Dorchester Afternoon Tea Review

Afternoon Tea is a wonderful British tradition and London's grand hotels do it best. Taking Afternoon Tea in The Promenade at The Dorchester has been a tradition for 75 years and the phrase still conjures up sumptuous images of well-mannered staff, delightfully luxurious surroundings, beautifully-prepared delicacies and superb teas served in fragile bone china.

The Dorchester Afternoon Tea Awards
• The Tea Guild's Award of Excellence 2008
• Winner of The Tea Guild's Top London Afternoon Tea 2007 Award in 2000, 2002, and 2007

For more afternoon tea reviews see:
Best Afternoon Tea in London.

Address:
The Dorchester
Park Lane
London
W1K 1QA
Tel: 020 7629 8888

Dress: Code: Smart casual

Times: There are two sittings for afternoon tea:
2.30pm - 4.15pm
4.45pm - 6.30pm

Disclosure: My Afternoon Tea was complimentary and the Dorchester knew I would be writing a review.

Pros:

• Superb location, opposite Hyde Park
• The Promenade is a luxury setting, truly the heart of the hotel
• Everyone makes you feel special
• You are not rushed
• Afternoon Tea feels like a very British pastime
• Good for a pre-theater dining option
• More filling than you would expect

Con:

• Weekends can get booked up so try and go on a week day

Afternoon Tea Tips:

• Say what you like about tea and listen to the recommendations
• Staff will offer more tea and cakes – say yes!

The Dorchester Afternoon Tea consists of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones served with homemade strawberry jam, seasonal jam & clotted cream, plus a selection of specially created French pastries all accompanied by tea chosen from extensive tea menu.

The Dorchester Champagne Afternoon Tea is the same as above with the added attraction of a glass of Dorchester Rose champagne or a Rossini cocktail.

Dorchester High Tea is served from 4.45pm until 6.30pm and which offers such treats as Dorchester Rose or Brut champagne, finger sandwiches, followed by your choice of poached salmon with Cromer crab cannelloni and Rose Champagne sauce, Glen Morgan potato scotch eggs with glazed spinach tart or a marinated chicken & orange salad. Complete this superb high tea with a selection of French pastries and your choice of teas. If you are meeting friends in the late afternoon after work or going to the theater this is THE perfect afternoon tea to choose.

The Dorchester had a special week long Mad Hatter's Tea Party in October 2008 and I was lucky enough to go along with my partner and 2 year old daughter. The Dorchester's award-wining afternoon tea was served while dancers from the English National Ballet School entertained guests as characters from Alice in Wonderland. As well as being fun this event raised money for Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.

• Alice in Wonderland English National Ballet Review

London's luxury hotels may seem intimidating to adults and 'off limits' to children so I commend The Dorchester for being so welcoming to families.

We arrived to find characters from Alice in Wonderland walking around the tables saying hello to guests. Our table was against a circular sofa and my daughter loved this seat. The Alice in Wonderland dormouse came to lie down beside her and fell asleep numerous times! It was a somewhat surreal experience but also very, very special. I don't know what her friends will say when my daughter tells them about her afternoon tea at The Dorchester!

I tried The Dorchester's tea blend and my partner had the Assam tea. Both were delicious and served with a selection of finger sandwiches. A special plate had been prepared for the children.

Following the warm, freshly baked scones, the most amazing cake selection arrived. All were themed around Alice in Wonderland and were mini works of art. A chocolate cup filled with a toffee mouse, a green 'Mad Hatter' hat, a rich red heart, a marzipan watch for the White Rabbit, and a sponge 'mushroom' for the caterpillar.

How Will That Fill Me Up?

You may think afternoon tea is not much food and that you will still be hungry after just that but I can assure you good quality tea and cakes is very filling. I would normally snack late in the evening but I couldn't eat another mouthful that day after such a sumptuous tea.

Value for Money

Afternoon Tea at any of the top London hotels is not cheap but it certainly does offer value for money. You are not rushed – we stayed for two hours – and you can eat as much as you like as the waiting staff will keep replenishing your table with more tea and nibbles for as long as you desire. It also offers an opportunity to enjoy the elegant surroundings of one of the world's finest hotels without being a guest.

Conclusion

Oh yes, I would definitely recommend Afternoon Tea at The Dorchester. It is a wonderfully relaxed dining experience where you will be treated extremely well. A real 'must do' for any visit to London.