The Best Hotels For Christmas In London
By
3 weeks ago
Have a micro (or a mini) break this festive season – it will do you the world of good
From heritage grande dames to quietly glamorous newcomers, the festive months are when London’s hotels pull out their best ideas, whether that’s a beautifully dressed tree, a clever culinary twist or a full calendar of winter-bright experiences. If you’re deciding where to check in for a dose of seasonal escapism, take a look at what these London favourites have lined up this year.
Best London Hotels For Christmas 2025
The Lanesborough
One of London’s few true Regency landmarks, The Lanesborough has long been known for its polished British service, gleaming interiors and a sense of occasion. As you’d expect, Christmas is when the hotel really settles into its stride, and this year the signature Christmas in Residence stay brings all the festive touches, from a tree in your suite and butler-served drinks on Christmas Eve to a beautifully put-together lunch by Executive Chef Shay Cooper on the day itself. The hotel’s partnership with Harrods offers guests access to personal shopping, gift wrapping and a generous hamper waiting in the room, along with car transfers and a dedicated butler to take care of the rest. Over at the Club & Spa, the Yuletide Glow treatment offers a welcome reset after December’s overindulgence, while the Grill runs a programme of festive dinners and live jazz through the month. Come New Year’s Eve and the hotel does what it does best with a long, celebratory dinner, music that builds through the night and a late check-out for a slow start to 2026.
Raffles London At The OWO
The spirit of Christmas is well and truly alive at Raffles London, when the historic building’s Edwardian heritage shines all the brighter. From the charm of jolly carols drifting through the restaurants and bars to glittering festivities unfolding throughout the hotel, this is Christmas at its most British: think grace, tradition, togetherness. From extra nights to dining delights, visiting during the festive season comes with a whole host of special additions to make memories you’ll cherish forever, perfect whether you are booking for yourself, treating your partner or surprising a loved one with the heartfelt gift of a city staycation they’ll never forget.
The Savoy
London’s grande dame doesn’t hold back when it comes to Christmas, and this year The Savoy has gone all out with a Frosted Fair inspired by the 17th-century festivals once held on the frozen Thames. Since the 16th of November, the hotel’s entrance and Savoy Court has taken on a wintry glow, with pine trees, cascading lights and gilded garlands setting the scene for a white-washed forest. While at the heart of it all is a Laurent-Perrier pop-up, where guests can pick up limited-edition festive pieces, including a hand-painted bauble and a seasonal scone from Scoff, the hotel’s award-winning scone shop. Come 1 December, the hotel entrance will experience a gentle snowfall each evening, in a small atmospheric moment that adds just the right amount of Savoy sparkle to the season.
Festive Afternoon Tea
The Westin London City
It’s safe to say The Westin London City has come into its own since opening on the banks of the Thames at the end of 2021. Positioned perfectly for exploring the city’s festive highlights – St Paul’s, Covent Garden and the Southbank are all within easy reach – it offers a contemporary take on a seasonal stay, this year leaning into the Cinderella-inspired ‘Once Upon a Christmas’ theme, culminating in the lobby which has been transformed with an elegant, fairy-tale flourish and a spectacular carriage. Inside, head to the Mosaic restaurant and indulge in a sophisticated Afternoon Tea with its whimsical festive edge (special creations include the Enchanted Slipper tartlet). And for those glorious Thames views, Hithe + Seek is the spot for warming seasonal sips like mulled wine and boozy hot chocolate – and on Thursdays, the hotel festivifies things even further with carol singers in The Haven, accompanied by complimentary treats. When it comes to dining, both Mosaic and Hithe + Seek are serving refined festive menus all month, culminating in a Christmas Day feast. Expect starters like dressed crab and lobster salad followed by mains such as poached halibut with Oscietra caviar and Jacob’s Ladder beef.
Ham Yard Hotel
Firmdale’s Ham Yard hotel has a host of festive fun this year, including a Winter Fire Garden for cocktails, fire-cooked food on the roof terrace and Christmas carolling with the cast of Les Misérables on 10 December. Inside the hotel, Kit Kemp designed Christmas trees and decorations adorn the lobbies and hand-made stockings hang above the fire in the cosy Drawing Room and Library. A magical Gingerbread Village will be unveiled in early December while mince pies are served at reception throughout the festive period. At Ham Yard’s residences guests can have their own Christmas tree, decorations and stockings for a special home from home – and on Christmas Day, all guests will be treated to a gift and Christmas cookies. Ham Yard Restaurant will be serving lunch with all the trimmings, too, kicking off with Champagne and canapes.
The Goring
A family-owned Belgravia institution rooted in British tradition, The Goring is the hotel to check into when you want Christmas done properly. This year, December begins with carols in the Lounge and mulled wine by the fire, while festive afternoon tea in The Veranda brings in all the seasonal touches. On Christmas Eve, Chef Graham Squire will be in the kitchen shaping a menu built on British flavours, and on Christmas Day itself all the classics arrive in the Michelin-starred Dining Room with the flourish the hotel is known for. Slow the pace on Boxing Day with live music and a menu designed for gentle recovery, or take a creative moment away from the bustle with a mid-morning floral workshop. For guests staying over the holiday, the Christmas Experience package ties everything together with champagne waiting in the room, breakfast each morning and a run of beautifully considered dinners across the three main festive nights.
The Beaumont
The Beaumont does Christmas with the same elegance it brings to the rest of the year, letting its Art Deco lines, polished service and its Mayfair address do most of the talking. This year the season settles in early, with trees and golden lights giving the hotel a warm winter edge, and The Gatsby Room setting the pace with a festive afternoon tea menu featuring a pistachio yule log wrapped in milk chocolate and kadayif, a snowflake layered with griottine cherries and a Christmas pudding choux bun with brandy cream, plus a full vegan version for good measure. Christmas Eve brings carol singers into the room and on Christmas Day, Rosi – the hotel’s newly reworked modern British brasserie by Lisa Goodwin-Allen – steps in with a four-course menu that keeps things classic. Expect shellfish cocktail, hand-raised chicken and game pie alongside a classic roast Norfolk Bronze turkey with all the expected trimmings. And for those taking a different route, there’s also beef, halibut or a mushroom and chestnut Wellington.
Claridge’s
Claridge’s has long set the bar for Christmas in London, thanks in part to its annual designer Christmas tree – a tradition that has seen past creations by Diane von Furstenberg and Dolce & Gabbana transform the lobby into a seasonal landmark. This year’s edition comes from Daniel Lee of Burberry with a 16-foot tree dressed with around 600 bows made from surplus Burberry fabric, hung with bells and oversized chess-piece ornaments and topped with a gold crown. It appropriately marks the start for a season where the hotel leans fully into its festive identity with decorations sweeping through the Foyer & Reading Room. The Christmas Shop brings together Claridge’s signature gifting collection, afternoon tea takes on its December character, and the restaurants run a series of festive menus from the early gatherings of the month through Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s. As always, the hotel’s three-night Christmas celebration remains the centrepiece. Guests arriving on 23 or 24 December are welcomed with champagne and festive treats, and suites from the Mayfair category upwards come with a tree of their own. Christmas Eve folds in Sharkey & George-hosted children’s activities, along with mince pies and carrots to leave out for Father Christmas, while Christmas morning begins with hand-stitched stockings, followed by carols and a horse-drawn carriage ride through Mayfair with hot chocolate and marshmallows. Lunch is served across the Foyer & Reading Room, the French Salon, the Drawing Room or Claridge’s Restaurant, after which Father Christmas himself will make his appearance. Breakfast is included throughout the stay, and all the dreams can be extended with a guaranteed late check-out.
