Afternoon Tea At The Ritz London
15 August 2017 by Jo
Hi Frugalistas!; Did you read my recent post about afternoon tea at the Ritz Hotel in Paris?; Well, that wasnt my only afternoon tea indulgence on my recent trip to Europe.; As soon as I knew I was going, I knew exactly the one thing I wanted to do in London afternoon tea at the Ritz Hotel.; It was something I had always wanted to do, but somehow never done.; Id done my research on the best London afternoon tea reviews and knew the Ritz afternoon tea was special.; I had also had afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason previously, but somehow that was different. Just going into the Ritz, let alone sitting down and eating there was just so intimidating.; But the time had come.; I was going to do it..But was it worth the wait, and was it as intimidating as I imagined?
How Much Is Afternoon Tea At The Ritz
Based on current prices as at Summer 2017, the Ritz London Traditional Afternoon tea is;£54 per person.; I chose the Champagne afternoon tea which is;£70 with a glass of Reserve Ritz Champagne or;£73 if you would prefer a glass of Reserve Ritz Rosé Champagne.; The special Celebration Afternoon Tea is;£65 per person, or;£81 if you would like a glass of Champagne as well.; Glasses of Brut Champagne are;£16 a glass, and Rosé is;£19 per glass.
What Is The Ritz Like
The setting is stunning, the hotel itself is described as The Ultimate 5* Experience and boy is it! ;The attention to detail is incredible and there is gold EVERYWHERE. ;Theres even a harpest playing beautiful music flowing throughout the hotel which just adds to the serene experience. ;There is a lovely bar where they have the fanciest olives Ive ever seen as bar snacks and you can stop for an old fashioned style cocktail. ;The tequila based one I had was delicious and had one of those big single chunks of ice in the middle.
The Afternoon Tea itself takes place in the main hall of the hotel. ;Theres a huge atrium archway and it almost feels like you are outside. ;The tables all face in different directions towards the centre so you can see lots of the other tables and rather than being distracting this is actually quite intimate and cosy.
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The Perfect Way To Celebrate
During the Christmas season, traditional Afternoon Tea in The Palm Court at The Ritz will be given a festive twist. You can enjoy with your family, a choice of 18 different types of loose-leaf tea, servings of delicate finger sandwiches, delicious pastries, mince pies, mouth-watering Christmas cakes and freshly made scones with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserve whilst listening to the glorious sounds of The Ritz choir singing well-known carols.
The Palm Court will be transformed into an Edwardian winter wonderland, surrounded by rich red and gold trimmings and a beautiful lavishly decorated Christmas tree in the centre of the room, making it feel enchanting.
Each adult will receive a glass of Ritz Champagne and each child a Ritz teddy bear .
On Christmas Day, Father Christmas will make a special visit to The Ritz, with presents for all the lucky children, at our 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm and 5.30pm sittings.
Christmas Afternoon Tea at The Ritz is available from Saturday 20th November until Thursday 30th December 2021 at our 1:30pm, 3:30pm, 5:30pm and 7:30pm sittings.
This will be an unforgettable experience, that you will reminisce on for a lifetime.
Christmas Afternoon Tea is £85 per adult and £50 per child .
The Ritz prides itself in delivering the highest of service standards therefore, we maintain our traditional values and do not include a discretionary service charge on your final account.
Beautifully Designed Just For You
As part of your experience why not travel in style in our iconic 8th generation Ritz Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB, built by hand in England in the manufacturers headquarters in Goodwood, Sussex, and custom made to our brand design. With its powerful silhouette, chrome detailing, leather interiors and bespoke Ritz blue, this car provides the quietest cabin Rolls-Royce has ever created with an exceptionally spacious suite, enhanced by discreet technology.
A complimentary chauffeur-driven one-way airport transfer;within The Ritz-Rolls Royce Phantom is offered to all guests staying in one of our signature suites.
The chauffeur-driven Ritz Rolls-Royce is available to hire for £600 plus 10% hotel surcharge for a one-way London Heathrow airport transfer.
Whether you are going to a meeting or taking advantage of exploring London and its hidden gems, you can hire the Ritz Rolls-Royce for £300 plus 10% hotel surcharge an hour.
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How To Book Afternoon Tea At The Ritz London
You can book your Ritz London afternoon tea easily on the Ritz Hotel website.; There are five separate sittings.; The last sitting is at 7.30pm, which is perfect if you want to have your afternoon tea in place of dinner .; Each sitting is for 2hours.; The menu is the same at each sitting.
If you want to book a particular time, do make sure you book well in advance.; Booking 2-3 weeks out on a week night, I was left with no choice but the 7.30pm sitting.
