London is magical in December—and Brown’s Hotel is perfectly placed for festive feasting, theatre nights and late-night shopping.
There is a particular charm to Mayfair at Christmastime and Brown’s Hotel sits at the heart of this area. Standing on Albemarle Street, minutes from Piccadilly and Bond Street’s festive window displays, this historic address is an oasis of sophistication with the city’s seasonal sparkle on your doorstep.
Well-dressed footmen in top hats set the tone at the door, while inside the mood is unmistakably British. The wood-panelled Drawing Room is the Rocco Forte hotel’s hearth with firelight, polished silver and afternoon tea served on crisp linen. Finger sandwiches arrive neatly cut, scones are warm and the cake selection is deliciously tempting.
Suites bring a sense of character rooted in British culture. The Sir Paul Smith Suite, for example, carries the fashion designer’s eye for colour and detail, setting stripes and bespoke pieces against the building’s Georgian architecture. Other suites nod to literary and artistic figures with curated bookshelves, framed sketches and collectibles on display. Welcoming bedrooms feature marble bathrooms, some with walk-in showers, and all are supplied with Irene Forte Skincare.
As dusk gathers, the Donovan Bar is the place to head to. Sip on martinis—for which the hotel is renowned—as you take in the black-andwhite prints by fashion photographer Terence Donovan—mostly 1960s portraits and fashion images of models including Twiggy and Grace Coddington, with a “Naughty Corner” featuring some of his more risqué shots.
After a day of Christmas shopping, dinner at Charlie’s is the perfect way to restore. The menu, by chef Adam Byatt, celebrates modern British cooking with seasonal produce. Think venison en croûte and roast beef, Dorset crab and Dover sole, with puddings ranging from classics such as steamed sponge to sharp lemon tart.
This year, Brown’s Hotel has partnered with English Heritage to celebrate Britain’s most nostalgic festive traditions—while supporting the care of historic landmarks. Decorations draw on magical moments from horse-drawn carriage rides and private tours of Kenwood House, to ice skating under the stars, lantern walks and carol singing. With many London highlights close by, this Rocco Forte landmark sets the scene for a magical and quintessentially British Christmas.
