Down Hall Hotel Family Room Review

Down Hall Hotel Family Bedroom Review

Sometimes, all you need is one night away to reset – and our recent stay at Down Hall Hotel in Essex was exactly that. Just one night, but what a brilliant one it was. As a family of four – myself, my wife, and our two kids (a boy and a girl) – we’re always on the lookout for places that can cater to everyone. Somewhere we can relax as adults, and somewhere the kids will genuinely enjoy. Down Hall didn’t disappoint – especially when it came to their Family Bedroom.

The room is tucked away in the hotel’s lovely West Wing, which has a more modern, relaxed feel compared to the grand main building. The first thing we noticed as we stepped in was the splash of colour – the room felt lively, welcoming and clearly designed with families in mind. Custom-made headboards added a quirky touch, and the space felt fresh, clean, and full of personality.

But let’s talk about the bunk beds – because the kids certainly haven’t stopped talking about them since! Built-in and full-size, they were a massive hit. Both of them immediately scrambled to claim their bunks, and within minutes were making themselves at home. What made it even cooler? Each bunk had its own charging point – perfect for topping up their iPads while they chilled out.

Down Hall have really thought about what kids actually enjoy. The room even came with a Nintendo Switch, and that was an absolute winner. The kids played a game called Frustration, and I can honestly say it led to more laughter than frustration – for all of us! It gave them something to do while we unpacked and settled in, and later in the evening, we all ended up having a go.

Another small but lovely detail – the children had their own mini dressing gowns and slippers. They thought this was amazing and wandered around the room in full comfort mode, feeling like VIPs. It’s those little things that really make a stay memorable.

The bathroom was modern and spacious – bigger than we expected, actually – and the kids loved splashing about in the bath before bed. After that, it was cosy dressing gowns, cartoons on the telly (which had all the channels you’d expect), and jumping into wonderfully soft beds.

And the surprises didn’t end there. When we arrived, the hotel had left us a delicious welcome cake in the room – such a thoughtful gesture. It didn’t last long with our lot, but it definitely made us feel welcomed.

Although we were only there for the one night, we packed a lot of fun and relaxation into our stay. The room was designed with families in mind, and it really showed – from the layout and modern decor to the entertainment and comforts for both adults and kids. We didn’t once feel cramped or like the kids were just “fitted in” – it felt like a space made for us.

It’s rare to find a hotel that gets the family experience just right in a single night, but Down Hall managed it. The kids are still talking about the bunk beds, the Nintendo Switch, and how “fancy” the room was – and we got to unwind and enjoy some quiet moments too.

If you’re looking for a quick family escape that still feels special, we’d absolutely recommend a stay at Down Hall Hotel. One night was enough to create some lovely memories – but next time, we might just stay a bit longer.