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Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Kmart find transforms caravan's family's kitchen for $10: 'We don't have drawers'
When Kat and her hubby, Stuart Sobczyk, took to the road in their campervan two and a half years ago, one thing quickly became very obvious. With three little kids, organisation was key. 'You're in a small space which has to work efficiently,' Sobczyk, 41, told Yahoo Lifestyle. 'You need order, and everything has to be stable and stay in place for off-road travel.' It's something she discovered other families were interested in learning about, and, alongside their journey around Australia, she started sharing her tricks and tips on Instagram. Perhaps one of the most "controversial" decisions they have made for their home on wheels is not to have drawers. Yep, you read that correctly. The Sobczyks have learnt that drawers add weight to their van and, instead of eight drawers, the kitchen space can be better utilised with shelves and cupboards. 'We chose not to have instead have opted for a few random storage solutions,' Sobczyk told her followers in a recent post in a popular caravanning group. One of the best things about Kat's storage solutions is that while they are perfect for fellow caravan owners, many of them can also be used in brick and mortar homes or by anyone who is craving a little more organisation and less clutter in their lives. Kat tells us that many of the products she uses to streamline her space come from Kmart and Bunnings, with a few other, more obscure brands also thrown into the mix. RELATED: Kmart shoppers praise 'brilliant' kitchen storage idea using unlikely $9 item Caravan owners' $5 Kmart hack for storage problem on the road: 'Never had any issues' $5.50 Kmart item professional organiser swears by for caravans: 'These are ideal' Take, for example, one of her favourite items: Kmart's $10 turntable, which allows her to have all the pantry bits they use regularly easily accessible and not stuffed at the back of a cupboard. She also uses Kmart's clear storage boxes, which make it easy to pull out items on a top shelf and see, at a glance, what she has. Another Kmart favourite is the $14 collapsible laundry basket - perfect for slotting in somewhere instead of needing an entire shelf for it. Herbs and spices take up a lot of space in a van (and can also take up their fair share of space in regular homes, too), but it's something Sobczyk can't live without, so she's had to find somewhere to store them that works. 'We love to cook and we take our spices everywhere,' Sobczyk tells us. Her spice storage always provokes lots of questions from her followers because instead of chucking them in a cupboard, they are mounted on the door of one. 'The spice racks are from eBay, about $12 for a set. They come with stickers but with the heat they un-peal which would be a spicy fail so we use tiny screws to mount them,' she says, adding that she also uses labels from Pretty Little Designs - making the area look straight out of a catalogue rather than a caravan. 'I love, love, love how you style and create these great storage spaces! Thanks for sharing,' read one comment on Sobczyk's recent pantry post alongside many followers asking for details of where to buy. Jokingly describing 'Kmart as life', Sobczyk's biggest tip for organising a caravan is to go to Kmart and buy up big. 'Buy all the things and then return what you don't need,' she said. 'It's too hard to go with 30,000 measurements for all the different spaces. Get what you think will fit, and if it doesn't, take it back,' she said. Some of her biggest Kmart storage hits have been shelves and shelving units, which she's added her own touch to with a different colour paint or by trimming them to size. 'We want things off the benches as space there is a premium,' she said, explaining why the extra shelves are useful. 'We hook things up for a week to see if they work and then mount them [properly]. Sobczyk has the $13 Kmart shelf in her lounge area and various other rattan shelves from Kmart, which she has customised. 'It's our home, our space,' she added. It has to look good as well as being practical. Since they started their adventures, the family have had three different vans and each time she's learnt something that she's changed in the next one. 'In our first van we had a cupboard we fitted out with [$14] metal baskets from Bunnings for the kids clothes,' Sobczyk said, 'The kids were three and four then and they couldn't read so I got pictures to go on the baskets so they could put things away themselves. It's important they can be independent.' That's changed now, and she has replaced the wire baskets in their new van with shelves and a lighter wicker basket from Adairs as a space saver. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stu ☀️ Kat ☀️ + 3 (@retreating_into_the_sunshine) There are certain things Sobczyk couldn't find in Kmart, but another, less well-known brand has come up with the goods. Drop Bear Storage is Sobczyk's go-to for storage pockets, which she has attached around the kids' beds and on the back of cupboards, customising them with hooks to hang handy items like hats and sand brushes from. SHOP: 🦥 Boody's new range in sizes S to XL are 'the softest sets you'll ever wear': 'Comfy and chic' ✈️ New Qantas points hack hailed 'smart way to shop': 'Up to 30 per cent off' 🤫 Secret feature of Aussie brand's new undies labelled a 'total game changer' for women 'The kids put their school work, readers and sight words in there,' she said. Of course, Sobczyk confesses that sometimes things don't work and her van doesn't always look as neat and beautiful as in the photos. 'If it doesn't work, I'll post about that too,' she said. 'We live and learn and have a laugh. It's all part of the journey.'
