The best hotels in London for Christmas 2026

If you’ve ever walked down High Holborn, you’ll probably have noticed this imposing Grade II-listed hotel. There’s a dramatic entrance archway which leads into a grand Edwardian courtyard full of black cabs, gauche Ferraris and chatty doormen ready to show you the way to reception. It is so massive that it’s easy to get lost, but at Christmas, that grand scale feels like raw magic.

The Rosewood tree takes pride of place, and there are plenty of festive touches to make a stay here feel like a proper Christmas treat. Kids can make use of the letter-to-Santa service, while grown-ups can write a festive message in calligraphy on a bauble. They also offer a two-night Christmas package, as well as Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve dining.

With over 33 Rosewood Hotels across the world, these guys know what they’re doing. The Rosewood London may not be their shiniest or newest London property (if you want that, check out The Chancery Rosewood in the former US Embassy in Grosvenor Square) but it is a dose of solid, trustworthy luxury with no nasty surprises. From the comfy velvet sofas in the entrance hall with cheeky bowls of Celebrations to the exceptional pies at the Holborn Dining Room, there’s a lot to love here.

The rooms are quiet luxury with the odd playful touch – nothing too gaudy or OTT. Everything is tastefully pared back with white walls, stylish grey details, shiny black surfaces, striped carpets and mid-mod furniture. Our corner suite was spacious and light-filled, with a glam Hollywood-style light-up vanity station, an all-white marble bathroom and a comfortably big bed. The most wild thing was that they had embroidered mine and my partner’s initials onto our pillows – a fun touch of decadence.

And then there are those pies: beautiful creations that arrive like shiny pastry crowns, stuffed with braised beef steak, chicken and wild mushroom or Lincolnshire poacher cheese and potato. Who knows, there might even be a festive one on the menu?

Time Out tip: The Winter in a new Light deal is worth looking at for a Christmas 26/27 stay

Address: 252, High Holborn, WC1V 7EN

Price: Starting from £500 per night

Nearest transport: Five-minute walk from Holborn Station

If Santa ditched the sleigh and booked a five-star London staycation, you can bet he’d end up at The Berkeley. This Hyde Park-adjacent palace goes full in and them some for the festive season. And yep, it’ll cost you a small fortune. But for £900 a night, you’ll get unlimited festive smugness and enough Champagne to make you forget how much it all costs

Forget your standard twinkly fairy lights. The Berkeley’s “Snowfall” installation turns its Portland stone façade into a literal blizzard of 137,000 glittering LEDs. Inside, it’s all roaring fires, impossibly chic wreaths, and just the right number of cinnamon-scented candles to make you question whether you’ve fallen into a luxury Christmas film.

Up on the roof, things get even more deliriously Christmassy. The annual Feast Off Piste pop-up transforms the skyline into a mini Alpine village: think ski gondola dining pods, fondue that could feed a small nation and hot toddies that melt the frost from your bones. With a view straight over Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland (minus the queues and £12 mulled wine), you’ll be in one of the most festive locations in the whole city. Order one of everything on the winter cocktail list, then settle in for the full experience.

And because this is The Berkeley, even sleeping gets the festive treatment. On Christmas Day, stockings are hung on room doors for children to find, while the rest of the day unfolds like a snow-filled dream. Christmas breakfast leads to a horse-drawn carriage ride through Belgravia, complete with hot chocolate and marshmallows, before returning in time to tuck into a traditional feast and toast the season in pure Berkeley style.

With its mix of sparkle and sheer extravagance, The Berkeley might just be London’s most gloriously over-the-top winter wonderland. Just don’t check your credit card bill until January.

Time Out tip: Don't leave without trying the gingerbread s’mores at Feast Off Piste, they're really quite something. 

Address: Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RL

Price: Starting from £900 per night

Nearest transport: Five-minute walk from Knightsbridge and Hyde Park Corner stations 

At Christmas, The Dorchester doesn’t just lean into the season – it goes full Mariah Carey. From the moment you step through those revolving doors, it is like you’re part of a festive film set. The marble lobby is a glittering winter wonderland: giant nutcrackers stand guard, fir trees twinkle from floor to ceiling, and garlands so decadent they’d make your nan’s baubles blush are draped over every bannister. It’s bold, brassy and exactly as extra as you’d hope from London’s most famous grande dame. 

