How frequently would you expect a luxury hotel to serve afternoon tea?

[Meatus]

Complete first world non-problem but just wondering what other people’s thoughts are.

I’ve just booked a hotel for a short break (in lieu of our planned holiday which was cancelled due to a bereavement). Five star hotel, with a Michelin starred restaurant on-site plus another restaurant, a cafe, and a bar serving food. Generally a very food-orientated place.

When booking I asked about reserving a place for afternoon tea (photos had come up on TripAdvisor) to be told it’s not available when I’ll be there.

So, without knowing when I’m going, how frequently do you think a hotel should do afternoon tea? Daily? Weekends only? Summer only? Just at Christmas? Never?

I would expect it available daily if there is an open restaurant serving food.

Whenever they want. It depends completely on the type of hotel and how they anticipate demand.

Surely they are still doing food? Can you not have a butty, a cake and a brew without it being called me afternoon tea?

Would depend on where the hotel is located. In a town/ city - daily. Up where I am something like that might be restricted to weekends due to staffing levels (esp if out of town). Even with a Michelin restaurant attached and a bar, some places might not be open to the public / limit afternoon food service even to guests at the moment up here in north of Scotland as businesses are struggling to get staff

They probably just do it at weekends

I wouldnt say there was a set time

Ive known places only do 7-days, sun-thurs, only fri and Saturdays and only weekend.

Some wont do holidays

A decent afternoon tea is a proper faff and means staff get shorter breaks.

and sorry for your loss @Meatus

It really depends on the hotel surely? Some don’t do afternoon tea at all. I don’t think I would ever expect it when booking tbh.

Where abouts is the hotel? @Meatus

I can honestly say that I would have no expectations regarding whether a hotel should serve afternoon tea or not.

You say it’s a foodie hotel, but afternoon tea doesn’t fit with every hotel/restaurant brand.

Is afternoon tea advertised on the hotel’s website? If it was, then I would expect a hotel to either serve it daily or to state clearly the days when they do.

I'd see it as a side line, so assuming they have other food at other times anyways, I'd say maybe once a week. Possibly just once a month as a specialty thing? Hard to say, but wouldn't expect it daily unless it was there one and only specialty item they were known for.

Judging by what you have said, I would have said everyday.

depends on the hotel, if it was a classic 4/5 star then everyday. More of a boutique foodie place then less often