London’s famed Hotel Café Royal marked its 160th anniversary this year, and the historic property is finishing out its year-long celebrations with a festive flourish, thanks to a new holiday offering inspired by “The Nutcracker.”
Located in the heart of London, on Regent Street where Mayfair meets Soho, Hotel Café Royal is being transformed this month into “a stage for winter wonder,” per a release. Guests can enjoy special (abridged) performances from The Nutcracker ballet on the first three Saturdays of December, with dancers taking over the hotel’s gilded lobby and entranceway. The hotel is also offering a Nutcracker-themed Afternoon Tea, that captures the magic of the Sugar Plum Fairy with three tiers of sweet and savoury treats inspired by Clara, the Mouse King and the Snow Queen herself.
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Think: warm spiced cranberry scones, chocolate mousse and gingerbread cake, with preserves, clotted cream and of course, a pot of tea. Expect Nutcracker-inspired decor and lights throughout the restaurant and across the 155-room boutique property as well.
Tchaikovsky premiered his famed classical ballet in 1892, more than 27 years after Hotel Café Royal first opened its doors as the Café Royal, a place where artists and aristocrats gathered for convivial cocktails and conversations alike. While the restaurant officially closed in 2008, it was brought back to life as a hotel property in December 2012, with the architecture and finishings of the original premises painstakingly restored to preserve the luxury, charm and character of its storied past.
Just as the original café was a hub for creatives and connoisseurs, the hotel is now one of London’s landmark properties, especially during the holidays, sitting just steps from the Christmas lights and decorations on Regent Street.
This year’s Christmas festivities will run through January 4, 2026, and offer something for the whole family. In addition to the “Nutcracker” experiences, guests can book the hotel’s “A Royal Christmas” package, which includes a two-night stay, Christmas dinner at the elegant Café Royal Grill, a visit with Santa, and a horse-drawn carriage ride to Buckingham Palace.
While Café Royal Grill is a fitting spot for a festive dinner, guests can also savor the cuisine at Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal, the two-Michelin-starred restaurant that is offering up a France-meets-UK tasting menu for the holidays, with signature dishes like Beef Wellington, lobster, and bûche de noël. Those seeking lighter fare can book a seat at Cakes & Bubbles, the property’s pastry shop where Albert Adrià’s seasonal collection includes a “Christmas Reindeer” creation, alongside whimsical bauble cakes, Panettone ice cream and even a vegan Plum Cake (a similarly sweet touch: the hotel’s reception area offers free champagne and shortbread cookies at check-in, with gluten-free treats available as well).
Other Christmas offerings on the property include a Christmas Eve children’s choir, and live music on Christmas Day, in addition to numerous festive photo ops for family portraits and Instagram carousels alike.
Part of The Set collection of hotels, Hotel Café Royal has played host to everyone from Oscar Wilde and Winston Churchill, to Princess Diana, Mick Jagger and David Bowie, and the property continues to be a destination for celebrities and the creative class today. See the latest room availability and rates here.
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