When it comes to planning a short break with our two young sons Odhran, 10, and Reuben, 7, the main consideration is always what the destination has to offer in terms of fun and excitement for kids.
The accommodation might be garishly colourful, the food a basic offering of burgers and nuggets, and the entertainment loud and frazzling. But as long as the kids are happy, us parents tend to push aside our own desire for style and comfort.
But a recent visit to Carden Park Hotel opened our eyes. It turns out that it is possible to keep the kids thoroughly entertained and busy with activities without sacrificing rest, relaxation, and a little bit of luxury!
We visited Carden Park Hotel during the February half term. Arriving before our check-in time, the boys were excited to explore. Friendly staff at reception handed them a sheet to do a scavenger hunt. Reuben cheated - after discovering what two of the letters were, he was able to guess the word he needed to spell out, and hopped back to reception to hand in his sheet and collect his little chocolate prize!
Outside, we strolled around the grounds and the boys ran straight towards a little playground with wooden climbing frames, where they spent almost an hour happily playing. There were kids racing each other on the tennis courts next to the park, and the boys were quick to join in.
Then, we headed across to the activity centre, where there was table tennis and a football table, gaming consoles, a pool table, and a small bouncy castle/soft play area for toddlers. At the back of the activity centre was a driving range and the boys were keen to take some shots with their dad. It cost around £6 for a small basket of balls, and you didn't need to book, you could just rock up and wait for a spot to become available. The course had interactive screens so you could virtually play on some of the most famous golf courses in the world. But there were also fun setting for kids, such as an Angry Birds game. I left them to it and sat on one of the comfy sofas inside to read a couple of chapters of my book.
After the golf range, the boys were booked in for air rifle shooting. As Fortnite fans, they were excited to see if their real-life shooting skills matched their gaming abilities. The kids were briefed, given safety goggles, wooden stumps to stand on if they needed more height, and sandbags to balance the heavy guns on. I have to point out that all of the instructors we met at Carden Park Hotel had a lovely manner with all the kids. There were loads of different objects to shoot at and the bullets made a satisfying pinging sound when they hit the dangling metal targets.
The instructor then varied the games by pinning card targets so the kids could see how many shots they'd made. The activity cost £25 per child and it was a whole hour-long session. It was their first time doing air rifle shooting, as at visits to other holiday resorts, they were too young to participate. You need to be aged 7+ at Carden Park Hotel, so Reuben was finally in the suitable age bracket, and they both really enjoy this experience.
After returning to the main hotel reception and checking in, we took the lift upstairs to our family room. My heart leapt at the sight of two king-sized beds, as it meant we comfortably chill at the end of the night and watch TV without all being crowded on to one bed. Family hotel rooms often mean a double for the parents and bunk beds for the kids. If your kids bed-hop, this can mean an uncomfortable night's sleep for mum or dad. There were definitely one or two occasions when the boys were younger where they'd wake in the middle of the night and squeeze into bed beside me and my husband, relegating one of us to the bottom bunk. Two king-sized beds is definitely a winner!
The room was elegantly furnished in shades of pale pink, grey, and navy blue, and we had a beautiful view out over the lake and sculpture garden. There was a Nespresso machine and tea and coffee making facilities, and the first thing we did was make ourselves a beverage. Then, I hopped into the en-suite where there were complimentary toiletries. After a relaxing warm shower, I wrapped myself in one of the white fluffy dressing gowns provided. I lay down on the bed and my head sank into the sumptuous pillow. I hadn't intended to, but the bed was so comfy, I drifted off and slept for about 40 minutes.
Carden Park Hotel allows you to book different packages, and we had the Overnight with Dinner package. This includes a £30 dinner allowance per adult and £15 allowance per child towards the à la carte food menu. It automatically books you in at Redmond's Brasserie but if you'd prefer The Vines restaurant, you can request at the time of booking. The Vines is the hotel's 3 AA Rosette Award-winning restaurant.
