A Christmas memory that will last a lifetime

Getting a slot with Father Christmas can feel as hard as winning the lottery in London. Not only do you need to book months in advance, monitor your inbox to see when bookings go live and pray that you get the slot you want – most experiences feel like a “conveyor belt” where you are out faster than you can blink. A moment most families plan for months becomes a quick meet with the main man and then you are whisked off feeling rather underwhelmed.

Now thank goodness for the most sought-after collaboration – Hamleys and the Langham hotel in London are setting a new standard for Father Christmas experiences.

Set within the beautiful Langham hotel in London, as you walk into the stunning hotel entrance you are greeted by the cheeriest elves that know your child’s name and escort you to a separate lounge. Here the magic begins.

We don’t want to give away too much on what happens next but let’s just say that this has to be one of the most exclusive grotto experiences in London. You are not in a queue with other families, nor is any element of the experience rushed. Children get ample time with the elves before stepping into meet Father Christmas.

And yes, this Father Christmas knows all the names of children visiting him. He knows what they like and there is a real sense of him being the real deal. The children leave with a bag filled with Hamleys toys and big smiles. And I don’t mean a few random toys that will never be used – this is the best selection we have seen and very generous. Children might want to bring a small suitcase along to carry them home!

This is most definitely a City O’Clock favourite.