A morning meeting dinosaurs, an afternoon exploring a royal palace and an evening gathered around the dinner table: London has all the ingredients for a family holiday that feels far removed from the everyday. The secret is finding the right place to stay. Having opened this summer, Hyatt Regency London Olympia makes a compelling case for heading west this half-term, pairing contemporary comfort and striking architecture with access to some of the capital’s most rewarding family days out. From the autumnal paths of Holland Park to the extraordinary museums of South Kensington, there is enough nearby to fill several days with discovery—and every reason to leave room for a leisurely breakfast.
The 204-room hotel forms part of Olympia’s £1.3 billion transformation into a destination for culture, dining, entertainment and business. Its summer arrival brings a fresh perspective to a neighbourhood where grand exhibition halls, residential streets and some of London’s finest green spaces sit within easy reach of one another. For families planning an October escape, it is perfectly placed for a staycation that balances busy days with somewhere comfortable to retreat afterwards.
A London Landmark with a New Lease of Life
The hotel occupies Emberton House, which originally opened in 1937 as one of Europe’s largest multi-storey car parks. Its transformation, within the Olympia redevelopment co-designed by Heatherwick Studio and SPPARC, gives this industrial landmark an entirely new purpose.
Inside, London design studio twenty2degrees has drawn on the building’s early 20th-century character, introducing Art Deco influences through contrasting metalwork, figured marble and a palette of grey and deep green. The result is a setting with a strong connection to its surroundings.
There are stories woven into the details, too. Corridor artwork reinterprets Eadweard Muybridge’s pioneering studies of movement, acknowledging Olympia’s inaugural Hippodrome Circus. In the guestrooms, framed visual codes reference the venue’s connections to computing and the musicians who have performed here, including Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and The Chemical Brothers.
For inquisitive younger guests, even the journey from reception to their room offers something to ask about.
Space to Settle In
Across 14 categories, the guestrooms and suites combine contemporary styling with practical layouts. Separate “Work and Play” and “Groom and Prep” zones help organise the space, while sliding glass doors and thoughtful amenities lend the rooms an easy, functional feel.
Families have a dedicated Family Room category to consider, alongside suites offering additional living space. It is worth discussing the most suitable configuration with the hotel when booking, particularly when travelling with children of different ages. Digital keys, complimentary internet access and in-room Chromecast add everyday convenience.
The appeal of a family city break often rests on these quieter moments: somewhere to regroup after a museum visit, put tired feet up and decide whether the afternoon calls for another adventure or a little downtime.
Breakfasts, Leisurely Lunches and an Easy Evening Return
The hotel’s dining options suit the changing pace of a family holiday. The 1937 Lounge & Bar provides coffee, light bites and cocktails, making it a natural meeting point before heading out or somewhere to pause on returning. The Market offers food and drinks to take away when everyone is keen to get moving.
Adjacent to the hotel, Idalia occupies the magnificent Grade II* listed Pillar Hall. Serving breakfast through to dinner, the restaurant brings modern British cooking into one of Olympia’s most distinctive historic spaces. Resident guests take breakfast here, giving the day a rather grand beginning.
Led by chefs Samantha Williams and Lorena Tommasi, its culinary approach draws on European and Asian influences alongside British traditions. Having an all-day restaurant close at hand is especially appealing after an afternoon of sightseeing, when the prospect of another journey may be less welcome than a good dinner.
Holland Park: Autumn Walks and Outdoor Adventures
One of the loveliest nearby escapes is Holland Park, where woodland paths and formal gardens offer a welcome change of pace. Its 54 acres make it an excellent place to stretch a short outing into an unhurried morning, with time to explore, pause at the café and enjoy the autumn colours.
The Kyoto Garden is a particular highlight. This Japanese garden introduces a different atmosphere within the park, inviting families to slow down and look closely at their surroundings. It pairs beautifully with a more energetic visit to the adventure playground, which caters for children aged five to 14.
Families with younger children should note that the separate under-fives play area is closed for refurbishment until the end of November 2026. The wider park remains a rewarding destination for an autumn wander.
The Design Museum: Big Ideas for Curious Minds
Close to Holland Park, the Design Museum makes an excellent companion visit, particularly for children who enjoy drawing, building or asking how things work.
