Hope Shines At Claridge’s For Christmas

As we seek out much-needed beacons of light this year, London’s favourite hotel offers a quietly dazzling reminder to be hopeful

While the summer saw me searching solace beneath the more ancient, enveloping trees of London’s parks, it was natural that I should choose to end the year on another kind of arbor-high, by making my annual pilgrimage to see the Claridge’s Christmas tree.

Seeking refuge, this time from a December Sunday on Oxford Street - as dank skies gave way to slow-seeping mizzle - emerging into the warm, welcoming light of that marbled lobby was, in itself, a tonic.

This Year’s Tree

Shaking off an oversized umbrella and stamping boot-clad feet, I stepped gingerly into the Art Deco lobby, and there, at the foot of those unmistakable stairs, she stood, calm and bright, giving the usually-bustling space an other-wordly feel.

Natural in shape, each of her snowy branches was adorned with swathes of shimmering crystals. Light danced off delicate glass garlands and hundreds of pendants hung from the lower branches, creating an iridescent wonderland that reflected across the distinctive black and white marble floor.

The Tree’s Creator

Long-signalling the start of the festive season for well-heeled Londoners (and me), the Christmas tree at the iconic Davies Street hotel is symbolic of timeless festive style and, this year in particular, of hope for better things to come.

The tree’s creator, founder of British floral designers McQueens Flowers, Kally Ellis, wanted to make guests feel they had stepped back in time, to days of elegance and abandon, saying: "It’s a celebration of hospitality, elegance and glamour and especially apt this year, that we remember good times shared and look forward to doing so again."

Claridge's co-owner Paddy McKillen echoed this, saying: "We believe that this year’s tree captures some Claridge’s magic and positive hopes for all of us for the year ahead.”

As we continue to look for a symbols of hope and happiness where we can, perhaps a glittering dash of whimsy is one such beacon to guide us onward, as this year of wonders draws to a close.

God Save The Queen and God Bless Claridge’s x