Help me decide where to go for tea while in London. I've read the message boards and we've booked Brown's. We're staying at Browns while we're in London so we'd like to try another tea somewhere else,too. Another question - can you get other beverages besides tea and champagne?? One of our friends isn't a big fan of either.

Harrod's has really good afternoon tea and finger sandwiches. It comes at a Harrods price of about $45 but worth it = )

While I find Claridge's do be the best hotel, nothing rivals the Ritz for afternoon tea. (Just don't forget a jacket and tie!)

There is a website that I really like that will help you pick where to have tea- www.gofortea.com. It has photos of the hotels, menus with prices, suggested attire, reservation suggestions, maps and much more. We will be in London in 2 weeks, and we are having tea at the Duke's Hotel. A friend of my aunt's suggested it, so that is where she really wants to go. I'll report back when we return!

I personally like Fortnum and Mason for afternoon tea.

I would recommend the tea at the Orangerie at Kensington Palace in Hyde Park. Its a different experience than a hotel tea, they have a lovely lunch menu as well, and it runs about 11 pounds instead of 25- a perfect second option! You can combine it with a trip through the palace where Victoria and Princess Diana spent a great deal of time.<BR>

Hi Cherie,<BR> Lucky you, staying at Browns.<BR> If your friend doesn't care for tea or champagne, I'm sure that they will provide coffee or juices.<BR> Asking for a cocktail is not done.<BR>

I'm just curious if anyone knows. We once met friends for tea at the Waldorf on the Strand. There is a beautiful palm court sort of lobby there and they had a string quartet playing. Do they still do that there???

Erin, thanks for the tip on the gofortea Web site--it's TERRIFIC! I've been to London many, many times and always had tea at teh same few places, but this site gives so many great options! I'm printing out a few for my trip next week.<BR><BR>Thanks again!

MelJ- You are welcome- enjoy your trip!

Browns is definitely the best but I would also recommend Fortnum and Mason in Piccadilly. Or the Athenaeum Hotel in Piccadilly.

Hi<BR>would you consider a less-formal tea that also takes up less of the afternoon?<BR>Last year on Londoner Ben Haines's recommendation I had tea at the Thistle Charing Cross hotel. I was dressed &quot;smart casually&quot; I guess I'd call it, but didn't have to dress up more than that. For 13 pounds and change I had a very good tea with sandwiches, scones, and cake, and an hour to relax before returning to my sightseeing. My fellow tea-takers seemed to be business people and their colleagues or clients who were having tea and talk. Not an obvious tourist in the bunch.

Elaine: Just so you know, I went to the Thistle Charing Cross' website to check it out and apparently the room in the hotel they use for tea is currently closed for renovation.

Actually, I saw this on the Thistle website last week, but I didn't see it now when I checked back. Any one going here for tea in the near future might want to check first.

I've tried several and have to agree with Fortnum and Mason in Piccadilly!!!

Tea at the Brown's is definitely an enjoyable and memorable experience, but so is the price. I also enjoyed tea at the Orangery, next to Kensington Palace. It's a lot less formal, but very good, or at least if was in '99.

re: Patrick<BR><BR>I had tea several years ago at the Walforf and had a lovely experience. The gentleman at the coatcheck told us about the Sunday &quot;Tea Dance&quot; and it sounded absoulutely wonderful. I'm not sure if it's every Sunday or only once a month. Ballroom dancers dressed to the nines to live music. You must have reservations well in advance for tea which is served on a balcony surrounding the dance floor. I was never able to be in London at the right time. I'm not sure this dance still happens. It's certainly worth it to find out. Does anyone know?

Ah, yes, now that I think about it, that was on a Sunday, so was the Sunday tea dance. It was really quite elegant -- a tea with some wonderful dancers who must &quot;live&quot; for this sort of thing. I got the impression most were locals who probably turn out every week for this, dressed to the nines.

I'd have to say The Ritz. Have fun!

The Ritz, definitely.<BR>Elegant, classy, lovely music.