Best UK Hotels for Christmas Decorations & Afternoon Tea 2025

At Christmas, hotels across the UK transform into glowing winter wonderlands, lined with plush greenery and bright baubles, and some are worth visiting for the decorations alone. This guide highlights some of our top Afternoon Tea spots this Christmas, where you can find some of the nation's most delightful festive decorations.

Want some more? Why not check out our Festive Afternoon Tea hub.

Raffles London at The OWO

Raffles London at The OWO takes Christmas very seriously. The Grade II* Edwardian Baroque façade on Whitehall is framed with tall columns of warm white lights and dense red-and-gold garlands, while a towering tree glows in the inner courtyard, surrounded by smaller evergreens. Arriving after dark, the building almost looks stitched in light, with the decorations echoing the graphic lines of the architecture.

Inside, the mood turns cosy. Grand staircases are flanked by opulently dressed trees in traditional crimson and gold, marble fireplaces are edged with thick greenery and stockings, and deep wood-panelled salons are set with berries, candles and bright red ribbons. It feels like a classic London townhouse Christmas on a very generous scale.

Festive Afternoon Tea at The Drawing Room, Raffles London at The OWO

In The Drawing Room, the “Secrets & Spies” Festive Afternoon Tea nods to the building’s history with a quietly playful menu. An amuse bouche of delicata pumpkin and caramelised onion with mascarpone and pickled pear opens the experience, followed by an elegant run of finger sandwiches such as Fosse Meadows turkey with walnut and carrot, truffled egg with mustard cress, prawn rillettes on rye, honey-roast ham with rosemary, and cucumber with mint yoghurt and sumac. Warm buttermilk and sultana scones arrive with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserve.

Pastries come with suitably theatrical names, including White Christmas with spiced pear and ginger, Jingle Bell Rock with milk chocolate and clementine, Here Comes Santa Claus with candied chestnut and cranberry, and Deck the Halls with lemon, cinnamon and honey. To finish, the table shares a showpiece “Rocking Around The Christmas Tree” chocolate and hazelnut creation. Festive Afternoon Tea is from £97 per person, with the option to add champagne or a wine pairing.

Need to know

• Location: The Drawing Room, Raffles London at The OWO, 57 Whitehall, London SW1A 2BX

• Dates: 15 November 2025 to 5 January 2026

• Serving times: Daily, 12 pm to 5.30 pm

• Price: From £97 per person (supplements apply for champagne and pairings)

Find out more and book Festive Afternoon Tea at Raffles London

Mandarin Oriental

Few London hotels look more dramatic at Christmas than Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. By night, the red-brick façade is traced with cascades of warm white lights and starburst motifs, turning the building on Knightsbridge into a glowing landmark on the edge of the park. Step inside and the sense of occasion somehow intensifies, with marble columns, gilded details and sculptural arrangements all picked out by soft, golden lighting.

The main staircase becomes the star of the show, dressed with tall, snow-tipped fir trees, frosted garlands and generous clusters of baubles in silver, gold and deep green. Layers of fairy lights run along the bannisters and around the fireplaces, while elegant floral pieces and wrapped parcels add a touch of theatre. It feels luxurious and festive in a very classic way, perfectly matched to the hotel’s grand interiors.

De Beers Festive Afternoon Tea at The Rosebery

In The Rosebery, the hotel’s tea lounge, the De Beers Festive Afternoon Tea translates that sense of luxury onto the plate. The menu features seasonal sandwiches and savouries, followed by warm scones with jam and clotted cream, a comforting pre-dessert of Christmas malva pudding and Rooibos ice cream, and jewel-bright pastries inspired by fine jewellery design. A wide choice of rare and single-estate teas is available, along with Champagne or sparkling tea pairings for an extra celebration.