Its free permanent display, Designer Maker User, explores the relationships between the people who create objects, those who manufacture them and those who use them. It encourages visitors to look again at familiar things and consider the decisions behind their appearance and function.
The museum’s free Explorer Trail adds looking, thinking and drawing activities, giving younger visitors a way into the collection. It is an engaging choice for a mixed-age family group, with plenty for adults to enjoy alongside their children.
Leighton House: A Smaller Museum with Extraordinary Interiors
For an alternative to the capital’s larger museums, nearby Leighton House offers a more intimate cultural outing. The former home and studio of Victorian artist Frederic Leighton is celebrated for its lavish interiors, including the remarkable Arab Hall.
This is a particularly appealing stop for older children interested in art, architecture and decorative detail. A family trail helps guide the visit, while the building itself encourages a different kind of looking: upwards, around corners and into spaces where the setting is as memorable as the objects on display. Pair it with Holland Park for a day that combines art and fresh air.
Kensington Palace and Gardens: Royal Stories and Imaginative Play
Further east, Kensington Palace offers the chance to explore royal history in the rooms where it unfolded. The King’s State Apartments introduce the grandeur of Georgian court life, while Victoria: A Royal Childhood tells the story of the young princess in the palace where she was born and raised.
For children, that connection to a real childhood can make history feel more immediate. Rather than working through every room at speed, allow time for questions and the details that capture their attention. Historic Royal Palaces recommends around two to three hours for a visit.
Outside, Kensington Gardens offers room to roam. The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground reopened in August 2026 following a £3 million renewal, with a new play galleon and improvements to accessibility. Inspired by Peter Pan, it provides a wonderfully imaginative counterpoint to the palace interiors.
For a more leisurely interlude, the Orangery serves lunch and afternoon tea, and can be visited without a palace admission ticket.
South Kensington: Dinosaurs, Discoveries and Hands-On Science
A little further afield, South Kensington’s museums deserve a substantial place in any family itinerary. Plan a dedicated outing by bus or taxi, rather than treating them as a quick stop between nearby walks.
At the Natural History Museum, the Dinosaurs Gallery remains an irresistible draw, with fossils and an animatronic T. rex bringing prehistoric life into focus. Hope, the blue whale skeleton suspended in Hintze Hall, provides another extraordinary encounter, while the museum’s gardens offer the chance to meet Fern the Diplodocus.
There is plenty beyond the headline attractions, too. Minerals, meteorites and fossil marine reptiles allow families to follow their own interests. Choosing a handful of priorities is often more rewarding than attempting to see everything in one visit.
Nearby, the Science Museum is ideal for children who learn through experimentation. Its ticketed Wonderlab gallery, recommended for ages seven to 14, features 50 interactive exhibits alongside demonstrations and live science shows.
This October half-term, two new shows explore motion and light, offering another reason to build Wonderlab into the itinerary. General museum admission is free, but Wonderlab requires a separate paid ticket; booking ahead is advisable during the school holidays.
The V&A adds another option for creative families. Its Explore as a Family digital trail introduces objects ranging from an emperor’s throne to dragons, plaster casts and wigs, turning a visit into a journey through materials, imagination and craftsmanship. It is a useful choice when different generations want to explore together.
A Half-Term Escape at your own Pace
The pleasure of staying in this part of London is the freedom to vary the rhythm. Spend one day close to the hotel, combining Holland Park with the Design Museum or Leighton House. Dedicate another to the dinosaurs and discoveries of South Kensington. Leave a third for Kensington Palace, a playground visit and a leisurely lunch.
Check attraction opening days and reserve ticketed experiences before travelling, then leave space between them. The best family holidays often include an unexpected detour, a second visit to a favourite gallery or an afternoon that happily goes no further than the park.
Having opened in the summer, Hyatt Regency London Olympia enters its first autumn with an appealing proposition: a fresh place to stay in a part of the capital rich with things to discover. For a family half-term staycation, it offers the promise of days filled with adventure and the comfort of knowing that a welcoming room is waiting at the end of them.
Book at Hyatt Regency London Olympia.
7 Olympia Way, London W14 0EY