The Independent
23-05-2025
- The Independent
Why a weekend in medieval Rye is the perfect British seaside escape
Is there anywhere more charming than the British seaside in early summer? When the weather plays ball, there's little need to hop on a plane to the Med. The milky blue of the English Channel backed by pebble beaches – perfect if you don't fancy returning home with pockets weighed down by sand – and the faded grandeur of the south coast's Victorian townhouses and perky piers. Rye is one such Medieval town set a couple of hours' drive from London, or just over an hour by train from London St Pancras or Stratford International. Different to Hastings, St Leonards, Brighton or Eastbourne, in that it's not set directly beside the sea; rather, sea adjacent. A vast nature Reserve divides it from sandy Camber and eerie but beautiful Dungeness, and yet it's home to all the things you might need to make a great day trip or overnight stay. A fish & chip shop, ice cream parlour, several great pubs, a couple of gorgeous pubs with rooms, local cafés, antiques shops and trendy boutiques. We opted to drive so we could cram in my daughter's scooter, pram and all the healthy snacks she undoubtedly wouldn't touch, and the car we rented from Turo, the world's largest car sharing marketplace, was delivered personally by the owner – a 2019 Land Rover Discovery Sport – was impeccable and plenty roomy enough for our family of three. Car hire prices in London – especially over peak bank holiday weekends such as the one ahead of us – can go stratospheric, and Turo was comparable to other sites we scanned, but with a better vehicle selection. The fact it was delivered to our door, saving us the hassle of an extra journey to collect it, sealed the deal. Within two hours, we arrived in Rye and made a beeline for our base for the night, the George in Rye. Owned by Alex and Katie Clarke, a husband and wife team with a great eye for design. Katie has a background in film set design, evidenced by her choice of unique wallpaper ('either William Morris or sourced in France'), antiques ('I adore hunting them down') and curios ('I've a thing for quirky lamps'). Each room is individually designed and, while colourful, offers a calm and elegant space to bed down for the night. The George has always been an important meeting point in the town, and today its convivial pub maintains this feeling, while the restaurant offers an elevated space to enjoy a confident menu of gastro-pub classics and inventive cocktails. From The George, turn right or left along the narrow High Street and you'll find independent boutiques, restaurants, cafés, art galleries and even a couple of wine bars, and at the bottom of the hill are a row of antiques emporiums. Happily, many of the streets in Rye are cobbled and historic, with Mermaid Street – dating from 1891 and stuffed full of Tudor buildings – being the most Instagrammed of the lot, along with Conduit Hill, Pump Street by the castle and West Street. The best things to do in Rye Peruse antique shops and markets Antiques shopping is one of the highlights of a visit to Rye. Strand Key Antiques, Halcyon Days and Wishbar Antiques are huddled together, while on Sundays, Rye Emprium is a vast brocante held March through September, 8-2pm. Visit Rye Castle Fun for all the family, Rye Castle and its Ypres Tower date to the 13th century. You can climb the tower for far-reaching views, gander at the museum's collection, or let the little ones play dress up in the costume department. Visit an art gallery There are plenty to choose from. Try Mccully & Crane for vintage and antique collectables and object d'art, Roche Gallery for classical and still life paintings, Rye Art Gallery for exhibitions from local and international artists and Ethel Loves Me, which sells