Tempted by the idea of escaping everyday family life for a little, Antonia Windsor put the Pan Pacific London Family Escapes package to the test with her husband, kids and, Willow, the dog.
Ziggy raises a mocktail to Pan Pacific London Family Escapes ©Antonia Windsor
Most of us book hotels because we are in need of somewhere to stay in a new place. But the ultimate indulgence is to book a hotel in your own city, just because.
At home it can feel like we’re planets orbiting the same sun: close, yet always spinning at different speeds. We are interrupted in our interactions with each other by messages, homework and the constant chaos of domestic life. So when the chance came to press pause and dive into a weekend tailor-made for connection, I packed up my 13-year-old daughter Zayla, 11-year-old son Ziggy, 9-year-old daughter Zenya and – not forgetting Willow, our Cavapoochon – headed for the five-star comfort of Pan Pacific London to experience their new Family Escapes package.
Pan Pacific London
Welcome to Pan Pacific London Family Escapes
Pan Pacific London is just a short walk from Liverpool Street station and the children were initially trepidatious about staying in one of the City’s towering skyscrapers. However, at check-in, the team were welcoming and reassuring and Willow was also settled by plenty of strokes and attention.
We headed up to the 17th floor to explore our spacious interconnecting Deluxe Double rooms. The children immediately launched into a playful debate over who slept where, and squealed when the discovered flannels monogrammed with their names, while Willow sniffed approvingly around her new dog bed and bowls, which rested on a sheet with her name on it.
Deluxe Double Double Room, Pan Pacific London
Our porter pointed out the accessible features in the room specially selected to cater for my husband Shyne’s disability: a lower bed and work table and a fully wheel-in shower. Within a few minutes, another staff member arrived to discuss evacuation support, a thoughtful touch we hadn’t encountered before. Then, within an hour, we were swapping trainers for flip-flops and making a beeline for the infinity pool on the Sensory Wellbeing Floor.
Pool with a view, Pan Pacific London
A pool with a view and child-friendly playtime hours
The pool has a great view of the City and children are allowed to play in it during set hours – 4pm and 6pm on the afternoon we were there – which is a good opportunity for them to strike up a friendship or two with other guests.
Zayla, D-Wall, Pan Pacific London ©Antonia Windsor
After our swim, we had a go at the D-Wall in the gym; a high-tech training wall that gamifies exercise with challenges such as Fruit Ninja and Virtual Ski. Although he was a few months shy of the minimum age of 12, they let Ziggy take part with his older sister, while me and Zenya played a game of trying to guess the drawing we made with our fingers on each other’s backs.
The challenges of the D-wall were completely absorbing and giving them a real workout without them realising. As the gym was quiet we also had fun trying to see who could hold a plank for longest: we’d left Shyne and Willow enjoying the view in the room.
Straits Kitchen
Kids eat for half-price with Pan Pacific London Family Escapes
Later that evening, scrubbed up and famished, we headed to Straits Kitchen for dinner and were delighted to find it was dog-friendly, meaning Willow could join us at the table rather than sulking in the room.
One of the highlights of the Pan Pacific London Family Escapes package is that children aged six and under eat free from the children’s menu, while those aged six to twelve get 50% off à la carte dishes, another thoughtful detail that really softens the bill when dining as a family. Zayla happily ordered duck pancakes from the adult menu, while Ziggy requested two mini burgers from the children’s menu to replenish his energy. Willow, not to be left out, devoured her dinner from the dog menu with just as much gusto.
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Zenya & Zayla, spa, Pan Pacific London ©Antonia Windsor
Mocktail Labs and spa pampering for under 16s
Next day I’d planned a surprise for the girls. As an add-on to the Pan Pacific London Family Escapes package, they visited the spa for Bonpoint treatments: Zenya had the Fairy Tale Facial, while Zayla enjoyed the Awaken to Skincare session.
Each slipped into a waffle robe and slippers before padding into the serene treatment room. Zenya, a little anxious, was reassured having her sister lying in the bed next to her. As their chaperone, I sat quietly watching them reflected on my motherhood journey, a rare moment to just be with the children in silence.
Mocktail Workshop, Pan Pacific London ©Antonia Windsor
We returned to the room to pack our bags but weren’t ready to leave just yet. Instead, we headed to the Mocktail Lab, another optional add-on that proved a huge hit. Here, sleeves rolled high, the children learned to mix, shake and garnish their own colourful drinks. Zenya’s dark coconut-flavoured creation she named, “Coconut Storm”, while Zayla’s orange-and-strawberry drink became, “Sunset Boulevard”. Each received a print-out of their final recipe to recreate at home.
Afternoon Tea, Pan Pacific London
We all agree, Pan Pacific London serves delightful Afternoon Tea
We finished with a leisurely Afternoon Tea in the botanical surroundings of the Maxwell Room. The children eagerly sniffed the tea samples before choosing their favourites: milk oolong was the winner. They also devoured rounds of egg mayonnaise and ham sandwiches, with multiple refills requested, before tucking into scones and a box of sweet treats.
The lion biscuit, complete with icing pens for decorating, kept them happily occupied while we savoured a more sophisticated array: the chocolate hazelnut layer cake emerged as my personal favourite.
Zayla, spa, Pan Pacific London ©Antonia Windsor
Thank you Family Escapes for reminding us we have fun, together
Every part of the Pan Pacific London Family Escapes experience, from swimming and the D-Wall to spa treatments and mocktail-making, felt designed to bring us back together, bridging the gaps everyday life can so easily create.
Back in the car heading home, the buzz of screens and distractions hadn’t quite crept back in yet. Instead, there was chatter, laughter, and the sleepy satisfaction of a family who’d remembered just how much fun we could have together if we could turn our backs on the tidying up.
Pan Pacific London Family Escapes
How to get there
Liverpool Street to Pan Pacific London, 2 minutes walking
Family Escapes Package
Pan Pacific London Family Escapes B&B including kids’ programmes, dedicated pool time and D-Wall sessions
Deluxe Double Double Room from £460 per night
Interconnecting Bishopsgate Suite from £1,400 per night
Available from now until 01 June 2025
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