- Home
- London Features
-
Christmas in London 2009: Hotel Hideaways
Christmas in London 2009: Hotel Hideaways
Up to your elbows in turkey stuffing, frantically list making, the arrival of the mother in law... Christmas is the perfect time to get away from it all. We’ve chosen some of our favourite places to stay in London from the most romantic to the best for a cosy Christmas and hip New Year. Some even promise to fill up your Christmas stocking. See our selection below or click here to search all hotels on LondonTown.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christmas in London 2009: Related Articles Shows & Pantos | Ice Skating | Christmas Lights | Christmas Trees | Christmas Day & Boxing Day
Share on Facebook
Tweet this article
Email to a Friend
Print Article
Link to this page
The Cadogan Hotel
75 Sloane Street, SW1W 9SGSteeped in history, The Cadogan was the scene of the arrest of Irish playwright Oscar Wilde, right here in room 118. And, if booking the Edward VII Suite, you'll be on the very spot where the future King of England had a liaison with his friend, actress Lillie Langtry... you can bet they weren't shy of the mistletoe at Christmas. Today, The Cadogan makes an excellent choice for the serious fashionista with a weakness for designer labels. Sloane Street is famous for its A-list shops with Gucci, Tiffany, Prada and Harvey Nichols among the catwalk names on the street. If eating at The Cadogan you can enjoy an intimate meal at the hotel's famous Langtry's restaurant where the special Christmas menu includes a glass of bubbly on arrival - a perfectly civilised way to spend Christmas.
May Fair Hotel
Stratton Street, W1J 8LTThis swanky hotel has been home to the movers and shakers of London Fashion Week and the BFI London Film Festival this year, with the May Fair chosen as the 'official' hotel for both high profile events. Situated on the corner of Stratton Street, just two blocks from Berkeley Square and The Ritz, the May Fair is located in one of London's most expensive districts. With its own cinema screen, casino, spa and gym as well as an in-house bar and restaurant, there's really no need to leave. A special Christmas menu at the Amba Bar & Grill serves up three courses with a selection of Scottish salmon, traditional turkey and Christmas pudding on offer (all for £39 per person) from 1st to 24th December. If you'd rather not think about Christmas at all you can relax with a Moroccan Deep Cleansing Ritual of Renewal - over four hours of pamering which includes a 90-minute full body massage and steam clean; just what you need to start the new year afresh.
Durrants
George Street, W1H 5BJDurrants is our preferred choice for a Christmas shopping weekend. It's a few streets from Oxford Street, though you'd never know it from the quiet, cosy atmosphere. Tucked away in Marylebone, this townhouse is perfect for a shopping trip with style. The area is crammed with smart boutiques, great restaurants and, of course, has the mega shops of Oxford Street nearby. Walking from the hotel to Oxford Street will take you past Manchester Square where the wonderful Wallace Collection is found – a must-see if you're staying here and so romantic. With the woes of the worn-out shopper in mind, not to mention their sore bunions, Durrants has taken pity and is offering retail enthusiasts a special weekend deal (valid until 23rd December). So, after a tough day's shopping, you can enjoy a bottle of house wine in the bar. And there's no need to rush off home either; you'll get a lie-in on Sunday thanks to an extended check-out time until 5pm.
The Goring Hotel
Beeston Place, Grosvenor Gardens, SW1W 0JWThe Goring, near to Buckingham Palace, was built by the current owner's great grandfather in 1910 and it has been in the family ever since. This heritage gives the grand old hotel a wonderful family feel which, when you're having a Christmas away from home, is exactly what's called for. The five-star Christmas celebrations start with Jeremy Goring's Champagne Party on Christmas Eve, a lavish dinner and then, at 11.30pm, Midnight Mass at St Peter's in Eaton Square, followed by mince pies and hot chocolate back at the hotel. Utter Christmas bliss. You even get Christmas Day morning tea and coffee served in your room and a Christmas gift followed by breakfast in the dining room. The high point is always Christmas Day dinner - under the guidance of executive chef Derek Quelch who came here from Claridges - when you can indulge in roast beef or turkey with all the trimmings and of course the famous Goring Christmas Pudding, served in the hotel's dining room. And it's not just on Christmas Day, you can also order from the Christmas menus from Christmas Eve until the end of Boxing Day.
Langham Hotel
1c Portland Place, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, W1B 1JAWhen the Langham first opened in 1865 it was Europe's first grand hotel - and the largest building in London. Now the results of a recent £80 million refurbishment can be seen to full effect, the grand old dame is reliving her glory days. Designer David Collins has taken his scalpel to the old gal and the post-op improvements are already evident. Just look at the Artesian bar, surely one of the most glamorous places to sip on a super chilled cocktail in the city. And the stylish Landau restaurant - named after the carriage that The Prince of Wales rode in to open this hotel back in 1865. The final phase of the renovation was a brand new lobby, Palm Court afternoon tea area and additional new bedrooms. This Christmas, the Langham is a treat to stay in and its proximity to Oxford Circus also helps to make this landmark hotel an excellent place to stay if you want to do some serious Christmas shopping.
