Treat yourself to a merry weekend in the capital with these opulent London hotel stays, offering festive food, plush presents and marvellous musical performances.
No fancy plans for an extravagant trip over the holidays? Not to worry, as you can make Christmas just as memorable with a lavish staycation in some of the best hotels in London. The following hotels will provide everything you need for a glitzy, festive stay, complete with rich afternoon tea delights, cosy bedrooms and indulgent dinner menus — all a stone’s throw from London’s best festive activities.
Enjoy Christmas music ensembles at The Langham
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.
Read more: Five of the best UK and London hotels to check-in to this Christmas
Embark on a Christmas shopping spree from The Portobello
Ideally located in the heart of a historic London borough, The Portobello Hotel is the perfect base to explore what Notting Hill has to offer. The hotel’s interiors celebrate the bohemian spirit of Portobello Road market, and no two of the 21 bedrooms are the same. Stay in one of the Good Rooms, with bold wallpapers and one-of-a-kind furniture pieces, or opt for one of the Outstanding Rooms, a lavish hideaway with freestanding bathtubs.
Guests staying this Christmas can get their mitts on The Portobello Insiders Card, which offers exclusive discounts at a range of Notting Hill boutiques, including Paul Smith and Derek Rose, as well as restaurants such as Ottolenghi. Spend a weekend mooching around the neighbourhood in search of Christmas gifts, and once you’ve shopped, you can drop with a glass of Portobello Road gin and tonic in the hotel’s drawing room. Prices start from £203 for a double room including breakfast.
Read more: The European Christmas markets you need to visit this year
Indulge in The Athenaeum’s 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.
Read more: Review: Enjoy a festive getaway at The Prince Akatoki
Marvel at an extra-sparkling Christmas tree at The Ned
The Ned, formerly a bank, was transformed in 2017 into a classy five-star hotel with 10 restaurants, a spa, gym and private members’ club. Located near St Paul’s Cathedral, less than a 10-minute walk to London Bridge, The Ned is the perfect base for exploring famous landmarks and Christmas decorations in the heart of London.
The hotel’s 22ft-tall Christmas tree is illuminated by more than 4,000 fairy lights, and the festivities at The Ned won’t run short this year. Choir master Gareth Malone and his ensemble will be performing all your favourite Christmas songs on multiple dates throughout December — tickets are available to purchase online. If you’re looking for something more relaxing, you can have a festive afternoon tea in the stylish Millie’s Lounge, feasting on gingerbread biscuits, white chocolate yule logs and mince pies, from £55 per person until 27 December.
The Ned has 250 luxurious bedrooms, starting at £340 per night for an Accessible Room. It’s also offering a New Year’s Day deal, where two guests can enjoy a night’s stay, a New Year’s Day feast and breakfast from £525.
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Relax in the festive urban oasis of Mondrian Shoreditch London
The maze of Spitalfields Market is only a few minutes’ walk from The Mondrian, which epitomises the neighbourhood’s urban cultural vibe. Interior designer Goddard Littlefair didn’t hold back in giving the hotel a modern makeover, with bare-brick walls and modern artwork installations, making sure the Mondrian was nothing short of cool and innovative when it opened in 2021.
Rooftop restaurant Laurel’s On The Roof has recently been transformed into a winter wonderland chalet in partnership with Grey Goose vodka. It serves festive food and drinks, including cocktails such as a plum martini or a boozy orange hot chocolate. Spanish restaurant BiBo is run by world-famous chef Dani GarcÃa, who’s spiced up the hotel’s tapas menu for Christmas. Until 23 December, the festive offerings include roasted chicken cannelloni and beef tenderloin in green pepper sauce.
From £250 per night for a Standard King Courtyard room.
