Recommendations for lovely afternoon tea in London

[JacknDiane]

For big anniversary coming up

I asked chatgbt and it recommends claridges or the ritz

Would love both. Have never been. Am on a budget but would love to feel special/treated.

I would absolutely love a spa treatment too but after googling claridges spa treatments im realising this is out of my league.

For context we're staying in an Airbnb and earn low wages.

But id really like to feel special for once.

Any recommendations really appreciated.

Mandarin Oriental, I went for my birthday, it was absolutely amazing.

I’ve done loads. And the two above. The langham is always my favourite.

We went to the Goring. It was lovely. And you can rake as much home as you want!

Sketch still is my favourite but it is really pricey. When I took my friend last year who was visiting from NYC, they had a ballerina that danced out for a short period. I’m not really into that type of thing but it was just such an overwhelmingly beautiful experience. I think I’ve been to all the ones in London.

others worth a notable mention; F&M and Rosewood.

Browns Hotel is lovely (not far from Ritz) and so is Bulgari (Knightsbridge)

Thanks for all of these.

Would posters mind telling me what was so special about each place? Googling only really shows selected pictures, its hard to tell.
Im a laid back person and dont want to feel intimidated too much. I dont want too twee, im going with dh. Luxurious, opulent and great service would be fab. Somewhere i can discreetly people watch .... and just enjoy the fab experience.

Claridges is the best (forget the spa treatment). But you'll need to book 3 months in advance.

Sorry, not Bulgari I meant Berkeley!

Ritz is a bit of a conveyor belt I find though lovely. I’m gluten free so judge the teas on that, the Connaught the bread was stale and probably one of the worst. The shard view was the best, the tea ok. But on a separate ok I was glutened in the restaurant. The Berkeley is different. Fortnums is just lovely, as is claridges. Savoy not been for years. Dukes hotel like stepping back in time as is Browns. Lanesbrough beautiful. Peninsula wasn’t overwhelmed. Sketch really pretty and gorgeous. Love the landmark. Rosewood gorgeous. Corinthia nice enough. So many I can’t remember them all. The Goring properly old fashioned and good place to start maybe..,

Oh and I forgot one of my favourites the theatre royal drury lane is a high tea one and was a bit different but then have done so many was nice to ring the changes.

We were in London a few weeks ago and tried lots of gorgeous hotels for tea/coffee. I thought Claridges was a bit too busy and touristy. It didn’t feel particularly special. My favourite hotel for afternoon tea by far was the Rosewood in Mayfair. The hotel itself is amazing. Absolutely beautiful surroundings and quiet and non touristy. The staff made us feel so special. I would love to go back.

Mandarin Oriental was beautiful,very relaxed and friendly,no need to dress up unless you want to. Lots of people in very casual clothes and some in slightly smarter.

We sat by the window and looked out into the Christmas lights. There was a harpist who played all afternoon which was amazing. The servers were lovely and brought more of whatever sandwiches you wanted. The sandwiches were the most incredible concoctions ever and the bread was pink ( beetroot) and yellow ( corn). The tea menu is incredible as is the welcome tea they give you when you arrive.

They were fantastic with allergies ,I emailed ahead. I always mentioned it was a birthday treat and they brought over a special cake with happy birthday on the plate.

The loos downstairs are so pretty too and the doorman is fantastic and remembered us on the way out and said goodbye and asked us what we'd had to eat.

It was such a fantastic afternoon. We arrived at 12 30 and left about 4.30pm.

ETA absolutely not intimidating at all.

Ohh thank you. Im now maybe veering off claridges and will look at rhe rosewood and mandarin oriental....

I would recommend Duck and Waffle. Incredible views of London, great food and service and includes a glass of champagne.

Ditto to Browns, but you do need to book fairly early!

Second vote for The Goring. Not flashy, but definitely luxurious and opulent. You will be well looked after and not feel like you’re on a conveyor belt (like one or two mentioned here).

See I was very underwhelmed by the Goring. But maybe that was because we had a late afternoon tea booking, close to Christmas, staff forgot about us, and worst of all the champagne wasn’t properly chilled!