Hotels across London are spreading some extra holiday cheer to celebrate the best times ahead. These brilliant touches of tinsel and twinkle are exactly what we crave this season.
Festive Pop Ups in Belgravia
With enticing lighting displays around every corner, extended shopping hours and an array of incredible Christmas gifts and experiences on offer, there is something for everyone to discover in Belgravia, including the beloved Eccleston Yards.
New to Eccleston Yards is Biscuiteers. Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea or perfect the art of biscuit icing. Their luxury, hand-iced biscuits make for the perfect Christmas gift or sweet treat between shopping.
A spectacular shopping experience in Belgravia is at Pantechnicon. Their Eldr Roof Garden has been transformed into a cozy winter wonderland for the festive season. Guests will enjoy an open fire pit, fur covered seats, and cozy blankets. Enjoy a serving of coffee freshly prepared over fire or indulge in the seasonal dining and cocktail menus.
Lastly, check out the Eccleston Yards Christmas Market during the weekends throughout December. The Christmas Market offers a variety of hand-crafted gifts, from candles and jewelry to socks and slippers.
The Berkeley Winter Cabins
The Berkeley has recently unveiled their Winter Cabins. The elegant terrace hosts five cozy wooden cabins. Each cabin seats up to eight diners, in addition to counter-top dining.
Guests will feast on a menu of alpine specialties surrounded by fir trees and fairy lights. And of course, the menu features fondue and a show-stopping raclette grill for indulgent cook-your-own dishes.
Starters include a trio of rostis flourished with different toppings, a hearty oxtail soup with toasted Gruyère croûte and short-rib croquettes.
For pudding, guests can select from a menu of decadent desserts designed to share, from apple tatin and pear and ginger crumble, to flambéed baked Alaska featuring three different flavours of ice cream.
A not-to-miss event is their very special hot chocolate, served tableside. Valrhona chocolate may be mixed with a generous glug of either rum or whisky. Classic cocktails and mocktails are also available.
The Berkeley Winter Cabins are open all day Wednesday-Saturday from 12pm, with the last seating at 9:15pm. Open 12-5pm on Sundays.
A Classic Christmas at The Dorchester
The Dorchester in central London is hosting a variety of festive activities for everyone of all ages. Children may sit down and write letters to Santa in their lobby, and then place them in a traditional red post box.
New for 2021, The Dorchester introduces a hidden festive cinema snug showing classic films to be enjoyed with movie snacks, comfy sofas, and hot chocolate.
Festive cocktails and seasonal dining offerings are being offered from The Grill’s Head Chef, Tom Booton. Please see a sample menu here. There will also be special seasonal Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve menus by world-renowned Michelin-starred chef, Alain Ducasse.
In addition, The Dorchester is hosting festive floral masterclasses from in-house Designer Florist, Philip Hammond. The classes for up to two guests are available daily at 6:30pm within The Florist at The Dorchester. Wreath making classes are also available.
New festive cocktails include the Naughty or Nice mulled wine or the Snowflake Negroni. Guests may also enjoy the hotel’s signature hot chocolate with toppings and accompaniments that expand far beyond traditional marshmallows.
Festive Season at 45 Park Lane
45 Park Lane in London overlooking Hyde Park is celebrating the season with full on festivities throughout the month of December. In addition to the property being setting the scene for plenty of festive celebrations, both Bar 45 and CUT at 45 Park Lane are offering special menus for the holidays.
Bar 45 is serving Festive Negronis with flavors including mince pie and spicy gingerbread. CUT at 45 Park Lane is offering a special three-course Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining menu. There is also an exciting line-up of musical acts and festive dining experiences. Be sure to make your dining reservations far in advance!
The Hari Bar Partners with Glenmorangie
The Hari’s hidden garden terrace in Knightsbridge has transformed into a festive highland in partnership with Scottish whiskey brand, Glenmorangie. Red heather, orange ilex berries and Tartan throws adorn the living wall features and furnishings.
The partnership also brings new and exciting cocktails to the hotel created by The Hari’s talented mixologist, Giuseppe Abbracciante. These festive cocktails include: Naughty & Spice: Glenmorangie, cointreau, sugar, hazelnut hot chocolate, cinnamon, orange peel, and marshmallow; and The Nutcracker: Glenmorangie, gingerbread syrup, chestnut liqueur, and a gingerbread biscuit.
Below the hotel’s unique retractable glass roof and warming heaters, the Glenmorangie terrace is an idyllic space for sipping specialty cocktails under the ethereal London night sky. The Hari Bar terrace is also available for private gatherings and events.
