The Berkeley Hotel
Impeccable service is the hallmark of the Berkeley. Tea at the Berkeley is an ideal option after a strenuous shopping spree in Knightsbridge. Afternoon tea is served in the intimate Lounge/Foyer Bar every day from 3.00-6.00 pm. Booking is advisable as the window tables are in high demand - especially on the weekends. Madonna, Gwynneth Paltrow, Posh Spice and David Beckham are amongst the better known celebrities to have been seen here. 'Afternoon Tea', which includes traditional afternoon tea sandwiches, homemade pastries, warm scones with Devonshire clotted clotted cream costs 21 GBP. Then, there is 'The Berkeley Champagne Afternoon Tea' for 30 GBP, which is served with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut. The custom of drinking tea is one of those civilized institutions for which the English are famous for. The Berkeley imports its own tea and blends it on the premises. The Berkeley's 'Afternoon Tea Blend' is called 'Dimbula', which is produced at one of Ceylon's oldest tea plantations. Upon request guests can also purchase this tea.
Address: Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RL, Tel: +44-20-7235 6000, E-Mail: reservations@the-berkeley.co.uk, Website: www.the-berkeley.co.uk
Brown's Hotel
Established in 1837 in London's fashionable Mayfair district, Brown's Hotel is London's oldest operating deluxe hotel. The hotel, which has a private town house atmosphere, was founded by Mr. James Brown, who was the former valet of the celebrated English romantic poet Lord George Byron (1788-1824). Graham Bell made his first successful British telephone call from Brown's in 1876, Rudyard Kipling wrote 'The Jungle Book' in this hotel and author Agatha Christie (1890-1976), who was a regular visitor at the hotel, based her book 'At Bertram's Hotel' on Browns. Afternoon tea is served from 3.00-6.00 pm on Wedgwood porcelain in comfortable armchairs in the Drawing Room. There is a fireplace and there is a resident pianist. Tea comes on Victorian cake stands and is served with silver. Brown's have their own afternoon tea blend. The 'Brown's Afternoon Tea' costs 23 GBP.
Address: Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London W1S 4BP, Tel: +44-20-7493 6020, Fax: +44-20-7493 9381, E-Mail: brownshotel@ukbusiness.com, Website: www.brownshotel.com
The Cadogan
Built in 1887, the Cadogan Hotel became associated with Irish poet Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) who was arrested here and who wrote the famous book 'Dorian Gray'. The Cadogan Hotel is a historic town house that has been welcoming discerning visitors for over 100 years. Situated on Sloane Street, it is an ideal and discreet place to stop for tea after a busy afternoon of shopping at Harrods or Harvey Nichols. As soon as you pass into the entrance hall there is a sense of tranquility and timelessness. The Queen Mother has had lunch here and Lord Cadogan stays at this hotel when in London. The Cadogan Hotel is very traditionally English and has the feeling of a private town house. Afternoon tea is served from 3.00-6.00 pm in the Edwardian Drawing Room. Sink into the deep comfortable sofas and armchairs and enjoy the peace. Bookings are advisable and dress is smart casual. 'Afternoon Tea' costs 12.50 GBP, is served with Sheffield silver and consists of assorted tea sandwiches, home baked scones, rich fruit cake and pastry.
Address: 75 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9SG, Tel: +44-20-7235 7141, Fax: +44-20-7245 0994, E-Mail: info@cadogan.com, Website: www.cadogan.com
The Connaught
This hotel in Mayfair was originally created as a place to stay for the landed gentry of England to stay during their visits to the capital. It first opened as 'The Coburg' in 1897, and was then renamed in 1917 as 'The Connaught' after the Duke of Connaught who was the third son of Queen Victoria. Guests are welcomed by doormen in top hats and white gloves. The entrance hall has a magnificent mosaic floor and a grand wooden staircase. Tea is served in the Red Room (trolley service ) and the Drawing Room (cake stands) from 3.30 to 5.30pm every day. Leading British interior designer Nina Campbell has given both rooms a stunning makeover. Hollywood star Sharon Stone famous for her role in 'Basic Instinct' and film star Lauren Bacall (ex-wife of Humphrey Bogart) are amongst the celebrities who have sampled the Connaught's 'Traditional Tea'. The tea costs 25 GBP and is served on blue patterned Limoges porcelain. There is also a special Connaught blend of Indian tea on offer.
Address: Carlos Place, Mayfair, London W1K 2AL, Tel: +44-20-7499 7070, Fax: +44-20-7495 3262, E-Mail: reservations@the-connaught.co.uk, Website: www.the-connaught.co.uk
Claridge's
Founded in 1812 as the 'Mivart's', the hotel became 'Claridge's' in 1854 when William and Marianne Claridge acquired the hotel. Ever since then this hotel has offered quiet luxury, lavish hospitality and discreet service to crowned heads, princes and politicians, statesmen and celebrities, such as Madonna. In fact, it was at Claridge's that Queen Victoria met Empress Eugenie of France who was in residence there in 1860. Claridge's is celebrated for its opulent Art Deco surroundings. Tea is served in the Foyer and the Reading Room from 2.30-5.30pm. Bookings are preferred and gentlemen are requested to wear a jacket and tie at all times. Tea is served on Limoges porcelain with Robbe and Berking silver (founded 1874) and silver cake stands are so tall that they can be placed on the floor next to the table. Claridge's offers 14 different blends of tea. Entertainment is provided by a pianist and a violinist. 'Tea at Claridge's' costs 26 GBP.
