This Regal Afternoon Tea Expertise Is One of many Most Festive Methods to Have a good time the Holidays

There are two issues London particularly does effectively: the artwork of afternoon tea and decking out in vacation spirit. And no place combines the 2 higher than Lodge Café Royal.

The movie star favourite lodge — one among Journey + Leisure’s World’s Finest Awards High 100 resorts this 12 months — has turned its iconic custom right into a merry expertise for the season, with vacation touches each step of the way in which.

The theme for its Festive Afternoon Tea this 12 months is Tales of the Enchanted Forest, an ode to the magic of storybook favorites, from Hansel and Gretel to Snow White. The service features a choice of tea sandwiches, together with pickled cucumber, Scottish smoked salmon, and Clarence Courtroom egg, in addition to a mixture of plain and cranberry scones. 

However the highlights are its candy delicacies, during which head pastry chef Maxence Blondelle has curated a fragile choice that includes a Chestnut deal with with Mandarin, yuzu compote, and gingerbread sponge; Winter Cherry with stracciatella mousse and chocolate sponge; and Christmas Cake made from Brandy-soaked fruits and marzipan. They’re set out on the highest tier of the tea service’s tri-level platters within the form of Christmas bushes and ornaments, with different celebratory touches.

Served by way of Jan. 3 in The Grill Room, the service begins at £85 ($109) per individual, or £95 ($121) with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Brut. The Domino Room will even provide Festive Afternoon Tea on weekends by way of Dec. 29. 

To lean into Lodge Café Royal’s vacation choices additional, it’s additionally providing a Festive Story Bundle, a two-night keep over Christmas day, which incorporates breakfast and lunch, in addition to stockings hung with care and a horse-drawn carriage trip — plus be looking out for Santa himself. All through the season, lodge visitors may also request a adorned Christmas tree of their rooms in addition to take pleasure in vacation treats from pastry chef Albert Adrià. Former Nanny Louenna Hood has additionally curated a library with books from Royal bookseller Hatchards within the Youngsters Nook. 

Situated close to Piccadilly Circus on the intersection of Mayfair, Soho, and St. James neighborhoods, Lodge Café Royal is a coveted spot year-round, whether or not for a keep or simply for afternoon tea, as T+L editor Susmita Baral skilled throughout her go to earlier this 12 months. “There is not any scarcity of afternoon tea decisions in London, not surprisingly, however this institution felt regal,” she stated. “From the second you enter, the gold and crimson hues and mirrored partitions depart you awestruck.” 

Baral added that the ambiance, together with the high-quality tea and treats, accentuated her go to. As an added bonus, she additionally famous the lodge’s discrete location, regardless of being within the coronary heart of every thing, made it really feel like a hidden gem.

“You may get nice tea and treats in lots of locations, however this room is actually magical,” she stated.