A Season of Style: How Hotels Turn Festivity into an Art Form

Some places understand that Christmas doesn’t need to shout to make an impression. The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa in Bath glows rather than glitters. Its Georgian curves suit candlelight, polished brass and greenery that looks freshly cut. Mallory Court in Warwickshire takes a similar approach with natural textures, soft radiance and gentle colour.

To channel that same understated luxury, keep your palette simple and let your space do the talking. A staircase wrapped in an evergreen garland or a single wreath framed in a window can be more understated than a thousand fairy lights. Think texture over tinsel and warmth over wattage. A calm room lit by a fire carries a quiet grandeur of its own – a nod to elegant holiday interiors at their most refined.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of drama. Grantley Hall in Yorkshire embraces the season with unabashed splendour. Grand trees rise up to meet chandeliers, garlands sweep through archways and the radiance bounces off every polished surface. Mar Hall near Glasgow takes the same route with mirrored halls, sweeping staircases and more than a touch of glamour. These hotels are masters of seasonal hotel style, proving that festive opulence works best when it’s intentional rather than excessive.

The key here is confidence. Choose one moment to be your showstopper and let it shine. A dazzling tree, a table covered in gold and glass or a hallway full of fairy lights can all create impact. Balance the glitz with something earthy such as wood, leaves or fabric, so the result feels rich, not overdone.

In Devon, Boringdon Hall turns December into a fairytale. Its Elizabethan rooms, all beams and fireplaces come alive with foliage, velvet ribbon and flickers of gold. Middlethorpe Hall in York captures the same sense of nostalgia in its panelled rooms and traditional colours.

The magic here lies in storytelling, so let each room add to the narrative. The hallway might greet with pine and citrus, the living room might feel warm and layered and the kitchen could smell of spice and candle wax. Repeat a single element throughout – a colour, sprigs of greenery or a subtle scent – to make everything seem connected. It is this continuity that brings the same polish you find in historic hotels, offering Christmas decor ideas that are both timeless and personal.

Further north, The Fife Arms in Braemar celebrates Christmas with joyful abandon. Trees are draped in tartan ribbon, decorations mix high art with Highland whimsy and the whole place feels alive with laughter. It’s proof that festive spirit doesn’t have to be neat. Talbooth House in Essex channels that same playful energy, blending traditional touches with clever surprises.

The joy of this design is its freedom. Mix heirlooms with handmade decorations, blend patterns and textures and let each piece tell its story. The most memorable rooms are the ones that look as if someone’s having fun. A touch of mischief makes even the grandest home appear human – a reminder that seasonal hotel style can be as bold or as unconventional as you dare.

Some hotels look outward for inspiration. The Torridon, nestled between loch and mountain, uses what’s around it – pine cones, berries and flickering candlelight that echo the winter landscape. Gravetye Manor in Sussex does the same, its interiors scented with fresh foliage and its rooms full of simple, beautiful arrangements from its own gardens.

The secret is authenticity. Fill bowls with pine cones or tuck eucalyptus and rosemary into wreaths for scent. The luxury comes from how natural it looks, not how much it costs. Nature’s palette always works, after all she has been designing Christmas longer than any of us! These are some of the most inspiring Christmas décor ideas – simple, beautiful and sustainable.