One Aldwych transports guests to Jane Austen's London with a literary Christmas
November 2025 (London, UK) – With 16th December 2025 marking 250 years since the birth of the cherished British author, Jane Austen, and with Covent Garden so firmly embedded in both her life and writing, this year’s festive celebrations at One Aldwych have been inspired by her incredible life and works.
London’s first five-star B Corp Certified™ hotel, One Aldwych, sees its iconic entrance reimagined as a portal to Austen’s literary world. Designed by resident florist Mark Siredzuk, an extravagant ribbon installation frames the front door and archway, offering a glimpse into the decked halls within. A beautifully crafted tree is the centrepiece of the Lobby Bar, with its branches decorated in extravagant Regency ribbons and intricate, hand-made paper garlands, all in tribute to the joy of storytelling at Christmastime.
FESTIVE ACTIVITIES
Jane Austen’s London was a world of luxury, entertainment, beauty, frivolity, people watching and astute social observation. It is easy to imagine her strolling across the cobbles of Covent Garden, visiting milliners and dressmakers on Bond Street, and attending the theatre. The images are so vibrant that the characters practically walk off the pages, so it is fitting that guests can find a plaque dedicated to her at 10 Henrietta Street, just around the corner. Or stroll past St. Clement’s Church, where Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham scandalously eloped in Pride and Prejudice, or take in a play at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which Austen not only went to herself, but which also plays its part in Sense and Sensibility.
One Aldwych’s talented Curators are on hand to bring the Austen experience to life, with a series of festive activities to excite guests.
- Each Saturday from 15th November, overnight guests will be invited to join a guided walk of Covent Garden with the esteemed writer, historian and broadcaster, Dr. Matthew Green. With his narrative flair, discover the area’s rich literary links to Austen, from where she socialised to what she did. Naturally, there will also be mulled wine and mince pies awaiting guests on their return.
- High society portrait artist, Charles Burns, will visit on select Sundays to cut guests’ silhouettes over a stylish three-course brunch.
- The Library will host children’s storytelling times, as well as a treasure hunt around the hotel for little bookworms.
COCKTAILS & FESTIVE MENUS
The holiday season, including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, will see dedicated dining experiences at One Aldwych, from whimsical afternoon teas to celebratory tasting menus providing ample opportunity for delicious dining with friends and family.
Festive Cocktails – The Lobby Bar’s cocktails will be the talk of the town. Inspired by Austen and the piquant nature of her famous wit, concoctions include ‘The Gin Austen’, laced with apricot brandy and Champagne. A ‘Dark and Darcy’ is rich in whisky, gingerbread, black walnut bitters and mulled wine, while a ‘Pear-Suasion’ is sweet with cognac, Mozart white chocolate, a pear spiced shrub and served in a teacup Martini glass – setting the tone for the evening.
Festive Pre-Theatre Menu – Conveniently located in the heart of the West End, surrounded by many of London’s best theatres, there’s nowhere better to enjoy a delicious supper before curtain up. Available Monday 10th November 2025 – Saturday 4th January 2026 from 5pm-6.30pm, menu highlights include a Dorset Crab Salad or Mosaic of Chicken, Leek and Trompettes to start, followed by Seared Halibut, Glazed Celeriac or Juniper Crusted Highland Venison Loin. Finish off with Karolyn’s Brûlée, with a mulled wine poached pear and port ice cream. Two courses for £44 and three courses for £52 per person.
Christmas Day at Indigo – Enjoy a Christmas Day lunch perfectly executed by Head Chef Dominic Teague and his team, and served with a glass of Champagne Bollinger, Special Cuvée. From £295 per person and £120 per child.
Festive Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea – Feast on scrumptious savouries such as beetroot and horseradish ‘hot ice cream for cold days’ and juicy roast turkey and cranberry sandwiches, then journey on to fabulously fluffy, mince pie-flavoured floss and a box stacked high with wondrous cakes, sweets and creams – all washed down with chocolate or lemon sherbet tea, mulled snozzberry cocktails, mocktails or Champagne. Available from 12th November 2025 to 10th January 2026, Wednesday – Sunday. Afternoon tea starts from £95 per person with a glass of Champagne, and £65 per child including a mocktail and book.
