Travelling with teens in tow requires such different planning — and budgeting — than it did when they were little kids. Siblings are too big to share pullout sofas, they cost the same as their parents at restaurants and you’ve really got to nail the activities if you want them to hang out with you.
So, as more of us choose to vacation in Canada, and our unpredictable weather patterns continue to challenge the best-laid plans, families with teens will be thrilled to know that the new Hard Rock Hotel in London, Ont., set in the historic 100 Kellogg Lane entertainment complex, offers the perfect weatherproof, teen-approved getaway.
Here are 7 things your teens will love about London’s Hard Rock Hotel:
Our teens — ages 14 and 17 — give the Hard Rock Hotel London four thumbs up. And any parent of teens knows what a coup that is, especially when you stay under one roof for three days. Here’s why we all loved it:
1. Comfortable sleeping arrangements.
Aside from the Hard Rock’s “Sleep Like a Rock Luxury Bedding” in every room, there are configurations designed with families of all sizes in mind. We chose a Gold Suite King with Bunk Bed, which featured a king bed in one room and a set of strong bunk beds in another, giving our teens their own space — complete with a TV and beanbag stools. Even our 6’2” 17-year-old fit on these bunks! There are also adjoining rooms for bigger families and even some souped-up, ultra-luxe rooms complete with toilets with heated seats and other fancy tricks.
2. A killer pool — with underwater speakers.
The Hard Rock London has a sweet indoor-outdoor pool area that guarantees good times no matter what Mother Nature throws down. There’s even food and beverage service on the pool deck, which also features covered day beds and a 20-person hot tub. Teens can stay until 10 p.m., before it becomes an adults-only zone, and ours thought it was pretty cool that you can even listen to tunes underwater.
3. Great food.
From the Hard Rock’s GMT-5 Lobby Bar and Sessions Restaurant to the myriad food options at 100 Kellogg Lane, like the delicious BK Bakery and Shaw’s Ice Cream outpost, no one is going to go hungry during your stay. Our midweek package included an à la carte breakfast each morning at Sessions, offering huge value to an already well-priced visit of around $320 per night, and all four of us tried and were wowed by different dishes, including the Sessions Slam, Breakfast Poutine, Breakfast Sandwich, Buttermilk Pancakes, French Toast Souffle and, of course, the iconic selection of Kellogg’s cereals in individual serving sizes.
4. Loads of activities down a single hallway.
The Hard Rock London is connected to the 100 Kellogg Lane complex, all part of the former Kellogg’s factory site, by a long hallway. First, there’s The Factory, with the world’s largest indoor ropes course; our midweek visit meant that lunch at The Factory’s Canteen gave each of us an unlimited gaming card that worked until the arcade closed, which provided hours of entertainment. Then there’s The Club House, with its fantastic mini-golf course, sports simulator suites and many TVs showing loads of sporting events, which was ideal when rain would have otherwise threatened our mini-vacation. Even the free Canadian Medical Hall of Fame on the lower level of 100 Kellogg Lane proved interesting. There are also several spaces filled with art, some fun shopping and a friendly dog who hangs out in the onsite hair salon.
5. An awesome gym.
The Hard Rock’s Body Rock Fitness Center is ideal for your fitness-obsessed teens. It’s small but very well-equipped — complete with filtered water and a fruit basket — and earned high praise from our gym junkie.
6. Spinning vinyl.
Whether they’re taking a shower and want to access the hotel’s curated Spotify playlist via QR code sticker on the bathroom mirror or bring the “Sound of Your Stay” — through the Hard Rock’s epic Wax, Tracks and Picks program — right into their room, your budding music enthusiasts will love all of the thoughtful music experiences available to every guest. Our teens chose the Wax option, which meant they borrowed a Victrola record player and 10 vinyls of their choosing for our entire stay. For free. If your teens play ukulele or guitar, be sure to check out the Picks option, too.
7. Alone time while Mom and Dad go on a date night.
No babysitter required! Having older kids meant we all got some alone time on vacation since we could head out for dinner (at nearby Hunter & Co., which was outstanding) while our teens took care of themselves for a few hours. A little room service and chilling in a cozy bed without anyone nagging them about being on devices? Teen heaven.
Read more about the Hard Rock Hotel London and consider a teen-friendly getaway in Ontario’s Southwest, regardless of the forecast. Author Andrea Traynor is the founder of MommyGearest.com and has been travelling with her discerning kids since they were toddlers; you can follow more of their adventures on Instagram @mommygearest.