original pieces from local artists, artisans and craftspeople. Go shopping Rae is a boutique that wouldn't look out of place in London, with a Marzano coffee machine doling out the flat whites and a well-curated selection of homewares, gifts and tableware. Sailors of Rye is a wonderful concept store, Colette Rye offers sustainable and ethically-made clothes for women. Head to the Nature Reserve Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is set between marshland and the sea and is home to more than 4,355 species of plants and animals, including an impressive 300 that are rare or endangered. Birds are the big ticket item, so look out for Ringed Plover, Avocet, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Lapwing, and Wheatear while you stroll or cycle the network of pathways. Where to eat in Rye Brunch at The Fig This lively, compact eaterie gets packed at the weekend, and the brunch is legendary. Fresh and healthy ingredients sourced as locally as possible are made into dishes like shakshuka, roasted tomatoes and whipped feta or sweetcorn fritters with chorizo. There's also great coffee by andbloss and smoothies and juices. Have tea and cake at Apothecary House The town is peppered with cafés, but this one is set inside an old apothecary, where old medicine bottles line the shelves and the higgledy piggledy layout lends the space a vintage charm. Order a slab of homemade lemon drizzle cake and a pot of tea and perch in the window to watch the world go by. Order a hot chocolate at Knoops Hot chocolate specialist Knoops has stores accross the UK but the story began in 2013 in Rye. The menu has more than 20 different per cent chocolates available as hot chocolates and six are available as iced chocolates and milkshakes. Sunday lunch at The George in Rye Hands down the best roast in Rye, but also a stellar choice for a dinner of elevated pub classics with a Basque, cooked-over-coals vibe, The George's restaurant is an elegant setting in which to enjoy a meal. Book ahead. The best bars and pubs in Rye Visit a local winery Owing to those chalky dliffs in nearby Dover, the area's soil is perfect for growing chardonnay, meunier and pinot noir, otherwise known as champagne's holy trinity of grapes. For the Kent version, head to the highlighly regarded Chapel Down in nearby Tenterden, or, to see how Kent winemakers are experimenting with unlikely grapes and blends, Oxney Organic and trendy Tillingham are on Rye's doorstep. Have a pint in a beer garden There are 15 pubs in and around Rye to choose from – that's the most per capita in the county. Ypres and The Old Bell have lovely outside courtyard space, and at weekends Ypres has a lively atmosphere with occasional bands playing on the terrace. The Standard is known for its food, along with The George in Rye and, closer to Camber Sands, The Gallivant. The best beaches near Rye Dungeness Dungeness is an odd place. It feels a little like Middle America when you're driving along the narrow road that weaves through the flat, featureless salt marsh towards the lighthouse. The single-story clapboard houses painted black look almost Nordic and as if plonked wherever their owners fancied. Very few have direct neighbours. Sitting incongruously on the pebble beach near the lighthouse is an enormous nuclear power station, the first Advanced Gas-cooled reactor to begin construction in the UK, which has become a symbol of the area. Camber Sands One of the only sandy beaches on the south coast, Camber Sands has a classic holiday village vibe, but the beach itself is expansive, so it rarely feels too crowded. Lay out a towel in front of the dunes or take a dip when the tide is in. Emilee Tombs was a guest of The George in Rye, which has rooms from £125 per night, and Turo, the world's leading car-sharing marketplace.
