While White Christmases remain few and far between in the British capital (the last was way back in 1999), London remains one of the most atmospheric places to spend the festive season. From the merry revelers at every corner to the sparkling lights that adorn almost every street, the city puts on a serious show – but few do Christmas better than London’s line up of five-star hotels.
Long known for donning their finest garms when December rolls around, the city’s most prestigious addresses host parties, dinners and wild celebrations galore all month long, culminating with the grandest party of all: New Year’s Eve. From Bavarian-inspired chalets and designer-approved trees, here are the best hotel experiences for Christmas in London.
[See also: The Best Hotels in London]
Claridge’s
As the unofficial launch of London’s festive season, the revealing of Claridge’s annual Christmas tree comes with an abundance of joyous celebration. Each year the hotel collaborates with a big name in fashion (Louis Vuitton installed a giant trunk in 2023 and in 2022 Sandra Choi for Jimmy Choo imagined a light-up mirrored tree), with British designer Paul Smith stepping up to the plate for 2024.
Taking pride of place in Claridge’s iconic checkered floored lobby, Smith has walked a more traditional route for this year’s tree, bedecking the 20-ft evergreen in baubles, ribbons and over 100 birdhouses, all in his signature colorful palette. The hotel’s lobby will also host a daily sweet trolley, filled with a selection of Smith’s favorite sweet treats.
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The Peninsula London
Taking holiday spirit to a whole new level, for 2024 The Peninsula London has launched its own Christmas market. Hosted every Sunday in the run up to the big day, an array of stalls will take over the hotel’s courtyard offering caviar, crepes and mulled wine, with live music creating that festive atmosphere.
Inside, guests can indulge in The Lobby’s Peninsula Afternoon Tea, featuring sweet and savory treats including smoked salmon sandwiches and gingerbread men, or head up to the 15-seat cinema for a screening of holiday favorites such as Love Actually, Elf and The Polar Express.
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Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
Standing proud over London’s iconic Knightsbridge thoroughfare, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is known for going big when it comes to putting on a Christmas show. This year, the London hotel has looked to the continent for its inspiration, transforming its lobby into The Winterhaus.
Taking cues from a traditional Bavarian chalet, the cozy scene features a crackling fireplace, inviting leather sofas and bookcases of tomes calling to be read. Inside The Winterhaus, guests can enjoy classic German treats including stollen, pretzels and flammkuchen, as well as glasses of Krug champagne and German NOAM beer. For the little ones, the hotel’s pastry chefs will be hosting weekly gingerbread-making classes.
The Goring
The ever-lovely The Goring hotel is once again ringing in the festive season in style (and organized chaos, if its annual Christmas party, complete with a theatrical performance of A Christmas Carol, is anything to go by), with a beautiful real tree taking up residence in the hotel’s lobby.
For the big day itself, The Goring is inviting the guests to call the hotel home with two- or three-night Christmas packages which include champagne and chocolate on arrival, festive breakfasts and a classic turkey dinner in the Michelin-starred The Dining Room, complete with all the trimmings.
[See also: The Most Festive Hotels for Christmas in New York]
The Londoner
Right in the heart of the busy, bustling Leicester Square, The Londoner stands as a beacon of luxury. For Christmas 2024, the hotel is once again pulling out all the stops: British bridalwear designer Kate Halfpenny has been brought in to adorn the Christmas tree and has appropriately dressed it in oversized ivory-colored bows.
Meanwhile, Whitcomb’s restaurant will be serving up a Mediteranean-inspired festive menu and, for those heading to the capital to party, The Londoner’s rooftop bar 8 will be hosting a New Year’s Eve Japanese-inspired izakaya night, with small plates, cocktails and prime views of the London fireworks.
[See also: The 15 Best Luxury Hotels in London]
Four Seasons London Hotel at Tower Bridge
The newly rebranded Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge has partnered with Moët & Chandon for Christmas 2024, with the prestigious champagne label popping up in the hotel’s Rotunda Bar throughout the festive season. Glasses of Moët’s Grand Vintage 2015 will be available, as will a number of specialty cocktails from the Moët Hennessy portfolio, featuring the likes of Hennessy, Belvedere and SirDavis. And, with every glass of champagne purchased, guests will be treated to a complimentary oyster.
Come New Year’s Eve, the festive atmosphere will amp up even further with a lavish evening of live Jazz music, flapper dancers, live cooking stations and even more Moët cocktails.
Raffles London at The OWO
Stepping into the enchanted world of the English Nation Ballet, this Christmas Raffles London at the OWO will be exclusively showcasing original costumes from the beloved Nutcracker throughout its historic halls. Highlights include the military-style nutcracker, Clara’s nightdress and, the undisputed star of the show, the Sugar Plum Fairy’s tutu which is lavishly embellished with some 400 hand-sewn Swarovski crystals.
In celebration of this wonderful collaboration, the hotel is offering a special ‘Nutcracker Nights’ package which includes two nights’ accommodation, as well as tickets to the latest production at the nearby London Coliseum. Pre-performance, head to the hotel’s Saison restaurant for its pre-theater festive menu; post, head down to the elusive Spy Bar for a tipple.
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The Berkeley
Every year, The Berkeley hotel – which sits right between Hyde Park and the bright lights of Knightsbridge – takes its signature brand of understated opulence and applies it to its Christmas décor. The result? The chicest light show in town. Launched with a grand switch on, the hotel’s front door transforms into an icy snowfall, with cascading lights (137,000 of them) suspended over the entrance steps. The effect is beautiful. Inside, there isn’t a string of tinsel in sight – instead, enormous bunches of baby’s breath surround silver-themed Christmas trees.
[See also: Inside One Aldwych: A Tranquil London Hideaway]
The Dorchester
One of the world’s most expensive hotels, the infinitely glamorous The Dorchester is everything we love about London; lashings of British and international history, glamorous London gild, and unapologetic English glamour. As one would expect, the glory of the hotel is only amplified during the festive season.
From Christmas caroling during afternoon tea to festive Michelin-starred dining in the sublime tinsel and bauble-decked-out halls, The Dorchester offers one of the best Christmas experiences within a hotel not just within London, but across the globe.
[See also: The Dorchester Dazzles After Extensive Revamp]
