A Festive Weekend in London
Our Soho Stay, Must Do’s & Lessons Learned
There’s something magical about London during the holidays. Twinkling lights strung across cobblestone streets, the scent of mulled wine wafting from Christmas markets, and that irresistible charm that makes you want to bundle up and explore every corner of the city. This year, we made a festive weekend escape to London’s Soho district, and it quickly became one of my favorite winter getaways yet.
Below you’ll find our full itinerary, a few “we’d do this differently next time” notes, and all the spots I’d recommend for a cozy, Christmassy weekend in the city.
Where We Stayed
Hotel: W London, Soho
If location is everything, then this one checks all the boxes. Nestled right in Soho, the W put us within walking distance of Covent Garden, Leicester Square, and some of London’s best restaurants and bars. It made exploring so easy and being able to pop back to the room between sightseeing and dinner was clutch.
Friday: Twinkle Lights & First Impressions
Arrival: Heathrow ➜ W London
After a long flight, we dropped our bags at the hotel and grabbed a quick coffee before heading straight to Covent Garden Christmas Market. A must for anyone visiting during the holidays. Giant Christmas trees, street performers, and the cutest festive stalls made for the perfect London welcome.
Lunch: The Ivy Market Grill – The decor alone deserves a reservation. 100/10. Incredible vibes & a shepherds pie that is to die for.
From there, we wandered down to Somerset House for ice skating under the stars (the rink is pure movie magic), before heading back to freshen up.
Dinner: Duck & Waffle – The views from the 47th floor are unreal. Pro tip: it’s better for brunch if you want that golden skyline moment, but dinner still delivers.
Nightlife: After dinner, we wandered back to Soho for cocktails at Cahoots, a 1940s style underground bar, and then to Nightjar, a speakeasy meets piano bar. Other nightlife gems nearby: Cirque le Soir and Blind Pig.
Saturday: Markets, Michelin Meals & a Much-Needed Nap ☕️
Morning:
Breakfast at The Wolseley – A glamorous European style cafe with the kind of old school charm you can only find in London. Definitely worth booking ahead.
After breakfast, we popped into Fortnum & Mason (don’t miss the second level for the pine cone displays!) and walked by Annabel’s, which had the most over the top holiday decor featuring a hot air balloon theme.
A little shopping along Oxford Street and Burlington Arcade was followed by the Leicester Square Christmas Market, mulled wine in hand.
Afternoon:
We cabbed over to the Southbank Centre Winter Market to browse more festive stalls along the Thames with views of the London Eye and Big Ben peeking through the fog.
This is where our midday nap back at the hotel came in clutch. 10/10 recommend carving out downtime in the middle of your trip, you’ll thank yourself later.
Dinner: Veeraswamy – The city’s oldest Indian restaurant (and Michelin rated). The ambiance alone is a feast for the eyes. Ask for a seat by the window on on Regent St. They have a tasting menu but we ordered a la carte so we could try more dishes and didn’t have one thing that we wouldn’t recommend.
Drinks/Night Out: Try Tape London if you’re in the mood for a scene, or The Vault at Milroy’s for something cozier (it’s one of the oldest whisky bars in London). Also on our list: Wun’s Tea Room, Duke’s Bar, and Connaught Bar, often called the best in the world for martinis.
Sunday: Coffee & Goodbyes
We kept our last morning lowkey with a caffeine crawl – Monmouth Coffee (a local favorite) and Algerian Coffee Store were both within walking distance from the hotel and worth the visit before heading to the airport.
What We Learned (and Would Do Differently)
- Nap on arrival day: Game changer. We stayed awake through dinner and felt human again.
- Book spa time right when you land. A massage + steam is the best jet lag cure.
- Early check in is key. Call ahead to make sure your room’s ready.
- Keep dinner light on night one. Save the big dinners for later.
- Duck & Waffle is best for brunch. The views hit different in daylight.
What We Missed (Next Time!)
- Buckingham Palace
- Duke’s Bar (for the world’s best martinis)
- James Bond Tour
- Hop on, hop off bus tour
- A West End show or musical
Other Festive Stops to Bookmark
If you’re heading to London in December, these are at the top of my list for next time:
- The Churchill Arms: famous for its flower covered facade and Christmas lights.
- The Happenstance & Drake and Morgan: cozy bars with winter igloos.
- The Aviary: rooftop igloos with skyline views.
- The Box: for a late night scene that’s pure London energy.
- The Broadwick Hotel: chic new stay option near Soho.
Final Thoughts
London in December is pure magic. Equal parts cozy, chic, and full of charm. Staying in Soho made the weekend effortless, and every moment felt like a scene from a Christmas movie. Next time, I’ll swap a few late nights for more sightseeing (and maybe that spa treatment right off the plane), but this quick festive escape reminded me why I’ll always be team city Christmas.