Times
23-05-2025
- Times
22 of the best Airbnbs in London
In a big, dense city like London, it's worth stepping out of the hotel scene and living like a local, courtesy of a fabulous apartment rental. Not only will you find more spacious and unique living quarters using the likes of Airbnb, Vrbo and Plum Guide, you'll also be able to save money by self-catering; gather bespoke local tips from the property's owners; and be closer to relaxed, authentic dining scenes. It's a great way to absorb plenty of distinctive London character, too, via nearby food markets, galleries, street art or indie boutiques. Whether you're after a snug pied-à-terre for two in the centre of town or a group-sized house in a leafy residential area, here are some of the best real Londoners' homes available to borrow — including the striking interiors of an architect's passion project and classically lavish townhouses in Chelsea or Notting Hill. These are some of the best Airbnbs in London, plus other luxury rentals. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue £££ | Sleeps 10 For a family reunion or group getaway, areas like Fulham, Notting Hill and Islington are stacked with clan-sized townhouses, often with gardens and huge dining tables to gather around. Along one of Notting Hill's much-photographed rows of pastel townhouses, this home sleeps up to ten people across four bedrooms and a double sofabed. It's beautifully light and bright with neutral, creamy walls but plenty of character across skylights, period fireplaces and a fairy-lit roof terrace. You'll find it a few steps from Portobello Road, which buzzes with antiques vendors and Sunday lunchers at weekends; it also comes with a range of baby and toddler amenities such as a travel cot and high chair. • Discover our full guide to London ££ | Sleeps 4 Climb a narrow, winding staircase to reach this one-bedroom apartment in WC1, a sunny space overhauled by Hollie Bowden, an interior designer who has styled homes for clientele including FKA Twigs. The space, which sleeps four, unfolds over the fifth and sixth floors of a Victorian townhouse, off Seven Dials in the West End. Bowden's design nods to retro-futurist and art deco movements, with vintage pieces including a 1970s De Sede sofabed and a pair of Mario Bellini's Amanta armchairs in the living room, which has a pull-down projector screen. The buttermilk-yellow kitchen is kitted out with dining chairs by Shiro Kuramata arranged around the aluminium-rosewood dining table. Erotic photos by Ren Hang add a sexy touch. Up on the mezzanine level the sleeping area can be hidden with veneer-clad sliding panels, while rooftop views from a private terrace are as central London as it gets. For breakfast, grab pear and turmeric porridge from 26 Grains or doughnuts from St John Bakery in Neal's Yard. Close by, Parsons restaurant is Bowden's fave, an unassuming fish place. ££ | Sleeps 4 Anyone who's binge-watched Ted Lasso in recent years knows that Richmond-upon-Thames is the place to be, with a swish riverside scene, cobbled streets and expansive green spaces to explore. For a bit of city-meets-countryside, book Finest Retreats Hill Rise, a stylish two-bedroom apartment with distinctive, peppy decor including Spanish-style tiling, welly-green feature walls and London-inspired art. On your doorstep are the deer-stalked Richmond Park, Kew Gardens and the stately Ham House; back at home, a comfy living area awaits for movie nights and a spacious kitchen for food prep. It's pet-friendly, too, so make the most of those riverside walks.££ | Sleeps 2 Home to an artist couple, this old workshop space sleeping two just off the main strip in the trendy-but-gritty southeast London area of Deptford has been transformed by the Dutch architect Julius Taminiau with a fluid combination of sliding doors and walls. It's all oak plywood, lime plaster and steel-framed windows, plus an indoor patio with a skylight to make up for the lack of garden. London Bridge is a seven-minute train ride away, Blackheath and Greenwich Park are close. In Deptford, eat banh xeo (Vietnamese pancakes) at Eat Vietnam Bar-B-Grill or divine bowls of pasta at Marcella. Staying in? The flat has a piano and a projector for film nights.