Christmas in London: head to the Corinthia Hotel, transformed into a real magical paradis
Who has never dreamed of a London getaway to celebrate the end of year celebrations? To do so, head for the Corinthia Hotel, a pure luxury setting straight out of a Christmas tale.
Visiting London at Christmas is like being the main character in a clichéd period movie. Wherever you are, the luminous decorations transform the streets into a veritable Winter Wonderland, while orchestras punctuate the shopping sessions to the sound of the most famous Christmas melodies. Ideal base in the capital, the Corinthia Hotel and its Palace look is the magical landmark where to stop over both to experience the magic of the holidays, and to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, almost suffocating at this point. time of year, despite the thermometer displaying 0 degrees.
Ideally located along the Thames, opposite the mythical London Eye, Le Corinthia is housed in a Victorian building, with 283 rooms, including 51 suites and seven penthouses, offering breathtaking views of the most popular sites in the English capital. . On the decorative side, each Suite is declined according to a specific theme – for example Garden -, transporting its visitors in a unique atmosphere, from furniture to wallpaper through decorative objects.
But if Le Corinthia stands out as the dream stopover for Christmas , it is above all thanks to its ephemeral restaurant: the Winter Garden . Installed on the hotel terrace, the place reproduces a real cozy mountain chalet, open fire, comforting candles and heating blanket. On the menu ? A variation of raclettes, to be enjoyed as a starter and main course according to reinvented recipes for a very tasty alpine menu. Most ? Hot cocktails to enjoy as an aperitif, part of the symbolic winter recipes.
Among the other activities to discover at the moment at Corinthia , let's also mention the brand new Velvet Bar , which, as its name suggests, invites its customers to enjoy an exceptional cocktail, installed in a cozy speakeasy, where the walls, benches and sofas are obviously covered in burgundy velvet. Signed David Collins Studio , the glamorous scenography of the place fits perfectly with the vision of the famous bartender and expert in drinks Salvatore Calabrese , alias "The Maestro". With the experienced bar manager Christian Maspes , the master offers a theatrical character to the elaboration of the cocktails, according to what he calls "the music of the shake". On the menu? A selection of his most beloved creations, such as the Breakfast Martini and Spicy Fifty, as well as a range of non-alcoholic options and a series of small snack plates. All that's left is to revel while enjoying the live music of the bar's musicians, from the saxophonist to the pianist, reinterpreting the hits of recent years with a jazzy sauce.
To recover from your drunken evening at the Velvet Bar , head the next morning to the ESPA Life spa and its 4 breathtaking floors. A veritable oasis of tranquility plunged into darkness, the place offers all the basics of a pure luxury version of the spa, from the hammam to the sauna via various flame-lit swimming pools for a most relaxing atmosphere. Upstairs, the spa also offers a series of facial treatments such as the now essential hydrafacial, Theragun therapy massages, or small group workout sessions led by a personal coach. What a way to celebrate a Christmas mixing luxury and magic in the heart of the British capital, while recharging your batteries far from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Corinthia London
Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2BD, United Kingdom
