One Aldwych on an average day would make you feel special. But when I arrived to a giant red bow adorning its entrance, sparkling lights twinkling all around, and the friendly doorman welcoming me to a cosy wintry wonderland, I knew Christmas had officially arrived in London.

The capital is famous for making a spectacle of Christmas – and its five-star hotels are no exception. So when I was invited to witness the overnight festive transformation of One Aldwych – the capital’s first-ever B Corp-certified hotel – it was clear, from the off, that nothing would be done by halves. 

Standing tall on the corner of Covent Garden, where the West End meets Holborn, the hotel is taking Christmas extremely seriously this year. Dripping in warm, glowing lights, sprinkled with ornate decorations and boasting a wonderful roster of Christmassy events and enchanting installations, the hotel has certainly decked the halls with boughs of holly – and then some.

As always, there is a theme, and this year’s is centred around Jane Austen. 16 December marks 250 years since the birth of the legendary British author, famous for her novels including Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Emma and many more. From strolling the cobbled streets of Covent Garden to visiting milliners and dressmakers on Bond Street, Austen was no stranger to the city and references to the hustle and bustle can be seen embedded in her writing. It was deemed only fitting, therefore, for One Aldwych to focus its festive offering around the critically acclaimed writer as she marks her milestone birthday.

The Lobby Bar is what greets you first. A warm, relaxed space – precisely where you want to be for clinking champagne or sipping tea in style while looking outside to iconic London scenes – your eyes will instantly be drawn to the magnificent, tall Christmas tree centrepiece here. Designed by the hotel’s extremely talented resident florist Mark Siredzuk, its branches are decorated with lights, pinecones, oranges, flowers and foliage with beautiful deep red Regency ribbons. The finishing touch is the addition of books and silhouette cut-outs of Jane Austen, drawing on the literary theme.

Nothing tastes as good as a cocktail in this setting, and the festive selection inspired by Austen is playful, creative and delicious. The Gin Austen was my pick – a champagne-gin infusion with apricot brandy and dandelion and burdock – but other aptly-named serves included Dark and Darcy, Pear-Suasion and Sense without Sensibility. As I come to learn throughout my stay, it’s all in the details at One Aldwych. 

The festive spirit can be felt throughout the hotel, peppered with marvellous, magical decorations inspired by Jane Austen – think paper garlands made from books and ambient golden lights. Upstairs, rooms are plush, elegant, and understated, featuring beautiful pink accents for a feminine feel and possibly the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in at a hotel. None of the considered details went unnoticed, from the gorgeously-decorated dressing table, the complimentary mini bar, Dyson hairdryer and the mini Jane Austen book left on the side for a little light bedtime reading.

Elsewhere at Indigo, the hotel’s flagship restaurant, there’s an exceptional offering of dining experiences throughout the festive period. Whether choosing the pre-theatre menu before a show, a decadent celebratory dinner with the whole family or even a lavish lunch on the big day itself, head chef Dominic Teague and his team will wine and dine you with only the best – think classic British cuisine with all the trimmings (and everything just so happens to be gluten and dairy free). The festive three-course brunch is worth a shout out here too – ‘tis the season for indulging after all. 

As well as drinking and dining, One Aldwych is offering a selection of other wonderful festive activities to make the most of its literary theme. I’d recommend joining guided walks of Covent Garden (available to all overnight guests), led by the fabulously knowledgeable writer, historian and broadcaster Dr Matthew Green.

As we wandered the local area, he uncovered some of Austen’s old haunts and informed us of other literary geniuses who roamed the popular London neighbourhood, just around the corner from the hotel. From showing us the famous plaque dedicated to Austen at 10 Henrietta Street, where she once lived, to St Clement’s Church, where Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham eloped in Pride and Prejudice (a true scandal), the authors and their work were instantly brought to life. Mince pieces and mulled wine await on your return to polish off the experience excellently. 

Every Sunday, there’s also portrait artist Charles Burns, who is on hand to cut silhouettes of guests over the three-course brunch, and The Library hosts children’s storytelling sessions for bookworms and festive treasure hunts around the hotel for the more playful, as well as a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea (sensationally delicious and fun). Plus, all guests also have access to the health club and spa throughout their festive stay, where they can tap into a treatment menu featuring bespoke facials and deep tissue massages after a dip in the pool for uninterrupted relaxation prior to the Christmas chaos. Yes, please. 

Born and bred in London, it’s a strange feeling packing a suitcase to only hop on the tube a couple of stops into the metropolis and settle into a hotel for the night. But if my experience at One Aldwych is anything to go by, I could get very used to it. Quite frankly, Christmas has never felt, or looked, so good.

A Covent Garden Christmas is available from £730 per night.

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