England: London, The Athenaeum Hotel & Apartments – New Children’s Concierge Team Now in Place.
Urban holidays can sometimes be daunting just because large cities have too many choices. So, imagine a hotel with a dedicated staff ready to assist in making fun in London just happen for your child, children or family.
The Athenaeum Hotel in Mayfair has been doing just that (making things easy) for families for decades. Always on the cutting edge of style and sophistication, The Athenaeum Hotel & Apartments has also been a trendsetter in family travel—it was the first deluxe property in London with a dedicated children’s program, and the first to allow children to eat for free. Now the Athenaeum is the first hotel in London with a dedicated concierge service team for young travelers.
“We love it when families stay with us. We are a family-run hotel, after all,” says Jonathan Critchard, general manager. “We understand that when kids are happy, their parents are more likely to relax and thoroughly enjoy their stay with us.”
Knowing that children and teens have strong likes and dislikes, the Athenaeum’s concierge team have developed a special questionnaire designed to help them get to know your child before your family sets foot in the hotel’s exquisitely-appointed lobby. Your child’s favorite drink, snack, magazines and music will be awaiting their arrival. Special dietary requirements will also be noted. The same team will happily greet your child upon arrival and ask whether they would like to fly a kite, ride a bike or feed the birds in Green Park.
However, The Athenaeum hasn’t forgotten about parents or grandparents. The same team can arrange a chauffeur to meet you at the airport, get tickets to the hottest shows or reservations at a special restaurant, or arrange a qualified sitter so that you and your spouse can have a romantic evening sans kids. Basically, whatever you need, you only have to ask.
The Athenaeum regularly provides families with children from newborn to two years of age a supply of “baby basics”: disposable diapers, bottle sterilizer and baby wipes, as well as organic baby food – which, to ensure freshness, can be bought on demand. To stimulate the little gray cells, Baby Einstein DVDs are available from the complimentary lending library.
Guests aged two through ten will receive a toy box filled with age- and gender-appropriate children’s toys and games to play with while on-property. A complimentary DVD lending library is also available, featuring the latest in children’s titles. In the evenings, cookies and milk are included with turndown service, and children’s sized robes, slippers and hangers are provided. And, as always, all soft drinks and snacks from the mini-bar are complimentary.
Everyone knows how important music and video games are to tweens and teens. That’s why The Athenaeum has iPod docking stations for their use, as well as PlayStations and Xboxes.
Bonus points: Families with children aged 10 to 14 also receive priority entry to the Hard Rock Café, located two blocks from The Athenaeum.
Editor’s comment. It's not just about cookies and milk although that is a nice benefit, it is really about authentihc hospitality. I know firsthand that for more than two decades The Athenaeum has been attending to the needs of guests and their younger companions. On one occasion, when my children still traveled with their dolls, we had a rainy day tea party in our suite complete with mini servings for the dolls. During the same stay the concierge provided us with a tip on a very lovely puppet show at the Museum of Childhood. On our second stay - long before “the Other Boleyn Girl” became a movie - my children (then ages 12 and 14) wanted to go to Hever Castle or Ann Boleyn’s place as they called it. The Athenaeum’s efficient concierge arranged not just the Hever Castle excursion but also suggested when to visit Hampton Court for a concert. They have always had lists and suggestions geared to families. This is a hotel that does not just say they are family friendly; it is part of their culture.
About The Athenaeum. Known for being five-star, friendly and “for me,” The Athenaeum has a well-deserved reputation as the home of London’s most personable, professional and friendly hotel staff. The Athenaeum offers the ideal combination of apartment amenities paired with hotel services. Located in Mayfair within walking distance to a wide variety of points of interest for children of all ages, the property makes an excellent base for exploring London. Onsite 111 bedrooms, 12 suites, and 34 apartments completely renovated combining contemporary and traditional design and equipped with the latest technology from plasma-screen TVs Bose docking stations and complimentary high speed Wi-Fi access. The hotel has also opened a rooftop three-bedroom penthouse with panoramic views across London. In addition guests may enjoy The Restaurant, Garden Room, and Whisky Room plus a spa, gym, hair salon and a 10-story high “Living Wall” created by internationally-renowned French architectural botanist Patrick Blanc.
Location on the planet. The Athenaeum enjoys an unsurpassed London location in Mayfair, directly opposite Green Park and within walking distance of Buckingham Palace. The hotel is close to many of the city’s main cultural attractions, including the Royal Academy of Arts, Trafalgar Square and Churchill’s Cabinet Rooms. Some of London’s best shops, restaurants, theatres, toy stores, booksellers and parks are within easy walking distance. The Athenaeum, 116 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 7BJ. Call +44 (0)20 7499 3464.
Make it happen. The Athenaeum toll-free 1-800-335-3300. Further information, including suggested itineraries for families, may be obtained on the hotel’s website at
www.athenaeumhotel.com The children’s concierge’s e-mail address is guestservicesteam@athenaeumhotel.com