An Unforgettable Experience Creating Memories Which Will Last Forever
This special Celebration Afternoon Tea with cake and Champagne is perfect for a birthday, anniversary or any special occasion.
Guests can enjoy a vast selection of 18 different types of loose-leaf tea and indulge in finely cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserve and an assortment of pastries, which will be replenished on request whilst dining in The Palm Court. As part of your special occasion celebration, our waiters will bring to your table the cake trolley for you to choose from an assortment of traditional English cakes.
Every day our resident pianist, harpist or string quintet will play classic and contemporary tunes whilst you enjoy your Afternoon Tea. Every Tuesday to Thursday evening from 7.30pm to 8.45pm, Soprano Miranda Heldt will entertain you with her sensational voice and charismatic charm.
Celebration Afternoon Tea with cake and Champagne will be priced at £86 per adult . From 1st October 2021, the price will be £92 per adult.
The Ritz prides itself in delivering the highest of service standards, therefore, we maintain our traditional values and do not include a discretionary service charge on your final account.
SITTINGS
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What To Know If You Go
For days, times, cost and to make a reservation, visit the official Ritz London website.
Dress Code: Formal. Jeans and sportswear are not permitted and gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie.
Reservations: Reservations are always required. It is advisable to book up to 12 weeks in advance.
Photography and filming are not permitted in The Palm Court.
Music: Resident pianist, Ian Gomes, performs his own renditions of classical favorites. He was resident pianist at The Savoy before joining The Ritz in 1995. He is noted for his popular renditions of ‘Puttin’ on The Ritz’ and ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square’ which have become traditional favorites. Depending on the time and day, there is plenty of;musical entertainment such as a string quartet, soprano soloist, and a harpist.
The Ritz London: Hotel & Afternoon Tea Review
Earlier this year, pre-corona times, I was given the exciting opportunity to review one of Londons most luxurious hotels, The Ritz London.;I had visited previously for drinks and food, and based on my experience I couldnt have been more excited to experience The Ritz as a hotel guest.
We arrived on a Sunday afternoon in January and were greeted by the lovely porters and checked in to our home for the night.
Check out my Ritz London Vlog
We were given keys to the famous Trafalgar Suite, a Regal suite which was once used as a film set for the movie Notting Hill starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts can it get anymore British?
The;797 square feet suite;comprises of one large elegant sitting room and one bedroom with kingsize bed. The Trafalgar suite name comes from the British naval victory at The Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The room has so much history and you can feel it as soon as you step inside. I loved the high ceilings and beautiful details all across the room.
We were welcomed by champagne and a goodie bag!
The bathroom area is separated into 2 individual sections, a smaller bathroom and a master bathroom with both a shower and tub.
The room has a view over Green Park, where you can watch the city wake up in the mornings. A hotel where you can literally see the station means convenience at your doorstep, especially with access to both the Victoria and Piccadilly line.;Furthermore Oxford St, Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly are all within walking distance.
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What Is The Dress Code For Afternoon Tea At The Ritz
The Ritz have a strict smart dress code for afternoon tea. The official line from the hotel is:
Reflecting the elegant nature of the hotels architecture The Ritz London has a dress code in different areas of the hotel as follows: Gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie for afternoon tea in The Palm Court and for lunch and dinner in The Ritz Restaurant and Terrace. In all other areas of the hotel and The Ritz Club, smart casual attire is suitable. Please note that trainers and sportswear are not permitted in any of the hotel or Clubs restaurants or bars.
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Turn An Event Into An Unforgettable Celebration
Afternoon Tea at The Ritz is perfect for any celebration. Guests can enjoy an extensive selection of 18 different types of loose-leaf tea and indulge in finely cut sandwiches followed by freshly baked scones with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserve and an assortment of pastries,;which will be replenished on request whilst dining in The Palm Court. You will also have a celebration cake to share between your party.
To add to The Ritz experience our waiters will slice and serve the most traditional of English cakes directly in front of you from our cake trolley.
Every day our resident pianist, harpist or string quintet will play classic and contemporary tunes whilst you enjoy your Afternoon Tea. Every Tuesday to Thursday evening from 7.30pm to 8.45pm, Soprano Miranda Heldt will entertain you with her sensational voice and charismatic charm.
Celebration Tea will be priced at £65 for adults . From 1st October 2021 the price will be £71 per adult.
The Ritz prides itself in delivering the highest of service standards, therefore, we maintain our traditional values and do not include a discretionary service charge on your final account.
Perfect for any celebration; it includes a special celebratory cake delivered to your table.