Need to know

• Location: Knightsbridge, London
• Nearest station: Knightsbridge
• Dates: 18 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
• Price: From £98 per person (Afternoon Tea only)

Find out more and book Festive Afternoon Tea at Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park

Kimpton Fitzroy London – Fitz’s Brasserie

At Kimpton Fitzroy London on Russell Square, the lobby Christmas tree is a genuine showstopper. The Grade II* listed entrance hall, all marble arches and mosaic floors, is dominated by a soaring tree crowned with a huge velvet bow and layered in red ribbon, jewel-bright baubles and warm fairy lights. Matching garlands wrap the stone archways and doorways so the whole space glows – one of the most dramatic hotel Christmas decorations displays you’ll find in Bloomsbury.

In Fitz’s Brasserie, the look festive decorations settle, becoming more intimate. A grand fireplace is framed by thick garlands of red, green and gold baubles, echoed by scarlet banquettes, deep-blue seating and low lamplight on each table. This space is certainly one of our favourite for a glamorous setting for Christmas Afternoon Tea in central London.

Festive Afternoon Tea at Fitz’s Brasserie

Festive Afternoon Tea is served in Fitz’s Brasserie from Thursday to Sunday between 1pm and 5pm. The experience begins with handmade finger sandwiches, including a classic Scottish smoked salmon with yuzu and dill crème fraîche, truffled egg mayonnaise with cress and roast turkey with chestnut stuffing and cranberry butter. Warm plain and fruit scones follow with Devon clotted cream, strawberry and cranberry jam and homemade orange curd. To finish, there is a playful selection of cakes, including a Caramelia and marshmallow Santa hat, chestnut religieuse, hazelnut and praline Christmas tree and a pear mousse with mascarpone Chantilly. Festive Afternoon Tea is priced from £75 per person and includes a glass of spiced mulled wine, Champagne, non-alcoholic sparkling wine or a signature afternoon tea cocktail, served with a choice of loose-leaf teas or coffee.

Need to know

• Location: 1–8 Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 5BE
• Nearest station: Russell Square (Tube); Euston and King’s Cross St Pancras are also within walking distance
• Dates: Thursday – Sunday, 15th November 2025 – 4th January 2026
• Times: 1pm – 5pm
• Price: From £75 per person (including a drink)

Find out more and book Festive Afternoon Tea at Kimpton Fitzroy

St James’s Hotel and Club

Found in Mayfair, St. James’s Hotel and Club’s entrance decorations is a standout example of what London hotel Christmas looks like. The red brick façade and white stone doorway are framed by a huge wreath with a cream bow, with garlands running along the railings and up the columns, filled with white and champagne baubles, frosted foliage and warm lights. A red carpet on the steps draws the eye to the front door and gives the townhouse exterior a very celebratory look for the season.

Inside, the same white and gold scheme continues throughout the hotel. Christmas trees can be found in the lounge and tea spaces, dressed with ivory flowers, pearl baubles and gold ribbons. Staircases are wrapped in frosted garlands with pinecones and berries, and dining tables are finished with matching trinkets, candles and crackers. These decorations are detailed but refined, a perfect match for the intimate townhouse setting.

Festive Afternoon Tea at St. James’s Hotel and Club

St. James’s Hotel and Club’s Festive Four Afternoon Tea is served daily from 1.30pm to 5.30pm and includes a glass of Champagne. Sandwiches include turkey with cranberry port and orange compote, a mini brioche with cream cheese, cucumber and dill, smoked salmon with crème fraiche on mini rye bread and a mini sage and onion sausage roll. Warm fruit and plain scones follow with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Cakes are the highlight, with creations such as the Winter’s Kiss Snowball, Nutcracker Pudding, Snowman’s Log and Santa’s Belly Cake bringing in rich coconut, chestnut, chocolate and brandy flavours. Festive Four Afternoon Tea is priced from £75 per person and is available from 17 November 2025 to 5 January 2026.