££ | Sleeps 2 With the glimmering Shard and endless feasts inside Borough Market, SE1 is a sought-after postcode — and this one-bed stay in the area, a red-brick artist's loft, looks like a work of art at every turn. Bohemian antique furniture, factory-style windows, copper kitchenware and a freestanding bathtub combine to create the ultimate starving-artist-luxe aesthetic. The photographer owner, Natalie, can organise local experiences from cooking courses to massages or acupuncture; and it's a short stroll to London gems Tate Modern, the Bridge Theatre and Shakespeare's Globe. • Great boutique hotels in London• Best places for afternoon tea in London ££ | Sleeps 3 On a tree-lined street in a village-like neighbourhood in north London once home to Samuel Pepys, Daniel Defoe and Mary Wollstonecraft, this airy pad for three is a super base for a laid-back weekend of flânerie in Islington and east London. The decor of this dog-friendly apartment has a Seventies flavour, featuring a bioethanol floating chrome fireplace, a low-slung bouclé sofa big enough for six and doors opening to the dining terrace. • More dog-friendly Airbnbs in the UK £££ | Sleeps 6 We like a Londoner who's not afraid of a splash of colour — and the owners of this pad, called the Peacock Room, absolutely love the stuff, with sofas, rugs and paintings making up a rainbow of crayon shades from sky blue to scarlet and apple green. The backdrop is gallery-style high ceilings, a mezzanine level and pared-back wooden flooring, with bright objets d'art and poster prints drawing the eye to every height. A huge living room has plenty of seating for nights in, while three bedrooms sleep up to six guests in four beds. It's in the heart of Chelsea, so King's Road shopping and great restaurants, such as Rabbit and Polpo in Chelsea, await. • Best luxury hotels in London• Best family hotels in London ££ | Sleeps 2 There's an airy aesthetic to this chic parquet-floored bolt hole for two in W11, designed by the Polish-born founder of the interiors firm Ola Jachymiak Studio. The cleverly configured 50 sq m space lies less than five minutes' walk from Portobello Road, on the same street as the blue-doored home of William Thacker (Hugh Grant) in the 1999 film Notting Hill. A pair of white leather Marcel Breuer chairs sit beside the sash windows in the lounge/diner. The apartment's shower room is teeny but the garden-facing bedroom provides mellow respite from the action of nearby Ladbroke Grove.££ | Sleeps 2 Back to trendy east London and this high-ceilinged, airy converted warehouse, just minutes away from the cutting-edge cocktail bars of Shoreditch. A one-bed made for two guests, it has a spacious living area with a vaulted, barn-like roof, plus a cosier bedroom with the interiors trend of the moment — a Togo sofa. Tall industrial windows let in plenty of light, lush plants warm up the echoing spaces, and a safe, peaceful mews location means you're off the main partygoers' trail. A lovely bath tub adds a touch of pampering.££ | Sleeps 4 North London's Finsbury Park is rarely the choice of the city's rich and famous, but the owners of this light and modern two-bed have clearly poured money into it. A large, sun-flooded terrace takes centre stage, with plush outdoor furniture and plants for a sunny day's lazing, while inside a smart white apartment is set off by charcoal grey cabinets and navy blue throws. A hyper-modern kitchen is the place to whip up dinner for that terrace, while two bathrooms give groups and couples their own space (one with a lovely bath tub). • Best Airbnbs with pools in the UK £ | Sleeps 2 If you don't mind a bit of bustle outside your window, this pared-back pied-à-terre for two beside Rosebery Avenue has everything you need for a few nights: a kitchen/living room with a concrete-topped breakfast bar, a simply tiled bathroom and a double bed — all minimalist white. At 42 sq m the Bloomsbury flat is definitely dinky, but it's a prime jumping-off point for the gastronomic delights of nearby Exmouth Market. £££ | Sleeps 4 Set across a vast 120 sq m space with a mezzanine balcony, this industrial-chic Clerkenwell stay is a sight to be seen. Under nearly 7m-high vaulted ceilings, you'll find elegantly spaced designer furniture, from an L-shaped cream sofa to a polished wooden desk, with a jet-black modern kitchen at one end and two separate bedrooms, each sleeping two, at the other. Wooden beams give the huge space a friendly feel, and you'll have Egyptian cotton bedding, Aesop bath products and fluffy guest robes. This cool, residential neighbourhood has tons to entertain you, too, from markets to museums. • Best rooftop bars in London• Best brunches in London£££ | Sleeps 4 Hampstead is where London's biggest and most established stars hang their hats, thanks to its expansive heath — perfect for walking dogs — and picture-perfect high street. Join the set in this New-York-inspired crash pad, all pastel hues and art deco touches. There's a projector for the full movie-night experience and a huge kitchen island to congregate at, not to mention a dreamy multi-level garden where you can pretend you're in the countryside. Groups of four will enjoy the rare urban treat of an end-of-garden guest house adding a second bedroom, kitchen and bathroom.