Family-Friendly Hotels in London, Ontario
Family hotels in London, Ontario, fall into three groups. Near Highway 401, Best Western Plus Lamplighter Inn has an indoor pool with a waterslide, a hot tub and indoor ponds, and the Ramada by Wyndham offers a simpler indoor pool about 8 km from the centre. Downtown, Sandman Hotel & Suites is a short walk from the Grand Theatre and the convention centre. Spencer Hotel & Conference Centre sits on 30 acres of parkland with trails, while the Best Western Airport Inn and the Residence & Conference Centre add kitchenettes near London International Airport. Storybook Gardens and the Thames River paths are easy drives from all of them.
London, Ontario, is known as the Forest City for its tree-lined streets and parks along the Thames River. It is a university and hospital city, home to Western University, with a compact downtown around Covent Garden Market and the Grand Theatre. Families come for Storybook Gardens in Springbank Park, the Children's Museum and the long riverside pathways, and the city sits roughly halfway between Toronto and Windsor on Highway 401.
Matching London Hotels to Your Family
London is a practical family stop on the Highway 401 corridor between Toronto and Windsor, and a destination in its own right for weekends at Storybook Gardens in Springbank Park, the Children's Museum or Western University events. Families here mostly arrive by car, so free parking, an indoor pool for winter evenings and a fridge or kitchenette matter more than a grand lobby. Ratings vary widely, from 7.1 to 8.4, so it pays to choose by what each hotel actually offers rather than by brand.
Best Western Plus Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre is the most fun for younger children. Rated 8.3 from more than 800 reviews, it has an indoor pool with a waterslide, a hot tub, a sauna and a fitness centre, all set in a quiet interior with indoor ponds and streams that children tend to enjoy exploring. It sits close to Highway 401 and to the city's hospitals, with easy access to the airport, so it works both for a holiday stop and for families visiting relatives in hospital. In winter, the waterslide alone can turn a long drive into something the kids look forward to.
Spencer Hotel & Conference Centre suits families who like space outdoors. Rated 8.4, it is set on 30 acres of parkland with walking and cycling trails, and has a spa and wellness area, a hot tub and a sauna, several on-site dining options and free high-speed internet. It is pet-friendly, so the family dog can come too. Being able to step outside for a bike ride or a walk before breakfast is rare in a city hotel. Note that the listing mentions no swimming pool, so families with children set on swimming may prefer the Lamplighter instead.
For longer visits, kitchenettes make a big difference. Best Western London Airport Inn & Suites, rated 8.3, is 2.5 km from London International Airport and offers an indoor pool, spa and wellness facilities, a full breakfast and rooms with a microwave and fridge; some suites add a kitchenette and a balcony. Residence & Conference Centre - London, rated 8.4, offers aparthotel-style units with a kitchenette, a dining area and a desk, plus a shared kitchen, a minimarket and free parking. Both suit families in town for a tournament, a university visit or a week with grandparents nearby.
Downtown and budget options complete the list. Sandman Hotel & Suites London Downtown, rated 7.3, is a short walk from the convention centre and the Grand Theatre, with a continental breakfast and rooms equipped with a microwave and a fridge, which helps with picky eaters. Ramada by Wyndham London, rated 7.1, sits off Highway 401 with an indoor pool and a restaurant, about 8 km from the centre; its lower score suggests modest expectations. Guest House on the Mount, rated 7.5, is a hilltop retreat with gardens and walking paths, but some rooms share bathrooms, which not every family will want.
A traveler's takeSummer is the season I recommend for a family trip to London, Ontario, when Storybook Gardens is fully open and the Thames pathways are perfect for bikes and strollers. For families with young children I would choose Best Western Plus Lamplighter Inn, with its waterslide and indoor ponds. Families who prefer trails and fresh air should look at Spencer Hotel & Conference Centre, and longer stays work best at the Residence & Conference Centre with its kitchenettes.
4.6Idlewyld Inn & Spa
Family-Friendly · 234 reviewsVictorian charm with a spa and dining, close to downtown London
Why guests love itIdlewyld Inn & Spa suits families with older children who will appreciate its history more than a pool. The 19th-century inn has Victorian decor, private bathrooms, on-site dining and a spa, and select rooms include a spa bath. Free Wi-Fi and free parking keep costs predictable. Downtown London is just 2 km away, close enough for Covent Garden Market or the Grand Theatre. Rated 9.2, it is one of the best-reviewed stays in the city.
4.5Hard Rock Hotel London Ontario
Family-Friendly · 133 reviewsFamily-friendly comfort with an indoor pool and diverse dining near London's attractions
Why guests love itThe indoor pool is the strongest argument for families, useful in any season in London, Ontario, with a hot tub and a sauna for the adults afterwards. Family rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms, and the restaurant offers a varied menu that should suit mixed tastes at the table. A sun terrace adds outdoor space in summer, there is a fitness centre, and pets are welcome, so nobody has to stay home.