The heart of the hotel – the long, sweeping Promenade – turns into one of the city’s most dazzling Christmas spots. By day, it’s the place to book in for the Dorchester’s legendary afternoon tea, which swaps finger sandwiches and scones for festive takes: think spiced cakes, glossy pastries and plenty of champagne under a canopy of twinkling chandeliers. By night, the atmosphere gets even more cinematic, with carol singers wandering through the lobby and cocktails being shaken at the bar. You can even book in for lunch or afternoon tea on Christmas Eve or lunch on Christmas Day, where Santa might even be in attendance!

It’s all unapologetically indulgent, of course, but that’s the point. Christmas at The Dorchester is less about subtle seasonal touches and more about delivering full-throttle festive fantasy. You come here for the drama, the decadence, and the sheer sense of occasion. Whether you’re stopping in for a champagne nightcap, booking yourself a table for tea, or going all-out with an overnight stay, it’s an experience that feels like a once-in-a-lifetime treat.

And yes, you know it is going to be expensive. But if you’re looking for somewhere in London that captures the sparkle, the spectacle and the spirit of Christmas in one hit, The Dorchester might just be unbeatable.

Time Out tip: If you or your kids are David Walliams fans, he's doing a live reading of his Christmas story, Santa & Son on the 30th of November, complete with afternoon tea.

Address: 53 Park Lane, London W1K 1QA

Price: Starting from approximately £900 per night

Closest transport: Hyde Park Corner Underground Station is a seven-minute walk

Ooh la la, Christmas at The Savoy, one of the great London hotels, doesn’t sound half bad, does it? This place is an icon and an institution, with river views that its rivals can only envy, and at Christmas it really does provide all the festive goods. Yes, that even means making it snow just outside the entrance.

In recent years, The Savoy has gone all out for the season, hosting grand festive parties, creating its own Christmas cocktail menu and putting on a suitably Christmassy afternoon tea in the Thames Foyer, complete with a menu for children, too. Christmas dinner was also served - of course, with champagne galore ready to be ordered.

There are 263 rooms and suites in the place, ranging from entry-level Deluxe Queen rooms to the huge Savoy Suite (which will set you back more than £10,000 a night). 

The big draw (and one of the main reasons to book The Savoy in the first place) is the river view. Painted from the hotel by Monet and Whistler, the Thames panorama is spectacular by day or night, with river-view rooms making the most of it with window seats and full-length plate glass. You can crane your head all the way from Canary Wharf to Vauxhall on your right, with the City, Tate Modern, the National Theatre, the London Eye, Cleopatra’s Needle and Big Ben arrayed before you. Truly, it’s awe-inspiring. The hotel might have been built in the 1880s, but you bet it's still the star of the show in 2026.

Time Out tip: Don't miss the lobby bakery, Scoff, serving patisserie and scones to go, and hopefully some festive treats, too.

Address: Strand, WC2R 0EZ

Price: From £650 per night 

Closest transport: Charing Cross station is a four-minute walk away

Let’s be real, London’s Kimpton Fitzroy is a pretty nice place to stay at any time of year. But, in the festive season, it’s where Bloomsbury’s bold Edwardian swagger meets real Christmas soul. Forget sleepy holiday clichés: this place is unapologetically theatrical, yet somehow still feels like home (if your home had a 16-foot tree dressed in architecture-inspired baubles).

Location? Chef’s kiss. Nestled right by Russell Square, you’re a press-of-a-button away from the West End shows, ice-rinks and market stalls – yet once inside, the city’s noisy circus quiets to a hushed hum. That makes it the kind of spot where finding your Christmassy groove is effortless.

Inside, the festive magic unfolds like a perfectly pitched rom-com. Kick off the evening at Social Hour – with complimentary tipples, of course – then saunter into Fitz’s, where velvet-sofa decadence meets cocktails with as much sparkle as the décor. Feasting here is a packaged delight. Stays come with Champagne on arrival and feast-credits for dinner, ensuring you never want to leave your room – or even your food coma. Christmas Day? Sorted. New Year’s Eve? They’ve got layered menus and soirées planned that make the chime at midnight feel earned.

