New Park Manor in the New Forest is a luxury, family friendly, hotel not too far from London
Once you have children, it’s easy to feel like your days enjoying spa hotels are over.
We get it: toddlers running around can spoil the tranquil vibe for other guests a little. And then there’s the question of how exactly you’re meant to cope if you’re sharing a room with your little one and their bed time is 7:30pm. There’s only so many times you can go to bed at that time too. We know. We’ve been there.
So, thank heaven for the Luxury Family Hotel group, that also owns The Ickworth, that have designed places where children are not only welcome, they’re actively encouraged.
We visited the New Park Manor hotel in the New Forest and, spoiler, it was brilliant
New Park Manor in the New Forest - Closer
1 of 6Rooms at the New Park Manor Hotel
One word: luxurious. We stayed in the Sika suite which had an enormous bed, access to a roof terrace, and a bath so big our toddler could have swum in it.A cot, changing mat and blanket were provided too, plus a welcome bag containing a little soft toy and a touchy-feely book. Lovely.
2 of 6Facilities for children at the New Park Manor Hotel
Children are at the forefront at this hotel. There's a trampoline in the garden, a small playground, bats and balls, plus football goals. And a HEATED outdoor pool with armbands / flotation vests provided – a nice touch.Inside there's a cinema with screenings of kids' films every afternoon. And did we mention the free childcare?
3 of 6Childcare at the New Park Manor Hotel
Every day of your stay you can book two hours free childcare in their crèche. You heard. On a Sunday, staff will even collect your little one from your room at 8am so you can have a lie-in.Plus, reception provide video monitors so you can go for dinner or a drink in the evening in the hotel. You know, like you did pre-children.
4 of 6Food at the New Park Manor Hotel
There's a buffet for breakfast plus cooked food on demand. Children have a high tea buffet between 5 – 6pm. Adults can dine in the fine-dining restaurant from 7pm onwards. Service at this was a little… chaotic. Plus there's no getting away from the fact that the food is pretty pricey: £20 is expensive for a plate of gnocchi, the only vegetarian dish on offer. It was tasty though. And the joy of the video monitoring service outweighed any issues.
5 of 6Spa at the New Park Manor hotel
The indoor pool is 16ft long and children are welcome all day. They're not allowed in the treatment rooms but that's probably just as well. Staff at the spa, as in the whole hotel, are incredibly friendly.
6 of 6Kia Sorento
The good folk at Kia loaned us a Sorento for our weekend away which was EPIC.Here's what you need to know
It IS possible to still enjoy a spa break as a family. Would we go back? Try and stop us.
Check out the New Park Manor hotel's site for the latest rates and offers.
WATCH: Former TOWIE star Ferne McCann reveals her ultimate beauty tip
NOW WRAP YOUR EYES AROUND:
WOWZA! Take a look inside Danny and Dani Dyer's proper swanky Essex home
In related (sort of) news, former Ex On The Beach queen Megan McKenna opened her fridge to us and revealed her diet secrets. Spoiler: THE RESULTS ARE NOT PRETTY. In fact, it's one of the lowest scoring celebrity fridges ever in our nutrition rating. Oh, Megan love.