Address: Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1A 2JQ, Tel: +44-20-7629 8860, Fax: +44-20-7499 2210, E-Mail: info@claridges.co.uk, Website: www.claridges.co.uk
The Dorchester
Upper-crust and glamour is synonymous with the Dorchester, which first opened in 1931. Brigitte Bardot, Pierce Brosnan, Naomi Campbell, Cher, Michael Jackson, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gianni Versace have all been to this citadel of luxury, which is owned by the Sultan of Brunei. Afternoon tea is served from 2.30-6.00pm in the magnificent marble and gilded promenade by charming waiters and waitresses. Booking is essential and dress code is smart casual. There is a pianist who provides entertainment from 3.00 pm onwards every afternoon. Tea is served with silver and on Wedgwood porcelain. Relax with a glass of pink champagne with the 'Champagne Tea' for 28.50 GBP. The superb 'Dorchester Afternoon Tea' is for 34.50 GBP. Guests can eat as much as they want. For something even more substantial test the 'Dorchester High Tea' for 38.50 GBP, which is served until 8.00pm. The Dorchester Hotel also has its own most popular brand of tea, which is a special 'Orange Pekoe' blend and can be purchased on request.
Address: Park Lane, Mayfair, London W1A 2HJ, Tel: +44-20-7629 8888, Fax: +44-20-7317 6464, E-Mail: reservations@dorchesterhotel.com, Website: www.dorchesterhotel.com
Lanesborough Hotel
This very grand hotel is a sumptuous temple of luxury. Prior to being converted into one of London's grandest hotels this landmark building of 1828 was the St. George's hospital that made the nurse Florence Nightingale famous. Everything undulates with richness: there are magnificent antiques and oil paintings. Tea is served anywhere guests wish between 3.30-6.00 pm. The main place to have tea is in the 'Conservatory', which is a small model of the Brighton Pavilion and is inspired by an oriental Chinoiserie theme. Prominent guests like to withdraw to the balconies in the 'Conservatory', where they are more private. A pianist fulfills special requests. Tea can also be served in the most stylish 'Withdrawing Room' or even the 'Library'. The choice is between 'The Lanesborough Tea' for 24.50 GBP or 'The Belgravia Tea' (champagne) for 29.50 GPB . All is served on Royal Worcester with silver.
Address: Hyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA, Tel: +44-20-7259 55 99, Fax: +44-20-7259 56 06, E-Mail: info@lanesborough.co.uk, Website: www.lanesborough.co.uk
The Park Lane Hotel
The Park Lane Hotel is a grand hotel with a unique Art Deco Ballroom - it is a glittering 1920s jewel reset for the 21st century. The true heart of the Park Lane Hotel, which first opened in 1924, is the Palm Court where afternoon tea is served accompanied by live music. The Palm Court with its domed yellow-and-white glass ceiling has a glamorous 1920s atmosphere. Afternoon tea is served from 3.00-6.00pm. The 'Park Lane Afternoon Tea' for 21 GBP includes finger sandwiches, scones and followed by French pastries. A variation of this is the 'Champagne Afternoon Tea' for 28.50 GBP and the 'Devonshire Cream Tea' for 10.50 GBP with scones.
Address: The Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 7BX, Tel: +44-20-7499 6321, Fax: +44-20-7499 1965, Website: www.sheraton.com
The Ritz
The Ritz Palm Court is the most fashionable place to have tea in London. First opened by Cesar Ritz in 1906, this hotel overlooking Green Park is synonymous with luxury. Bought 5 years ago by the Berkeley Brothers, the hotel has undergone a 35 million GBP refurbishment to restore it to its original splendour and Louis XVI style. At least 2 weeks advance booking is necessary to have tea weekdays and 8 weeks are required to avoid disappointment for afternoon tea on the weekend. Having afternoon tea at the Ritz Hotel has become so popular that there are nowadays three sittings: 1.30pm, 3.30 pm and 5.30pm. Tea served in the elegant Palm Court and there is music by a pianist or a harpist. If you haven't booked in advance there might be a good chance to have tea upon special request in the bar if the Palm Court is fully booked. The 'Ritz Afternoon Tea' costs 27 GBP and you can eat as much as you want. Jacket and tie for men required. Address: 150 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1V 9BR, Tel: +44-20-7493 8181 Toll Free from the USA: 1-877-748 9536, Fax: +44-20-7493-2687, E-Mail: enquire@theritzhotel.co.uk, Website: www.theritzhotel.co.uk
The Savoy
A hundred years of classic glamour and rich tradition - the Savoy Hotel is ideally situated to have teabefore going out to one of the West End theatres. Elizabeth Taylor, Nicole Kidman, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Gershwin, Harrison Ford and Mel Gibson all have been here. To take tea at the Savoy (28 GBP,
Champagne Tea 39.94 GBP is to combine that tradition with all the elegance and sophistication that befits one of London's great hotels. Afternoon tea is served from 2:00-5:30pm for Traditonal Afternoon Tea and 5:30pm-7:30pm for Theatre Tea in the magnificent Thames Foyer with its original art deco mirrors. It is best to book and dress code is smart casual. Afternoon tea is accompanied by a pianist. The Savoy Hotel has its own exclusive blend called the Savoy Blend which is known to be 'traditional yet intriguing', the tea is served on Royal Doulton bone china with silver cake stands. A little momento is to purchase your own special tea to take home or Anton Edelmann's 'Taking Tea at the Savoy'.
Address: Strand, London WC2R 0EU, Tel: +44-20-7836 4343, E-Mail: svy.dining@fairmont.com, Website: www.the-savoy.co.uk
2006-06-08 16:07:06
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answer #9
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answered by minoloblaniks 5
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