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Original poster

Taking a toddler to swanky hotel for afternoon tea

33 replies

Freezingmyarseoff · 01/02/2010 12:34

Am I mad? I've been invited out to afternoon tea to a posh hotel in London for my sister's birthday. (The Lanesborough) Would love to go but will have my 17 month DD with me and am a bit nervous as I imagine it's not a very child friendly venue.
Has anyone ever taken their child out to a posh afternoon tea? would you recommend it or advise against it? She is quite good but she's a toddler and not very interested in sitting in a high chair for more than about 20 minutes and will probably love touching pulling the table cloths off the table ...

OP posts:
watercress · 01/02/2010 12:42

Ooh, I wouldn't. It's such a lovely experience but is quite grown up and you'll enjoy it much more if you go alone. Is there anyone who could have your DD for the afternoon?

Why not phone up and ask if you can take her? They may have a "no children" policy (some do), which would make the decision for you...

Your DD sounds much like mine was at that age and I wouldn't have been able to relax and enjoy it for fear of the table cloth or crockery going flying. Not out of naughtiness, just general being one year oldness!

gramercy · 01/02/2010 12:46

Er... it sounds a recipe for disaster. It would be unacceptable for a toddler (or anyone who is not a waitress) to wander around, and moreover, as you point out, it might be dangerous what with dangling tablecloths and scalding hot tea etc.

LynetteScavo · 01/02/2010 12:53

I wouldn't. The very idea fills me with dread.

cerviniasun · 01/02/2010 12:55

The only way I ever managed this with my DCs was for DH & I both to go and take turns enjoying the meal vs taking screaming/active toddler out of the room to run around/annoy other people. Can't imagine it would be enjoyable.

PuppyMonkey · 01/02/2010 12:57

Seeems like neither of you would enjoy this, so why bother?

MrsJamin · 01/02/2010 12:59

Just the potential glares from other customers would make me think twice! People probably won't be very tolerant in a swanky hotel.

DorotheaPlenticlew · 01/02/2010 12:59

Don't do it if it is going to be stressful (I'd imagine it would be).

GhoulsAreLoud · 01/02/2010 13:00

We went to a v v posh place for my Mum's 60th but DD was only 8 months then, napped through half of it and wasn't mobile.

She's 17 months now and no way would I do it.

TheDevilWearsPrimark · 01/02/2010 13:00

The Lanesborough is amazing for afternoon tea. They don't have a 'no children' policy but tbh it will probably be frowned on with a child that young. It's all about relaxing and the lovely atmosphere isn't it - very grown up.

I have taken DD, but that was for her 3rd birthday and I knew she could be trusted to sit down and enjoy it without tantrums etc.

hana · 01/02/2010 13:04

god no - neither of you would have any fun

hatwoman · 01/02/2010 13:15

i had tea at the ritz once and it's one of those situations where i'd definitely feel uncomfortable with a toddler. and, tbh, though i'm generally v "child friendly" it's a particular atmosphere where i wouldn't be all that pleased to see a toddler. it's a rare and expenise treat. the food is (well, should be) exquisite - in both taste and presentation - definiely not for smearing. nor for seeing it smeared on someone esel's chidld's face. part of it is pretending to be very gentile. pretending that the nanny (in the old fashioned meaning of the word) is dealing with the kids. somewhere else. it's a lovely thing to do, but would be so much more enjoyble if you could mange without the little one. all imvho of course

Paolosgirl · 01/02/2010 13:19

I wouldn't - the thought would fill me with dread. DC3 is almost 3, and his favourite pastime is swinging from curtains and running very fast. It would be the day from hell for all concerned. Find a babysitter, and enjoy the experience in peace!

Portofino · 01/02/2010 13:20

Ooh no! I'd try to get a babysitter.

thedollshouse · 01/02/2010 13:21

Afternoon tea at a swanky venue is something that people often save up for, I don't think the other customers would be very pleased to find a screeching toddler spoiling the atmosphere.

hanaflower · 01/02/2010 13:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MyNameIsInigoMontoya · 01/02/2010 13:30

I actually went out for posh afternoon tea with some friends and THREE toddlers - but we partly did because it was more of a country sort of hotel and had different areas you could sit in (including outdoors, or separate rooms). So we weren't in a posh tearoom with everyone else, but in a side room with squashy sofas and low tables and with almost nobody else there to be bothered (and the kids were surprisingly good too). If you have to sit in the middle of a room with everyone though I would see if you can get a babysitter.

TheGashlycrumbTinies · 01/02/2010 13:34

I would take her along.

We have always taken both DD's out with us to "swanky" places, and they both cope with it really well, behaved, and actually enjoy going out for "posh ladies lunches and teas".

Certainly no screeching and running around, if they sit at a table and eat nicely at home, why should they start to act up when they are out?

WeakAtTheCheese · 01/02/2010 13:40

I went for afternoon tea at The Lanesborough on Christmas Eve and there was a table that had a couple of toddlers in high chairs. They were in a slightly separate room though, maybe you could ask if this is possible?

It took a couple of hours though. You know your dd best. My ds1 would manage it as long as I had lots of toys, colouring etc but ds2 (20m) would not last more than 30 mins even with a constant flow of chocolate buttons.

On balance, I would go without her.

Original poster
Freezingmyarseoff · 01/02/2010 13:44

Thanks for all your replies, you confirmed my thoughts actually.
My sister will be dissappointed as she loves her neice and wanted to see her and show her off to other friends but I think we'll save that for another time and place.
Can't get a baby sitter and it's a bit of trek up to London for the afternoon, so sadly will have to miss out this time

For another time, any ideas for a toddler friendly lunch & activity in London? (will be training in via Waterloo)

OP posts:
daisyj · 01/02/2010 13:48

How about Giraffe on the South Bank and then the Aquarium? Did this with my 3 yo godson a couple of years ago, and am going to do the same with my 10mo dd next month. She'll love (I hope) looking at the big fish, and Giraffe is very child friendly, and the food's good for a family restaurant.

PotPourri · 01/02/2010 13:51

Depends how your toddler would behave. Mine are quite willful, so it might turn into a stress. However, I have always taken them out (not necessarily to posh places though!!) as I think it is important for them to learn about different ways of behaving. Embarassingly headstrong behavioue is a definate risk though...

Original poster
Freezingmyarseoff · 01/02/2010 13:54

Thanks daisyj that sounds like an excellent idea, I love the sound of it already!

OP posts:
SofaQueen · 01/02/2010 13:57

I took DS1 to the Lanesborough for tea when he was 6 months old and it was fine. However, he was not mobile and used to coming out to lunch with me. If your 17 month old will be happy to sit in a highchair or in her buggy quietly should be fine there. With DS2, he was happy for 2 hours as long as he had exercised earlier and I had my iPod touch to distract him. If she is not the sort to sit quietly for a 2 hour stretch, then I wouldn't take her.

maggiethecat · 05/02/2010 00:37

Dd's godmother took me and dd to afternoon tea at posh mayfair hotel (wasnt lanesborough but one of the ones reputed for pm tea). DD was about 2.5 but loved it. There was lovely piano music and she nibbled a bit and then went over to the pianist and all in all seemed to enjoy it. Would not try it with my 3 yo dd2 though.

Nellykats · 05/02/2010 01:08

Wagamama at the Southbank is also nice, lots of families with toddlers and loud chatter, so even when my son has a little shout nobody bats an eyelid. (He did also try to eat the food of the stranger sitting next to him but thankfully didn't quite succeed)

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