The latest news from the London hotel scene, including openings, refurbishments and more.

New Openings

The new DoubleTree by Hilton London – Marble Arch hotel has opened just in time for anyone planning a Christmas shopping trip to London. Situated behind Marble Arch Tube station, the 121-bedroom hotel is just a few steps from the shops of Oxford Street. If the hotel looks familiar, that’s because it was formerly the Best Western Premier Mostyn Hotel and is also home to the famous Texture restaurant and champagne bar.

Hotel Xanadu opened this month, offering boutique accommodation from £150 a night in Bond Street – Bond Street Ealing, that is! The stylish hotel’s West London location makes it an easy journey to and from Heathrow Airport, and to attractions including Kew Gardens, Richmond Park and Wembley Stadium. There’s also a restaurant, Koobla, offering Asian cuisine.

Drink, Dine, Play

The Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill hotel is opening a new venue, The Churchill Bar and Terrace at the end of November. As the name suggests, the bar pays homage to Winston Churchill, including a life-sized bronze statue. The bar will serve classic cocktails, liquors, spirits and fine cigars, and has an outside heated terrace. Opens 29 November.

Get into the festive spirit at the Andaz Liverpool Street’s Andaz Lounge, which is installing a jukebox next month. Guests can choose a Christmas song for 50p, with proceeds going to London homeless charity Providence Row. Available from 1 to 28 December.

Film fans can indulge at 51 Buckingham Gate’s new Cinema Suite, a huge two-bedroom suite with décor inspired by iconic movie stars and an 85-inch plasma screen TV and 3D sound system. If you fancy a bit of A-list treatment, the suite is available from £5,100.

Extra, Extra

Free, unlimited Wi-Fi is now available at Guoman’s luxury hotels including The Tower, The Cumberland, The Royal Horseguards and The Charing Cross Hotel.

The London 2012 Olympic Flame will travel through six London boroughs next year before reaching the Olympic Stadium.

The Torch Relay will visit:

• Waltham Forest (21 July)
• Bexley (22 July)
• Wandsworth (23 July)
• Ealing (24 July)
• Haringey (25 July)
• Westminster (26 July)

The Flame will arrive at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The nationwide tour will begin at Land’s End in Cornwall on the morning of 19 May 2012 and will take 70 days to travel 8,000 miles around the UK.

During this time, the Flame will be carried by 8,000 torchbearers including sports people, celebrities and members of the public.

The Relay will travel for approximately 12 hours every day, culminating in evening celebrations when it arrives at each destination.

For more information visit www.london2012.com/olympictorchrelay

• Boo at Bermondsey Square – farmers market and a screening of Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas. 30 Oct
• Fangtasia: Live out your vampire fantasies at a True Blood-themed club night in three London venues, The Betsy Smith (Kilburn), The Winchester (Islington) or The Lodge Tavern (Ealing).  30 Oct
• TNT Magazine’s Halloween Party – packed with frightful fashion, scary shenanigans, devilish drink specials and freaky fun at the Grand Union Kentish Town. 30 Oct
• The BFI IMAX Halloween all-nighter. Five frightening films on the giant screen in 3D! 30 Oct from 11.30pm
  
• Have a Medieval Banquet Halloween with the Vampire Ball on 29 Oct, Fright Night on 30 Oct and the Hunky Punk Ball on 31 Oct
• Enjoy a host of family-friendly, spooky goings on at ZSL London Zoo for Halloween. 29-31 Oct

Read about more Halloween in London ideas here. What are your Halloween plans?