Hotels for Jools Holland and His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra

Big band swing meets boogie-woogie piano on a scale few other outfits attempt, with a horn section, guest vocalists and enough energy to fill a Friday night twice over. The Rhythm and Blues Orchestra has built its reputation on these winter shows, mixing barrelhouse rhythms with soul and ska detours that keep the mood loose.

Expect a set that swings between raucous singalongs and quieter, cheekier moments of showmanship. Late November brings a distinctly festive tilt to the evening, with the show often doubling as an unofficial start to the season ahead.

An ornate Victorian rotunda in South Kensington, the Royal Albert Hall is one of the world's most famous concert halls, celebrated above all for the summer Proms. It sits amid the great museums, Kensington Gardens and the elegant streets of Knightsbridge, making the setting as memorable as the show.

South Kensington and High Street Kensington tube stations are a short walk, with excellent central links. Staying in the neighbourhood lets you pair a performance with the galleries and a leisurely evening stroll home.