4.4Candlewood Suites London South by IHG
Family-Friendly · 9 reviewsComfortable suites with kitchenettes, an indoor pool, and Italian dining
Why guests love itEvery room at Candlewood Suites London South has a kitchenette, the main reason I would pick it for a family: breakfast and simple dinners can happen in the room, and the minimarket on site covers the basics. The indoor pool gives children something to look forward to whatever the weather in London, Ontario. Free parking matters here, since the hotel suits travellers with a car. Guests rate it 8.8, though on only nine reviews so far.
4.4Comfort Suites
Family-Friendly · 393 reviewsSpacious suites, pet-friendly comfort, and a convenient location near downtown
4.3Best Western Plus Stoneridge Inn & Conference Centre London Ontario
Family-Friendly · 308 reviewsHighway convenience with an onsite restaurant and spa facilities
Why guests love itFamilies driving between Toronto and Detroit will find the Stoneridge Inn an easy overnight stop just off the highway. The free hot breakfast buffet means children eat before the car is even loaded, and each room has a mini-fridge, microwave and Keurig coffee maker for snacks and late arrivals. Pasto's Grill on site saves a search for dinner after a long drive. It is a short drive from downtown London, so it works best as a calm, practical base rather than a city stay.
4.3Delta Hotels by Marriott London Armouries
Family-Friendly · 362 reviewsDowntown comfort with an indoor pool, sauna, and pet-friendly rooms
Why guests love itDelta Hotels London Armouries gives families a downtown base in London, Ontario, with an indoor pool for the children and a sauna and fitness centre for the adults. Guest rooms are non-smoking with modern amenities, and the restaurant serves continental cuisine, so dinner can stay in the building after a busy day. Public transport is close by for outings around the city, and pets are welcome, which helps families travelling with a dog.
4.2Hotel Metro
Family-Friendly · 419 reviewsBoutique comfort with spa services and a pet-friendly welcome
Why guests love itHotel Metro is a boutique hotel next to Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario, which makes it a convenient choice for a family going to a game or a concert there. Rooms have a flat-screen TV and a bar fridge for drinks and snacks, room service is available and Wi-Fi is free. Parents can book spa services, and pets are welcome. No pool is listed. With an 8.4 score from 419 reviews, I would book it for an event night downtown.
4.2Residence & Conference Centre - London
Family-Friendly · 565 reviewsComfortable aparthotel with kitchenettes near London International Airport
Why guests love itResidence & Conference Centre London works like an aparthotel, which suits families on a longer stay in London, Ontario. Each unit has a kitchenette, a dining area and a work desk, so meals and homework both have a place. A shared kitchen, a lounge and a minimarket cover forgotten groceries, and free on-site parking helps when travelling by car. London International Airport is about 5 km away, convenient for a flight home.
4.2Spencer Hotel & Conference Centre
Family-Friendly · 789 reviewsParkland setting with spa, hot tub, and dining options
Why guests love itSpencer Hotel & Conference Centre is set on 30 acres of parkland in London, Ontario, with walking and cycling trails right outside, which gives children space to run and families an easy outing without driving. Several dining options on site keep meals simple. Parents can use the spa and wellness area, the hot tub and the sauna, and high-speed internet is free. Pets are welcome, so the dog can join the walks. A guest score of 8.4 from 789 reviews is reassuring.
4.2Best Western London Airport Inn & Suites
Family-Friendly · 867 reviewsPet-friendly airport hotel with indoor pool and full breakfast
Why guests love itBest Western London Airport Inn & Suites is 2.5 km from London International Airport, which makes early flights with children far less stressful. A full breakfast is included, every room has a microwave and fridge for snacks and bottles, and some suites add a kitchenette and a balcony for families who need more room. The indoor pool keeps children busy, parents can use the spa and wellness area, and pets are welcome. A score of 8.3 from 867 reviews is reassuring.
4.2Staybridge Suites London by IHG
Family-Friendly · 293 reviewsFamily-friendly suites with kitchens, an indoor pool, and complimentary breakfast
Why guests love itStaybridge Suites London by IHG works well for families because the rooms come with full kitchens, so meals and snacks stay flexible on longer stays. A free American buffet breakfast starts each day, and the indoor pool gives children something to look forward to in the evening. There is also a terrace, a garden and a fitness centre, and pets are accepted. The hotel is 15 km from London International Airport and scores 8.3 from 293 reviews.