£££ | Sleeps 4 Tucked away in exclusive Knightsbridge — of Harrods, Harvey Nichols and a thousand afternoon teas — two-bedroom apartment the Grand Chorus is the last word in luxury. With smooth monochromes and polished woods accented with gold in a look reminiscent of a high-end fashion boutique, it has gorgeous mirrored wardrobes and all-white shelving units that make it feel spacious. Marbled showers and a huge, deep tub make freshening up a pleasure, while little luxuries such as an espresso machine and exercise area amp up the fabulousness.££ | Sleeps 4 There's a touch of Victorian nostalgia about Keystone Crescent, this pretty townhouse on an exclusive crescent in super-central King's Cross. The rococo mirrors, embroidered rugs and painted fireplaces are zhuzhed up by modern shades of sunshine yellow and candy pink on the walls (not to mention a powder-pink bath); bookworms will be delighted by overstuffed bookshelves and a petite, Mediterranean-feel terrace to read on. King's Cross is the neighbourhood to be in at the moment, with the buzzing food and social scene around Granary Square and canalside Coal Drops Yard.£££ | Sleeps 4 This curious, character-packed apartment in Cockspur Street has an interesting history: it was once the members' club at the Norwegian Embassy, as evidenced by its historic oak panelling, plump leather sofas and period fireplace. Modern furniture and art keep it from feeling like a museum, and its two bedrooms comfortably sleep four. It's perfect for first-timers exploring London, being two minutes away from West End theatres and Covent Garden restaurants.£££ | Sleeps 8 There's always something of a fantasy to an architect's home — it may be more sharply modern or coolly impractical than your real digs, but it's fun to play house for a while. Set over three floors in Queen's Park, north London, this spectacular find has four bedrooms sleeping up to eight, amid fabulous interiors designed by the architect host, Anna. Exposed brick walls, pine-clad ceilings, burnished gold surfaces and a secret-feeling walled terrace all seem straight out of an interiors magazine. Queen's Park isn't one of London's most central neighbourhoods, but you're only a short Tube ride away from the sights.£££ | Sleeps 8 For a flashier, more modern stay, try this grand design of a penthouse in buzzy Shoreditch. Atop one of the new-build towers in the area, this two-bedroom apartment has a hot tub, communal sauna and a TV, speakers and bar on its huge wooden-decked terrace. The 13th-floor living room, with twinkling views of the capital, is the place to entertain, while each bedroom has its own balcony. A Shoreditch location means some of the best dining and nightlife in the city on your doorstep.£££ | Sleeps 4 The views from this two-bedroom apartment, sleeping four, in Chelsea stretch out over the Thames and to the London Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park beyond. The handsomely proportioned space fits four comfortably with its pair of bathrooms and bedrooms furnished with double and king-size beds respectively, a proper kitchen/diner and an open-plan living room hung with gilded oil paintings. The Saatchi Gallery and King's Road are 15 minutes' walk away for plenty of posh culinary options — Michelin Guide-approved Medlar serves modern European fare, or for something more pocket-friendly, Phat Phuc noodle bar offers streaming bowls of pho or laksa. £££ | Sleeps 3 This two-bedroom maisonette off Campden Hill Road in Kensington is ten minutes' walk from Notting Hill Gate and Kensington High Street Tube stations. Designed by Studio Krokalia, it has a high-ceilinged open-plan reception room adorned with exquisite plasterwork, a pair of Ondrej Blaha Koala armchairs and a dining table designed by Matthew Hilton, and is available to rent via Three Degrees, a free subscription-based network offering short, medium and long-term lets. The principal bedroom is grand, separated from the en suite with an oak and glass dividing wall. Excellent culinary options on the doorstep include modern Palestinian fare at Akub. ££ | Sleeps 5 Wake up to the sounds of chuntering waterfowl outside your bedroom window on Big Boat, a wide-beamed barge sleeping five moored in Little Venice. The plywood-clad boat's Japandi-inspired interiors are by its set-designer owner, Sam Barbic, with a compact kitchen kitted out with Smeg appliances and a living area decorated in Bert & May encaustic tiles. This tranquil corner of west London sits at the junction of the Grand Union and Regent's canals, within a ten-minute walk of Paddington station, and close to Camden. You will need to embrace the quirks of life on the water — the bathroom has a walk-in wet room and compost toilet, heating is via a stove. Breakfast is provided and if you don't mind squeezing in there's room for five with a double sofabed and extra mattress. £ | Sleeps 2 In a grade II listed block built in 1899 overlooking Arnold Circus, this elegant apartment for two lies a short stroll from some of Shoreditch's best places to eat: Margot Henderson's dazzling Rochelle Canteen, Smoking Goat for spicy Thai fare and Michelin-starred Clove Club. Victorian geometric tiles in the hallway, a freestanding bathtub beside the window in the bedroom and a sleek stainless steel kitchen and wood-panelled living room bring the style. Hip shopping options line nearby Redchurch Street and Spitalfields, and Columbia Road (host of the famous Sunday flower market) is close by. • Best free things to do in London• Best Airbnbs in the UK
