Planning a festive trip to London this year? These hotels really know how to do Christmas

Christmas is but the most magical time of the year. I live for it. Any reason to celebrate, no matter how small, and I jump – a trait I definitely inherited from my mother who got custom-made Friends t-shirts for my birthday last year (extra to the nth degree). 

Summer, Halloween, Tuesday… all perfectly good reasons for a party in my book, but Christmas is something special. While I don’t condone putting the tree up before December (I’m a purist), there are other ways to get in the spirit of things ahead of time; adding Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Judy Garland to your Spotify playlists, reintroducing glitter into your wardrobe and of course, buying a Maltesers chocolate reindeer anytime you do the big shop. 

For those of you who want to amp the Christmas up even further, treating yourself to a weekend city break is another great way to kick the festivities off. International travel is back on the agenda this year and the luxury of such freedom has not been lost on us. We vowed never to take it for granted again, and we’re making good on that promise by savouring each and every trip away we plan. 

However, we’re not the only ones clamouring for a change of scenery and it’s likely that the next few weeks will be some of the hospitality world’s busiest in quite some time. Pre-empt the inevitable Christmas rush by getting your word in early and booking a room at one of these gorgeous London hotels. 

The Kensington 

By far one of the most beautiful hotels I’ve been lucky enough to stay in, The Kensington is everything it’s cracked up to be and more. 

Part of the Doyle Collection family of hotels, it’s located in the heart of one of London’s most charming neighbourhoods and sits only moments from attractions such as The Royal Albert Hall, The Victoria and Albert Museum, Kensington Gardens, and the world-famous department store, Harrods. 

Glamorous while still welcoming, the inside features open fires, high ceilings, and heritage décor with Waterford crystal chandeliers to be seen in some of the rooms too. Victorian grandeur at its finest, I think you’ll agree. 

Their seasonal Christmas offer couples luxury with retail therapy and includes accommodation for two people sharing, breakfast, a £100 gift card for Harrods, and a bottle of champagne too. 

The Ned

A hotel after my own heart, The Ned takes Christmas very seriously. Very seriously, indeed. In fact, one look at all they have planned for the festive season will tell you that they’re intent on making sure that everyone leaves feeling merry and bright. From carols with Gareth Malone and his choir to a specialised Christmas dining menu (on offer from November 25) and a festive Afternoon Tea offering, they pretty much have all bases covered.

A five-star establishment housed in the former Midland bank building, the project was born out of a collaboration between London-based Soho House & Co and New York’s Sydell Group. Many of the original features from the heritage site have stayed, with the basement lounge bar often of particular interest to visitors as it’s housed inside the bank’s original vault – complete with 20-tonne door and 3,000 stainless steel security boxes and everything. 

The Zetter Townhouse

Set amongst the friendly village-like streets of Clerkenwell, Christmas at The Zetter Townhouse is all about festive dining. Think hearty meals, sumptuous desserts, and beautifully festive décor. 

An independently owned, 13-bedroom Georgian Townhouse Hotel, the team is fuelled by a passion for super cocktails, sensational parties, and the perfect slumber – all key ingredients to a festive season done right, no? 

Designed to resemble the private home of Wilhelmina Zetter – the woman behind the hotel’s name and a wonderfully eccentric character – the interior is not what you might expect, but that’s half the thrill. Mixing old with new, their Christmas Afternoon Tea is definitely worth checking out too and while the traditional scones remain, it’s the Santa macaroons and snowman meringues that really piqued our interest. 

The Rathbone

Among the most popular four-star central London hotels at Christmas, The Rathbone has 72 different rooms with free wifi, a continental breakfast, and a number of discounts to local restaurants and other such amenities. 

Close to the nearby Charlotte Street and Charlotte Place, the hotel is minutes away from the city where you’ll find activities such as ice-skating at Somerset House, Hyde Park’s winter wonderland, and any number of Christmas musicals, carol services, and shows. 

Each of the hotel’s rooms has a classic, contemporary British feel with a range of different sizes and styles available to choose between. 

The Mitre Hampton Court

A new enough addition to the London hotel scene, The Mitre only opened in 2020. But what they lack in years, they make up for in the warm hospitality that the team prides themselves on. Just footsteps from Hampton Court, a former residence of King Henry VIII and one of London’s “cheeriest festive façades” according to CNN Traveller. 

Overlooking the Thames, the hotel is the perfect place to set up base for a few days exploring with an ice rink also within walking distance. Already with quite a few festive celebrations in store for the next few weeks, those include a wreath-making workshop at the Coppernose bar and a new seasonal menu that will be available from the end of November.