Why Grand Chancellor Hotels Are Perfect For Family Holidays

Planning a family holiday that keeps everyone happy (toddlers to teenagers, parents to grandparents) can be a challenge. Moreover, finding a hotel with family amenities to suit your crew isn’t always easy. 

You need comfort, safety, space to spread out, and family-friendly touches that make travelling with kids feel more like a holiday and less like a logistical mission.

That’s where Grand Chancellor Hotels come in.

Many of our hotels in Australia and New Zealand feature spacious family rooms and kid-friendly amenities, and they're all centrally located with plenty of family-friendly attractions nearby. Keep reading to discover why Grand Chancellor is the perfect hotel for families travelling during the school holidays and beyond.

Spacious, Family-Friendly Rooms That Everyone Will Love

When you're travelling with kids (or grandparents), cramped hotel rooms just won’t cut it. That’s why several Grand Chancellor Hotels offer dedicated family rooms designed with space and flexibility in mind.

• Hotel Grand Chancellor Brisbane offers Family Rooms with two separate sleeping areas (connected by a hallway) for added privacy and room to relax. Choose between two King Beds or a King + 2 Singles combo. Each sleeping area also has its own 50-inch TV, so there’s no arguing over the remote…and the kids will be in heaven!
• Our Launceston and Auckland locations offer similar configurations with 1 King Bed and 2 Single Beds, perfect for families with multiple children or those travelling in multigenerational groups.
• At James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Wellington), families of up to five can stay comfortably in rooms featuring 2 Double Beds, with the option of an extra rollaway bed (extra charges apply).

Looking for a hotel with family room options in a different location? We've got a range of room sizes and sleeping configurations available in all our locations, with rollaway beds available at some hotels for an extra fee. Speak to your desired hotel's concierge team directly to find the best option for you and your family.

Kid-Approved Amenities: Pools, Play and More

The hotel pool can be the highlight of a kid’s holiday, and we take that seriously. While we of course ask all guests to be respectful of other swimmers (no dive bombing, in other words), we want our littlest travellers to have fun in the pool areas while the adults get some much-needed relaxation.

• Hotel Grand Chancellor Brisbane features an outdoor rooftop pool, great for sunny afternoons and post-adventure wind-downs.
• For cooler climates (or those who prefer a splash in any season), Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, Chancellor on Currie in Adelaide and The Chancellor on Hobson in Auckland all offer heated indoor pools.
• Babysitting services are also available on request at various locations, so parents can enjoy a well-earned date night or simply a few hours of downtime. Just ask the concierge team when you book or upon arrival.

With thoughtful extras like room service menus that even picky eaters will love and easy in-room entertainment to help fill those in-between moments, we make sure everyone stays happy.

Dining and Room Service For the Whole Family

Feeding the family on holiday shouldn’t be a hassle, but it's often the one thing that somehow becomes messier (metaphorically) than a food fight. 

To make things easy and minimise claims of “I don't want to eat that,” we've established on-site restaurants and cafés to suit all generations. Enjoy buffet breakfasts, à la carte lunches and dinners, family-friendly menus and plenty of convenient dining options to suit every age and appetite.

Prefer a relaxed night in? Room service options are available across most hotels (with some even offering 24-hour service), making it easy to have a cosy movie night with snacks and dinner delivered straight to your door.

Our Restaurant Top Picks, Served Fresh

While all of our on-site dining options and partner restaurants are delicious, we love these locations for their extra-delicious family-friendly offerings:

• Hotel Grand Chancellor Melbourne’s signature breakfast buffet, Footlights Restaurant, serves up made-to-order morning favourites, healthy options, and freshly baked hot treats exclusively for guests. This location also features 24-hour room service, so you and your crew are covered for meals and snacks around the clock.
• At Hotel Grand Chancellor Brisbane, Frescos Restaurant serves buffet breakfast, dinner, drinks and daytime café snacks—everything you need in a hotel with family dining delights. You’ll also enjoy Bottomless Brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm–4 pm for an extra fun treat.
• Hotel Grand Chancellor Townsville features some of North Queensland’s finest fresh produce at the Sugar Shaker Restaurant. It’s a little more upscale for dinner without compromising on a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Plus, the buffet breakfasts serve some of the best pastries in town.
• Heading to New Zealand, Forester Bar & Grill at Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland is spacious, calm and convenient, with floor-to-ceiling windows ideal for curious little minds to people-watch over a bite to eat.
• Finally, Whitby’s Restaurant & Bar at our James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor Wellington offers a picture-perfect dining experience for families with older kids and teens. Located on the 17th floor, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of Wellington over buffet breakfasts and à la carte lunches and dinners. For an extra-special treat, indulge in the High Tea service, available from Friday to Saturday each week.

