Looking for some luxurious festive magic in London? Look no further than Nobu Hotel’s Portman Square location. A stone’s throw from Hyde Park in gorgeous Marylebone as well as Christmas shopping mecca Oxford Street, it’s the perfect crash pad all year around but especially for the winter season.

The Nobu brand itself has a star-studded history. Starting out as a sole LA restaurant boasting now-iconic chef Nobuyuki ‘Nobu’ Matsuhisa’s fusion of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine, Hollywood star and Nobu fan Robert DeNiro suggested that Matsuhisa open a New York restaurant. It took five years, but Matsuhisa said yes, and the rest is restaurant (and, latterly hotel) history.

JACK HARDY

While conveniently located when it comes to shopping and exploring the likes of Soho and Mayfair, Nobu Hotel Portman Square is removed enough from the madness to give you a truly refreshing stay. Perched on the corner of Portman Square itself, which consists of a plethora of quintessentially London townhouses, you can enjoy the leafy, peaceful vibe of upscale Marylebone while still being able to reach the livelier areas on foot.

For those looking for an extra chic New Year’s Eve plan (and honestly, what is worse and more difficult than coming up with a cool NYE itinerary that avoids crowds and cliches), book in for the hotel restaurant Nobu Restaurant’s seven-course celebration of – you guessed it – Japanese-Peruvian flavours featuring dishes such as Yellowtail Jalapeño, Grilled Lobster with Spicy Garlic, Grilled Japanese A5 Wagyu, as well as a selection of indulgent desserts.

Thomas Alexander Photography