Who can resist the thrill of London’s during the holidays? With its festive season in full swing, the capital city has transformed into a winter wonderland — cloaked in dazzling lights and warmed by a uniquely British Christmas cheer. However you prefer to celebrate the holiday season, you can experience the enchantment of London’s festive season by immersing yourself in the holiday opulence of its iconic landmark hotels. Whether you're seeking a dose of glamour, a traditional Christmas experience, or a tranquil escape from the excitement, we’ve selected three London hotels that will make your holiday wish come true.
Hotel Cafe Royal: A Glamorous Holiday Destination
Prominently perched in the bustling heart of Piccadilly Circus, Hotel Café Royal has long been a go-to for the global jet set. A vibrant destination in the heart of the London, Hotel Café Royal has a rich and glamorous history, making it an enduringly chic beacon of the holiday season. By effortlessly blending timeless elegance with contemporary luxury, Hotel Café Royal offers holiday travelers best of both worlds, making it the perfect haven for those seeking a stylish holiday celebration.
Rooms and Suites:
Beyond Hotel Café Royal’s lavishly decorated historic façade you will find all the trappings of contemporary luxury. While the historic and grand public rooms of the 1860s and 1920s have been painstakingly restored with great attention to heritage, the rooms and suites are curated in a modern, sophisticated manner, characterized by refined simplicity and state-of-the-art details, technological and otherwise. Effortlessly combining modern design with classic comforts, spaces are adorned with exquisite furnishings and exquisite amenities. Architectural and aesthetic details such as soaring ceilings, natural light and palatial Carrara marble bathrooms exude a warm ambiance. Each room and suite is calm and distinctive, allowing guests to luxuriate in its creature comforts while escaping the holiday hustle and bustle.
Bars and Restaurants:
Foodies will rejoice in the plethora of culinary delights at Hotel Café Royal. The opulent ‘Festive Afternoon Tea’ at Café Royal is an experience that is as decadent as its gilded setting (the golden salon that was once Oscar Wilde’s favored retreat). Guests are immersed in a festive fantasy, complete with gold leaf details, painted ceilings, and delectable sweets. Champagne and tea is served to the melodic sounds of a live pianist bringing the holiday season to life. Another extraordinary culinary experience is the two Michelin-starred Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal. An extraordinary eatery which flips the switch on gastronomy with an exclusively intimate dining experience, offering a modern take on traditional French cuisine. Overlooking the glittering lights and graceful curvature of London’s famed Regent Street, Alex Dilling is the perfect setting for a picture perfect holiday fête. For those spending Christmas Day in the city, Alex Dilling’s special Christmas Day Menu is not to be missed. The inventive yet traditional menu features delicacies such as Fine de Claire oysters, tortellini with white Alba truffle and roasted duck from Maison Burgaud. If a nightcap is in order, The Green Bar, known for its mixology mastery, offers signature cocktails in a lively setting. This vibrant haven is known for its absinthe based cocktails and enchanting elixirs tailored to complement the spirit of the season.
Setting and Location:
A destination in and of itself, Hotel Café Royal is ideally located at the crossroads of London’s most famous landmarks and holiday season attractions. Ideally situated at the intersection of Mayfair and Soho, Hotel Café Royal provides easy access to London's iconic landmarks and high-end shopping districts ensuring a glamorous (and convenient) winter stay. With so many London attractions at its doorstep, Hotel Café Royal is a perfect home away from home for the luxury traveler who wants to experience as much of the city as possible.
Brown's Hotel: A Traditional Christmas Haven
Located in the perennially chic district of Mayfair, Brown’s Hotel, A Rocco Forte Hotel, is one of the most iconic hotels in London (and arguably the world). The retreat of choice for royalty, presidents, prominent literary figures and society luminaries over the centuries, Brown’s is one of the most distinguished historic landmarks in London. Having played host to holiday festivities since 1837, Brown’s Hotel is a beloved winter destination for both Londoners and guests alike, offering an authentic and truly memorable yuletide experience. During the holiday season tradition and modernity come together to create a uniquely sophisticated British charm that epitomizes the Brown’s enduring appeal. For those yearning for a quintessentially London Christmas, Brown's Hotel is a perfect choice.
Rooms and Suites:
Elegance and comfort define the rooms and suites at Brown's. Adorned with classic British decor, each space offers a cozy retreat in the heart of the city. Designed by hospitality interiors expert, Olga Polizzi, Brown’s rooms and suites make the most of period features such as fireplaces, plush fabrics, and intricate cornicing. Clean lines and neutral palettes add a touch of the contemporary, while details like fresh flowers and soft throws create a sense of familiarity and home. Guests may opt for a room with a courtyard-view or overlooking the beautifully decorated and bustling streets of artsy Mayfair — with its galleries, townhouse fashion boutiques and high-end eateries.
