Top Mayfair hotels for Christmas breaks

There’s something rather magical about a festive hotel stay in London. It’s a heart-warming, Dickensian-style experience, filled with all the twinkling lights and cosy fireplace cliches you could imagine. Here are the best Mayfair hotels for Christmas breaks that offer a truly magical experience with all the lavish trimmings…

The Connaught

Christmas at The Connaught is everything you ever imagined and filled with a wholesome mix of seasonal specials that spread the festive cheer. For families, the fun kicks off before you’ve even arrived with a personalised letter for little ones from Father Christmas himself. Then there’s carols on Christmas Eve, martinis in the glittering Art Deco Connaught Bar, carrots to leave out for the hungry reindeers and stockings for all hanging on the fireplace. Don’t miss the artist-designed Christmas tree spectacle on Carlos Place and the magical horse-drawn carriage ride through the sparkling streets of Mayfair on Christmas Day, followed by a slap-up festive feast at Jean-Georges at The Connaught, Hélène Darroze, or The Connaught Grill. Christmas will never be sparklier. 

The Beaumont

Why not celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at The Beaumont? This Mayfair beauty is a glamorous backdrop for a Christmas break and happens to be a candy cane’s throw from the hallowed halls of Selfridge’s and all that Bond Street has to offer should you need to do some last-minute gift hunting. Here, festive merriment is practically bursting at the seams with garlands and enormous trees sprouting from every corner. You’ll want to order a festive cocktail at the Rat Pack-styled Le Magritte Bar & Terrace before sauntering over to the elegant Gatsby Room for a decadent festive afternoon tea. And if all that last-minute shopping caused a bit of panic, there’s always the serene spa tucked away downstairs to retreat to.

The Twenty Two

Deck the halls, a Christmas break in Mayfair at The Twenty Two is nothing short of a dream. It’s picture-postcard pretty, with a grand Edwardian facade and cape-wearing doormen to help you live out your Hallmark movie dreams, while inside feels like a plush hideaway nestled in a corner of Grosvenor Square that feels as if you’re living like a local. If you can tear yourselves away from the festive dishes at the gorgeous all-day Restaurant at The Twenty Two, head upstairs where the hotel’s 31 rooms and suites come with velvet-draped four-poster beds and sweeping marble bathrooms. Go all out and book the self-contained two-floored mews house with its own entrance onto Lees Place with plenty of space to host a little get-together on Christmas Eve. 

The Biltmore Mayfair

If you’re not feeling particularly Christmassy this year, by the time you walk through the opulent lobby of The Biltmore Mayfair you certainly will. This is a masterclass in splendour - a knockout red-brick hotel with a Regency London feel from the outside, with modern, chic interiors inside, all decked out with as many baubles and festive sparkle as you can imagine. This is an ideal place to stay for a Christmas shopping break in London thanks to the fact it’s a hop from Oxford Street and New Bond Street. You’ll want one of the penthouse suites, with iconic views of the London skyline (even more magical this time of year) and don’t miss a quintessentially English afternoon tea with a seasonal spin in the pretty Tea Lounge.

1 Hotel

Hunker down for the holidays at 1 Hotel Mayfair and be warned, you won’t want to leave. You’ll be opposite The Ritz and near The Wolseley, a bustling corner yes, but inside a calm sanctuary awaits. Sustainability is far more than an afterthought with natural materials used throughout - think oak tree tables, wooden walls and wafty linens. There’s a distinctly Scandi feel to Christmas here which feels like the perfect antidote to this hectic time of the year. Indulge in comforting seasonal dishes at Dovetale, sip on cocktails that’ll warm your cockles and book one of the suites on the seventh and eighth floors with mind-blowing views across Green Park and the city’s skyline. Plus, don’t miss a treatment at the soul-soothing Bamford Wellness Spa. 

Claridge’s

A force field of glamour and style, Claridge’s somehow manages to conjure up even more sparkle over the festive period. This iconic Mayfair hotel practically glistens with fairy dust - you’ll be hard pressed not to leave full of Christmas cheer. Come here for one of the best Christmas afternoon teas in London, where a choir of sweet-cheeked children serenade throughout December. Families adore the treats on offer for Christmas stays which include carols on Christmas Eve, a once-a-year carriage ride around Mayfair with the Fumoir’s legendary marshmallow-topped hot chocolate, a visit from Father Christmas and lunch that can be taken at any of the three restaurants, with crafts on offer to keep the little ones entertained while you’re sipping back that champagne.