But the glorious gothic lobby should be more than enough to convince you to book a stay. It is gorgeous anyway but at Christmas, it is just wow. And if you love a bit of meaning with your merry-making, you can buy Christmas cards supporting the childrens' charity Carom at reception.

Time Out tip: Visit the nearby cult bakery Fortitude.

Address: 1-8 Russell Square, Bloomsbury, WC1B 5BE

Price: Doubles start at £310

Nearest transport: Russell Square tube station is a two-minute walk. 

Every year, this iconic London hotel receives a magical Christmas transformation, courtesy of renowned designers. In 2021, ‘The Celestial Snow Globe’ by Kim Jones, Artistic Director of the Dior men’s collection, stole the show, while 2022 showcased a sculptural masterpiece complete with reflective mirrors and radiant light designed by Sandra Choi for Jimmy Choo. In 2023, Claridge’s once again teamed up with a heavyweight in fashion: Louis Vuitton. What was born was a towering 5.2 tree made entirely from two stacked wardrobe trunks (honestly quite something).

In 2024, it was the turn of Sir Paul Smith – a longtime Claridge’s friend – to sprinkle his signature whimsy. His 20-foot tree was classic in shape but utterly unique in detail, festooned with more than 100 bespoke birdhouses (featuring quirky roofs sporting playing cards, postage stamps, dice). The whole setting was scented with Paul Smith’s Merrymaker fragrance, no less. And you bet there was a roaming “Pick ’n’ Mix” trolley dispensing sweet treats. Last year, Burberry's Daniel Lee decorated the tree with hundreds of bows, the Victorian symbol of unity, made from Burberry fabric.

What’s in store for the Christmas design in 2026 is still under wraps but if history’s any indicator, it’s sure to be a showstopper. As for the rest of the hotel? There is a brilliant three-night package that runs from the 23rd or the 24th of December and includes mince pies and carrots for kids to place on the mantlepiece, a visit from Father Christmas and his elves, carol singing and a horse-drawn carriage ride around Mayfair. Christmas lunch is even thrown in for good measure: can you think of anything more festive? 

Time Out tip: If you book in advance, you sometimes can bag yourself a sweet 20 percent off deal. 

Address: 55 Brook Street, W1K 4HR

Price: Rooms start at £700

Nearest transport: Less than a 10-minute stroll from Bond Street

Dreaming of a white Christmas? Well, dream on baby, because The London EDITION’s lobby bursts with vibrant colour and energy each festive season. In fact, this stylish Berners Street hotel has become as famous for its Christmas displays as it is for its sleek, contemporary interiors.

In 2024, the tree was designed by Ashish Gupta, a visionary artist known for his bold use of colour and texture. Inspired by his own childhood in India, it flushed the hotel lobby in jewel tones and metallic accent. If you didn’t get the chance to see it, basically it was covered in tinsel. Last year, it was the turn of cookery writer Skye McAlpine, who surrounded the tree with a village of gingerbread cottages.

This year, the hotel promises yet another (soon to be announced) show-stopping installation. What it will look like is anyone’s guess but it is bound to be just as jaw-dropping. The hotel also has festive menus aplenty with the cocktails to match: think favourites including Norfolk Bronze turkey, roasted duck breast and charred cauliflower steaks.

It also makes a perfect base for exploring London. You’re a short walk away from Covent Garden’s towering Christmas tree, Oxford and Regent Street’s glittering lights, and the West End. Whether you’re spending a single night or treating yourself to a longer festive escape, The London EDITION combines striking design, cosy winter indulgence, and easy access to the capital’s seasonal spectacle.

Time Out tip: The Edition also offers drink packages for the festive season, starting at £30 per person.

Address: 10 Berners Street, W1T 3NP

Price: Prices start at £550

Nearest transport: Oxford Circus is about a six-minute walk

What could be better than a holiday stay high above London in one of its most iconic buildings? Yep, the views from this place are pretty spectacular, especially when the city’s Christmas lights twinkle below.  

And wow do they know how to do it right. In 2023, the Shangri-La Hotel launched their ‘Enchanted Wonders’ theme in spectacular fashion, collaborating with Jo Loves and Warner House to debut a scent-infused Christmas tree, immersive fragrance moments, wreath-making workshops – and a festive afternoon tea suspended 35 floors above the city.