Bars and Restaurants:
Brown's is one of London’s most exciting culinary destinations. The hotel’s cocktail lounge and restaurants offer a uniquely British experience for all tastes. Famously a favorite destination of Queen Victoria, The Drawing Room at Brown’s now attracts in-the-know Londoners and well-heeled travelers alike, offering a traditional afternoon tea that comes alive during the festive season. Guests can draw up an armchair by the fire and enjoy the holiday-themed stylings of the resident pianist. The experience sets the stage for indulgence, with specialty pastries, scones, cakes, and delicate finger sandwiches paired with tea, hot chocolate, or champagne. The joy of Christmas Day continues with a festive set lunch or dinner at Charlie’s - Brown’s newest culinary gem. Directed by Michelin-starred chef Adam Byatt and helmed by head chef Matt Starling, the wonderfully elegant eatery features seasonal British cuisine served with theatrical flair. The holiday season menu offers a selection of traditional British dishes including Moxon’s smoked salmon, Blackwells Farm turkey with all the trimmings, and of course Charlie’s signature Christmas pudding. For those who enjoy a masterful cocktail, The Donovan Bar is just across the hall, and is one of Mayfair’s chicest spots to gather with friends. Named after the iconic 1960's photographer Sir Terence Donovan, the bespoke cocktail menu is inspired by his glamorous life and legacy. Not to be missed is the aptly named Donovan Martini, a twist on a gin and tonic made with Tanqueray N10 Gin, Kummel bitters, fresh pineapple, nettle cordial, lemon juice and tonic water.
Setting and Location:
With chic, modern, and artistic Mayfair at its doorstep, Brown's prime location makes it the ideal base for luxury travelers. Offering convenient access to the art galleries of Cork Street, the theaters of Shaftesbury Avenue, and the fashion boutiques of Bond Street, Brown’s is at the center of London’s finest experiences. Families looking to maximize their holiday experience will appreciate the close proximity to five of London’s royal parks, including the perennially beautiful Hyde Park and it’s wildly popular Winter Wonderland which is held seasonally.
Sofitel London St. James: A Tranquil Holiday Retreat
Travelers looking for an from the holiday hustle and bustle will find a serene retreat at Sofitel London St. James — an oasis of tranquility nestled in St. James's Square. With its notable architectural pedigree and prestigious central London location, this unmistakably French-inspired luxury hotel succeeds at evoking a quintessentially British charm, making it the perfect home away from home during holiday season. Originally built as a bank in the 1920s, Sofitel London St. James is one of London’s most stately addresses. Beyond the hotel’s grand neoclassical façade is playful and relaxed interpretation of Sofitel’s distinct brand of French luxury.
Rooms and Suites:
The rooms and suites at Sofitel London St. James are chic, contemporary and designed with intention, seamlessly blending French elegance with modern comfort as recently re-envisioned by renowned designer Pierre Yves-Rochon. The colorful spaces eschew traditional chintz and print, for monochrome color schemes accented by dark lacquered furniture set against muted backgrounds and black-and-white photography, lending a relaxed intimacy to the Neoclassical architecture of the property. One of London’s larger luxury hotels, the 183 rooms are well-appointed and stylish, with Smeg kettles, Nespresso machines and docking stations for your holiday playlists. The spacious black and white marble bathrooms feature Diptyque products creating a luxe spa-like experience right at your fingertips.
Bars and Restaurants:
Tucked away in the heart of Sofitel London St. James. is the eponymously named St. James Bar. An intimate and inviting cocktail destination inspired by Coco Chanel’s 1920s Paris apartment where the mood is set with warm light, marble surfaces, antique mirrors, and rich velvet banquettes, providing the perfect setting for a holiday libation. Epicurious foodies will delight in the newly launched cocktail menu, ‘A Taste of the World.’ An innovative cocktail concept inspired by traditional foods, flavors, and ingredients from around the world. In keeping with the theme, each one of the menu’s 18 cocktails represents a journey to a different part of the globe. Missing home? An Old Fashioned inspired by American BBQ might do the trick. Feeling nostalgic for last summer’s holiday in Greece? How about a Gin Sour influenced by Greek Tzatziki. Foodies needn’t stop there. Next door is the hotel’s brasserie, and Michelin-starred restaurant, Wild Honey St. James. The much buzzed about fine dining destination led by head chef Anthony Demetre, uses French culinary techniques to create unique British inspired dishes that taste as good as they look — guests celebrating Boxing Day on December 26th can look forward Wild Honey’s festive buffet of traditional dishes and champagne. What’s an afternoon in London without a spot of tea? The Rose Lounge is Sofitel London St. James’ exceedingly plush rose-filled space and the setting for an afternoon tea service that could convincingly pass for Wes Anderson film scene. The menu is especially tempting with its uniquely curated selection of sweets, some of which include panettone with spiced butter, raspberry and pistachio choux, and black forest bauble Mont Blanc, all paired with the lounge’s Rose Lounge Signature Blend Camellia tea. Tea time at The Rose Lounge is also family friendly with a fun children’s menu complete with treats such as caramel popcorn, chocolate delice, and biscuits that can be decorated with edible paint.
Setting and Location:
Perched prominently on the corner of Waterloo Place and Pall Mall, just around the corner from the Piccadilly Circus tube station, Sofitel London St. James is conveniently located near Trafalgar Square, Regent Street, Buckingham Palace and the lovely St. James Park. Its strategic location provides a serene escape, while keeping the city's cultural and historical treasures within easy reach.
In the rich tapestry of London's luxury accommodations, these three hotels stand out as beacons of holiday season indulgence, each offering a distinct experience tailored to the desires of the discerning traveler. Whether you seek winter glamour, yuletide tradition, or a merry little escape, London invites you to immerse yourself in a festive season unlike any other.