Prime Locations for Family Adventures

We want to make finding a hotel with family attractions nearby easy, because we know that location matters when you’re travelling with kids and grandparents. Grand Chancellor Hotels are situated in central, family-friendly locations that put you close to some of each city’s biggest and best attractions.

• Brisbane: Near the South Bank precinct, with playgrounds, riverside walks, cinemas and the Queensland Museum & Wheel of Brisbane just minutes away.
• Adelaide: Within walking distance of the Adelaide Zoo, Botanic Gardens, Rundle Mall and the foodie-favourite Adelaide Central Market.
• Hobart: A short stroll to the famous Salamanca Market, waterfront attractions and the departure point for MONA’s kid-friendly ferry.
• Launceston: Ideal for visiting the Tamar Valley, Penny Royal Adventure Park and Cataract Gorge (the chair lift is a must if you’re okay with heights).
• Townsville: Minutes from The Strand Waterfront, Reef HQ Aquarium and Castle Hill Lookout.
• Melbourne: Easy access to public transport, the Melbourne Museum, SEA LIFE Aquarium, The District Docklands and endless parks and laneways to explore.
• Auckland: Visit the nearby Sky Tower, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland Zoo and beloved Rainbow’s End theme park.
• Wellington: Close to the iconic Cable Car, TSB Arena, Te Papa, Tākina and Sky Stadium for thrilling entertainment.

All our hotels are chosen with accessibility, safety and ease in mind, so you can spend more time adventuring and less time navigating logistics.

Family Packages and School Holiday Offers

To make planning even easier, we’ve created family holiday packages at select hotels tailored to school break getaways. Keep an eye on our offers page for new seasonal offers during school holidays, as we regularly roll out special rates and add-ons just for families. It’s part of our commitment to making holidays fun, flexible and affordable.

Note: Packages and availability vary by property and time of year. Check our promotions page for current offers.

Family Package

Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide offers a dedicated $99.00 Family Package add-on to your accommodation that includes delightful perks to help you create a magically memorable family holiday. 

In addition to a late 12 pm check-out (an essential for those with small children!), you'll enjoy a tasty picnic breakfast or lunch basket to share with the family. Picnic baskets a packed full of tasty goodies for all ages, including:

• 4 × sandwiches
• 2 × bananas and 2 × apples
• 2 × blueberry muffins
• 2 × juice boxes
• 4 × water bottles
• Pringles and Fruchocs
• A cheese board with crackers and strawberries

Kids Stay and Eat Free

Take advantage of our Kids Stay and Eat Free package at select hotels! Kids up to 12 years old stay for free on existing room bedding and receive a free kids' meal when dining with a paying adult.

You'll also enjoy a full buffet breakfast for up to two adults and two kids, along with a welcome bottle of wine on arrival for parents to kickstart their holiday the right way. Plus, when you book direct, you’ll have flexible cancellation, because we know how easily plans can change when you’re travelling with kids or as part of a multigenerational trip.

Thoughtful Extras Just for Parents

We know family holidays aren't just about the kids; parents need a break, too. That’s why Grand Chancellor Hotels include thoughtful touches to help grown-ups unwind:

• Enjoy a wine or cocktail at the hotel bar while kids old enough to be left unsupervised enjoy an in-room movie (maybe with a spot of their own room service).
• Sink into some much-needed relaxation in the jacuzzi-style spas inside pool areas at select hotels. You can enjoy the bubbly warmth while the kids splash alongside you in the pool.
• At the Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, babysitting services can be arranged so parents can explore Hobart’s famous food and wine scene, enjoy a long lunch, or take that gallery stroll in peace.
• Take advantage of concierge services to help plan your day or find the best local family outings.

And because comfort is key, all our rooms feature plush bedding, blackout curtains and climate control, so everyone (including you) sleeps soundly.

Safety, Security and Peace of Mind

Travelling with kids means safety is always top of mind. Our hotels are equipped with 24-hour reception, secure access to rooms and lifts and staff trained to assist with family-specific needs.

Many of our locations also offer on-site parking and valet service, and are within safe walking distance to nearby attractions, shops and transport options.

We’re here to help your family feel at home and supported throughout your stay.

Make This School Holiday One to Remember

Chase the sunshine with your crew in Queensland or explore Melbourne's culture scene with the whole family. You might want to venture further afield to New Zealand for a once-in-a-lifetime family holiday. Wherever you’re headed, Hotel Grand Chancellor is ready to help you make this one of the best family holidays ever.

With spacious rooms, family-first amenities, great dining and central locations across Australia and New Zealand, we’ve thought of everything so you don’t have to.

Book your stay now and discover why Grand Chancellor is your go-to hotel with family travel in mind.