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.
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.
See in 2026 with live DJ performances – with DJ Swerve set to ring in the New Year – and you can even opt for the Champagne Dream into the New Year package, which includes an overnight stay on 31 December, a bottle of champers on arrival, as well as an £85.00 dining credit per person.
Throughout the rest of the holiday season, the restaurant offers a decadent tasting menu including dishes like Kinedai ‘Golden Eye’ Sea Bream Sashimi, Confit Chilean Sea Bass, Veal Teriyaki and the special Nobu Nigiri Selection. Nobu-style Winter Afternoon Tea is also on the menu, with stylish snacks such as Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna, Chicken Kara-age Sliders and Black Cod Butter Lettuce on offer, served with matcha- and yuzu-infused sweets and freshly brewed teas.
Fans of the Nobu minimalist aesthetic will feel right at home at the Portman Square outpost, with the contemporary rooms – ranging from a cosy King room to the hotel’s Nobu Penthouse, pictured below – furnished with bold artwork and lots of natural light.
Guests are likely to get serious Marie Kondo vibes, with the intended look for each room as “restrained minimalism” with a touch of Japenese culture sprinkled throughout – the kyūsu tea sets are a highlight – as well as gorgeous calligraphic canvases and sculptural lighting.
The hotel terrace is something of a sun trap, and is heated during colder months so can be visited and enjoyed all year around. This summer, Nobu teamed up with matcha giant JENKI to serve up some vibey matcha cocktails to serve alfresco. We predict the same level of on point drinks choices for the festive season.
Wellness enthusiasts should not check out without visiting the hotel’s state-of-the-art reformer pilates studio, which offers three signature classes: POWER, PRECISION, and PURE. Pick your poison. And if reformer isn't your thing, there's a full comprehensive gym that will host any workout you can think of, seriously.
Whether it's the proximity to Christmas shopping extravaganzas you're looking for or opulent festive foodie magic, Nobu's Portman Square outpost has got you covered for a gorgeous stay this cosy season.
