The Goodenough Hotel London – A Favorite for Families in London

The hotel is owned by Goodenough College, and 100% of its profits fund the postgraduate residence and academic community for students on low incomes. Guests have access to the college's private garden square with a children's playground and tennis court, a rare find in central London. An honesty bar in the lounge offers self-service drinks and snacks, while the college's chapel and shared lounge areas are open to hotel guests.

The 65 rooms are spread across five restored 19th-century Georgian townhouses, each with period wood paneling and decor tied to the building's historic date. Room types include Superior King with Garden View, Family Room with Courtyard View, and Single Room with Garden View, some featuring separate shower rooms and connecting fire doors. All rooms come with Molton Brown toiletries, a safe, ironing board, and a fridge, though the heritage building has no elevator or air conditioning.

Breakfast is served each morning in the Great Hall of Goodenough College across the square, a wood-paneled hall reminiscent of a Hogwarts dining room with community-style seating. The full English breakfast includes traditional and continental options, with plentiful hot and cold food. For other meals, the college's Freddie's café offers reasonably priced lunches and dinners, and the hotel's honesty bar provides wine and champagne.

The hotel sits on Mecklenburgh Square in Bloomsbury, a quiet street ending at the hotel that reduces traffic noise. Russell Square tube station is a 7-minute walk away, and Kings Cross/St Pancras International is 10-12 minutes on foot. The British Museum, British Library, and Charles Dickens Museum are all within a 15-minute walk, and the West End theatres are a 30-minute stroll.

Children have access to the college's private playground and picnic area in the garden square, as well as board games and a kid-friendly buffet during breakfast. The hotel offers family rooms with sofa beds, and the staff can arrange luggage storage, flexible check-in, and local recommendations. Guided walks of the Bloomsbury area are available to guests, and the 24-hour front desk provides concierge and private check-in/check-out services.

Cause: 100% of profits fund Goodenough College postgraduate students

Dining: Breakfast in the wood-panelled Great Hall

Location: Quiet Bloomsbury square near British Museum

Rooms: 65 rooms in five Georgian townhouses

Garden: Private garden square with playground & tennis court

Staff: 24-hour front desk with concierge & guided walks