My selection of venues for Christmas 2012 **

Very traditional but one not to be missed the Afternoon Tea at The Ritz London, in The Palm Court takes on a very special festive theme this year with a Christmas Tea served from Saturday 24th November to Sunday 30th December includes a glass of Champagne and is accompanied by carol singing from The Ritz Choir. Festive Afternoon Tea will be served on Christmas Day, when Santa Claus will visit with presents for all the children ! Afternoon Tea Reservations can also be phoned on: +44 (0)20 7300 2345

Delight colleagues with a Christmas Party in Roux at The Landaufrom £40 per person for 3 courses. For more information or to book please call +44 (0) 20 7965 0165 or email info@rouxatthelandau.com

The Eccleston Square Hotel, a rather ultra-modern hideaway in Belgravia is offering a traditional Christmas set menu available from last week of November until 1^stweek January for £45.00 per person (Please note, you must book in advance!) 020 3489 1000.

The Cavendish Hotel London offers a Winter Weekend Break Rate from £179 per night inclusive of a Full English Breakfast and 20% VAT. Rates are available from 16th December till 3rd February 2013. Minimum stay of 2 nights and £36 supplement applies to New Year’s Eve. And you can celebrate New Year at Petrichor with a spectacular dinner treats from £69.00 per person.

The Kensington Hotel, a luxurious boutique hotel in the heart of South Kensington is offering a fantastic three course set menu including wine on arrival on Monday 24^th December 2012 for just £45.00pp including a live performance by Miss Morgan to get you in the festive mood !
Special note : the “Christmas Day Wrapped Up” package including an overnight stay in a beautiful Superior Room, mulled wine on arrival, festive treat at turndown, full English breakfast, Christmas day lunch or dinner including live music at lunchtime, WIFI for £275 excl VAT for 2people.

Why not throw your Christmas cocktail party at The Flemings Mayfair ? This boutique hotel is just so gorgeous and will definitely impress your guests with the elegance of its interior. The opulent Cocktail & Tea Rooms provides a stunning setting for an intimate Christmas reception party with cocktails and canapés such as Mini turkey and ham piesSmoked salmon and caviar blinis, Mini Yorkshire puddings with caramelised onions and cheddar, Goose rillettes with clementine chutney, £36.00 for 2 people. Sounds delicious !!
The hotel can arrange parties for 6-70 people in the Cocktail & Tea Rooms. Contact conference@flemings.co.uk for further information.

Looking for some fun ? Then you must head to elegant country house  London Syon Park Hotel, for the Enchanted Woodland event from 16th november to 2nd December. Kids and grown up can then enjoyed a Festive Afternoon tea served at The Capability restaurant £28.00pp and £10.00pp for the Kids Aftertoon tea ! To book, call 020 7870 7777.

And now for those who would like to impress their partner,  The Connaught Hotel is offering the ultimate Christmas experience! The package for this year includes : Champagne Christmas Afternoon Tea in Espelette on day of arrival,  Christmas amenity in your room on arrival, English breakfast on Christmas day, Horse-drawn carriage ride through Mayfair on Christmas day with hot chocolate and marshmallows, pre-lunch glass of champagne in the restaurant, 5 course Christmas day lunch in Espelette (or supplement of £90 per person for those who wish to dine in Hélène    Darroze at the Connaught for 6 courses),

For a more traditional Christmas experience, The Milestone Hotel will offer between 25th November 2012 and 8th January 2013 a “Once upon a Christmas” package including accommodation in a beautifully appointed bedroom or suite,  a warming glass of mulled wine or a mug of the ultimate hot chocolate on arrival, Full English Breakfast daily, a festive Afternoon Tea* for two on one day, a festive turndown treat at bedtime, a late checkout on the day of departure at 3pm. Rates start from £315 + VAT.   To book, call  020 7917 1000.

And for the lucky guests staying on Christmas Eve, they will receive a Christmas stocking full of delightful surprises and there’s even a Christmas Tree in the room for all those who book suites! A truly “home away from home” Christmas !

Of course, this list is not exhaustive so I will add more venues offering some fantastic packages for this year’s Christmas and New Year Eve !