In 2024, things went delightfully left-field. The lobby got a retro-futuristic glow-up with an aviation-themed Christmas tree (a red aeroplane actually featured) and, best of all, a giant advent calendar where every door hid something outrageous – think Jo Loves fragrances, fancy dinners and even stays at Shangri-La hotels around the globe. (Yep, they really do like to treat us). In 2025, they chose to go more classic with a gold-and-red-decorated number. 

So far for 2026, the hotel has revealed a festive three-course menu complete with champagne and fine wine, all while gazing across London’s skyline. And don’t forget to try the hotel’s festive afternoon tea; the menu includes roasted dry-aged beef finger sandwiches and raison scones with cranberry jam and clotted cream. Yum.

Tip Out Tip: If you can afford it, consider staying here for the hotel’s cabaret-inspired New Year’s Eve celebration. Shangri-La boasts some of the best views of London’s annual firework displays, best enjoyed from GONG on level 520 London’s highest bar.

Address: Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard, London

Price: Rooms start at £650

Nearest transport: London Bridge tube station is a one-minute walk away.

If you’re after a Christmas stay that feels like a proper seasonal treat, The Landmark London hits the sweet spot. Nestled in Marylebone, it’s big, elegant, and festive – think soaring glass atrium and a 24ft Christmas tree that manages to be impressive without ever tipping into tacky.

The hotel’s seasonal packages make it easy to soak up all the festive joy. Families can enjoy the Elf Escape Christmas package, with overnight stays in spacious rooms, breakfasts in a winter garden, and surprise gifts for the little ones. Couples might prefer the Festive Getaway deal, complete with Champagne on arrival, festive movies available in your room and homemade luxury fudge. 

Dining at The Landmark is equally compelling. Afternoon tea goes full seasonal, with scones, spiced cakes, and glossy pastries that practically demand a photo. Christmas Day sees a lavish buffet spread, from fresh seafood to traditional roasts, all served alongside unlimited Rosé Champagne. And when it comes to cocktails or a quiet post-market mulled wine, the lounges make a cosy retreat after a day exploring London’s festive lights, ice rinks, and riverside markets.

With its central location, and thoughtful seasonal touches, The Landmark is a strong contender for anyone wanting a refined Christmas in London. 

Time Out tip: Don’t forget to have a traditional English breakfast in the hotel's Winter Garden.

Address: 222 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 6JQ

Price: Rooms start at £500

Nearest Transport: Marylebone station is a one-minute walk away

Is there anything more festive than staring out across the Thames as the city’s Christmas lights shimmer in the distance? Okay, maybe a mulled wine in hand helps. But still – the Southbank has long been one of London’s top festive destinations, and December really brings it alive. Take a riverside stroll beneath the fairy lights, catch a seasonal show at The National Theatre or The Globe, or book one of those cosy igloos that pop up along the riverbank and settle in for a cocktail (or three). Add in the Christmas markets brimming with handmade gifts, steaming hot chocolate, and the odd bratwurst and you’ve got one of the capital’s most atmospheric winter playgrounds.

To be at the centre of it all, book a stay at  Sea Containers London. This is a hotel that leans into its riverside setting with style. Designed by the ever-innovative Tom Dixon, its interiors nod to the golden age of transatlantic travel: there are brass accents, curved walls and a lobby that feels more like the deck of a sleek cruise liner than a hotel. The rooms are equally distinctive, with soft colour palettes, retro touches, and if you’re lucky views that sweep straight across the Thames towards St Paul’s. It’s the kind of backdrop that makes even a grey December day feel worth staring out at.

Festive dining here is another draw. Sea Containers Restaurant lays on seasonal menus with all the trimmings, while the rooftop bar, 12th Knot, is where you’ll want to toast Christmas against that iconic skyline. Downstairs, Lyaness, one of London’s most inventive cocktail bars, shakes up festive specials that are guaranteed to beat your average mulled wine.

Tip Out tip: If you’re still in search of a Christmas Day treat, reserve a table at the hotel’s restaurant and gather your loved ones along the South Bank for a delicious four-course set menu. Mains include Norfolk turkey and mushroom wellington.

