Arikson

Dear Fodorites,

I want to splurge on a good tea ceremony and need your advice on which place would you recommend.

Thank you in advance

cynthia_booker

There are so many more options. As far as I know, none do some sort of ceremony (far too crowded and busy for any ceremony, although rather nice service), but serve tea and whatever extras (cakes, sandwiches, etc.) in a straightforward manner. Search here and there are several discussions about tea in London.

tower

Does Fortnum and Mason still have "awfternoon" tea? I though it was quite elegant and more reasonable than most of the hotels.

tuscanlifeedit

We chose Fortnum and Mason because it was well priced, absolutely lovely and delicious. We were seated in a lovely, airy room with a piano player.

I have heard from a friend that there is a lot to eat at the Ritz, but at F&M, they kept plying us with seconds and thirds. So I'm not sure that paying the higher price for the Ritz would be worth for me.

janisj

If you want to do afternoon F&M's Tea Salon is fine - now runs £40 and £44 per person depending on the variety of tea you choose.

The Ritz runs £50 (more if you want champagne too). All the up-market/posh hotels will run about the same.

None do any sort of 'ceremony' - but all do a formal service that is pretty special.

Man_in_seat_61

'Tea at the Ritz' is the classic, the name to conjure with...

Ten years ago this year, we had our wedding night at the Savoy and tea next day at the Ritz. Both fabulous.

The decision may make itself - the Ritz afternoon tea gets booked up months and months ahead. You can reserve online as I recall.

annw

We were unable to get reservations (like Man says) for tea at the Ritz when last in London, BUT we were able to order tea at a lovely area with tables and music outside of the formal tea room; we may have actually ended up ordering from the adjacent bar, can't remember!

But it was absolutely lovely. Dress nicely; you'll be glad you did.

They didn't allow photographs it seems, but maybe that was because people taking pics were just passing through.

Amazing to see the bellmen in the old fashioned caps/uniforms.

We also had a meal at the bar, I think on another visit. Remarkable service!!!

RM67

Two quirkier ones are the Moroccan themed afternoon tea at Momo (nice decor and you can take pics, plus it is one of the cheaper versions I have found) and the Mad Hatter's afternoon tea at the Sanderson.

http://momoresto.com/restaurant/lond...afternoon-tea/

https://www.morganshotelgroup.com/or...-afternoon-tea

Havana128

The Corinthian.

PalenQ

Though Harrods for some reason gets less tdhan gleaming reviews on Fodor's it seems we had a grand high tea in its ornate tea room - rated one of the finest in London and a trip around Harrods the store is fun too - check out the fancy stairwell with Egyptian motifs on every flight - starts off with Princess Di and gigolo boyfriend's memorail at base of stairwell - the gigolo's papa of course owns the store!

cynthia_booker

I thought Mohamed Al-Fayed had sold Harrods to a holding group from the Middle East.

annhig

i thought that the tea ceremony was japanese.

Smeagol

Harrods was sold by Fayed ages ago.
Afternoon tea in the glorious lobby at The Dorchester hotel is nice.....

Pepper_von_snoot

Aunt Judith takes clients to Brown's Hotel for tea, or the Groucho (but you have to be a member or the guest of a member).

But I think you have to be as daft as Fascination Fledgeby to pay 50 quid for tea.

Thin

historytraveler

You have been given a plethora of suggestions as for the best place for afternoon tea; however, in response to your question, I would go with tea at the Ritz.

northie

annhig I think the OP means an afternoon tea .

annhig

northie - I'd guessed.

northie

annhig I was being funny!!!

annhig

oh dear northie - sometimes humour doesn't travel well on Fodors - my fault, not yours!

lantana

I haven't been to either you mention but just wanted to give you a few more ideas:

In July 2012 my daughter and I spent a week in London and enjoyed afternoon tea at The Orangery at Kensington Palace, twice. http://www.orangerykensingtonpalace....afternoon-tea/ (first time excellent; second time only good) This was my favorite as the setting was so lovely ♥

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j2...psnogjguj6.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j2...ps34mutg78.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j2...psxokghq8m.jpg

Fortnum and Mason - https://www.fortnumandmason.com/rest.../afternoon-tea very nice but feels like you're in a fancy hotel somewhere. Doesn't have the charm of The Orangery, in my opinion. But it was the "fanciest" of those we experienced and certainly very pretty and perfect.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j2...psxoqkbyja.jpg

The Wolseley was fun and delicious. Seating was a bit cramped, if I recall correctly, but the food was particularly good. https://www.thewolseley.com/afternoon-tea

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j2...pshihn25ib.jpg