With younger kids the challenge is finding a genuine family room at all. With teens, the room usually exists on paper, the problem is that a 13 and a 15-year-old take up almost as much space as two adults, want to stay up later than a toddler ever did, and don’t appreciate sharing a room with their parents any more than the parents appreciate it. Families who’ve actually done a London trip with teenagers report the same pattern: the budget family room that worked fine as a one-off starts to feel genuinely cramped, and more than one has said they’d book differently next time, specifically for the extra space.

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Where families with teens tend to stay

Tap a pin to see which option it is and jump straight to current rates.

3 locations available on the map.

The budget default: Premier Inn

Premier Inn London City (Aldgate), in Whitechapel near Brick Lane, has an unusually detailed independent report from a family of four (2 adults, teens aged 12 and 14) after a full week’s stay: easy access to the Underground and buses, a genuinely good breakfast included with the room, and the specific detail that a child’s breakfast came free with a paying adult’s. The room was clean, though they note you’ll want a UK plug adapter and something downloaded to watch, since there’s no French-language TV.

A second, entirely independent family confirms the same branch from an earlier April stay, specifically praising how easy everything was, transport, food, the lot. Tellingly, that same family said they were returning to London later in the year but choosing an aparthotel near Aldgate instead this time, for the extra space with their kids now older.

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

When one room isn’t enough: an aparthotel upgrade

The pattern above (a family that liked their budget stay but deliberately upgraded next time) is common enough to take seriously. An aparthotel gives you a genuine separate living space, a kitchenette so breakfast and snacks aren’t tied to a fixed hotel schedule, and enough physical distance that a teenager can close a door.

Wilde Aparthotels, Paddington has a detailed, strongly positive first-hand report: a practical location around five minutes from Edgware Road station, modern and very clean, a well-equipped kitchenette, comfortable beds, and self-service tablet check-in if a family would rather skip queuing at a front desk after a long travel day.

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

Two rooms instead of one

If an aparthotel is out of budget but a single family room genuinely isn’t big enough, price up two adjacent standard rooms at a budget chain before assuming it’s the expensive option. Two rooms at a reliable branch like Premier Inn London Southwark (Southwark Station), a branch families specifically praise for its calm, central location and easy walk to Borough Market and Tower Bridge, can come out similar to a single “family” room at a pricier independent hotel, while giving teens an actual door between them and the adults.

Check availability: Premier Inn London Southwark on Hotels.com (opens in a new tab)

Comparing the options

Option Typical price tier Best for Watch out for
Premier Inn family room (Aldgate) Budget A short trip, first visit, predictable value Can feel cramped for more than a few nights
Aparthotel (Wilde Aparthotels) Mid to high Real separate space, flexible meal times Priced above a standard family room
Two standard rooms (Premier Inn Southwark) Mid Full privacy for older teens Compare total price, don’t assume it’s pricier

Common questions

Does the Premier Inn kids-eat-free breakfast deal apply to teenagers?
It depends on the branch and the specific offer’s age cutoff, which is commonly below 16 but varies and changes over time. Confirm the exact terms for your dates directly with the hotel rather than assuming it covers a teenager the way it covered a younger child.
Is a family room big enough for parents and two teenagers?
It depends on the exact room and how long you’re staying. Multiple families report a standard family room working fine for a short trip but feeling genuinely tight over several nights once kids are teenage-sized, which is why an aparthotel or two separate rooms are worth pricing up for longer stays.
Is an aparthotel worth it just for a weekend with teens?
For a short 2-3 night trip, probably not, the extra cost is harder to justify. It becomes more worthwhile the longer you’re staying, since the kitchenette and separate space compound in value night after night.
What's the best area in London to stay with teenagers?
Areas with things teens can do independently nearby (Brick Lane’s markets and food near Aldgate, or Southwark’s walk to Borough Market and the South Bank) tend to work better than a purely residential, quiet area, since older kids appreciate being able to step outside without a full transport journey.

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, kids’ offers and prices change between properties and seasons. Confirm current details directly with the property before paying a non-refundable rate.