Address: 20 Upper Ground, SE1 9PD

Price: From £200 a night

Nearest transport: Southwark tube is a seven-minute walk

Whether you’re planning an extended stay in the city or just a one-night festive escape, this hotel sets the stage for an unforgettable Christmas experience. Spoil yourself with a stay in one of its effortlessly stylish rooms adorned with Eames-designed furniture and indulge in festive treats at the hotel’s seven bars and restaurants. 

You definitely won’t go hungry. In fact, you could easily spend your whole stay eating and drinking your way through the building. Expect generous festive menus that lean into the classics (turkey with all the trimmings, fat soaked roast potatoes, indulgent puddings – you know the thing), plus a few contemporary twists that make it more than just a traditional Christmas spread. The bar scene is just as strong – whether it’s mulled wine before heading out to see the lights, or a late-night cocktail to round off your evening, you’ll be well catered for.

Part of the joy of staying here in December is the sense of being plugged into the city’s seasonal rhythm. Step outside and you’re surrounded by the buzz of the Square Mile, but walk a few minutes further and you’ll stumble into proper Dickensian London – narrow lanes, hidden courtyards, and centuries-old churches where carol services are still going strong. St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate, right across the road, is a must for that spine-tingling Christmas singalong moment. And when you’re done belting out the descant, retreat back to the hotel’s steam room to warm up, unwind and, quite literally, find your voice again.

Tip Out tip: If you’re considering hosting a company event or looking for a venue to organise an intimate celebration, the setting at Andaz London will make your gatherings extra special.

Address: 40 Liverpool Street, EC2M 7QN

Price: Prices start at £440

Nearest station: Liverpool Street station is a one-minute walk.

If you’re a certain way inclined and don’t mind lots and lots of people, then Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland might just be the crown jewel of London’s festive season.

From the moment you step inside, you’re plunged into a winter playground. There are fairy-lit avenues lined with wooden chalets selling everything from handmade gifts to mulled wine, a giant Ferris wheel, and the Magical Ice Kingdom, where ice installations transport you to a frozen fantasy world. Add to that not one but two circuses, and for the brave among us, a hub of heart-stopping rides to queue for. You could easily lose a whole day wandering, eating, and soaking up the festive atmosphere. If you think that sounds exhausting, you'd be absolutely right.

So, after all that, you’ll want somewhere nearby to rest your feet, and that’s where Stylotel in Bayswater comes in. Rooms here are compact but smart, with en-suite pod bathrooms, and the hotel’s location is ideal for popping back into Hyde Park for the night-time lights or exploring nearby Notting Hill or Kensington. For those on a tighter budget, StyloSuites, just a few minutes’ walk away, start at £99 a night and include The Sussex Arms on site, where guests are greeted with a complimentary drink — the perfect way to raise a glass to the season before venturing out to the lights and markets. Having a convenient, well-located base makes all the difference after a day of revelry in Christmas cheer, and that’s exactly what these hotels provide.

Time Out tip: Enjoy easy access to Winter Wonderland, the perfect spot for a festive date night if that's your thing.

Address: 160-162 Sussex Gardens, W2 1UD

Price: From £99

Nearest transport: Paddington Station is a two-minute walk away.

Right in the thick of Leicester Square’s glitz and glow, The Londoner is a luxury hotel that knows how to do Christmas with a sense of occasion. It’s stylish all year round, of course, but once the festive season rolls in, the hotel leans into cosy indulgence and seasonal sparkle in a way that makes a stay here feel extra special.

The star of the show is Whitcomb’s, the hotel’s restaurant, where Christmas Day is marked with a five-course lunch and dinner served with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Brut. The menu includes beef éclair to start, confit butternut squash as a main, and glazed Jivara mousse with a mulled wine centre to finish. It’s festive dining done with a continental twist – sophisticated, generous and a bit of a break from tradition if you’ve had enough turkey and sprouts already. The setting itself, all sleek lines and soft lighting, adds to the celebratory mood.

