An annual rendez-vous with the most iconic afternoon servings with a festive twist! If you are looking for the best Christmas Afternoon Tea, see this list!
Everything is different this year, but here’s what is not: the glorious festive afternoon tea tradition held at some of the most luxurious hotels around the world! An all-time favourite for tea addicts at its most outgoing version, served in cozy and Christmasy corners, accompanied by all sorts of festive delicacies -cakes, macarons, crisp champagne, teddy bears and live traditional carols!
Take a tour of some of the best sorts of festive afternoon tea, served at these luxurious hotels around the world!
Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea – The Rubens London
Christmas are always magical at The Rubens at the Palace which features an award-winning Afternoon Tea with several versions. For the festive season, the famous London ritual features a scrumptious feast of cakes, pastries, and seasonal flavours, alongside the tranquil backdrop of live piano music! See more here
The Sugar Plum Fairy Afternoon Tea – Pan Pacific London
Taking inspiration from the “Sugar Plum Fairy” scene from the festive ballet The Nutcracker, award-winning Executive Pastry Chef, Cherish Finden, curates an Afternoon Tea ritual with a twist not found anywhere else in London. Enjoy a glass of Nyetimber and let the story unfold on your plate and allow your tastebuds to dance as you take them on a magical journey. Trending as one of the best places for afternoon tea in London, The Orchid Lounge’s rendition is accompanied by the finest teas from the Rare Tea Company and introduced to guests by a dedicated Tea Connoisseur, as well as Champagnes and world-renowned English Sparkling Wines including Nyetimber. With views over the Plaza, the scene is set for a wonderful opportunity to sip, savour and enjoy whatever the time of day, with a selection of refreshments and light snacks available throughout the day and evening.
The Theatrical Festive Afternoon Tea – The Savoy London
Special at any time of the year, Afternoon Tea at The Savoy takes on a extra sprinkle of magic during the festive season. The hotel’s delicate patisserie is full of festive flavours, created to reflect the theatrical theme of this season and be enjoyed in the stunning setting of Thames Foyer. It is served with featherlight scones, tasty sandwiches made with wonderful seasonal ingredients and the finest teas selected by The Savoy’s expert team.
Parisian Elegance – Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris
The award-winning pastry chef Angelo Musa serves up an exquisite array of sweet festive delights. It’s a chance to indulge in freshly-baked pastries, sandwiches and cakes – not to mention Hôtel Plaza Athénée’s famous rich hot chocolate.
Festive “Desseralité” – The Carlton Tower Jumeirah, London
A new Festive Afternoon Tea menu, created by Jessica Prealpato, will debut in the Chinoiserie Tea Room from the 17th of November and will run until January, priced at £75 per person. The space will be adorned with a beautiful festive floral display, and will provide the perfect sanctuary from Christmas shopping, or a great spot to while away the hours with friends and family.
True to Jessica’s signature style, Desseralité, a mixture of the words desert and naturalité, Jessica will preserve and enhance the entirety of the whole fruits and ingredients by adding a carefully selected layer of flavours, without compromising the key ingredient and its natural taste. Akin to Jessica’s classic Afternoon Tea menu, ‘A Tribute To Nature’, the festive iteration will continue to be inspired by the flora and botanics of the gardens of England. Starting with a palette cleanser of Mandarin sorbet, verbena oil and salted mandarin, this will be followed by the ‘Scone Experience’, a quartet of specially created scones, imbued with the flavours of Christmas. These scones include a classic Nature version with clotted cream, a Dried Grapes scone with a Christmas condiment, a Chocolate scone with a truffle cremeux and a Chamomile scone with emulsified honeycomb. Diners will then move on to the individual patisserie, where guests will be treated to Jessica’s take on a classic Kouglof as well as a Christmas pain perdu with a beer steamed meringue and créme Anglaise. To complete this culinary tea journey diners will finish with the dessert course of a centrepiece Christmas Log, an Orange and Mandarin tart with hot wine jelly, Roasted apple with chestnut mousse and a classic King Galette – the traditional French dessert with a ‘favour’ to be found in every slice. Jessica’s Afternoon Tea will be accompanied by a selection of teas chosen for their natural wellness benefits and superior flavours, and guests can also choose to add a glass of Billecart-Salmon or Dom Perignon Champagne to complete their experience, with an extensive wine bin on hand for those looking to raise a toast.