Phone: 020 7437 4370
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus Tube
London Marriott County Hall
London County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7PBOverlooking the London Eye and directly across the river from Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, it's the views from this hotel that really sell it. This privileged position used to belong to the Greater London Council - hence the 'County Hall' in the hotel name - and some of the trappings of its former role still remain. Beautiful bronze doors, polished marbled floors and meeting rooms remind you these were once corridors of power while the Debating Chamber has been left untouched and is available to hire. With the Aquarium underneath and Dali Universe exhibition all under the same roof as the Marriott County Hall, there's plenty to do, literally on your doorstep. A gentle walk along this stretch of the river along Belvedere Road and Upper Ground reveals a cultural hot spot with the Royal Festival Hall and Southbank Centre putting on a full and varied arts programme. There are also some wonderfully festive events at this time of year to get you geared up for Christmas like the Cologne Christmas Market. If you choose to save your stay for a post-Christmas trip there's no better place to celebrate New Year's Eve in style, watching 1.4 million pounds worth of fireworks reflected in the River Thames (stays are available from a minimum of four nights including 31st December). And, with an extensive gym, spa and pool, you can relax and recover from the effects of festive over-indulgence.
Radisson Edwardian Bloomsbury Street
9-13 Bloomsbury Street, WC1B 3QDNear to the British Museum and in the heart of what used to be known as literary London, this Edwardian hotel is something of a Bloomsbury landmark. Relaunched in January 2009 following a £25million makeover, each of the 174 rooms at the Radisson Edwardian Bloomsbury Street comes with flat screen TVs and complimentary wireless - something more hotels should do as standard. Despite being part of a large-scale chain, the hotel has been tastefully decorated so that it has a boutique appeal brought out in the muted tones, accents of colour and marble in the en suite bathroom. This calming colour scheme extends to a plush lobby and respectable restaurant, just what you need to get away from it all and explore London this Christmas.
Hazlitt's
6 Frith Street, Soho Square, W1D 3JAHarry Potter author JK Rowling loves Hazlitt's, a perfect hotel retreat where you can tuck yourself away this Christmas. The larger rooms are named after aristocratic local residents, the Duke of Monmouth - the illegitate son of Charles II and Soho Square's most famous resident - and Baron Willoughby. Henry, 13th Baron Willoughby of Parnham, lived here at 6 Frith Street in the eighteenth century, and the building was occupied around fifty years later by author William Hazlitt - after whom the hotel is named, a blue plaque stands testament to this. So whether you're inspired to pen a novel or just interested in the delights of Soho - from Ronnie Scott's to Mark Hix - Hazlitt's is very special place to stay and just the kind of treat you deserve at this time of year.
Royal Park
3 Westbourne Terrace, Lancaster Gate, Hyde Park, London, W2 3ULYou'll be welcomed with a drink and mince pies on arrival at the Royal Park over Christmas. In the evening champagne, canapes and a Christmas stocking for guests under 12 are among the treats in store. Located on Westbourne Terrace, the Georgian townhouse hotel is well positioned for taking advantage of seasonal events like the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, just a few streets away. Also within walking distance is Sheldon Square, a futuristic space in the Paddington Basin development which boasts Pearl Liang and Yakitoria, two eateries worth investigating. The hotel itself is beautifully decorated with black and white tiled floors and antique furniture with cosy comforts like hand-woven woollen blankets and goose feather pillows.
San Domenico House
29-31 Draycott Place, London, SW3 2SHThe style of the Italian owner is firmly stamped on this beautiful townhouse hotel whose red-brick exterior cannot prepare you for what lies on the other side. Opulent and ornate, the hotel is crammed with heavy fabrics, cherubic angels and furniture touched with gold leaf. It's as if Italian owner, Mrs Melpignano, has furnished the hotel with things she's picked up on her regular trips to and from Italy. Dividing her time between here and San Domenico Palace, her other hotel in Puglia, Italy, she has plenty of opportunity to source the one-off quirky and antique pieces that make the hotel unique. Tucked away down a side street near the Sloane Square end of The King's Road, San Domenico House is a real hidden gem. And it's perfectly placed for Christmas shopping with the famous King's Road so nearby.
Sanderson
50 Berners Street, W1T 3NGSanderson is a good place for a party. The Philippe Starck designed hotel includes the vibe-y Long Bar which begs for a cocktail to be drunk while perched up at the pristine white onyx bar. Meanwhile festive lanterns light up the outside Courtyard Garden. Centrally positioned, Sanderson is a great choice for theatre lovers and for enjoying the sights of Soho. Berners Street adjoins Oxford Street making this a great place for shopping, and top restaurants jostle for position including the hotel's own Suka Malaysian restaurant. Or try nearby Charlotte Street which has more than its share of classy places to eat including Roka, for sushi on a par with Nobu, and Fino for top class tapas. If all that going out and partying - not to mention sampling some of London's finest eateries - has worn you out, the Agua Spa at Sanderson is just the ticket. The white, calming space with specialist treatments like Eve Lom facials is the last word in luxury.
London Hotels
From cheap budget hotels to luxury 5 star hotels see our special offers for hotels, including Hilton Hyde Park Hotel London from 77% off. |
 |