But The Londoner is just as much about atmosphere as it is about the food. At night, head upstairs to 8, the rooftop izakaya bar, where the vibe turns properly wonderful. Picture sipping warm sake by the fire pit, looking out over London’s skyline lit up with Christmas lights, or tucking under a blanket with cocktails as Leicester Square buzzes below. It’s one of the few spots in the city where you can feel simultaneously in the heart of the action and floating cloudlike above it. You can come here on Chrstimas Day, too.

Beyond that, the hotel leans into understated festive touches—wreaths, lights, and warm, welcoming spaces that make it feel like a retreat from the chaos outside. The Londoner manages to balance glamour and cosiness perfectly. But, what else would you expect?

Time Out tip: Check out the hotel's New Year programme too.

Address: 38 Leicester Square, WC2H 7DX

Price: Rooms start at £316

Nearest transport: Leicester Square station is only a one-minute walk away 

If we had to pick the most Christmassy place in London, Covent Garden would take it. Mulled wine wafts through the air, there’s lights hanging off every shop and that Christmas tree in the centre? Well, it just about demands a photo. Even the most seasoned Londoner can’t help but stop, grin and feel a festive glow. If you’ve ever daydreamed about starring in a famous Christmas movie, this is about as close as you’ll get.

Luckily, the Covent Garden Hotel doesn’t miss out on the fun either and knows all too well how to match the magic outside its doors. Step inside and you’ll find Kit Kemp’s already colourful interiors dressed up for the holidays – think playful, eclectic touches with a Christmassy flourish. It’s warm, inviting and stylish without ever feeling stuffy, the kind of setting that immediately puts you in the holiday mood. 

Food is where the hotel really comes into its own. Fingers crossed, their festive afternoon tea returns this year – it’s become a bit of a tradition for Londoners in the know, with spiced cakes, wintery pastries and plenty of fizz served in the hotel’s cosy drawing room. Then there’s Christmas Day itself, which Brasserie Max – the hotel’s elegant 1920s Paris-style restaurant – takes seriously. Expect a proper banquet: Champagne and canapés to start, refined takes on classics like crab and prawn cocktail, followed by indulgent mains such as roast bronze turkey with all the trimmings or a seriously rich beef Wellington. And yes, there will be pudding.

The festive cheer doesn’t stop with food, either. The Covent Garden Hotel also runs a Festive Film Club in its plush little screening room, pairing classic Christmas movies with drinks and nibbles. A stay here would even put a smile on Santa’s face.

Time Out tip: Why not check out the Royal Opera House when you're in the area? The Nutcracker is on every Christmas.

Address: 10 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9LF

Price: Rooms start at £360

Nearest transport: Covent Garden is a three-minute walk 

Nothing says Christmas in London quite like lacing up your skates and gliding across the ice – even if you spend more time clinging to the barrier than elegantly twirling. Guests at the ME Hotel are perfectly placed for one of the capital’s most magical rinks: Somerset House, just a short stroll away. With its 18th-century courtyard twinkling under fairy lights, it’s basically Christmas postcard material. Add in the rink’s special Skate Lates club nights, where DJs spin house, disco and funk while you wobble your way round, and you’ve got one of the coolest festive experiences in town (literally).

Newbies don’t need to stress either – the rink’s Skate School will have you gliding in no time, while non-skaters can cosy up in the rink-side alpine lodge with a mulled wine in hand. Afterwards, retreat back to ME London’s sleek white leather–panelled rooms, which are soundproofed to guarantee a peaceful night’s sleep after all the festive chaos outside. With 157 rooms and 15 suites, there’s plenty of space to hibernate in style.

The hotel itself is just as much of a draw as the skating. Think understated modern design, calming interiors and, come December, festive touches that’ll make your stay feel like a proper holiday treat. In 2026, we’re expecting the return of ME’s festive packages – Christmas brunches, seasonal stays and cocktails with a yuletide twist. And if you’re really looking to end the year with a bang? Book your spot at the hotel’s famous Radio Rooftop for New Year’s Eve. With panoramic views over the Thames, St Paul’s and the London Eye, it’s easily one of the city’s most spectacular countdowns.

Time Out tip: Check out the exhibitions in Somerset House while you're there. 

Address: 336-337 Strand, London, WC2R 1HA

Price: Prices start at £348 

Nearest transport: Temple station is an eight-minute walk