Need to know

• Location: 7–8 Park Place, St James’s, London SW1A 1LP
• Nearest station: Green Park
• Dates: 17 November 2025 to 5 January 2026, Monday to Sunday
• Times: 1.30pm to 5.30pm
• Price: From £75 per person, including a glass of Champagne

Find out more and book Festive Afternoon Tea at St James's Hotel and Club

Flemings Mayfair – The Drawing Room

On Half Moon Street in Mayfair, Flemings sets out some of the most eye-catching hotel Christmas decorations in the area. The townhouse is wrapped in deep green garlands studded with red baubles, running along the balcony and curling around the doorway. Toy soldier figures stand guard above the entrance and, after dark, strings of warm white lights pick out the wreaths and the Union Jack so the whole façade stands out on the street.

Inside, the theme continues in rich reds and greens. A tall tree near reception is dressed with glossy red baubles, berries and warm fairy lights, set against emerald wall panelling and marble floors. Console tables are finished with frosted foliage, nutcracker figures and candles, so wherever you turn there is a mix of traditional Christmas shapes and a slightly playful Mayfair townhouse style.

Festive Afternoon Tea at Flemings Mayfair

Festive Afternoon Tea is served in The Drawing Room between 26 November and 21 December 2025, from Tuesday to Saturday, with booking times from 2pm to 4.30pm. The experience includes a glass of Delavenne Grand Cru Champagne, with the option of a Winter Season cocktail on selected days. The savoury tier offers traditional sandwiches such as Scottish smoked salmon with cream cheese and dill on rye, roast Cotswolds chicken salad on malted brown, cucumber from the hotel’s Essex kitchen garden with ricotta and mint, and Clarence Court egg with truffle on soft white bread. Warm plain and fruit scones follow, served with homemade strawberry preserve, West Country clotted cream and lemon curd. To finish, there is a selection of pâtisserie that may include Opera cake, a passion coconut tart, Tropezienne and a chestnut macaron, alongside a focused tea list with Christmas blends, spiced chai and classic black and herbal infusions. Festive Afternoon Tea is priced from £65 per person.

Need to know

• Location: Flemings Mayfair, 7–12 Half Moon Street, Mayfair, London W1J 7BH
• Nearest station: Green Park Underground
• Dates: 26 November to 21 December 2025, Tuesday to Saturday
• Times: 2pm to 4.30pm
• Price: From £65 per person, including a glass of Champagne

Find out more and book the Festive Afternoon Tea Experience at Flemings Mayfair

King Street Townhouse, Manchester

King Street Townhouse’s entrance on Booth Street is framed with thick garlands of fir, strung with red and gold baubles and warm fairy lights, so the doorway glows against the stone frontage. Once you step inside, the same colours continue through the hotel, subtly transforming the luxurious townhouse building into one of Manchester’s prime Christmas stays.

In the lounge, a tall tree stands beside the windows, dressed with oversized velvet bows, baubles and glass ornaments. Fireplaces and bookshelves are edged with garlands dotted with berries, candles and baubles, and there are smaller trees and decorations tucked around the room, so every table has a view of twinkling lights. The classic townhouse drawing room has certainly been dressed specially for the season.

Festive Afternoon Tea at King Street Townhouse

Festive Afternoon Tea is served daily in the Afternoon Tea Lounge from 12pm to 6pm between 11 November and 2 January. The menu begins with seasonal finger sandwiches such as roast turkey with cranberry and stuffing on cereal bread, honey glazed ham with spiced fig chutney on tomato bread, brie with mulled wine onion marmalade on spinach bread, smoked salmon with lemon and dill cream cheese on farmhouse bread and grilled aubergine with red pepper pesto in a wrap. Scones are flavoured with cranberry and served warm with jam and clotted cream. The sweet tier brings together an eggnog and clementine macaron, mulled winter berry roulade, Belgian chocolate and pistachio tart and spiced pear and mascarpone cake. Festive Afternoon Tea is priced from £32.50 per person, or £45 per person with a glass of Champagne.