4.2Best Western Plus Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre
Family-Friendly · 821 reviewsIndoor ponds, a waterslide, and a tranquil setting for families
Why guests love itAn indoor pool with a waterslide is the reason I would steer families with children toward the Best Western Plus Lamplighter Inn in London, Ontario. The indoor ponds and streams add a calm, green setting that children enjoy exploring, and parents can use the hot tub, sauna and fitness centre. Highway 401 is close for road trips, and the airport is easy to reach. Guests rate the hotel 8.3 across 821 reviews, a solid score for a family stay.
4.1Four Points by Sheraton London
Family-Friendly · 253 reviewsIndoor pool, on-site dining, and pet-friendly comfort near White Oaks Mall
Why guests love itEvery room at the Four Points by Sheraton London has a mini-refrigerator and a microwave, a practical detail I value with children who snack at odd hours. The indoor swimming pool works year-round in this part of Ontario, and the on-site restaurant keeps dinner simple. White Oaks Mall is less than 1 km away for supplies or a rainy afternoon. The hotel is pet-friendly and has a spa and wellness area, so the whole household, dog included, can come along.
4.0Homewood Suites by Hilton London Ontario
Family-Friendly · 537 reviewsAll-suite comfort with kitchens, indoor pool, and pet-friendly amenities
Why guests love itHomewood Suites London Ontario is an all-suite hotel where every unit has a fully equipped kitchen, so families can keep meal routines on a longer stay. The free hot breakfast, indoor pool, fitness centre and spa area cover the rest, and pets are accepted. Highway 401 is easy to reach for day trips. The 7.9 score from 537 reviews is decent rather than outstanding, so I would choose it for space and convenience over polish.
3.9Doubletree by Hilton London
Family-Friendly · 435 reviewsDowntown London hotel with an indoor pool and direct convention centre access
Why guests love itDoubleTree by Hilton London is a 4-star hotel in downtown London, Ontario, and its indoor swimming pool is what a family will use most after a day in the city. Parents can take turns at the spa and wellness centre or the 24-hour fitness centre. Rooms look over the city or the forest, so it is worth asking for a forest view. Pets are welcome. With a 7.8 rating across 435 reviews, I would book it for a short family city break in London.
3.8Guest House on the Mount
Family-Friendly · 693 reviewsHilltop guest house with green spaces and shared kitchen facilities
Why guests love itFamilies on a budget will find space here more than polish. The hilltop setting above London has green lawns, gardens and walking paths where children can run, and some rooms include kitchenettes, while a shared kitchen helps with simple meals. Free Wi-Fi is included. Check the room type carefully, because some rooms share bathrooms, which is harder with small children. The 7.5 rating suggests modest expectations, but the setting is calm and green.
3.7Sandman Hotel & Suites London Downtown
Family-Friendly · 791 reviewsDowntown convenience with pet-friendly rooms and a gym
Why guests love itSandman Hotel & Suites London Downtown is a short walk from the London Convention Centre and the Grand Theatre, so families can reach downtown London, Ontario, without the car. Every room has a microwave, refrigerator and coffee maker, which helps with snacks and longer stays, and a continental breakfast is served. WiFi is free, there is a gym on site, and pets are welcome. A guest score of 7.3 from 791 reviews suggests practical, unremarkable comfort.
3.6London Travel Inn
Family-Friendly · 144 reviewsPet-friendly comfort with a gym and free Wi-Fi just outside downtown
Why guests love itFamily rooms are available at the London Travel Inn, just outside downtown London, Ontario, and each room has a microwave and a refrigerator, which I find useful for simple meals with children. In-room Wi-Fi is free, there is a gym, and pets are accepted. The 7.2 rating from 144 reviews signals a basic stay, so I would see it as a budget base for a short visit rather than a place to spend time.
3.6Ramada by Wyndham London
Family-Friendly · 939 reviewsIndoor pool, on-site dining, and family-friendly comfort near Highway 401
Why guests love itRamada by Wyndham London sits off Highway 401, about 8 km from central London, Ontario, which makes it an easy stop for families driving across the province. The indoor pool is the main attraction for children, and the on-site restaurant saves a search for dinner after a long day in the car. Parents can use the spa and wellness facilities, and WiFi is free. A guest score of 7.1 from 939 reviews suggests comfort that is adequate rather than standout.
Local tips
- 1Check whether your hotel has a pool before promising one to the children, since the Spencer Hotel and some downtown options do not list one.
- 2Visit Storybook Gardens in Springbank Park in summer, and check its winter schedule, when the park offers a skating trail instead of the splash pad.
- 3Ask for a suite with a kitchenette if you stay more than two nights, which saves money and makes meals easier with young children.
- 4Use the Thames Valley Parkway trails for a family bike ride or a stroller walk, as they link many of the city's riverside parks.
- 5Book early around Western University move-in and graduation weekends, when hotels close to campus and downtown fill quickly.
- 6Choose a hotel near Highway 401 if London is a stop on a longer drive, so you avoid crossing the city twice with tired children.