Plan your stay · Staylio
Where to Stay When Your Child Is at Great Ormond Street Hospital
By Staylio ·
If your child has an admission at Great Ormond Street Hospital, check the hospital’s own accommodation arrangements before booking somewhere privately. For additional relatives, siblings or a longer visit, compare an apartment’s actual beds, everyday facilities and route to the hospital.
Check hospital accommodation first
GOSH publishes information about staying with your child, family accommodation and its Patient Hotel. Arrangements depend on the circumstances of the admission and who needs to stay. Ask the hospital which options apply to your family before assuming you need to pay for separate accommodation. See GOSH’s official accommodation guidance.
Compare the address, not just the area name
When comparing accommodation described as Bloomsbury, Russell Square or King’s Cross, use the exact address and the entrance shown in your appointment information. An apartment’s marketing name does not establish its walking distance to the hospital.
Look at a realistic door-to-door journey, including any walking, changes and steps. If you are travelling with a pushchair or need to avoid stairs, use TfL’s accessible journey planning guidance and check the building entrance separately.
Choose space that works for the whole family
List who will sleep in the apartment and which beds they will use. If one adult will be at the hospital overnight, the arrangements for siblings and other accompanying adults may differ from a typical family holiday.
Check whether the lounge remains usable once sofa beds are open. Ask how many people can sit at the dining table, what cooking equipment is supplied and whether laundry is available in the flat or by arrangement. Confirm any regular cleaning and linen changes in the quote.
Make a shortlist around the family’s whole stay
For each apartment, put the route, beds and daily routine side by side. A family travelling with siblings may value a separate bedroom and somewhere to prepare meals; a second adult staying alone may need less space. Decide which features are essential before comparing the quoted totals.
If the stay could last several weeks, ask about groceries, laundry and cleaning as well as the first night. Clarify who will be in the apartment while another adult is at the hospital. Check arrival arrangements against the journey you have booked, including what happens if you arrive later than expected.
Use our one-month London planning guide to compare longer-stay costs. When enquiring, identify the hospital destination and the practical layout you need. A reply about a specific apartment is more useful than a general promise of accommodation near hospitals.
Questions families often need answered
Should we choose the closest apartment?
Compare the full journey with the layout and cost. A shorter distance can be useful, but it does not resolve entrance steps, unsuitable sleeping arrangements or terms that do not fit your expected stay.
Can we book before we know the discharge date?
You can enquire using the dates currently known. Before booking, agree how changes, an earlier departure or extra nights would be handled. Availability and pricing for an extension need separate confirmation.
Can we request a cot or high chair?
Travel cots and high chairs must be pre-ordered. Availability, suitability, any charges and what is supplied must be confirmed for your stay. Check the proposed placement in the exact apartment.
What should we plan for siblings?
Keep optional activities separate from the hospital schedule. Our family apartment checklist covers everyday accommodation choices. Choose activities around your family’s circumstances and any advice from the care team.