The best London hotels for Christmas

Every year, this iconic London hotel receives a Christmas makeover from a famous designer: 2020 saw a McQueens Flowers oak-style tree adorned with over 10,000 crystal garlands, while 2019 was a traditional gold and red extravaganza courtesy of Christian Louboutin. 2022’s showstopper is named ‘The Diamond’ and has been designed by Sandra Choi for Jimmy Choo – it’s spectacular. As for the rest of the hotel? Expect lots more luxe festive fixtures and fittings, complementing the exquisite rooms with their classy art deco stylings, en suite marble bathrooms, and state-of-the-art technology. And for a ‘turkey and all the trimmings’ meal, the Claridge’s Festive menu is available as a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinner, as well as Boxing Day lunch. After a great breakfast, walk it all off in nearby Hyde Park.

This well-regarded Leicester Square hotel is going big on its Christmas celebrations for 2022. The whole place has been given the festive treatment, but the centrepiece is the huge Christmas tree designed by fashion hotshot – and Londoner – Daniel Fletcher. The Christmas itinerary includes wreath-making, Christmas craft workshops, an afternoon of Christmas musicals, and a very popular Christmas quiz at the hotel’s bar, Joshua’s Tavern. Keep an eye out too for winter wellness packages and two overnight experiences: one dedicated to Christmas, and another helping make your NYE very special indeed, finishing with drinks on the rooftop bar and spectacular views of the London fireworks. 

What could be better than a festive stay in a hotel located high up in one of London’s most iconic buildings? Yep, the views on offer here are pretty spectacular, especially with London’s Christmas lights twinkling below at night. Expect this place to go big for 2022, with festive dinners and afternoon teas on level 35 at TING, plus no-expense-spared Christmas decor from lobby to lounge. But if you want a top tip from us? If you can afford it, stay for NYE, as Shangri-La has just about the best views of the NYE fireworks in London, best seen from GONG on level 52 – the highest bar in London.

If we were pushed to say where’s best in the whole of London when it comes to Christmas? We’d probably say Covent Garden. The famous piazza is decked out in all manner of festive brilliance, you can smell mulled wine everywhere, and there's (usually) a massive Christmas tree bagging quite a few gawps. The Covent Garden Hotel gets in on the act too, with its Kit Kemp-designed interior given the kind of festive makeover that makes Santa very happy indeed. In 2022 we’re hoping to see the return of the festive afternoon teas served in the 1920s Paris-style Brasserie Max, as well as the Festive Film Club, held at the hotel’s own screening room.

What's more Christmassy than ice-skating? Check into the ME Hotel and head over to the Moët & Chandon rink at Somerset House where, on special club nights, DJs will provide a funky soundtrack for you to show off your moves. For learners, there’s Skate School, and non-skaters can tipple at the Alpine-themed lodge before heading back to modern designer rooms – white leather walls and soundproofing – and chill some more. Christmas 2022 sees the return of the virtual Christmas tree plus there are some awesome dedicated Christmas packages, including festive stays and festive brunches that should really bring the festive feels. And when you’re done with that? Book in for New Year’s Eve at Radio Rooftop – it’s incredible.

This luxury spot always encompasses the Christmas spirit and you can treat yourself to a stay in one of its oh-so-cool rooms with Eames designer furniture. If heading to one of the many nearby churches for a carol service – including the medieval St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate across the road – you can flex your vocal chords afterwards in the steam room and take a soak in the deep fast-fill tub. Find more festive joy at one of its seven bars and restaurants before falling between Egyptian cotton sheets.

A very cool ship-themed and riverside location might be just what you need for this festive season and Sea Containers London nails both. Designed by Tom Dixon, sleek rooms might include one of his drip wall paintings or his signature wingback chair, and have Hollywood-glamour marble bathrooms. Relax at the Agua Bathhouse & Spa, before strutting your stuff at the 12th Knot winter rooftop bar, visiting the hotel’s own 56-seat cinema, or checking out the Christmas markets along the Thames. If you're still hankering for some action, book the Get Your Skates On package, which includes tickets to the rink at Somerset House, Hotel Chocolat chocs and Sea Containers socks.

Hip to the max, the Zetter is the epitome of cool in an area where you can still find Dickens’ London. Housed in a Victorian warehouse, rooms are a combo of antique and reclaimed furniture, with super-modern comforts, like rain showers, Bose speakers and REN products. You’re in a great part of London for Christmas too, with some great cafés, bars and restaurants in nearby Exmouth Market, plus loads of great Christmas shopping options in Clerkenwell and King’s Cross, the latter of which is just a 15-minute walk away.

We can’t think of many better ways to end a Christmas shopping dash around west London than with a stay at K West & Spa. The rooms in the Shepherd's Bush hotel feature funky wallpaper, smart TVs and in-room tablets as well as sleek Philippe Starck bathrooms. Just across the road is Westfield shopping centre, and once you’ve worn yourself out exploring their pop-up Winter Village, you can head back to the hotel’s spa for revitalisation of the body. Previous years have seen some great festive packages, including the Shop and Sparkle package that includes a VIP Westfield Shopping Pass (discounts galore) and a mani/pedicure. We’re hoping to see those come back. 

London dazzles at Christmas: the Oxford Street lights alone have 1,778 snowball-like decorations (and 750,000 LED lightbulbs). So switch off at The Hoxton in nearby Holborn. Rooms are smart, but simple, with free wifi and a bag of breakfast delivered to your room, and prices to suit every pocket – shoebox, snug, cosy and roomy. The Holborn Grind serves great coffee, while the restaurant, Rondo, is headed up by ex-St John chef, Chris Gillard. Keep an eye out for the recently-opened La Cave wine bar, specialising in natural wines.

Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland is the ultimate festive destination. Play in the 'snow', get an eyeful on the giant ferris wheel, explore the Magical Ice Kingdom and get stuck into the two – yep, two! – circuses. When you're tired out from your galivanting, across the road you'll find Bayswater's Stylotel, with well-appointed rooms and en suite pod bathrooms. StyloSuites, just around the corner, start at £99 and is home to The Sussex Arms where, in the festive spirit, each guest receives one free drink.

A quirky Crimbo is in store at this ideally located townhouse, which offers a Christmas Getaway package featuring festive meals. After Midnight Mass at Westminster Abbey or Cathedral (pictured), stroll back to the cosy and boutique Artist Residence London. Charming rooms have cool and funky furnishings – they were decorated by artists, after all – with roll-top baths, slippers and robes. A real added bonus are the on-site Snug & Club and Cocktail Cellar, providing excellent bohemian café-restaurant vibes for brunch, dinner and drinks.

Dreaming of a White Christmas? Well dream on, because The London Edition's lobby is anything but. This super-stylish Berners Street hotel has a reputation for popping with colour come Christmas time, with last year playing host to artist Ed Curtis's tree, which he designed in partnership with refugee charity Choose Love. It was 18-feet high and absolutely swimming in decorations (but artfully, obvs). Expect something similarly impressive in 2022, but make sure you also head downstairs to the fabulous après ski lodge, complete with rugs and antlers.