Marriott vs Hilton: Best London Hotels for Families in 2025

Choosing between Marriott and Hilton for a family trip to London is one of the most common decisions parents face when planning a stay in the capital. Both chains operate dozens of properties across London, from luxury flagships to practical mid-range hotels — but which is better for families?

We've compared Marriott and Hilton across the categories that matter most to families: room quality, location, children's amenities, loyalty programmes, and access to professional babysitting services.

London Portfolio: Range of Properties

Marriott in London

Marriott International operates over 30 hotels in London under brands including JW Marriott, The Westin, Autograph Collection, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Sheraton, and W Hotels. Standout family properties include JW Marriott Grosvenor House on Park Lane, The Westin London City near St Paul's, and London Marriott County Hall overlooking the London Eye.

Hilton in London

Hilton operates around 25 London hotels including Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree, Canopy, and Curio Collection. Top family choices include The Waldorf Hilton in Covent Garden, Conrad London St James near Buckingham Palace, and Hilton London Bankside by the Tate Modern.

Verdict: Marriott has a slightly larger London portfolio with more mid-range and luxury options. Hilton's properties tend to be in more diverse neighbourhoods, giving families more choice of area.

Family Rooms & Suites

Marriott

Marriott's London hotels generally offer interconnecting rooms, and properties like JW Marriott Grosvenor House have spacious suites ideal for families. Cots and rollaway beds are available on request at most properties. The Westin brand is particularly strong on family wellness with their 'Westin Family' programme.

Hilton

Hilton's family rooms vary by property. The Waldorf Hilton and London Hilton on Park Lane offer interconnecting rooms, while DoubleTree properties tend to have larger standard rooms at lower price points. Conrad suites are among the most spacious in London for families wanting luxury space.

Verdict: Both chains offer good family room options. Marriott edges ahead at the luxury end with JW Marriott suites, while Hilton's DoubleTree brand offers better value for families on a budget.

Children's Amenities

Marriott

• Kids' menus at most hotel restaurants
• Westin Family programme with activity lending
• Welcome amenities for children at premium brands
• Pools at select properties (The Westin, Sheraton)

Hilton

• DoubleTree's famous warm cookie at check-in — always a hit with children
• Kids' menus and highchairs widely available
• Hilton London Metropole has dedicated family facilities
• Kimpton (if we extend to broader Hilton family) welcomes pets too

Verdict: A tie. Marriott's Westin programme is excellent for active families, while Hilton's DoubleTree cookie is a small touch that children genuinely love.

Locations for Families

Best Marriott Locations for Families

• County Hall — right beside the London Eye and the South Bank
• Grosvenor House — overlooking Hyde Park with playgrounds nearby
• The Westin London City — near St Paul's and the Millennium Bridge

Best Hilton Locations for Families

• The Waldorf Hilton — Covent Garden, perfect for theatre and street entertainment
• Hilton London Bankside — Tate Modern, Borough Market, and the Globe Theatre
• Hilton London Paddington — connected to Paddington Station, near Hyde Park

Verdict: Both chains have properties in excellent family areas. Marriott's County Hall location is unbeatable for South Bank access, while Hilton's Waldorf is perfect for West End entertainment.

Loyalty Programmes

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy is the world's largest hotel loyalty programme. Families earn points on every stay, and elite members get late checkout (invaluable with children), room upgrades, and lounge access at many properties.

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors offers a generous points system with frequent promotions. Gold and Diamond members get room upgrades, late checkout, and complimentary breakfast at many properties — breakfast alone can save a family of four £50+ per day.

Verdict: Hilton Honors is slightly more generous for families thanks to complimentary breakfast for elite members. Marriott Bonvoy has more properties worldwide for earning and redeeming points.

Babysitting Services at Marriott vs Hilton

This is where the choice of hotel matters less than the choice of babysitting provider. Stays provides professional, DBS-checked babysitters at every Marriott and Hilton property in London.

Whether you're at JW Marriott Grosvenor House or The Waldorf Hilton, our sitters provide the same exceptional standard of care:

• Enhanced DBS background checks
• Face-to-face interviews and reference verification
• First-aid certified
• Fully insured
• Hotel-specialist experience

We also provide pet sitting and elderly care at both Marriott and Hilton hotels — making us the only provider you need regardless of which chain you choose.

Our Recommendation

Both Marriott and Hilton are excellent choices for families in London. Choose Marriott if you want the largest selection of properties and a globally recognised loyalty programme. Choose Hilton if you value breakfast perks, neighbourhood diversity, and the warm DoubleTree welcome.

Whichever you choose, book a Stays babysitter and enjoy your London evenings knowing your children are in trusted, professional hands.

Explore our dedicated pages: Marriott Hotels London | Hilton Hotels London