The elegant, 5-star St. James’s Hotel & Club, an Althoff Collection Hotel, rolls out the Yule Tide welcome log this season with holiday treats that include special menus, caroling, a Festive Afternoon Tea, and views from its roof gardens and private suite terraces of New Year’s Eve fireworks bursting over the city. Decorated Christmas trees and baskets of clementines adorn guestrooms and suites, and this year’s Nutcracker theme will be evident in tree ornaments, banister decorations and red-and-green nutcracker figurines greeting guests as they arrive at the hotel.

© St. James’s Hotel & Club

On Christmas morning, guests awaken to find a Christmas stocking hanging on their door (no one’s saying if Santa has special access to the property). But first, the sound of song will fill the air Dec. 14 and 20, when St. James’s hosts carolers and invites guests to partake in complimentary mulled wine and mince pies. Other seasonal touches include tasting menus at on-site Francatelli restaurant. Menu selections were built on dishes included in traditional banquets that once graced Queen Victoria’s own tables, prepared by Chef Charles Francatelli, for whom the restaurant is named.

A sumptuous Festive Afternoon Tea, dreamt up by Executive Chef William Drabble, will feature treats such as Santa’s trifle, Christmas tree chocolate sponge with orange mousse, and a chocolate and kirsch cherry yule log. There’s also freshly baked traditional scones served with strawberry jam and clotted cream to look forward to, plus tasty finger sandwiches like butter-roasted turkey with homemade cranberry, port and orange compote.

© St. James’s Hotel & Club

A member of Leading Hotels of the World, St. James’s Hotel & Club, an Althoff Collection Hotel is located in a quiet corner of elegant Mayfair, close to Buckingham Palace, Royal Academy of Arts, and exclusive shopping on Jermyn and Bond streets. It’s also within easy distance of London Coliseum, where The Nutcracker ballet will be staged this holiday season.