What Is The Food Like At Afternoon Tea At The Ritz
There are 5 ;main elements;to afternoon tea:
1. The Tea
There is a wide selection of 18 different teas from all over the world to choose from and with names like Ritz Royal English, Dragon Pearls and Rooibos Red Tea there should be something that takes your fancy. ;Dont worry there are descriptions of them as well which are worthy of any wine sommelier. ;I went for the Assam Tippy Orthodox which is a full bodied black tea from northern India. ;The golden leaf yields a strong, rich malty aroma and red colour. ;It was very nice, and rich as the description suggested, maybe not something Id drink every day but lovely as a treat. ;The tea is served with individual silver tea pots and beautiful crockery super fancy. ;You can also choose an option where you have a glass of Reserve Ritz champagne prior to the tea being served if you really feel like treating yourself!
2. The Sandwiches
The sandwiches are brought out on a beautiful three tiered afternoon tea stand and occupy the bottom two sections. ;The waiters are careful to identify any allergies, for example you can have the fish on a separate tier if;anyone is allergic or doesnt like it. ;They are beautifully presented with the crusts cut off and on a variety of different breads. A couple of my favourites were ham with grain mustard mayo on sliced brioche and the chicken breast with parsley cream on malt bread.
3. The;Pastries
4. The Scones
5. The Cakes
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How To Make English Scones
Begin by whisking together flour, baking powder, cream of tartar, baking soda, and kosher salt in a mixing bowl. Add cubes of cold butter .
Work the butter into the flour mixture with your fingertips until crumbly . Then make a well in the center and add milk or buttermilk . Stir until you have a soft dough .
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ½-inch thick. Cut out circles using circular cutters or a water glass . Transfer to a buttered or parchment paper-lined baking sheet .
Many bakers will not re-roll their dough scraps because the re-rolled dough doesn’t get the same air that the first batch does. I hate being wasteful so I always re-roll my scraps at least once to punch out a few more biscuits or scones.
In the first round of cutting using a 2 ¼-inch cutter, I typically yield 10 small scones. After re-rolling the dough I usually get about 5 more. The last few will not be very pretty, but the chef can still enjoy them!
Lightly dust the tops of the scones with flour, and bake until golden. Serve warm.
Construction And Early History
Swiss hotelier César Ritz, the former manager of the Savoy Hotel, opened the hotel on 25 May 1906. It was built on the site which had been the Old White Horse Cellar, which by 1805 was one of the best known coaching inns in England. The financial backers of the Ritz felt that they had secured one of the prime sites in London for their project. They began negotiations in 1901, and completed the transactions for the simultaneous purchase of the leasehold for the Walsingham House Hotel and the adjacent freehold estate of the Bath Hotel for £250,000 in 1902. Demolition of both of the hotels began in 1904.
The building is neoclassical in the Louis XVI manner, built during the Belle Époque to resemble a stylish Parisian block of flats, over arcades that consciously evoked the Rue de Rivoli. Its architects were Charles Mewès, who had previously designed Ritz’s Hôtel Ritz Paris, and Arthur Davis, with engineering collaboration by the Swedish engineer Sven Bylander. It was one of the earliest substantial steel frame structures in London, the Savoy Hotel extension of 1903-04 being the first in the capital. Many of the materials used in the construction of the hotel were US-made. The initial fees for suites ranged from 1 1/2 guineas to 3 1/2 guineas.
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Enjoying The Ritz London Afternoon Tea
Enter the hotel from the main entrance and take a leisurely stroll through the hotel to the Palm Court Restaurant where afternoon tea is served.; Arriving right on 7.30pm, the Restaurant was largely empty.; I was invited to leave my coat at the nearby Cloakroom before being seated.; Being a solo diner I was delighted to be seated with a full view of proceedings, rather than being stuck in some corner.; Although the Restaurant did fill up a bit, there were still empty tables during my sitting.; Most of the parties seemed to be either tourists, or couples and family groups having some form of celebration.
Arriving at the Palm Court Restaurant
My order for Champagne and tea was quickly taken and brought to the table.; The liveried waiters were friendly and quite chatty.; Despite the setting I felt at ease, and not at all intimidated.
As we got into the swing of the afternoon tea, a 5 piece band with a singer entertained us with a selection of appropriate music, all played in a very 1930s style.; In fact, the whole experience had a very 1930s feel I half expected Noel Coward or Nancy Mitford to arrive any minute to join me.; The band only plays at the 7.30pm sitting earlier sittings are accompanied by a pianist.
Madam, your tea is served in the Palm Court Restaurant
Afternoon tea in full swing what would you tuck into first?
Mmmmm, hot scones for tea..
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