The Holiday Season Begins at St. James's Hotel & Club in London

The Holiday Season Begins at St. James's Hotel & Club in London

Starting November 18, the five-star St. James's Hotel & Club, an Althoff Collection Hotel, in London will be transformed into a Christmas hideaway in the heart of Mayfair. A member of Leading Hotels of the World, and one of only four London hotels featured in the Fodor’s Finest 2025 list of the 100 best hotels in the world, St James's will be offering Festive Afternoon Tea, celebratory menus, carol singing and, from its roof gardens, prime views of the city’s New Year’s Eve fireworks.

The hotel will be transformed for the holidays with beautifully decorated Christmas trees and baskets of clementines set up in every guest room and suite. This year’s decor is inspired by the classic ballet, The Nutcracker, which guests can see at the nearby London Coliseum. Guests will be greeted by red and green nutcracker figurines as they enter the hotel, and The Nutcracker theme will be present throughout, from the Christmas trees to the garlands adorning the banisters.

On December 14 and 20, 2024, St. James’s will host carol singers, and serve complimentary mulled wine and mince pies. On Christmas Eve, stockings will be hung on each door so that each guest wakes up to a surprise on Christmas Morning.

Created by Executive Chef William Drabble, the Festive Afternoon Tea features sweet treats such as Santa’s trifle, Christmas tree chocolate sponge with orange mousse and a Chocolate and kirsch cherry yule log. Traditional scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream are served alongside finger sandwiches, including classics as well as Drabble’s take on the ultimate Christmas sandwich: butter-roasted turkey served with homemade cranberry, port and orange compote.

Throughout the holiday holiday season, Francatelli restaurant at St. James’s will serve festive tasting menus inspired by the banquets once prepared for Queen Victoria by the restaurant's renowned namesake chef, Charles Francatelli. These menus also pay homage to the illustrious past of the hotel, which served as a private members' club frequented by figures such as Winston Churchill, Ian Fleming and Sean Connery. Special tasting menus will be offered for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. To ring in the New Year, guests can view London’s fireworks from the rooftop suites and their private terraces.

For more information about the St. James’s Hotel & Club, An Althoff Collection Hotel, visit: www.stjameshotelandclub.com/en.