Jump to content

Recommended Posts

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?

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/26214-tea-at-the/
Share on other sites

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)

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/26214-tea-at-the/#findComment-585225
Share on other sites

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) ;-)

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/26214-tea-at-the/#findComment-585306
Share on other sites

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.....

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/26214-tea-at-the/#findComment-585370
Share on other sites

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!

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/26214-tea-at-the/#findComment-585372
Share on other sites

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!!

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/26214-tea-at-the/#findComment-585428
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/26214-tea-at-the/#findComment-585430
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • But all those examples sell a wide variety of things,  and mostly they are well spread out along Lordship Lane. These two shops both sell one very specific thing, albeit in different flavours, and are just across the road from each other. I don't think you can compare the distribution of shops in Roman times to the distribution of shops in Lordship Lane in the twenty first century. Well, you can, but it doesn't feel very appropriate. Haa anybody asked the first shop how they feel? Are they happy about the "healthy competition" ?
    • ED is included in the 17 August closure set (or just possibly 15 August, depending on which part of the page you trust more) listed at https://metro.co.uk/2025/07/25/full-list-25-poundland-stores-confirmed-close-august-23753048/. Here incidentally are some snippets from their annual reports, at https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02495645/filing-history. 2022: " during the period we opened 41 stores and closed 43 loss-making/under-performing stores.  At the period-end we were trading from 821 stores in the UK, IoM and ROI. ... "We renogotiated 82 leases in the year, saving on average 45% versus the prior lease agreement..." 2023: "We also continued to improve our market footprint through sourcing better store locations, opening 53 and closing 51 stores during the year." 2024:  "The ex-Wilco stores acquired in the prior year have formed a core part of this strategy to expand our store network.  We favour quality over quantity and during the period we opened 84 stores and closed 71 loss-making/under-performing ones."
    • Ha! After I posted this, I thought of lots more examples. Screwfix and the hardware store? Mrs Robinson and Jumping Bean? Chemists, plant shops, hairdressers...  the list goes on... it's good to have healthy competition  Ooooh! Two cheese shops
    • You've got a point.  Thinking Leyland and Screwfix too but this felt different.
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...