We dined at Redmond's Brasserie - the more family-friendly option. This stylish venue has large windows overlooking the golf course. Reuben skipped the starter, but Odhran enjoyed creamy tomato soup topped with crunchy croutons from the kids' menu. I opted for the spiced red pepper hummus, which was served with radicchio salad and flatbread, and my husband ordered the beetroot cured salmon. The starters were delicious and left us eagerly anticipating our main meals. The children's menu offered mains from £9.50 including spaghetti bolognese, chicken dinner, and fish and chips. But Odhran and Reuben were both hungry for steak from the à la carte menu. My husband also chose steak, whereas I selected a vegetarian option. Redmond's offer a separate vegetarian/vegan menu. I chose the wild mushroom and truffle wellington and it was the most delicious thing I have eaten in a long time. The truffle mash potatoes were creamy and the meal was mouthwateringly flavoursome. My husband and I also shared a panaché of green vegetables, which was the perfect accompaniment to our main meal. And I enjoyed a chilled glass of Sauvignon.
We all cleared our plates, and even though we felt quite full, it was impossible to resist sampling the desserts after tasting such delicious starters and main dishes. Odhran devoured the dipping doughnuts with white chocolate sauce, while Reuben chose two scoops of Cheshire Farm ice cream. My husband and I shared both a sticky toffee pudding and banana cheesecake. Carden Park Hotel is a four star luxury hotel, but when it comes to the food and many of its facilities, it feels five star. For an idea of prices at Redmond's, starters range from £9 to £15, mains (including fish, grill and other options) are priced from £18 to £44, and desserts are £9 or £16 for a platter of British cheeses.
After dinner, we settled in the cosy Morgan's Bar for a beer and a soft drink for the boys. This is relaxing space with warm colours and a classic decor with wood panelling, comfortable leather and suede armchairs, and a tartan carpet. A modern chandelier makes for a beautiful focal point in the centre of the room.
The following morning, we headed back down to Redmond's for a full English buffet breakfast. There was every choice of tea and milk to suit all tastes and allergies, and I poured a refreshing glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice. The hot buffet served everything you might want, and there was a choice of cereal, fruit, pastries and mini muffins. The boys enjoyed the pancake machine, and spread Nutella over their stack.
After breakfast, we checked out of the hotel but we were still able to use the facilities and we had a couple more activities booked in. My husband and I got competitive at Laser Clays, and Odhran and Reuben had several turns on the climbing wall. This is part of the Vertigo outdoor adventure area, which features a 10-meter-high tower and includes aerial challenges and a zip line. After the climbing wall, the kids were taken up the tower, where they leapt off and whizz along at 180m zip line back to ground level. It was a thrilling experience for them. The climbing wall and zip line experience lasted one hour and cost £20 per child. There were loads more activities to choose from at Carden Park Hotel to suit kids and adults. Other adventures include mini quads, archery and axe throwing.
It was nearly time to head home, but we didn't want to leave without experiencing the leisure club. Here, we were provided with towels and took a leisurely swim in the 20-metre pool. There was also a large jacuzzi, steam room and hot stone beds for adults only, and my husband played in the pool with the kids and gave me time to avail of the facilities to relax and unwind. We didn't visit the spa at Carden Park Hotel but it looks incredible and offers private pods, an outdoor fire pit and seating, several hot tubs, a outdoor sauna, several different thermal rooms and an indoor and outdoor pool. If you're looking to indulge in a treatment, I'd recommend booking in advance of your stay.
In summary
Carden Park Hotel ticks all the boxes if you're looking for a family break away that offers plenty to keep active kids happy and entertained but also provides luxurious surroundings and facilitates for adults. This is a weekend away that every member of the family can fully enjoy, and you're sure to return home feeling well-rested and restored. It's set the bar high for our next family getaway! The cost of a stay at Carden Park Hotel starts from £139 per night for a standard room. Find out more here