To ask fo ideas to replace the Ritz

[Putyourdamnshoeson]

We're going on holiday, booked pre covid. We're both 40 in next two weeks dcs never been abroad (8 & 10).we are staying in London for one day before heading off.
We are trying to do suo aoevosk things. We had planned o m going to the Ritz for afternoon tea, just gone too book and only slot left is 7.30pm. Not ideal.

Quick, any ideas for alternative, equally special things to do?

The Langham

I took my mum to the Dorchester for her 80th and we had a lovely time. It's strongly recommend it.

Dorchester Afternoon Tea was amazing when we went the food was better than the Ritz and Claridges - I wasn’t blown away with the quality at Calridges. Fortnum & Mason afternoon tea is ace, I would definitely do that again.

The Shard gets really good reviews, bet the kids would love it.

I’ve had a number of nice afternoon teas in London, including a lot of the places mentioned above, but nothing compares to the Ritz.

I have actually had a 7:30 sitting and it was fine - they offer unlimited refills on everything so you will definitely be full afterwards. I know it’s a bit weird to not have a hot supper but personally the experience outweighs it for me.

You get unlimited refills at the Shard too. And there is the best toilet experience there - you can have a wee whilst viewing the London skyline, as there are full length windows in the end cubicle. And fancy loos that wash your bum. And a phone charging station in the cubicle.

The Goring has the best tea in London imo

But for children you want the B Bus - lovely tea on a converted Routemaster that drives round all the sites - if the traffic stays as light as it was on Thursday when I was in town it would be MAGICAL

The One Aldwych one is fantastic. The blueberry brioche was amazing! Claridges is also good.

The Goring.

If it was good enough for the queen mum and all that. Proper old world charm and tradition.
It’s were the real posh people go. All the others are full of tourists.

There is a Science one near the museums if you want a child friendly experience.

The Gorings website says they aren't reopening until Friday 4th September!

LemonTT,
Yes your spot on there .
I live in London and would love to go there, it looks fabulous and have you seen the menus ?
Wow , just amazing and they have a kids menu .
Too be honest I really can’t see any Hotels being fully booked for anything at the moment even the Ritz .
London unfortunately is like a ghost town at the moment .
But fingers crossed it will get better by Christmas .
I hope so .
Xx

Fortnums
Harrods
Dorchester
Kensington gardens
Savoy
The shard

Love theses suggestions- thanks everyone. I am a fan of FandM and always Harrods.Enjoy your celebrations OP and congratulations to you both x

Yes they are great suggestions but I would suggest that the OP calls ahead in advance as London is not the Amazing City it was before Covid .
I live here with my family and the West end is so empty apart from the pubs .
Let’s hope this changes soon .

The Langham or F&B

The Goring

I love the st pancras ticket office restaurant. I went there for my 40th.

We did claridge's for DMums 60th.

F&M - also bogof for classic afternoon tea in July! Never seen an offer like that before so would make the most of it.

Dorchester is the best I’ve gone to. I also like the palm court. I quite like the Sheraton grand. I think the Ritz is overrated. It’s one of the most expensive but felt a bit production line esque when we went. If the F&M offer is still on go for that. We’ve had a lovely tea there and you don’t get that sort of offer very often.

F&M is my favourite for food
Haven’t tried the Dorchester, tell me why you like it 😋

The shard is worth it for the views (and the food is lovely too)

Browns was my favourite afternoon tea (the hotel not the restaurant chain).

I had the tea at the Ritz last year and actually was disappointed compared to others I’ve had, so I wouldn’t be too upset at missing out.

The B Bakery bus is absolutely brilliant. Totally recommend it

I'm just watching as planning a trip to
London again soon

The Madarin Oriental do a fabulous afternoon tea. I don’t know if it was because we were a big group or not but they just kept bringing more and more cakes and sandwiches until we had to ask them to stop!