Fancy a Christmas without cooking, cleaning and family rows over a Monopoly board? Then why not treat yourself to a stay in a luxury countryside retreat or an opulent Central London hotel and enjoy the festivities without lifting a finger?
For a winter spa experience
Experience Christmas by the coast with a three-night stay at Bedruthan from 24 to 27 December, where you can spend the holiday enjoying beach strolls, relaxing in the spa and sampling fine food and drink, with all the trimmings you wouldn’t want to miss at home.
This Scandi-inspired four-star property sits atop a Cornish clifftop on the outskirts of Mawgan Porth, offering sanctuary and calm during the chaotic Christmas period. Guests staying this winter can enjoy sustainable cuisine at the on-site restaurant as well as rejuvenating treatments at the sensory spa garden, including a Nordic thermal therapy, in which a seven-stage journey of hot and cold temperatures includes ice water plunges and heated saunas, which you can enjoy while looking out over the Atlantic.
Meanwhile, a choice of spacious sea-view rooms feature relaxed, design-forward interiors and calming colour themes to reflect the county’s laid-back beach vibe, while downstairs at The Herring restaurant, Cornish produce is celebrated with an array of dishes, including whisky and black-treacle-cured trout. Double rooms start from £1,245 for a three-night stay over Christmas.
For Christmas music ensembles
From magical dining options to festive musical events, this luxury West End hotel is a quintessential British icon. This year, The Langham is celebrating Christmas in harmony with The Royal Academy of Music, with a string of performances by talented students throughout November and December.
Each ensemble has been carefully selected to enhance your experience at this regal hotel, whether you’re sampling a delicious Festive Afternoon Tea in Palm Court, walking into the glistening lobby with a glass of champagne in hand, or sipping a pint in the Wigmore Pub. Take your pick of suites, penthouses and premium bedrooms, all of which are equipped with luxurious amenities and suitable for couples and families alike. Prices start from £720 per night for a double room, with dinner at Palm Court from £55.
For a fairy tale stay in the Highlands
Set beneath the snow-capped Ochil Hills, Gleneagles is the ideal Christmas hideaway, taking inspiration from woodlands and fairy tales. With decorations designed to evoke the winter scenery of the surrounding Perthshire countryside, the hotel will be transformed into a magical wonderland for Christmas, complete with a Hansel and Gretel-themed afternoon tea and hidden fairy doors set among twinkling Christmas lights. There are brisk trail walks through the countryside by day and log fires to warm up beside in the evening, before dinner at the two-Michelin-starred Restaurant Andrew Fairlie.
And if you want to ring in the bells of the new year in style, start your Hogmanay celebrations in the company of Gleneagles’ sommeliers, as they guide you through the sparkling world of champagne. The evening’s dress code of black tie or a touch of tartan sets the scene for a true Scottish extravaganza. Double rooms start from £1,240 per night for a two-night minimum stay.
For a historic festive getaway
With its roaring fire, champagne on ice and three AA Rosettes, Grays Court is inviting guests for a memorable break in the heart of York this festive season. The vibrant history of this 11th-century building, in which knighthoods have been bestowed and royalty accommodated, is the only privately owned building in York with direct access to the city’s walls. The bedrooms ooze opulence, with a grand poster bed in the Willoughby suite and a relaxing double monsoon shower in the Cumberland suite. The Bow Room restaurant has received several accolades, while the half-acre garden produces heritage Yorkshire cultivars, such as Ribston Pippin apples and traditional herbs.
To celebrate New Year’s Eve, Grays Court is offering a two-night stay from 31 December. Start the night with a sparkling champagne reception and canapes in The Long Gallery before enjoying a luxury nine-course tasting menu. Book for £960 for two nights.
For a moreish Christmas menu
After a winter walk around a lantern-lit Green Park or a shopping trip to twinkling Oxford Street, settle down for the evening at The Athenaeum Hotel for an indulgent festive meal. In the golden dining room, you can tuck into cured salmon with pickled cucumber, and braised venison haunch with red cabbage, salsify and dauphinoise potato as part
of a set dinner at 116 At The Athenaeum. The Festive Afternoon Tea, meanwhile, features classic scones, finger sandwiches, fresh pastries and cakes, flavoured with spiced gingerbread, clementine
and chocolate.
The hotel is also offering Cocktail Masterclass with head mixologist Alex Aber who will guide you through making three classic concoctions in The View room, overlooking a panoramic London skyline. When it’s time for bed, the Park View Rooms offer turquoise velvet interiors, while the spacious Mayfair Suite, with its opulent furnishings and carefully curated artwork are the ultimate treat if you’re looking for something extra-special. Prices start from £470 per night for a double room, with festive dining menus from 14 November at £50 per person.
