Best London staycation packages for some mini-break magic

The ever-changing quarantine rules put the kibosh on your sun-drenched Mediterranean dreams and you left it too late to bag the last remaining Cornish campsite pitch. In short, summer was over before it began and all you have to show is severe sciatica from your makeshift WFH desk.

All is not lost. The capital’s hotels have conjured up a smorgasbord of tempting packages to ease you into autumn.

From behind the scenes tours of the parts of Mayfair most of us never get to see, to a complimentary champagne river cruise, the city is open and ready to show us a good time.

Our pick of the stylish staycays...

The Lanesborough, Knightsbridge

When it comes to staycationing, it doesn’t get much better than a Hyde Park view, a chilled bottle of Moet on arrival and the choice between a three-course meal in the Michelin-starred Celeste or a spa day in a super-luxe subterranean boutique spa. Yes, the Lanesborough’s staycation package is luxury from the second you step through the doors - and are welcomed by your personal butler. If you can bear to leave the hotel, it’s a hop, skip and a jump to Knightsbridge’s glittering emporiums, but who’d go when you’ve got a marble bath and a bottle of champagne to indulge with?

The Staycation package, from £735, oetkercollection.com/hotels/the-lanesborough

The Mitre, Hampton Court

New kid on the block The Mitre is making the most of its prime waterfront location with a jolly ‘Messing About on the River’ package. The two-night stay includes tickets to Hampton Court Palace, afternoon tea, a champagne boat trip, cocktail masterclass and two dinners in the hotel’s restaurants.

Messing About on the River package, starting from £950; mitrehamptoncourt.com/​

The Hari, Belgravia

Arrive in style with a complimentary transfer from any London train station (or airport) in one of the boutique hotel’s Mercedes E-Class. Then, once you’ve checked in and been given a free upgrade (don’t mind if we do), make the most of a £50 credit gift card at the hotel’s Italian restaurant Il Pampero.

Travel with Us package, starting from £320; thehari.com/london/eat-drink/​

Bvlgari Hotel, Knightsbridge

To celebrate its post-lockdown re-opening, Bvlgari has launched a collection of dreamy Staycations. Take your pick from B.Private with in-room Harvey Nichols shopping appointments, private use of the screening room and a bubble dinner party, or B.Indulged with cigar & spirit tasting, a Dom Perignon experience and pampering spa treatments. Ten percent of all proceeds from the staycation packages to the Jenner Institute via the Bvlgari Virus Free Fund.

Bvlgari Staycations, starting from £1,170 per night; bulgarihotels.com/​

The May Fair Hotel, Mayfair

This year the Mayfair Art Weekend has been extended throughout October and it's packed with oodles of free art. Kip in the heart of the action with twenty percent off all stays at the five-star May Fair Hotel and enjoy easy access to participating galleries and the highly instagrammable Mayfair Sculpture Trail.

May Fair Art Weekend package, 20% off best available rates; themayfairhotel.co.uk

The Standard, King’s Cross

The London outpost of LA-favourite The Standard has much to tempt you back. For a limited time, get three nights for the price of two, or recover from the hellish year that has been 2020 with the Suite Selfcare package which includes a 60-minute massage, a facial and a mani or pedi, gym access and use of the in-room Peloton bike. It’ll almost feel as if the last few months never happened. Almost.

Packages start at £323; standardhotels.com/​

The Connaught, Mayfair

Make the most of a quieter London with The Connaught’s all-access package. Think personal appointments at Matches, VIP shopping at Selfridges and private tours of some of Mayfair’s top art galleries. We recommend making a beeline to the Royal Academy. Oh, and you’ll get as many free, delightfully decadent, Connaughty Cakes as you can handle.

The Connaught, starting from £550; the-connaught.co.uk/

The Ned, the City

Escape your own personal lockdown prison for a cosy night in at the Ned. They’ll throw in freshly made cocktails served to your door, room service up to the value of £25 and butter-soft Soho House bathrobes to take home.

Ned Night In, starting from £450 per night; thened.com/​

Taj Hotels

With two locations in the beating heart of London (Buckingham Palace and St James’ Park), Taj Hotels have been thinking hard about to show the city some love. Key workers get special room rates, family reunion bookings will be treated to a free afternoon tea and all guests at St James’ Court will get a 30% discount until the end of December.

Thank you to our heroes package, starting from £130 per night; tajhotels.com

The Mandrake, Fitzrovia

You’ve been through the wringer so what could be better than a Soul Reset package at one of London’s most zen hotels. Take advantage of The Mandrake’s Spiritual Concierge Service and nourish your mind, body and soul with crystal bowl sound healing, gong therapy, Shamanic cacao ceremonies and Chroma Yoga. You’ll reemerge renewed.

Soul Reset package, starting from £300; themandrake.com/​

Mayfair Townhouse, Mayfair

Live like the expensively well-heeled neighbours of new hotel The Mayfair Townhouse (opening in November) for a few days. Enjoy a guided tour of the hotel’s impressive art collection (worth it alone for Clarita Brinkerhoff’s giant Swarovski crystal-covered peacock sculpture), a secret Mayfair walking tour (visit Jimi Hendrix’s house and spot the quirky Italian garden on top of an electricity substation), cocktail masterclass and a private yoga class in Green Park.

The Insiders Townhouse Staycation, starting from £2,225; themayfairtownhouse.com/​

The Prince Akatoki, Marylebone

Were your big 2020 holiday plans to Japan obliterated by COVID-19? No bother, the Taste of Japan package, including complimentary sake cocktails and a sushi masterclass, should do the trick. You’ll even be given some traditional Ikebana flowers to take home. Really, who needs international travel?

Taste of Japan staycation, starting from £550; theprinceakatokilondon.com/​