Of all the family group sizes, 2 parents and 1 child is usually the simplest one to book, and it’s worth saying that plainly, because most accommodation guides jump straight to “family room” as if it’s the only option. It often isn’t. Family rooms are typically built for up to four people, so three of you leaves genuine spare capacity, and plenty of ordinary double or twin rooms will add a cot or an extra single bed for one child for a modest fee, no dedicated “family” listing required. What actually matters is your child’s age: a young child usually just needs a cot and a hotel that’s relaxed about breakfast mess, while a teenager needs a proper bed and stops counting as free-or-cheap on most children’s offers.

Every option on the map

Map view

Where families of 3 tend to stay

Tap a pin to see which option it is and jump straight to current rates for 2 adults and 1 child.

5 locations available on the map.

The easy default: an extra bed in a standard room

Premier Inn London City (Aldgate) and Premier Inn London County Hall both come up repeatedly from families, and for a party of three the maths is simple: book a standard room and add a child, rather than searching specifically for “family” listings that can carry a premium for space you don’t need. Where the kids-eat-free-with-a-paying-adult breakfast deal applies, it’s a genuine saving for exactly this group size, one child, one qualifying adult breakfast.

Independent family reports on both branches praise the same things: easy Tube and bus access, a good breakfast, and clean, predictable rooms, the kind of unremarkable reliability that matters more with one child in tow than a characterful room does.

Check availability: Premier Inn London City (Aldgate) on Hotels.com (opens in a new tab) · Premier Inn London County Hall on Booking.com (opens in a new tab)

A genuine family room

If you’d rather book a room specifically designed for three, the South Kensington and Earl’s Court cluster has the most detailed independent family reports in our research:

Kensington Court Hotel, near Earl’s Court Underground, has a two-night family report describing a reasonably spacious room, a comfortable bed, enough power sockets, a mini-fridge, and breakfast with fresh fruit served at the table. St Simeon Hotel, in South Kensington, has more than one independent family report, including a repeat guest who specifically requests a top-floor room and would return, praising the included breakfast, kind staff and quiet street.

Check availability: Kensington Court Hotel on Booking.com (opens in a new tab) · St Simeon Hotel on Booking.com (opens in a new tab)

If your child is basically a teen

Once your “child” is a teenager, the family-room maths that works for a younger child stops being the main question. Space and a genuine door between generations matters more than a cot ever did. An aparthotel is worth the extra cost for exactly this reason.

Wilde Aparthotels, Paddington has a detailed, strongly positive family-relevant report: a practical location near Edgware Road station, a well-equipped kitchenette, comfortable beds, and self-service check-in. For three people where one is old enough to want their own space and their own food schedule, that’s a genuinely different, better experience than a shared standard room.

Check availability: Wilde Aparthotels Paddington on Booking.com (opens in a new tab)

Read our full guide to London with teens for more on the two-rooms-vs-aparthotel decision if space becomes the deciding factor.

Comparing the options

Option Typical price tier Best for Watch out for
Standard room + extra bed (Premier Inn) Budget Simplicity, possible free kids’ breakfast Confirm the extra-bed/cot policy and any fee
Genuine family room (Kensington Court, St Simeon) Mid A room actually designed for 3, younger children Book directly for the exact bed configuration
Aparthotel (Wilde Aparthotels) Mid to high An older teen who needs their own space Priced above a standard family room

Common questions

Do we need a 'family room' for 2 adults and 1 child?
Not necessarily. Many standard double or twin rooms accept a cot or an extra single bed for one child, often for a smaller premium than booking a dedicated family room. Check the specific room’s extra-bed policy before assuming you need to filter for “family” listings.
Is breakfast free for one child at Premier Inn?
At many branches, yes, when it comes with a paying adult’s breakfast, though this varies by branch and rate, and can have an age cutoff. Confirm the current terms for your dates directly rather than assuming it applies.
At what age does a child stop counting as a 'child' for hotel bookings?
This varies by hotel and even by specific offer, commonly somewhere between 12 and 16 for things like free breakfast or reduced rates. If your child is a teenager, don’t assume younger-child perks and offers still apply, check the current terms for the specific property.
Is it cheaper to add an extra bed or book two rooms?
For one child, adding an extra bed or cot to a standard room is almost always cheaper than booking two full rooms. Two separate rooms only tends to make sense once your child is old enough to want genuine privacy rather than simply needing somewhere to sleep.

Our methodology

We research these guides from real traveller discussions in London travel communities, cross-checked and written up with AI assistance. Read exactly how we research these guides, including how we filter out self-promotion, and how to tell us if we’ve got something wrong.

Sources and checks

Information checked on 22 September 2026. Room configurations, extra-bed policies and prices change between properties and seasons. Confirm current details directly with the property before paying a non-refundable rate.