The Independent
13-05-2025
- The Independent
10 best family-friendy hotels in Paris that little ones (and adults) will love
Paris has so much to offer people of all ages. Many of the world-class museums have exhibitions and activities specifically geared to kids, there are oodles of workshops for creative families and activities like climbing the Eiffel Tower or taking a trip above the Parisian skyline in the Paris balloon keep everyone entertained. It needn't be stressful either. Plenty of Paris's hotels bend over backwards to accommodate all ages, with kids clubs, games, and last-minute babysitting services organised by the hotel concierge taking the strain off parents. From ultra-early check-ins and ultra-late check-outs, to rooms that can sleep families of six, to the hotels with the best swimming pools and facilities for kids, we've rounded up the best family-friendly hotels that the French capital has to offer, all while bearing in mind close and convenient transport links for tired little legs. Best budget-friendly hotels in Paris 2025 At a glance 1. 25 Hours Hotel Paris Terminus Nord hotel Right next to Gare du Nord, 25 Hours couldn't be more convenient for families arriving by Eurostar. The restaurant has a dedicated kids corner at weekends at their all-day restaurant, and a daily special children's menu. There are plenty of interconnecting rooms, and four-legged members of the family are welcomed as warmly as two-legged. Grown-ups will appreciate the stylish cocktail bar, but the appeal of the brightly-coloured rooms, with plenty of African and Asian influence in the design, is ageless. 2. Hôtel Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon Travelling as a family can be expensive, but family-orientated offers at the Novotel Paris Gare de Lyon makes it good value. Children up to 16 years old stay for free when they're sharing a family room with their parents, and get free breakfast to boot, or reserve a second room for the kids at 50 per cent off. There are plenty of activities for all ages, including a large swimming pool, table football and a kids play area with games consoles. Address: 2 Rue Hector Malot, 75012 Paris 3. Hotel Panache For a hotel of this size (just 40 rooms), there's plenty of choice for mixed age groups, including triple and family rooms, each one unique in design. At the heart of the Grands Boulevards, there's retail therapy for the adults while the kids benefit from all the complimentary perks at the hotel, including scooters and board games. A babysitting service can be booked through the hotel concierge, and it shows that the friendly staff are used to welcoming younger guests. Address: 1 Rue Geoffroy-Marie, 75009 Paris 4. Hotel Maison Mère Teenagers will love Maison Mère, where the decor is ridiculously cool (think multi-coloured sneakers displayed on bookshelves). There's a co-working space on site, guaranteeing an excellent wifi speed. Special packs are provided at check-in to younger members of the party, and there's a babysitting service that can be organised via the hotel concierge. The breakfast buffet is extremely generous, ample enough for even the hungriest teen, and adults can unwind in the evenings in the chic cocktail bar. 5. Hotel Adele et Jules A stylish boutique hotel which offers complimentary snacks and soft drinks daily at teatime. Many of the interconnecting rooms share private corridors to give extra space to families. The hotel gives welcome packs at check-in to younger guests, and their babysitting service can be arranged with as little as three hours' notice to work around last-minute plans. Le Grand Rex, the largest cinema in Europe, is just a five-minute walk away, as is the waxwork museum, Musée Grévin. 6. The Disneyland Hotel It goes without saying that all Disneyland hotels are extremely family-friendly, but nowhere creates magic quite like the Disneyland Hotel, which reopened after extensive renovations at the start of 2024. The rooms are all Disney-themed, children can meet their favourite characters (who wander around the hotel) and there are some really special extras on offer, such as a Disneyland 'makeovers' to transform your child into the Disney character of their choice. Plus, it's conveniently situated at the park entrance. 