New Year’s Eve – Welcome in 2026 with a delicious four-course tasting menu in Indigo, featuring British ingredients crafted into delicious dishes with a touch of imagination. From £190 per person. Toast to the New Year in the Lobby Bar, with live music and charcuterie and cheese boards, perfectly paired with Champagne Bollinger. From 9.30pm-1am, from £170 for two people.
OVERNIGHT STAYS
- A Covent Garden Christmas – Enjoy a winter weekend at One Aldwych alongside Dr. Matthew Green as he takes guests back in time on a walking tour of London. A Covent Garden Christmas is inclusive of an overnight stay for two (Friday or Saturday evenings from 14th November to 27th December), English breakfast, a guided festive walk of Covent Garden, mulled wine and mince pies in The Library, a fully complimentary in-room mini-bar and access to the Health Club and Spa. Stays start from £730 based on two guests sharing a Superior Bedroom.
- One Enchanting Christmas – Join in with One Aldwych’s Christmas celebrations and indulge in a two-night stay with elegant dining at Indigo over the big day itself. The festive escape includes a two-night stay for two, festive cocktails in the Lobby Bar, milk, cookies and carrots for Father Christmas, Champagne and canapés in The Library on Christmas morning, Christmas Day lunch in Indigo, daily full English breakfast, a relaxed late check-out on Boxing Day, a complimentary in-room mini-bar and access to the Health Club and Spa. Christmas stays start from £820 per night based on two guests sharing a Superior Bedroom.
- Ring in the New Year – Ring in the New Year with a gilded overnight escape that blends festive merriment with refined dining. Spend the evening in the elegant Lobby Bar where live music sets the scene, accompanied by bottles of Champagne Bollinger, perfectly paired with cheese and charcuterie. On New Year’s Day, enjoy a leisurely morning in the Health Club, followed by breakfast and a late check-out. New Year’s Eve stays start from £1,028 based on two guests sharing a Deluxe Bedroom.
GIFTING & CHARITABLE DONATIONS
Alongside her sharp observations, Austen saw kindness and consideration as amongst the best of human qualities, and on this One Aldwych is firmly aligned. As the first luxury hotel in London to become B Corp Certified™, One Aldwych considers both how guests experience their stay, and the impact of the hotel’s endeavours on the world.
As such, with reverence to Austen and the legacy that a love of books gives to us all, One Aldywch is dedicating their celebrations to BookTrust, the UK’s leading children’s reading charity, inviting visitors to donate, whilst also running a book exchange for guests to pick up or leave behind a book during their stay.
A selection of high-res images can be found HERE.
For further information on One Aldwych, please visit www.onealdwych.com.
One Aldwych Press Office
Lucinda Buxton | Emma Howard-Smith | Lucy Hyland | Elena Ferguson | Sophie Anderton-Brown | Mia Jennings
The M Collective | onealdwych@the-mcollective.com
About One Aldwych
Covent Garden’s cultured, independent hotel – a true modern oasis, privately-owned, standing proud within the distinctive, stand-alone, triangular building, former home of the great Morning Post newspaper, at the point where The City meets the West End. With stunning spacious, clean, contemporary interiors by Fabled Studio and Robert Angell, embellished with Art Nouveau flourishes inspired by the building – and spirited English touches – warm, welcoming and a little unconventional. The result is an exquisite, expressive, original style as befits a truly independent London hotel. Covent Garden’s neighbourhood restaurant, Indigo, is the home of simply delicious dishes by Chef Dominic Teague, using ingredients from the best British independent producers – while the hotel’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory inspired afternoon tea is a firm favourite with young and old alike. Other facilities include the Lobby Bar, The Library and Health Club with 18-metre / 59-foot chlorine-free swimming pool, spa and gym. One Aldwych is the proud recipient of One Key in the Michelin Guide to Hotels 2025 and achieved B Corp status in September 2024.
