London
Office Christmas party trip to London: hotels for groups and ideas for December
The lights hang over Regent Street, the pubs have lit their fires, and the whole group is heading out to eat. A Christmas party trip to London shows the city at its most festive. These are the hotels that suit groups, and the tips that make planning easier.
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Many companies and groups of friends from Scandinavia take their Christmas party to London in November and December. The city has Christmas lights, markets, pubs and restaurants with festive menus, and it is a short flight away.
We have picked five central hotels that suit groups. All have a restaurant and bar, and several have a spa and pool for the morning after.
In short: a Christmas party trip to London
The best hotel for a Christmas party trip to London is Strand Palace Hotel, a large art deco hotel by Covent Garden with a restaurant and bar. Leonardo Royal London St Paul's and NYX Hotel London Holborn have a spa and a pool. Book hotels and tables early, as the popular December dates fill first.
Our first choice: Strand Palace Hotel, for its location by Covent Garden and room for large groups.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Strand Palace Hotel
Top picks
In the West End: Strand Palace Hotel
Spa by St Paul's: Leonardo Royal London St Paul's
Spa by the Tower of London: Leonardo Royal Hotel London City
Pool in Holborn: NYX Hotel London Holborn
Large hotel by the river: Hotel Riu Plaza London The Westminster
The hotels
Strand Palace Hotel
Strand Palace is on The Strand, a ten-minute walk from Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square. The building has an art deco style and many rooms, and Haxells restaurant serves British food all day.
Good for a group that wants to walk to the theatre, pub and restaurant without taxis, and gather in the bar before dinner.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Strand Palace Hotel
Leonardo Royal London St Paul's
Leonardo Royal is a ten-minute walk from St Paul's Cathedral and the river, four minutes from Blackfriars station. It has a spa, an indoor pool and a restaurant.
A good choice if you want to start Saturday in the pool and walk across the Millennium Bridge to Tate Modern.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Leonardo Royal London St Paul's
Leonardo Royal Hotel London City
The hotel is right by Tower Hill station, a ten-minute walk from the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. It has a spa, an indoor pool and a bar.
Good for larger groups who want to stay together in the City, close to the pubs and the river.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Leonardo Royal Hotel London City
NYX Hotel London Holborn
NYX is three minutes from Holborn station and ten minutes from the British Museum and Oxford Street. It has a spa, an indoor pool and the Midtown restaurant.
A good choice for a group that wants to combine the party with Christmas shopping on Oxford Street.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at NYX Hotel London Holborn
Hotel Riu Plaza London The Westminster
Riu Plaza is by the river, ten minutes from Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. It is a large hotel with a bar and a 24-hour gym.
Good when there are many of you and you want to be sure of rooms in the same hotel.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Riu Plaza London The Westminster
A table for the whole group
The restaurant at Strand Palace Hotel by Covent Garden. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)
What to do in London in December
Christmas markets and Winter Wonderland: Hyde Park and the Southbank have Christmas markets and fairground rides. See the Christmas markets in London.
Christmas lights: Regent Street, Oxford Street and Covent Garden are lit up from mid-November.
Pubs and festive food: Many pubs and restaurants have Christmas menus for groups in December. Book tables early.
Theatre and musicals: The West End has shows almost every night. See a theatre weekend in London.
Before you book
Book early: Fridays and Saturdays in December are the most popular. Hotels, flights and tables fill quickly.
Split the booking: If there are many of you, it can pay to book rooms in several rounds, or ask the hotel about a group rate.
Choose free cancellation: It helps to be able to adjust the number of rooms once everyone has signed up.
Stay near the Tube: Then everyone gets back to the hotel safely after the night out.
Heading to a Scandinavian city instead? See our Christmas trip to Copenhagen, Gothenburg and Stockholm. For festive hotels, see the Christmas hotels in London.
Editor's pick
Strand Palace Hotel
Strand Palace Hotel is the hotel for a Christmas party trip when the whole group wants to stay together in the heart of the city. The large art deco hotel is on The Strand, ten minutes from Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square, with the theatres and pubs right outside. Haxells restaurant serves British food all day, and the bar is a natural meeting point before dinner. The morning after, Christmas shopping and the lights are close by.
Frequently asked questions about a Christmas party trip to London
Where should a group stay for a Christmas trip to London?
Stay central, in the West End, Covent Garden or the City. Then the group can walk to restaurants, pubs and the theatre, and get back safely afterwards. Choose a hotel with a restaurant and bar, so you have a place to gather. Strand Palace by Covent Garden is a good base for large groups.
When should you book a Christmas party trip to London?
As early as possible, ideally in the autumn. Fridays and Saturdays in December are the most popular, and hotels, flights and restaurants all fill up. Choose free cancellation at the hotel, so you can adjust the number of rooms once everyone has signed up. Book the dinner table at the same time.
How much does a Christmas party trip to London cost?
It depends on the hotel, flights and where you eat. London hotels are most expensive at December weekends, so Thursday to Saturday can be cheaper than Friday to Sunday. Compare the total price for the group, and remember that many museums are free to visit by day.
What can a group do in London at Christmas?
Visit the Christmas markets in Hyde Park or on the Southbank, see the lights on Regent Street and in Covent Garden, and do a pub crawl. Many groups see a West End show before dinner. The next day, a spa, Christmas shopping or a walk along the Thames are good choices.
How do you book a hotel for a large group in London?
If there are many of you, it can pay to split the booking or ask the hotel about a group rate. Large hotels such as Strand Palace and Riu Plaza have many rooms and space for the whole group. Choose free cancellation, so you can adjust the number of rooms along the way.