Deck the halls with boughs of holly and, if you’re a London landmark, or five-star hotel, a magnificent Christmas tree. From a high-fashion collaboration at Claridge’s to an opinion-dividing digital offering at ME London, these are the most impressive Christmas trees in London to scout out this winter…
Claridge’s, Mayfair
Claridge’s can always be relied upon to pull out all the stops for the festive season and this year it’s called on Sandra Choi, creative director of Jimmy Choo, to design a tree that is pure haute couture. Named The Diamond, this thoroughly modern tree is constructed from mirrors and accented with lights which dance and pulsate, and topped with a giant gleaming bow.
“Claridge’s is a London icon. The perfect blend of glamour and decadence – great things happen at Claridge’s,” said Choi. “Claridge’s is a London jewel, it’s multifaceted, like the diamond that inspired our tree, like Jimmy Choo.”
Brook Street, W1J, claridges.co.uk
The Lanesborough, Knightsbridge
Another white tree with a very different inspiration, The Lanesborough’s romantic design aims to transform the luxury hotel into a grand festive country house. Brought to life by Event Imagineer Tony Marklew, the hotel’s Lucky Star festive installation features a cascade of enormous snowflakes suspended over the hotel’s main entrance and framing its centrepiece Christmas tree, which has been laser-cut in metal with a lace-inspired design.
Hyde Park Corner, SW1X, oetkercollection.com
Four Seasons Park Lane, Mayfair
Designed by British artist, florist and sculptor Ruth Davis, the Four Seasons Park Lane has gone all-in on its alpine theme this winter. At the heart of the installation is an enormous 1.5-metre-tall snowglobe flanked by snow-dusted Christmas trees and larger-than-life snowballs. The hotel has also borrowed from its mountainous neighbours to complete the theme, importing specialty hot chocolates from Four Seasons’ locations in Vail, Whistler and Megeve for the festive season.
Park Lane, W1J 7DR, fourseasons.com
The Landmark, Marylebone
The grand atrium at the centre of The Landmark hotel is Marylebone is quite the space to fill when it comes to Christmas decorations – especially when the tree has to contend with the glorious palm trees in situ year-round. Luckily its pro florists are more than up to the challenge, installing a soaring evergreen decked out in hues of gold, teal and blue and framed by gilded nutcrackers.
222 Marylebone Road, NW1 6JQ, landmarklondon.co.uk
Shangri-La The Shard, London Bridge
Shangri-La The Shard’s in-house florist McQueens Flowers has been hard at work creating not one, but two, majestic trees for the festive season. This year the hotel has taken on a futuristic theme, decking out a 12-foot ‘tree’ constructed from geometric metal cubes in metallic dried flowers, disco balls and swirling neon lights. Elsewhere, a second tree fashion from navy pampas, silver pine cones and strings of colour-changing neon lights puts an entirely fresh spin on traditional Christmas decorations.
31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9QU, shangri-la.com
The Connaught, Mayfair
While Mayfair’s Connaught hotel promises to be wonderfully seasonal inside, the festive magic starts on the street thanks to this magnificent Christmas tree designed by artist Suzy Murphy. The 30-foot Nordmann Fir has been decorated with 34 neon dogs which take their cues from Toby Was A Girl – a nostalgic series of works inspired by Murphy’s childhood pet. The seventh year an artist has been called upon to design The Connaught tree, with alumnae including Damien Hirst, Antony Gormley, Tracey Emin and Idris Khan, Murphy has also decorated the base of the tree with messages of goodwill including Peace, Truth and Passion.
Carlos Place, W1K 2AL, the-connaught.co.uk
The Londoner, Leicester Square
Uber-hip West End hotel The Londoner called on a suitably cutting-edge figure in the form of British fashion designer Daniel w. Fletcher to create its 2022 Christmas tree. Fittingly named A White Christmas, Fletcher has taken inspiration from the aesthetics of his own fashion house, alongside the hotel’s focus on sustainability, to create a tree crafted from cream moire fabric offcuts from his studio.
38 Leicester Square, WC2H 7DX, thelondoner.com
Liberty London, Soho
A quintessential part of any London Christmas shopping experience, for 2022 Liberty has created a gorgeous festive display based on its 12 Days of Christmas fabric print. The theme extends throughout the department store but the real show-stopper is a seven-metre-tall upholstered tree suspended in the central atrium, which features handmade seasonal motifs on its branches.
32 Kingly Street, W1B 5QQ, libertylondon.com
The Dorchester, Mayfair
The Dorchester’s resident florist Phillip Hammond is behind the five-star hotel’s festive decorations this year, including Christmas trees in the afternoon tea lounge, a resplendent arrangement in the forecourt and fireplaces festooned with baubles and stockings. The centrepiece is a towering Christmas fir, beautifully adorned with red and gold ribbons and baubles. The arrangements are accompanied by a whole host of festive occasions, including special Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s menus, as well as a cooking masterclass for those looking to perfect their technique under the tutelage of The Dorchester’s master chefs.
53 Park Lane, W1K, dorchestercollection.com
ME London, The Strand
Traditionalists look away now – this isn’t the tree for those who like twinkly lights and tinsel. Instead, the ME London invites guests to immerse themselves in its nine-storey festive installation. Projected throughout the expansive atrium, and accompanied by a series of sustainable and environmentally-conscious festive events, enjoy seasonal bubbles among golden leaves and romantic fairy lights as snow gently falls around you.
Strand, WC2R, melondonhotel.com
The Ned, City of London
A venue as vast as The Ned demands an equally magnificent tree and the members’ club has risen to the occasion with a 22-ft British-grown Premier Nordman variety. In keeping with the opulent surrounds of the former banking hall, the tree is decked out in 6,500 fairy lights and more than 1,000 glittering baubles and golden leather leaf ferns. Created by in-house florist Grandirosa, the tree is second only to a show-stopping wreath which measures as the largest in the City.
Read more: The best festive events in London
The post The most spectacular Christmas trees in London appeared first on Luxury London.