Need to know

• Location: King Street Townhouse, 10 Booth Street, Manchester, M2 4AW
• Nearest station: Manchester Piccadilly
• Dates: 11 November to 2 January, served daily
• Times: 12pm to 6pm
• Price: From £32.50 per person, or £45 with a glass of Champagne

Find out more and book Festive Afternoon Tea at King Street Townhouse.

De Vere Wokefield Estate - Reading

At De Vere Wokefield Estate, the Grade II listed Mansion House is dressed like a classic country Christmas card. Nutcracker-style toy soldiers flank the front door and oversized wreaths glow on the façade, each threaded with warm lights and gold, green and teal baubles. Arriving for Festive Afternoon Tea here feels more like visiting a grand family home than a hotel.

Inside, the same colours run through the hall. Garlands wrapped in fairy lights frame the marble fireplace and doorways, dotted with baubles and metallic foliage, while a bronze stag keeps watch from the mantelpiece. A tall tree finished with gold flowers, ornaments and neatly wrapped presents anchors the room.

Festive Afternoon Tea at De Vere Wokefield Estate

Festive Afternoon Tea is served in 1560, the restaurant within the Mansion House, with views over the manicured lawns and 250 acres of parkland. The Festive Afternoon Tea menu leans into classic Christmas comforts: savoury canapés such as honey roasted pigs in blankets and a selection of sandwiches, followed by warm plain and sultana scones with clotted cream and homemade seasonal preserve. To finish, there is a line-up of cakes bringing in proper festive flavours, from warm spiced mince pies to candy cane éclairs, served with a choice of Twinings teas, fruit infusions or coffee. It’s a cosy, traditional take on Christmas Afternoon Tea in Berkshire.

Need to know

•  Location: Goodboys Lane, Mortimer, near Reading
• Nearest station: Mortimer
• Dates: 1st – 20th December 2025 (served daily)
• Price: From £28 per person (Afternoon Tea only)

Find out more and book Festive Afternoon Tea at De Vere Wokefield Estate - Reading

Royal Lancaster London, Hyde Park

On the edge of Hyde Park, Royal Lancaster London dresses its modern tower in classic Christmas colour. A towering tree dominates the marble lobby, packed with red bows, baubles and warm white lights that catch on the polished floors. Upstairs, picture windows frame views across the park while garlands, candles and nutcracker figures run along the sills, so the glow of the hotel Christmas decorations mirrors the lights outside.

Royal Lancaster London’s festive decorations are smart and tidy, with soft grey sofas, frosted greenery and gold accents giving the public spaces a calm, wintry feel. Clusters of lanterns, bowls of dried citrus and metallic ornaments add texture without crowding the rooms. It is a particularly good choice if you want a Christmas afternoon tea in London with both beautiful decorations and plenty of natural light.

Festive Afternoon Tea at Royal Lancaster London

This year’s festive edition of the hotel’s “A Blooming British” Afternoon Tea is created in collaboration with the Natural History Museum and celebrates British flora and fauna with a seasonal twist. Guests can enjoy an assortment of sandwiches including traditional turkey and cranberry, followed by freshly baked scones and a line-up of intricate pastries such as the signature snow-dusted Beehive and a spiced gingerbread sandwich with clementine and cranberry. The menu is paired with bespoke blends from Camellia’s Tea House, with the option to add Taittinger Champagne or Nyetimber English sparkling wine.

Need to know

• Location: Royal Lancaster London, Lancaster Terrace, London W2 2TY
• Nearest stations: Lancaster Gate and Paddington
• Dates: 22 November 2025 to 4 January 2026
• Serving times: Daily from 1pm to 4pm
• Price: From £59 per person Monday to Friday, £64 per person Saturday and Sunday (Christmas Day £95 including a glass of Champagne)

Find out more and book Festive Afternoon Tea at Royal Lancaster London.