7. Shangri-La Paris hotel Look no further for high-end luxury with kids of all ages. The glitz of this 19th century palace would give Disneyland castles a run for their money, and many of the rooms have Eiffel Tower views. There's a large swimming pool and a gym for active families, and among the vast selection of room categories are interconnecting rooms and family suites. The location is exceptional, squarely between the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe (within easy walking distance from both). Address: 10 Av. d'Iéna, 75116 Paris 8. Hotel Piapia The kids room at Piapia is superior, stocked with tipis, table football, films, board games, art supplies, comics and more. It can be booked privately if your child is celebrating a birthday on your trip, whether you're an in-house guest or not, and catering (soft drinks, birthday tea and cake) can be organised directly through the hotel. There's an excellent selection of room categories, including triples, interconnecting and single rooms for families travelling with a teenager that likes their space. Address: 14 Rue des Maraîchers, 75020 Paris 9. Hotel Joke The rooms at Hotel Joke have been designed with kids in mind. All of the rooms are colourful, but it's the crocheted decorations that make it truly unique, with everything from crocheted racing cars to radios. Under 12s get free breakfast, and the generous check-in/check-out times are particularly welcome when sightseeing with children — you can check into your room at 3pm and check-out isn't until midday. The complimentary soft drinks from the minibar (restocked daily) are another nice touch. 10. Pullman Paris Centre-Bercy hotel The enormous swimming pool is the big selling point at the Pullman, and it even has dedicated family time slots, where you don't need to worry about the kids being noisy. The largest rooms sleep up to six people, or a second room for children can be booked at 50 per cent off the regular rate when travelling with two adults paying full price. Many child-friendly sights (such as the Natural History Museum and Jardin des Plantes) are right on the doorstep.
Associated Press
11-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Associated Press
Time to RV Unveils Expert-Curated Guide for Full-Time RV Beginners
New guide from Time to RV supports families taking the leap into full-time RV living—includes tips, planning help, and real-world insights. FL, UNITED STATES, May 11, 2025 / / -- Time to RV Publishes Free Educational Guide for Families Exploring Full-Time RV Living Time to RV, a family travel and lifestyle platform, has released a free digital guide designed to help individuals and families navigate the transition to full-time RV living. The resource, The Ultimate Guide to Full-Time RV Living, offers a comprehensive overview of the key considerations involved in adopting a mobile lifestyle. Interest in full-time RV living has grown steadily in recent years, especially among families seeking alternatives to traditional housing, education, and work-life balance. However, the path to becoming a full-time RVer involves multiple logistical, financial, and lifestyle adjustments that are often difficult to research or understand through fragmented sources. The guide aims to serve as a central reference for those evaluating or preparing for full-time travel. Topics covered include selecting a suitable RV, budgeting and expenses, mobile internet options, route planning, and considerations for homeschooling on the road. It also addresses commonly asked questions related to mail forwarding, insurance, and RV park memberships. 'We created this resource to support others who are looking for a structured way to plan their transition,' said Lauren Gamble, co-founder of Time to RV. 'Many of the questions we receive center around practical decisions that need to be made early in the process. This guide is meant to provide clarity on those points.' In addition to checklists and planning tools, the guide includes personal insights from full-time RVers who have experienced both the challenges and benefits of life on the road. It is intended for families, couples, or solo travelers considering RV living on a short- or long-term basis. Key sections include: Overview of lifestyle and mindset changes associated with full-time RV travel Guidance on choosing between RV types and layouts Monthly budgeting frameworks with sample expenses Homeschooling resources for families with children Tools for maintaining reliable internet access on the road Route planning strategies and campground selection tips The guide is available to download free of charge at: About Time to RV Time to RV is a digital platform created by Lauren and Donny Gamble, who began traveling full-time with their family in 2024. The site provides practical information for RVers of all experience levels, including destination reviews, travel planning strategies, and educational resources related to RV living. Media Contact: Lauren Gamble Email: [email protected] Website: Lauren Gamble Time to RV email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
