I always have a lot of questions about accommodati I always have a lot of questions about accommodation when we stay anywhere as a family so I thought I’d share this little tour of our room at @windjammerlanding which was a pretty perfect place to stay.

It’s the ‘Ocean View Two Bedroom’ which was like a little house, with an upstairs and downstairs, built into the hillside. Both rooms had outdoor space and their own shower rooms. Such a great option for a family.
A little photo dump from our holiday in St Lucia. A little photo dump from our holiday in St Lucia. We’ve been back a few days now but still miss the heat, the food, the pool, the constant sounds of wildlife and the lovely people. It was such a great holiday and I’m sure we’ll be back one day.
And just like that, Athena is 12! What a joy it is And just like that, Athena is 12! What a joy it is watching her grow and what a wonderful young woman she is becoming. We could not be more proud. Love you Pickle, have a great birthday.
We’ve just got back from two glorious weeks in S We’ve just got back from two glorious weeks in St Lucia staying at @windjammerlanding and it was just the holiday we needed. Two weeks of sunshine and relaxation in what must be one of the most beautiful islands in the world. 

We can’t wait to go back again in the future. Here’s just a little snippet of our trip.
AD - Press Tickets | We had such a nice day at @na AD - Press Tickets | We had such a nice day at @national_motor_museum despite the rain! The children loved the Little Beaulieu play area and we loved exploring the National Motor Museum and Top Gear exhibit before having a ride on the monorail! We went on an old open topped bus, explored the Beaulieu Manor House and loved the gardens. 
Beaulieu is always a great day out - whatever the weather. This summer they have a whole ‘Summer of Fun’ planned, with activities most days - parades, bird shows and hundreds of sculptures within the grounds too. If you’re looking for a day out this summer definitely think about heading to Beaulieu.
AD - Press Tickets | Tonight we took the kids to t AD - Press Tickets | Tonight we took the kids to their first concert - but it was so much more than just a concert! @abbavoyage is incredible. With CGI ABBA and a live band, it’s like being at an ABBA concert 40 years ago but with modern lighting, effects and sound. ABBA look and sound real, it’s a mind blowing experience.
The set includes all the songs you know and love as well as a few less familiar ones.
You can’t take photos during the show which actually made a refreshing change. A whole arena focused purely on the show and soaking up the moment. It’s definitely something the four of us will always remember.
Now, I’m off to sing Dancing Queen all the way home.
AD - Press Trip | We had such a great day at @phdo AD - Press Trip | We had such a great day at @phdockyard today. They have a fantastic Ultimate Explorer ticket that lets you visit all the attractions as many times as you like for 12 months - and after a day at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard we can see that you need more than one day to really do everything!

We explored HMS Warrior, HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Exhibition - which is incredible! We also saw where ships are built and restored and spent time in Action Stations where the kids climbed and did an assault course.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is such a fun, educational day out with something for all ages - we can’t wait to go on their harbour tours next time we visit!
AD | WIN!! Would you love to win a holiday? To cel AD | WIN!! Would you love to win a holiday? To celebrate #100YearOfARoads National Highways have launched their #ARoadsToSummer competition! It's all about celebrating summer holiday moments, time together, fun in the sun, days out and more.

So why not be in it to win it? To enter, all you have to do is send @nationalhways a DM on here with a photo or video of your favourite holiday moments. You can also comment on their Facebook or Twitter #ARoadsToSummer posts with your holiday photos. I've shared a few of our favourite photos to give you some inspiration.

The best six entries will each win a £500 @nationaltrust holidays voucher! SO what are you waiting for? Dig out your favourite holiday photos or take some new ones to share!

The #ARoadsToSummer competition runs from 24 July to 10 September 2023. Winners will be announced in September 2023.

Good luck!
Oh these two! Every day I feel lucky to have them. Oh these two! Every day I feel lucky to have them. As school draws to a close at lunchtime, I’m looking forward to a whole summer with them. My favourite people.

They’ve both had a great year at school this year. Troy’s first without his sister by his side and Athena’s first at secondary school. 

They both had great reports, always did their best and have made some really lovely new friends this year. I could not be more proud of them.

Now, let’s go and enjoy the next six weeks before school starts all over again!
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Holidays & Accomodation, Reviews, Travel · January 17, 2018

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

Disclosure: We were invited on this break for the purpose of this review however all opinions are my own.

It’s always nice finding a really family friendly hotel. We were lucky enough to spend last weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel. It’s not far from us, in Egham and right on the Thames. It’s a beautiful location for a weekend away – whether you are coming from near or far.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

What were our first impressions of the Runnymede on Thames Hotel?

The Runnymede on Thames is so easy to find and has plenty of parking on site too. The grounds are well looked after and beautiful – giving us really great first impressions of the hotel. The children loved the giant fruit as we walked to the entrance and the revolving door made them feel so important as we walked in the foyer.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

The staff at the Runnymede on Thames were all so friendly and we had a lovely warm welcome. We were told all the important information we needed to know for our stay and the children were given lovely goodie bags with activities and a cuddly duck inside. Ducks are a bit of a theme at the Runnymede on Thames and the children loved spotting the ducks wherever we went – it definitely kept them entertained, especially the big rubber duck display in the main lounge.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel
A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel
A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

What was our family room like at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel?

