette Restaurant for Fine Dining. They're rightly proud of this.

Our two year old was very happy with his fish fingers and chips, but the adults opted for something a little more sophisticated: smoked beetroot smoked salmon, fillet of sea trout with an outstanding lobster sauce, steak, and chocolate ice-cream with strawberry cones. All presented beautifully.

The hotel also offer a baby-listening service if you'd prefer to dine without a side of Paw Patrol. It's suggested that you take advantage of an earlier dining time if you have little ones with you, it opens at 6:30pm. We all felt very welcome, the French serving staff didn't even blanche when our little one began screaming excitedly about his ice-cream.

Tbf, it was very good ice-cream.

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Swimming pools at the Balmer Lawn Hotel

There's not one but TWO swimming pools at the Balmer Lawn Hotel.

The indoor one is next to the small gym and has a jacuzzi and a sauna. But it was the outdoor pool that really shone on our July visit.

It's heated, meaning you can take a dip whatever the temperature, surrounded by loungers and has waiter service, giving it a real holiday feel.

If the weather was less clement, there are lots of cosy looking nooks and crannies to curl up in inside the hotel, take advantage of the bar and pet any friendly looking pooches who were also enjoying a holiday.

We loved it. We'll be back.

Dinner, bed and breakfast at the Balmer Lawn Hotel begins at £89.50 per guest per night.