Edwardian Winter Wonderland -Ritz London
During the Christmas season, traditional Afternoon Tea in The Palm Court at The Ritz – one of the most iconic ones in the world – will be given a festive twist. The Palm Court will be transformed into an Edwardian winter wonderland, surrounded by rich red and gold trimmings and a beautiful lavishly decorated Christmas tree in the centre of the room, making it feel enchanting. Mouth-watering Christmas cakes and freshly made scones will accompany the casual 18 different types of loose-leaf tea, servings of delicate finger sandwiches, delicious pastries and mince pies. Bonus: this exquisite Festive Afternoon Tea comes with a glass of Ritz Champagne!
The Scandinavian Twist – Hotel d’Angleterre, Copenhagen
Take one of the finest British traditions, combine it with champagne and give it a Scandinavian touch – and you have d’Angleterre’s luxurious Afternoon Tea. In cooperation with KRUG Champagne, d’Angleterre has reinterpreted the classic English Afternoon Tea and it is served in the beautiful Gallery Hall with high ceilings and imposing chandeliers. Detail: It is served in the finest china ‘Emperor’s Garden’ from Fürstenberg!
Holiday Spirit – Four Seasons London Ten Trinity
At Rotunda Bar & Lounge, indulge in a deliciously festive afternoon tea, created by Executive Pastry Chef Sylvain Goujon with pastries including The White Forest – a chocolate biscuit with creamy chocolate cremeux, cherry confit and chocolate Chantilly in the style of a Christmas tree; The Bauble Tart – a chestnut and blackcurrant tartlet with a sphere to create the appearance of a festive bauble; The Snowman – created with rice pudding, cocoa and cinnamon; and Rudolf the Reindeer – a gingerbread reindeer with pear.
Christmas Fairytale – The Lanesborough, London
Created by the hotel’s talented and passionate pastry team and served daily in the majestic surroundings of The Lanesborough Grill, Afternoon Tea at The Lanesborough is an occasion to be treasured. and is also accompanied by a pianist on weekends. Executive Pastry Chef Salvatore Mungiovino playfully presents the flavours of the season in our festive Afternoon Tea, served from 11th November to 8th January.
Festive Afternoon Tea -The Peninsula Tokyo
Guests of The Peninsula Tokyo can enjoy the spirit of the season with the hotel’s Festive Afternoon Tea at The Lobby amid live music around The Peninsula’s joyous holiday décor. Indulge in savory delicacies and delightful sweets crafted with traditional holiday motifs, and pair the set with Peninsula’s original black tea or one of a selection of organic hand-blended teas by Art of Tea. A donation from each Afternoon Tea sale will benefit the hotel’s charity partner, Make a Wish Foundation.
Grande Festive Afternoon Tea – The Peninsula New York
The best way to rejuvenate after shopping on Fifth Avenue is The Peninsula’s legendary and ulra luxurious Afternoon Tea enhanced with festive flavors, featuring Petrossian Baika caviar, foie gras parfait, truffle finger sandwiches and free flow of Peninsula Private Label champagne by Deutz.
Plus Mulled Wine! -Ham Yard Hotel, London
The afternoon tea of Ham Yard is among the most insta-famous tea rituals of London! Served at L’ Οrangerie the afternoon tea is accompanied by mulled wine cocktails. See more here
Trifecta Afternoon Tea -Four Seasons Boston
Among other exciting experiences, guests of Four Season Boston will celebrate and delight in Trifecta’s Afternoon High Tea. This season they will enjoy raspberry profiteroles, eggnog petite four and perfectly paired liqueur tastings during this contemporary take on the classic holiday tea. Holiday Afternoon Tea is served every Friday, Saturday and Sunday beginning December 2, 2022. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by booking here.
Festive in the sky – Shangri-La London
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TĪNG Restaurant at Shangri -La The Shard London will serve Festive Skyline Afternoon Tea to celebrate the festive season. What is better than relaxing with panoramic views over London as you enjoy tea, fresh finger sandwiches and savoury delights. Plain and Raisin scones will be served alongside delicious pastries, including Paris Brest, and Cinnamon Plum Tart, complete with a marvelous Spiced Pear and Vanilla Christmas Shard pastry to share. The Festive Afternoon Tea will be available from 7th November 2022 – 31st January 2023 and priced from £69, and from £79 with a glass of Champagne or Milky Way cocktail.
See also:
The most extraordinary Christmas desserts made by famous hotels around the world
The best hotel candles to gift this year
Best Christmas decorations at the most luxurious hotels of the world
Throwback to all Claridge’s Christmas Trees made by famous designers!
TheHotelTrotter.com is curated by greek journalist and fanatic hotel lover Eleni Stasinopoulou. With the eye of a fashion and lifestyle editor, Eleni hopes to inspire all connoisseurs of traveling, focusing on stylish hotel moments around the globe.
