8 ways to kickstart the festive feeling in London
Visit these Christmas trees by some of our favourite designers and brands to add a boost of festive joy
The countdown to Christmas has officially begun, but if you are still struggling to feel the joy, we have the destinations that will help you get into the festivities. Tucked away from the Christmas lights of London’s main shopping streets there are hotels and a handful of other pit-stops where you can treat yourself to a drink (coffee or cocktail, your choice) while marvelling at decorations by some of the UK’s top designers and brands. From Ralph Lauren’s takeover of Sloane Square to a contemporary take on a tree by lighting designer Lee Broom and an unexpected collaboration between Elton John and Waterford, there’s something to delight everyone!
The Ralph Lauren Holiday Experience, Sloane Square
The Ralph Lauren Christmas look – think cosy plaid and chalet chic – is trending this year, so it was the ideal time for the brand to create their biggest ever brand installation on Sloane Square. There’s a gift shop, pop-up coffee kiosk and a crafting barn that will host wreath-making and cookie-decorating workshops as well as visits from Santa. A true highlight, though, is The Ralph Lauren Giving Tree (pictured top), where visitors can create and dedicate a personalised star ornament in honour of a loved one to hang on the tree, with a donation to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Skye McAlpine Christmas tree, The London EDITION
‘There is so much that I love about Christmas: the bonhomie, the food, the sweets, the conviviality, and, of course, the tree,’ said Skye McAlpine on revealing this 20-foot tree in the lobby of the Fitzrovia hotel. For the design, which features decorations made from gingerbread chocolate and more, she drew inspiration from her new cookbook The Christmas Companion and fairy tales like Hansel and Gretel. Indulge in a Chestnut Martini at the hotel’s Berner’s Tavern and £1 will go to children’s charity Magic Breakfast.
‘Hail’ chandelier, Mandarin Oriental Mayfair
This bespoke lighting installation has been conceived by designer Lee Broom (pictured) as an alternative to the traditional lobby Christmas tree. Suspended within the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair’s green marble staircase, it is comprised of fluted brushed gold columns with hand-blown reeded glass shards of light. The result is celestial and best observed from the hotel’s Atrium restaurant.
Colours of Arley Christmas tree, Sea Containers
Designed in collaboration between queen of the colourful stripe Louisa Tratalos, founder of Colours of Arley, and Jacu Strauss, Creative Director and Designer at Lore Group, this tree in the Southbank hotel’s lobby is adorned with fabric decorations. From citrus fruits to spices and animals, they represent the items brought to London by sea over the years – each one has been crafted from off-cuts left over from previous Colours of Arley projects. Want to get involved? Book a place at the Reusable Cracker Workshop (£20) on 6 December.
Christmas tree by Daniel Lee for Burberry, Claridge‘s
‘Being invited to design the hotel’s annual Christmas tree is a huge honour. I saw it as an opportunity to celebrate tradition and togetherness – expressing the season through vibrant colours and rich textures,’ says Lee, Burberry’s chief creative officer. His design in the Mayfair hotel’s lobby features bows (a Victorian symbol of unity) made from offcuts of Burberry fabric, hanging brass bells, oversized chess pieces and a gold crown in place of the traditional star or angel.
Urs Fischer Christmas tree, The Connaught
Past designers of this hotel’s iconic tree have included Dame Rachel Whiteread, Damien Hirst, Sir Anthony Gormley, Dame Tracey Emin, Sir Michael Craig-Martin and many more, making it an artistic tradition as much as a Christmas one. This year, Swiss-born visual artist Fischer is distilling the concept of the installation People – first seen in 2022 at Gagosian in New York – through the lens of the festive season, with LED-lit baubles featuring AI-generated faces. It’s a portrait of togetherness. ‘Christmas is a time to celebrate together, and this year’s design is a collective of characters doing exactly that, having a good time,’ says Fischer.
Waterford Christmas, The Bloomsbury Hotel
Elton John has designed ornaments for Waterford and this tree, located in the Coral Room of The Doyle Collection hotel is the perfect showcase for them. The baubles include the ‘Elton John AIDS Foundation Red Heart Ornament’ – ten per cent of its sales are donated to support communities affected by HIV and AIDS around the world. While taking in the twinkling lights, try one of four signature seasonal cocktails inspired by musical The Devil Wears Prada – Elton was the mastermind behind its score!
The Artist’s Tree, 45 Park Lane
The hotel’s artistic collaboration for Christmas this year is with British sculptor Ian Turnock. His delicate metallic works, which play with light and shadow to bring to mid the beauty and quietude of the winter solstice are on display beside the lobby’s Nordmann Firs. The intention is to invite people to enjoy the season, but also to slow down and appreciate the honesty of nature.
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