Clark55

You said in your original post that you wanted an incredible, memorable experience, I don't think you'll get that at Fortnums. Imagine sitting in the Ritz surrounded by gold fountains under a stain glass dome roof sipping champagne waiting for your cucumber andwiches. (Go for the Champagne Tea at 7.30pm. it's within your budget)IMO that is an incredible memorable experience.

nini

If you expect to enjoy a full service and really special tea, do not go to The Orangery. Assorted sandwiches and pastries are not presented on the tiered tray. It is very noisy and tea is basically served as lunch. There is no music either. For md--you may enjoy tea at Harrod's--not as elaborate at one of the hotels but quite good. Harrod's, however, does not serve on fine china (which for me is important) but uses a basic white stoneware type of dinnerware. The Lanesborough does a nice tea with Wedgwood china and silver teapots.

jaimeGL

The Ritz is certainly a top choice and if this is to be your only London Afternoon Tea experience, why not go for it? I'd also along with Browns and add The Connaught: five star in Mayfair, very elegant.

Whichever you end up choosing, I'd book well in advance. Enjoy. Tea's my favorite afternoon meal. If done well, there's nothing like it.

janisj

Incredible experience is one thing

Just a decent afternoon tea is something different

So if your criteria have now changed (seems mainly because they want you to dress up) - then Fortnum and Mason's will be fine.

As for the Orangery - it is a nice place for tea if you are in the area in the afternoon. But not worth a special detour. It is a nice bldg next to Kens Palace but is really just a casual cafe inside.

gabrieltraian

My wife and I have been to London in 2003. Among other things we also wanted to have a memorable experience and do the "5 o'clock tea".

We carried along, all through our 36 days vacation, our formal clothes (suit, shirt, good shoes and tie for me, good shoes and nice dress for my wife) just for that event. I mean just for a few hours.

We really wanted a memorable experience and we obtained it.

We booked our "5 o'clock tea" at the Ritz... Eeeeksellent!! We liked it so much! The atmosphere, the setting in that Palm Court (the name of the restaurant), the service... Oh, we liked the service!

Have you seen those English classical movies where the butler comes in to serve the master? I tell you, it was like that. And for 29 pounds a person (maybe now it is 30 or 32) it was worth it all the way.

Besides tea you have many small sandwiches and cookies or cakes, and all are arranged nicely on a tiered tray. When we finished they asked us if we wanted any more, all included in the price.

To round up our evening, we had booked a theatre show at Royal Haymarket Theatre, 5 minutes walking from the Ritz. The show was Brandt, by Ibsen, and the main character was played by Ralph Fiennes, the well-known English actor!
What a treat was that for us!! It was one of the most memorable evenings that we ever had.

So carrying all that weight with us for just one evening was more than worth.

By the way! As one poster asked, they serve coffee if you want, instead of tea (we were asked so at the Ritz).

And another thing... at a table next to ours was a group of American ladies dressed more like smart casual. Obviously, they were let in. But don't bet on that that you will be too.

Enjoy yourself, wherever you decide to go.

lennyba

I've enjoyed the Orangery on several occasions, but I agree that it's not the "experience" that the OP is after.

Blacknight

Wow, glad is was surfing this sight today. I didn't even consider you'd need reservations for tea someplace. I just squeezed in a table for Sep 4th at the Ritz for the Champagne Tea.

I'm excited. Now I have an excuse to get really spiffed up!