Once home to the great Morning Post newspaper, proudly straddling the City on one side and the capital’s cultural epicentre of theatreland on the other, the One Aldwych hotel knows how to deliver when it comes to putting on a show-stopping Christmas experience. In line with its historical, culture-first ethos and, of course, its Covent Garden location just moments from the Royal Opera House, the hotel will be bringing The Nutcracker to life this month through an all-encompassing, immersive festive offering – along with a few other theatrical seasonal trimmings.

Celebrating 130 years since the iconic ballet was first performed, One Aldwych has been transformed into a festive fantasyland. The hotel’s resident florist, Mark Siredzuk, together with artistic director and costume designer Aurelien Farjon, has decked the halls with an array of inspiring props, from life-size Nutcrackers guarding the halls, to a ceiling full of gold and white stars and a spectacular seven-metre pastel-hued Christmas tree, adorned with decorative characters, in the Lobby Bar.

Don’t miss one (or three) of the specially-curated seasonal cocktails on offer: we particularly love The Drosselmeyer (a colour-changing concoction for the magical toymaker); The Mouse King (a daring and fruity twist on the classic Manhattan); and The Sugar Plum Fairy (a sparkling toast fit for an enchanted fairy). If you’re abstaining, the alcohol-free The Clara doesn’t disappoint – a pink fizz bursting with berries and topped with champagne zero – while The Nutcracker is a gingerbread tribute to the handsome soldier.

Looking down on the festivities of the lobby from the hotel’s Indigo restaurant, The Nutcracker weekend afternoon tea provides a great excuse to indulge in all things sweet. Balancing British teatime classics with a few festive favourites (turkey sandwiches, we’re looking at you) – and, of course, some Nutcracker-themed goodies. Don’t miss the Waltz of the Snowflakes (a white chocolate and coconut snowball), the Battle of the Mouse King (a chestnut genoise with caramel cream), the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (a winter spiced plum mousse), and, finally, the Spanish Chocolate Dance (a hazelnut dacquoise with chocolate ganache). We’ll make up for it in January, right?

If your tastes are generally more savoury, then there’s something for you too. Come evening the Champagne and Truffle series at Indigo will be in full swing until 30 December, the first in a series of celebratory tasting menus created by executive chef Dominic Teague. Mouth-watering dishes include steamed turbot stuffed with a scallop and truffle mousse, served with celeriac purée, celeriac crisps, sliced truffle, and wood sorrel; and pork tenderloin with roasted onion, filled with braised cheek and garnished with onion purée, crackling, and truffle jus. Each course is accompanied by a different cuvée from the prestigious, independent house Champagne Billecart-Salmon.

Rooted in the Covent Garden community, guests will also be offered the chance to donate to someone in need with their meal, while any unused ingredients are shared with neighbouring homeless charity The Connection at St Martin’s. The second menu in the series, due to start in February, will focus on foraging, with a luxury menu showcasing magical winter ingredients collected by hand from around the British Isles.

Eating aside, there are plenty of other ways to make the most of this time of year at One Aldwych. The magical Film & Fizz series, in partnership with Curzon, will feature some all-time classics, such as The Holiday, Love Actually, Elf, and, of course, It’s A Wonderful Life. Guests are invited to enjoy a three-course menu at Indigo before settling into the sumptuous, 30-seat house cinema with a glass of fizz in hand.

And, if you’re not ready for the fun to end, why not turn your visit into an overnight stay? The Magic of Covent Garden experience includes a one-night stay in one of the hotel’s beautiful bedrooms, tickets to the Skate at Somerset House ice rink, a Covent Garden Black Card for exclusive shopping offers, full English breakfast and use of the hotel’s swimming pool, steam room and sauna to ease weary limbs after a day of shopping and ice skating.

Even better, choose to go the whole hog and spend Christmas itself soaking up the unique spirit of London before returning to One Aldwych for the night. Including The Nutcracker-themed afternoon tea on Christmas Eve, milk and cookies for Father Christmas (and carrots for his reindeer), a Christmas Day feast at Indigo, complimentary car parking and a relaxing, late check-out on Boxing Day, it is sure to take all the stress out of home-cooking and tidying – without sacrificing one ounce of the celebration.

The Nutcracker Afternoon Tea is available until 31 December, priced at £86 per person; Festive Film & Fizz priced at £95 per person; The Magic of Covent Garden experience priced from £797 per night; The Most Wonderful Time of the Year two-night stay at One Aldwych starts from £3,532, based on two guests sharing a Superior Bedroom; Champagne & Truffle tasting menu from Wednesday to Saturday, until 30 December, excluding Christmas Day. Tasting menu from £120, or from £300 with Billecart-Salmon Champagne pairing.

For more information and to book visit onealdwych.com