Miracle Pop-Up Bar at Henrietta Hotel
The Christmas-themed pop-up bar has launched at Henrietta Hotel’s mezzanine for the fourth time until December 23rd. Miracle at Henrietta provides the perfect pit-stop for cocktails in Covent Garden. nostalgic take on festive décor, designed by experiential company Marble London. Nostalgic take on festive décor are designed by experiential company, Marble London.
The renowned roster of Christmas concoctions includes the Bad Santa and SanTaRex favorites. New creations include the Jingle Balls Nog (Cognac, Cream Sherry, Almond Milk, Cream, Egg, Vanilla, Nutmeg), all served in famously fun and festive glassware.
Pair your cocktail with a variety of snacks from Lamb and Cumin Skewers and Chickpea Fritters with Pickled Radish, to Wild Mushroom and Comte Cheese Croquettes, courtesy of the highly-acclaimed Italian Supper Club.
Miracle began in 2014 at a single location in New York. It has since expanded to over 90 locations across the United States, as well as Asia, Central America, and now London.
The Churchill Bar & Terrace
The Churchill Bar & Terrace in Marylebone has recently introduced their new cocktail menu, just in time for the holiday season. This new menu is called World of Wanderlust. This concept menu inspired by the bar team’s own unforgettable travel experiences.
Cocktails include the High Altitude (as pictured above), inspired by the Himalaya’s. It is crafted with Dobel tequila, Oloroso sherry, paprika cordinal, and cardamom extract. Other notable choices include Air Safari, Thousand Islands, and Cephalonia.
From a hot air balloon ride in the Masai Mara, to camping on Lake Como, the cocktail menu transport guests across the globe, while igniting their wanderlust as they dream of their
next travel adventures abroad.
If you are in town this December, The Churchill Bar & Kitchen will host two exclusive bartending evenings. The first is with Dante based in New York City‘s Greenwich Village. The second is on December 8th with Paradiso in Barcelona. Each bar will create exclusive cocktails in celebration of each event. These bartending events are open to the public.
The King’s Ginger Pops Up at The Mitre Hotel
The King’s Ginger is taking over the stunning riverside terrace at The Mitre! The Mitre is a sophisticated boutique hotel on the banks of the River Thames next to Hampton Court Palace.
Guests will enjoy delicious, festive cocktails, cold weather warmers on the tranquil winter terrace. Parisian style furniture, white frosted trees, twinkly lights, and soft throws adorn the terrace.
The King’s Ginger was first created for King Edward VII in 1903 as a tonic against the cold. Over the years, the drink has evolved to become a staple ingredient in the most satisfying and revitalizing of winter cocktails.
The terrace marks the second collaboration between The King’s Ginger and The Mitre Hotel.
Winter Inspired Festivities at Shangri-La The Shard, London
Shangri-La The Shard’s winter wonderland transformation boasts an alpine-inspired ski lodge reception area, ski gondola displays, a gingerbread village. These displays reflect a traditional holiday season in the Alps. The holiday installation includes sustainable, up-cycled materials such as wood, recycled glass, and paper.
Throughout the season, Bar 31 offers a festive London getaway experience. The menu features hearty winter fare such as an Austrian Charcuterie Platter and Chicken Schnitzel Roll.
In addition, an Alpine Afternoon Tea is being served in TING Restaurant and Lounge. The Alpine Afternoon Tea is served from 12-4pm. Guests will enjoy a warm turkey and cranberry sausage roll and freshly baked scones, accompanied by Austrian savories such as smoked trout and pretzels spread with Liptauer. The experience is finished with delicate traditional Austrian pastries including Sachertorte and Black Forest Gâteau.
For those dreaming of a White Christmas, a snow machine sets the scene for an enchanted winter getaway. Lastly, the themed outdoor lodges for two create a cozy setting for guests to enjoy winter warmers including Glühwein, hot toddies, hot chocolate, and more.
The Secret Winter Garden at South Place Hotel
Hidden away within South Place Hotel, the Secret Garden is a magical sanctuary for guest and visitors. Located just steps away from Liverpool Street Station, this festive hideaway in London offers a spectacular display of seasonal botanicals and miniature terrarium baubles draping overhead.
Their special festive menu has been created in partnership with Woodford Reserve. It offers a selection of warming whiskey cocktails, including Wood Green, an indulgent combination of Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select, Amaretto, cream and mint syrup, and Glen’s Creek, crafted with Woodford Reserve Rye, lemon, pomegranate syrup and cocoa liqueur.