Best Christmas Hotels in London

Nowhere does Christmas quite like London. You'll find stunning shopping options across the capital, paired with dazzling Christmas lights around every corner. There are also heaps of unusual things to enjoy in the city and heaps of hotels from which to enjoy them. We’ve handpicked a dozen of our faves that'll form the most festive of bases to experience everything from carols in medieval churches to ice-skating at Somerset House. In short, if you’re looking to stay somewhere that will bathe you in glorious Christmas vibes, these are the hotels for you. And if you really want to go big on the festive feels? You can stay in these on Christmas Day, too. After all, there’s really nothing quite like waking up in a hotel on the big day, with world-class London hospitality ready to cater to your every Christmas need.

CLARIDGES

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.

The Londoner

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. 

Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard, London

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.

Covent Garden Hotel

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.

The Zetter Hotel

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.