London shopping weekends – 10 festive hotels for Christmas, New Years Eve or the January sales

By Yvette Caster, Freelance journalist and podcaster

Saturday 22 Dec 2018 10:16 am

Fairy lights, festive theatre and the best shops in the land – London is always popular for a weekend break around Christmas and New Year.

Whether youre planning a last-minute dash around Libertys, fancy a trip to Winter Wonderland or want to see a panto, theres no shortage of entertainment.

Twixmas (the bit between Christmas and New Year) is another great time to visit if you know youll end up with a wad of vouchers or have the balls for Boxing Day or early January sales.

If youre planning a London weekend break theres no shortage of options when it comes to hotels.

Heres some suggestions across the city, for a range of budgets.

Jumeirah Carlton Tower

Looking for labels and fizz? Head to this gold-hued five-star hotel in the fancy pants part of London with its pretty but tasteful decorations.

They serve a Christmas afternoon tea and delicious dates, rooms come with their own iPads and Molton Brown toiletries, while the mini bars are stocked with Laurent-Perrier.

Nearest tube? Knightsbridge.

Whats nearby? Harrods, Harvey Nichols and designer stores.

Cost? Rooms at Jumeirah Carlton Tower start from £325.

They also have a Festive Family Time package including accommodation for children, butler service, breakfast, Champagne and festive toys, cookies and films from £702 until December 31.

Best for: Those looking for unabashed luxury and a lovely spa and pool.

Royal Lancaster London

This stylish five-star hotel hotel with views of Hyde Park and beyond has recently had an £85million facelift.

Theres a ginormous Christmas tree in the lobby, pastel furniture and arty decor in the rooms and their Thai restaurant, Nipa Thai, is renowned.

Nearest tube? Lancaster Gate.

Whats nearby? Notting Hill and Hyde Park. Hop on the Central Line one way to Oxford street, or the other to White City for Westfield shopping centre.

Cost? Rooms at Royal Lancaster London cost from £219 per night.

Best for: Stunning views of Winter Wonderland and New Years Eve fireworks.

Park Plaza London Riverbank

Fans of CS Lewis and Christmas in general will love the hotels Ultimate Christmas Suite (also pictured top) – its an indoor winter wonderland of fairly lights, fake fur and snow.

Inspired by The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, you cant help but feel festive thanks to the glittering trees, sleigh and stockings.

Nearest tube? Vauxhall.

Whats nearby? Tate Britain. For shopping, take the Victoria line to Oxford Street.

Cost? Park Plaza London Riverbanks Ultimate Christmas Suite costs from £159. You can book it until 27 December. Standard rooms cost from £119.

Best for: Bringing out your inner child and rereading festive favourites in a comfy bed.

Royal Garden Hotel Kensington

The hotels Christmas afternoon tea costs from £31. The venue also serves Christmas lunch and New Years Eve dinner at its Chinese restaurant Min Jiang (Picture: Royal Garden Hotel)

A classically British hotel, with elegant decor and pleasant staff.

Youre practically hanging over Hyde Park here, with views of the greenery below, which makes for a surprisingly calm city break.

Nearest tube? High Street Kensington.

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Whats nearby? A London high street more manageable than the giants – with shops including LOccitane, Waterstones, Whole Foods and M&S, plus The Ivy for a fancy lunch.

Cost? Rooms at Royal Garden Hotel Kensington cost from £195.50 per night.

Best for: Pretending youre a minor royal popping in to Kensington Palace for Christmas

InterContinental London – The O2

With festive shows such as Disney On Ice, not to mention gigs from Peter Kay and The 1975, coming up at the O2, this hotel is handy if you dont fancy the rush to catch your last train home.

It makes for a fine stay even if youre shunning the O2 itself – the hotels Peninsula Restaurant serves up stunning meals with a gorgeous view.

Nearest tube? North Greenwich.

Whats nearby? The O2! For shops, hop on the Jubilee line to Westfield in Stratford or Canary Wharf with its four, smaller malls.

Cost? Rooms at InterContinental London – The O2 cost from £195, including breakfast. Their New Years Eve dinner costs £75.

Best for: Utterly beautiful meals and a room with a view to retreat to after a show.

Le Meridien Piccadilly

A great place for fearless shoppers and theatre-lovers alike, this hotels location in the heart of tourist London is excellent, and theres a lovely pool too.

Their bar, Maskelyne & Cooke is great fun, with decadent snacks such as mini beef Wellington, inventive drinks and a magician performing table tricks.

Nearest tube? Piccadilly Circus.

Whats nearby? All the big shops and shows. In Soho you can get Christmas gel nails at a Naild It salon (quote #CostaChristmasNails for 20 per cent off).

Cost? Rooms at Le Meridien Piccadilly cost from £234 per night and you can also book a magic masterclass.

Best for: Impressive cocktails and magic to make your head spin.

Mercure London Hyde Park

Celebrating London on the big screen, this has film memorabilia in the lobby and tickets to Electric Cinema in Portobello.

Rooms are compact but pretty, and breakfast includes very good quality pastries.

Nearest tube? Paddington.

Whats nearby? Hyde Park and Paddington station.

Cost? The film package, which includes breakfast, cinema vouchers, popcorn and a guide to locations used in the original Mary Poppins, runs until February 28, cost from £163.

Best for: Film fans.

DoubleTree by Hilton London – Tower of London

Looking to learn about old London? This is well-placed near The Tower Of London and St Pauls Cathedral.

Theres also a Narnia-themed roof top bar here, with swish views over the city.

Nearest tube? Tower Hill.

Whats nearby? The Tower, complete with its seasonal ice rink. Foodies should head to Borough Market, for vintage fashion, Old Spitalfields Market.

Cost? Rooms at DoubleTree by Hilton London – Tower of London cost from £92 (as part of Hiltons winter sale which offers 25 per cent off more than 400 hotels until January 31).

Best for: History buffs.

Waterloo Central Travelodge Plus

Flat screen TVs, comfy beds and Kit Kats in the tea kit – this may be a cheaper option but its all you need.

The hotel recently had a refurb so everythings shiny, and the £8.95 buffet breakfast is good quality with lots of options.

Nearest tube? Waterloo.

Whats nearby? The Old Vic, currently staging A Christmas Carol, and the Young Vic.

Cost? Rooms at Waterloo Central Travelodge Plus cost from £49. Outside London, Travelodge is selling 2million rooms for £29 per night until October 21 2019 (excludes Travelodge Plus).

Best for: Budget-conscious theatre-lovers and those travelling into London Waterloo.

Ibis London Canning Town

Right opposite Canning Town tube, this no frills hotel boasts a cheerful bar on the ground floor and quiet rooms above.

Theres a late night pizza menu and all the basics.

Nearest tube? Canning Town.

Whats nearby? Not much, but on the Jubilee line the O2 is one stop away, or take the same line into the centre of London for all the shops you need.

Cost? Rooms at Ibis London Canning Town cost from £43.

Best for: Super-savers looking for a well-connected stay.

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