tea at Brown's
 

I've about decided to have our afternoon tea splurge at Brown's--partly because a Fodorite mentioned having a wonderful experience there and partially because it is the hotel of At Bertram's Hotel. Does anyone have any comments yay or nay? Also, how far in advance do I need to make reservations (or do I)? As far as I can tell I need to make reservations by phone, though I may have missed an online link on their web site.

My Aunt Judith takes clients to Brown's all the time. Americans seem to really enjoy it. (They also like going to the Groucho Club.)

I prefer the Connaught because the front parlour reminds me of my grandmother's house.

My Aunt Pat loves the Savoy for tea. She is a no-nonsense Anglican with a love for dogs and an absolutely criminal dress sense.

Take your pick, sweetie darling.

Thingorjus

We used to love tea at Brown's but haven't been there since the hotel was revamped. I do hope the wonderful ambience is still in place--it was SO cozy and comfortable.

After the replies, I researched this much more than it deserves and agonized over Brown's, The Lanesborough (which I'd previously dismissed), The Dorchester, The Connaught and several others. Finally I overturned my first choice of Brown's and sent reservations to the Dorchester I'm sure they'd all be great, but I liked the voluptuous, but somehow homey look of the Dorchester. Me thinks they might not like that description however.

Don't beat yourself up for it, sweetie darling. It is only tea. You Americans get so caught up with fancy tea in hotels. We Brits think that you are all daft.

Imagine Brits coming to America and agonizing over where to have a cup of coffee and some donuts.

Daft!!!!

Thinny

Sorry, but I just can't equate a proper afternoon tea with coffee and donuts. Not in the same league at all. We've enjoyed afternoon tea in friends' homes, in hotels, in museums, in little tea shops, even in our own home. It's special; why not let us enjoy it?

Time Out repeatedly recommends The Wolseley for afternoon tea.

Brown's and the Dorchester could not be more different.

The Dorchester has the typical, somewhat stiff atmosphere of a classic Grand Hotel while the Brown's is just cozy. I personally prefer the Brown's because it has a unique ambiance.

BTW, I enjoyed one of the best meals of my life in the Brown's restaurant a couple of years ago, but I am afraid the chef has changed and I cannot say anything about it now.

I never implied that you should not enjoy your tea and cakes, sweetie darling. But, I find it amusing that Americans get all aflutter over where to take their in London.

Just pick a place and be happy with it.

These hoteliers must be making a mint with people sitting in their lobbies paying 50 quid and upwards for a pot of tea and some biscuits spread with jam. :)

Thin

You forgot the clotted cream, darling.

But maybe this is the price you pay for being thin.

"Thin" is a very subjective term don't forget.

Hi Sallyky - I work in Mayfair so can maybe help. Out of all of the suggestions, I would back RM67's for The Wolseley. Both Brown's and The Connaught, while being lovely hotels, have both undergone refurbishments and have moved away a little bit from their classic styles. I have had tea at The Dorchester and it is also nice. I have had tea at Claridges - that is my favourite. I think Thin is right in that you can't really go wrong with any of them. The Savoy is closed and will not open until next year.

However, The Wolseley is in a class by itself and is more affordable, if cost is an issue. It is simply one of those places where you walk in and go 'Wow'. The decor is stunning. It is a little bit of everything and appeals to all - old and young, theatre goers, people there for a heavy meal, people there for a light bite, people there for tea. Even my brother loves it and he's the world's pickiest eater. I have seen someone famous every time I have been there - it is popular with everyone and great for the buzz and the people watching. It will make for a very memorable tea.

<i>Even my brother loves it and he's the world's pickiest eater. </i>

hnberlin, I'm starting another thread about picky eaters and London!

My tea and stay at Brown's was before the refurb, 1990 to be exact, and I may have been the one who mentioned that the hotel was the model for Bertrams in A. Christie's At Bertrams Hotel.

Based on such good recommendations, think I will try the Wolseley this time, although we leave tomorrow and I've not done anything about booking. Too late for Friday? Think I will check their web site. Thanks.

Probably this is important to me because I don't normally (read never) go into grand hotels anywhere. And It's quite likely I'll never do this again, so I'd hate to sit there thinking &quot;And I paid all that money for this!&quot; And my DH and his cousin are following my choice, and I sure don't want them thinking that!

traveller1959 -- The reason I first chose Brown's was because I wanted that cozy atmosphere you mention, but the more I read and the more pictures I saw, the more I thought maybe it had lost that coziness in its revamping.

Proenza_Preschooler -- I can't imagine anywhere for coffee and donuts worth agonizing over either. LOL But, then, I've never been in a coffee shop with either decor or ceremony.

Whatever you finally decide, it will be an experience. Isn't the Dorchester where Christian Bale just got involved in a family fracas?

I checked out the Wolseley online and it looks very interesting--it's a standalone restaurant, new in 2003, in what was an art deco-era car showroom. We have to have a watch repaired very near there so will try it for lunch or tea.

Some of the coffee houses and konditorei (spelling?) in Vienna serve coffee in the style approaching an English afternoon tea--not a doughnut in sight, or at least not the hockey pucks we have here.

&quot;Some of the coffee houses and konditorei (spelling?) in Vienna serve coffee in the style approaching an English afternoon tea&quot;

I'll remember this when we get to Vienna and promise not to agonize over which one to visit!

Please don't spoil this American's romantic idea of the English and their tea. You are suppose to do it best!!!! Let us believe that until proven otherwise. Let us worry over getting the &quot;best of the best&quot;. It is part of the preparation for travel. I hope I don't find out this November that the preparation for travel is actually better than the travel itself. Having lived there in 1963 and returned twelve years ago, I am so hopeful that it will be as wonderful as it was..... but is anything &quot;as wonderful as it was&quot;?

If having tea were a half hour affair and cost maybe $10 each, I'd agree with thin. But since it will probably be several hours -- really the highlight of the day -- and cost nearly as much as a cruise on a yacht, I fail to understand why I wouldn't take a lot of time to pick the &quot;right&quot; one -- certainly worth as much time as selecting a restaurant for any meal.

I did a doubletake at Underhill's comment, checking to make sure this wasn't an old thread and that was MY remark. Sounds like me. I loved Brown's for tea with the big sofas, chairs, and coffee tables, rather than sitting at restaurant tables. But I really have no idea what it's like since their full renovation.

That was exactly what made tea at Brown's so special...those lovely, squashy chairs, the tall pastry holders, the little bowl of clotted cream. Sigh.