As it was our first night away in a hotel with our one year old- we were understandably nervous about what might unfold. Parents know all too well how much stuff children need and how it can be a logistical nightmare to deviate from the norm so when we arrived at The Hotel Du Vin we lived in hope that it would go smoothly.
The Hotel Du Vin, Harrogate
When we arrived, we were greeted warmly by the reception staff, who explained where the restaurant was, where best to park the car and then took us up to see our room. I was relieved to see that there was cot already set up in the room for our daughter- one less thing for me to worry about before dinner.
We headed through to have our evening meal where our baby immediately caught the attention of the waiters. They gave her some cheeky smiles which undoubtedly helped her to settle into the new surroundings. There was already a highchair set up for us so we could simply sit down and order without any fuss.
We were given a selection of bread first, which was a huge hit with Jessica as she loves nothing more than bread and butter so the meal started out well.
There was a separate children’s menu, so we ordered sausage chips and beans for her which arrived on a wooden slab. This made it much easier for her to feed herself as it was heavy enough to stay put and low enough for her to reach her food. I have never seen her eat so many chips!
As her bedtime approached, she started to get a little cranky, so the staff kindly arranged our desserts to be sent to our room, so we didn’t disturb any of the other guests.
The room itself was huge- we were in the The Studio Suite, so the bath was in the room rather than the bathroom. This was ideal for bathing our daughter as we had room for all of her things, and we could both move around the bath to keep an eye on her. And what a treat to be cleaned in a roll topped bath- not every one year old can say the same!
We were also able to make up her bottle with the kettle provided so she didn’t have to stray from her routine.
The mattress in the cot was a little thin, so I just put one of the plentiful fluffy towels underneath to give her some more comfort. We could have all slept in the double bed together however as it was so huge!
Once she was down, my husband and I were able to enjoy our desserts in the robes and slippers provided on the balcony of our room, the door to which was right near the cot so we could keep an ear out if she became unsettled.
We were one of the first couples down or breakfast as our daughter had us up at the crack of dawn. The waitress kindly put a highchair out for us, and Jessica was delighted to find that the hotel served Weetabix as this is her favourite.
As the restaurant filled up, more and more families entered the room, so we were not alone- clearly this is a popular hotel with families. Deservedly so too- it is right in the heart of Harrogate, a mere ten minutes from the shops and a 20-minute walk from the beautiful Valley Gardens.
Overall, I was really impressed with how accommodating The Hotel Du Vin was for babies. I had resigned myself to never being able to stay in a nice hotel again when our daughter came along (unless we has a babysitter) but this gives you best of both worlds- luxury AND a family friendly atmosphere, which is not something you come across all too often.
Thank you to all the staff at The Hotel Du Vin for making our stay so effortless, which is not easy with a little one.
Tagged in Babies Family Holidays