We were staying in one of the hotel’s three duplex apartments for the weekend which were situated at one end of the hotel, nicely tucked away from the noise of the bar and event spaces. this was perfect for a family weekend.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

The apartment had our very own parking space and stairs up to our front door. We could either access our room through the hotel or by walking around outside the hotel and it was nice to have the option.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

The apartment had a large bedroom that incorporated a living area with a table and chairs as well as a sofa and a large TV. There was also a seperate bedroom for the children which had a day bed and a roll out bed too as well as their own TV.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel
A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel
A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

The bathroom was a great size for a hotel with a bath with a shower over it. This is something we always love on a family trip away as they children always prefer a bath to a shower. There were plenty of fluffy towels, complimentary toiletries and robes to use too.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

The room had tea and coffee facilities – including a coffee machine – and a mini fridge with complimentary bottled water. The room was absolutely perfect for us and a great space to relax and pass time.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

What were the facilities like at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel?

The Runnymede on Thames has fantastic leisure facilities. It offers spa packages as well as the facilities being open to hotel guests. Because of this, children are able to use the pool until midday and then again between 3pm and 7pm. This worked well for us as we used the pool at 3pm after we checked in and again the following morning before we checked out.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

The indoor pool has both a typical swimming pool and a seperate children’s pool which was a nice depth for them to splash, play and even practice swimming in. There was also a jacuzzi, saunas, steam room, studio and a really good size gym. The changing rooms were also really modern and everything was so clean and well looked after. Plus, there were fresh towels whenever you needed them.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

The pool did get really busy on our first afternoon but I heard comments from other guests that it wasn’t typically that busy. I think there were just a lot of spa guests over the weekend. However, our morning swim was really quiet, we almost had the pool to ourselves.

If you visit the hotel as a spa guest there is a beautiful garden room to relax in and so many treatments on offer too. It’s now high on my list of places to visit next time I book a spa day!

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

As well as the indoor leisure facilities there’s also an outdoor pool for the warmer months and a fantastic outdoor play area for the children. I think LP and Little Man would have happily spent all day here! Like the rest of the hotel it was well maintained and so lovely for a hotel to have facilities like this for the children. The Runnymede Hotel is clearly a very family orientated place to stay and the children couldn’t have felt more welcome.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel
A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

The Runnymede on Thames backs onto the Thames and the whole of the rear of the hotel is really made to make the most of the surroundings. There are great views down the Thames and so much ground for the children to run and play. We could tell that in the warmer months the outside would be a hub of activity – with access to the bar and so many areas to sit and socialise whilst enjoying the view.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel
A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel
A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

What are the Runnymede on Thames Hotel dining options like?

We had dinner in the hotel’s Leftbank Restaurant which is buffet style but there is a more intimate al la carte restaurant too – The Lock Bar and Kitchen. The Leftbank Restaurant was perfect for us though – we always love a buffet restaurant as we know there will be something the children will love to eat.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

But, the Leftbank Restaurant is a buffet like no other. The food was incredible. There was a whole area of starters with salads, breads, cheese and biscuits, meats and so many different sauces and nibbles. It was a feast before we’d even got to the other courses.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel
A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel
A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

The main course had so many options – roast chicken, lamb, beef rib and all the sides as well as things like chilli. The children had their own area to create pizzas as well which was so much fun and something they really enjoyed.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel
A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel
A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

For desserts there was so much choice. Fruit salad, cupcakes, slices of cheesecake or salted caramel tart and then hot puddings like sticky toffee pudding and apple crumble – not forgetting the custard and cream too! There was even a chocolate fountain – something the children couldn’t get enough of.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel
A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

All of the food tasted amazing. It was, without a doubt, one of the best meals we have ever had. Each dish was cooked to perfection and the fact it was buffet style didn’t take away from the flavours and variety. It was perfect. If anything, having a buffet style meal worked better for us as a family. There was no waiting for the next course to come out and instead the food just flowed really nicely. I would love to go back to the Leftbank Restaurant, the food was so good, it had a lovely atmosphere and the children really enjoyed it too.

After dinner we went back to our room, the children had a bath and then we all relaxed for a few minutes before bed. We had one of the best night’s sleep in a hotel that we’ve ever had. Our bed was just so comfortable and both our room and the children’s room were so dark and quiet – it couldn’t have been better.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

In the morning we got ready and went for breakfast before swimming. Breakfast was in the Leftbank Restaurant again, and so well set out for a breakfast buffet. Hot drinks and orange juice were served at the table and the staff were so attentive, filling drinks when needed and clearing dirty plates so swiftly.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel
A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

The breakfast buffet was vast. There were different fruits and yogurts, cereals and so many breads and pastries as well as a whole hot food counter with different types of bacon, sausages, egg, hash browns and even fried bread and potatoes! It was the best way to start the day.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

Check out wasn’t until 11am so we went swimming, wandered around the grounds, played on the adventure playground and relaxed a little before heading home.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

Our stay at the Runnymede on Thames was as close to a perfect family break as it gets. So much so that really there aren’t any negatives here. The hotel ticked every box. It had so many facilities, a lovely swimming pool and the food was fantastic. Plus, it had so many places to sit and relax, wonderful staff and it was in a great location. I’m so happy we had the opportunity to stay at The Runnymede Hotel and I know we’ll visit again in the future.

A Family Friendly Weekend at the Runnymede on Thames Hotel

In: Holidays & Accomodation, Reviews, Travel

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Comments

  1. Martina says

    January 17, 2018 at 9:43 am

    That looks lovely! A great hotel and a fab location…. and someone to pick up the towels off the bathroom floor! Perfect!

    Reply
  2. Jemma Taylor-Smith says

    October 31, 2018 at 10:34 am

    This place looks lovely! That buffet looks fab too!

    Reply

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Siblings {January 2018}

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Hi everyone! I'm Donna. Mummy. Blogger. Social Media Manager. Traveller. Lover of stars, rainbows and gin. Firm believer that tea and cake can fix most things.

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