In this world of Blu-ray, iplayer and downloads, there is still nothing quite as fun as getting an oversized bag of popcorn, settling into a cinema seat and watching a good film. My daughter has got the same love of celluloid as my husband and me, so for her birthday we decided to go crazy and hire a private screening room and get all her friends (and ours) to come along and watch a film together. We chose the Mayfair Hotel in Central London and it felt like a red carpet event from the minute we arrived, especially as Jedward and Usher were both trying to avoid the screaming fans in the foyer.
The hotel put up a big electronic sign telling everyone where to go for the film party, which was really cool, and a few of the parents settled themselves into the bar just outside the screening room. I'm a great believer in getting the parents to stay and have fun as well. I was a little worried that on arrival the kids were going to get a bit restless. But the Mayfair has done this before. As the kids all gathered at the front of the screen, the projectionist turned on a camera in the ceiling and focused on them all, one by one. I’ll never forget them looking at the screen and seeing a huge projection of their faces. They spent the next 30 minutes running around the cinema with the camera chasing them. It was high octane but absolutely brilliant fun. We then handed out bags of popcorn and water and off we went into the main feature. After the film we all had mini fish and chips in newspaper, and mini beefburgers in the room that adjoins the cinema. I cannot think of a better time we’ve all had together – it was the best party we’ve given and the most fun.

Tel: 0207 9153898
email: screenings@themayfairhotel.co.uk
www.themayfairhotel.co.uk/meetings/screeningroom

It doesn’t come cheap, so best to club together with a load of friends. £1200 for two hours’ hire (food and drink extra).
www.themayfairhotel.co.uk/filmfood or call on tel: 020 7915 3892.