Tea at the...?

[Saffron]

My mother is visiting over her birthday soon. I'd like to do something nice with her. She's rarely in London, so I thought tea somewhere in town would be lovely.

Forumites, opinions please, what's best and why:

Tea at the Ritz, Savoy, Dorchester, other???

Afternoon tea, high tea, or champagne tea (is that an oxymoron?)? What's 'champagne tea' anyway?

Do I need to book, online, telephone, how far in advance?

[Marmora Man]

Browns of Mayfair.

They are all expensive - think ?30 pp minimum and some are much higher.

Advance booking essential.

However, a less costly alternative might be tea & scones at the Victoria & Albert museum followed by a tour of the museum (I understand there's a good exhibition of ballgowns at present in addition to all the other good stuff at the V&A)

[david_carnell]

Wolsley.

Better value and less "tourist" than the Ritz.

Sketch offer a more modern approach with excellent petit-four.

[Ladygooner]

http://london.langhamhotels.co.uk/restaurants/palm_court.htm

This is my favourite for tea

[angiepangie]

My favourite is still Brown's hotel in Mayfair for a special occassion but here is a page which has the best selection of afternoon teas in London http://www.afternoontea.co.uk

[steveo]

Kebab and Wine

[DulwichFox]

steveo Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Kebab and Wine

Yes but only after 1.00am.

Gum Shields required.

Fox.

[giggirl]

Someone took me to The Ritz for afternoon tea and it was a bit too showy for my taste. Fortnums is nice if you want to be in that area. Or the Woolsey as Mr Carnell has already pointed out. Or the British Museum - it has the wow factor of the great courtyard.

[SarahG]

The Sanderson for their Mad Hatters cream tea is lovely and a bit different, ?35 per head but a gass of champagne or a cocktail is included!

[katie1997]

What a lovely idea - have been to a quite a few in the past for various occasions, baby shower, colleagues, treat with friends etc.

Claridge's, Dorchester, Langham, Mandeville in Marylebone, Corinthia, Royal Horseguards. All different, yet all good fun. Hope that you find something to suit.

(Dare I also mention afternoon tea at a more local establishment? I think it has big showy light fittings) ;-)

[Annette Curtain]

I quite like afternoon tea at Yauatcha.

Not classic afternoon tea, but very nice.

[DaveR]

If you want to do the classic 5* hotel thing, the Lanesborough is fantastic.

[RosieH]

Claridges is gorgeous and all lovely art deco.

Then if your mum likes fashion, there's the pret-a-portea at the Berkeley - kitsch and lovely http://www.the-berkeley.co.uk/fashion-afternoon-tea/

edited as I can't spell

[Siduhe]

Also, have a look at somewhere like TopTable - lots of places you wouldn't think of that do a really good tea, like Camellia's on Carnaby Street:

http://www.toptable.co.uk/promo.aspx?pid=590&m=72

[edcam]

I'm with David above - The Wolsley is great for this.

[Saffron]

And now, the SECOND PART to my question!

Would my nearly 3 year old daughter be welcome to join my mother and me at any of these places? She's fairly well-behaved, but there will be bouts of wild laughter with occasional bouncing on seats... and that's just Granny!

[david_carnell]

Hmmmm.....at some places more than others I would think.

The Ritz is touristy but stuffy and they'll probably get the hump quite quickly.

A smaller, less formal venue might be more suitable. Or somewhere doing a modern take on the idea. Maybe back to Sketch. Phone and ask.....

[kaz@263]

The Winter Garden at the Landmark hotel is nice and it's a lovely setting. I can't remember having seen young children there but it's part of the hotel so I'm sure they'd be welcome. Also Brumus at the Haymarket Hotel is quite nice - small and intimate, very good service the few times I've been there.

Hope you have a good time wherever you choose!

[EatsDulwich]

Like David says, perhaps somewhere a little less formal might be more suitable (and more relaxing for you)? I've never been there for afternoon tea, but Bea's of Bloomsbury might be worth considering - http://www.beasofbloomsbury.com/beasafternoontea

[Saffron]

Argh, tough decision. I like the idea of a smaller venue, not so croweded/touristy, staff probably have more patience, but I don't want to totally lose all air of tradition and formality. I was looking forward to getting everyone dressed up a bit. Definitely no jeans and trainers, and preferably not too many tourists! Somewhere small might be a little quieter too? My mother is a little hard of hearing these days. Although we don't want to spoil other people's afternoons with our boiterous toddler daughter. Hmm, yes I might have to make a few phone calls to see what the various establishments have to say.

@steveo, yes, a London kebab is high on the To Do list, but probably not the same day as tea!!

[Worker]

I was about to recommend the spa at the Dorchester, but not for a wee one.

When you're up for a bit of me time, and have saved your pennies, try a massage or facial followed by afternoon tea in your towelling robe (don't worry, there's a separate room for spa guests so you don't need to walk into the lobby half naked). Decadent but good.

Seemingly the Goring in Victoria is good too.

[Saffron]

Good tip! Will definitely file that one away for a child-free afternoon with the girl friends some weekend. :)