The magic of Mary Poppins knows no bounds. Having again captured the imagination of generations in the release of the iconic film’s sequel, the character has also inspired The Kensington to launch a family package complete with a ‘suite nanny’.
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It’s luxury for London visitors (including those on business trips with the family in tow), or locals craving a staycation with adult-only elements, like my frazzled husband and I. And it proved to be a city-break our son basked in too.
Our suite at the Victorian townhouse hotel felt like an expensive city apartment, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the emblematic white brick façade of beautiful Kensington. The nanny, from the UK’s leading nanny agency Imperial Nannies, arrived complete with a giant carpetbag of shiny toys all perfectly age-appropriate. From Duplo sets to Water Magic colouring books and farm animal puzzles, this two-year-old was in his element.
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With a cluster of iconic museums within a stone’s throw, further entertainment – and inquisition – took place at the renowned Science Museum, while my husband and I enjoyed the mother of all afternoon teas at the hotel’s Town House restaurant.
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Taking inspiration from recognisable landmarks, the exceptional afternoon tea is a celebration of the capital in every way, from the London Eye-shaped stand to the delicacies presented in the forms of The Shard, Big Ben, The Gerkin, and a traditional telephone box. Washed down with a cuppa – and a cocktail – we gorged on the lot. (A spoonful of) sugar tastes even sweeter when you’re not trying to conceal it from an eagle-eyed toddler.
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The full package includes a nanny for 12 hours per day, though we chose to relieve ours in time for our son’s bath time. We were met with all kinds of supercali(etc) enthusiasm about the day’s activities from them both. Satisfied with our fix of adult-only downtime, we made a pact to do a dinosaur tour of the Natural History Museum as a family the following morning.
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In place of a regular cot bed, a play circus tent cocooning a mini mattress had been erected in our room – to much delight. Bedtime became infinitely more pleasing (for us all), and one we’ll never forget.
Not only is The Kensington’s ‘Suite Nannies’ family package a lovely idea, it is an excellently executed one. In our experience it was “practically perfect in every way” – much like Mary Poppins herself.
The ‘Suite Nannies’ package includes three nights in either The Kensington (from £7,500) or The Knightsbridge and The Brompton Suites (from £5,500), an Imperial Nanny for 12 hours per day, excursions for the children, one afternoon tea for four and one bottle of Perrier Jouet’s Belle Epoque Blanc De Blancs champagne with small plates at K Bar. Visit doylecollection.com.
From: Harper’s BAZAAR UK
