Photo Courtesy of St. Regis
Great news for Anglophiles: You don’t need to travel to Jolly Olde England to get a proper holiday tea, complete with scones and real whipped cream and Yuletide cheer. Some of America’s favorite luxury hotels have adopted the tea tradition—and for those who don’t hold it year-round, the holidays are a popular time for this warming and family-friendly afternoon splurge.
Could anything be more wonderfully in the Manhattan holiday mix than tea at the Palm Court in the Plaza? This magnificent recently restored space comes alight for Christmas, with a lavish Gatsby-themed Christmas tree (designed by the production designer of the upcoming feature film) setting the mood for this season’s special “Fitzgerald Tea.” At $79 per adult, it’s among the priciest of high teas, but what would you expect for Gatsby’s brand of Gilded Age glamour? (Photo courtesy of The Plaza hotel)
Several seasonal themed teas were on the St. Regis Atlanta’s 2012 calendar, and December wraps up the year in two styles: delicious-traditional or Christmas-themed. Served daily through December 25, Holiday Teas offer a sumptuous mid-afternoon spread. On select dates through December (December 1-2, 6-9 and 13-24), make sure and bring the kids because Santa and Mrs. Claus will be paying a visit, bringing gifts from the North Pole. Holiday teas cost $52-58 per adult, $38 for children 12 and under. (Photo courtesy of St. Regis)
What do glamorous former film stars get up to once they’re retired from the screen? Owning a boutique luxury hotel seems to be a popular second career choice, especially in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The reclusive Doris Day maintains her Cypress Inn’s vintage-chic standards from behind the scenes, so guests can still get a classic Hollywood-inspired cocktail in the evening or a cozy afternoon tea in the mid-afternoon. Surrounded by old-Hollywood movie memorabilia and fabulous 1920s architecture, guests are invited to slip into a more comfortable decade. (Photo courtesy of Cypress Inn)
Traditional English tea is a weekend tradition at this elegant BC hotel. It’s $35 per person for finger sandwiches and the full complement of traditional English sweets: fruit cake, baked scones, fruit tarts and more. If you want something slightly stronger/bubblier than the tea selection, add on a Kir Royale or a glass of local sparkling Brut wine. (Photo courtesy of Wedgewood Hotel)
One of the most elegant and traditional hotels in the Western U.S., The Biltmore pulls out all the stops for its annual Holiday Tea Service. Special holiday decadences include eggnog-spiced pound cake, “Peppermint Crunch” brulee, peppermint scones with chocolate whipped cream, and half a dozen other incredible offerings. Tea service is offered Thursday through Sunday this holiday season—for the 83rd year running. Although slightly less historic, the Friday and Saturday Marshmallow Roasts are a great family-friendly activity too. (Photo courtesy of The Biltmore)
Most of the Fairmonts have some sort of high tea service—and oddly, November not December was the month of brand-wide high tea promotions. But some properties, such as this gorgeous Whistler gem, offer it year-round. It’s dubbed an “Alpine Tea” to go with the snowy mountain setting, and offers a tempting array of sweets and sandwiches to accompany the warming beverage so perfect after a day on the slopes. (Photo courtesy of Fairmont hotels)
Always an innovator in the performance confectionary category, this luxurious Southern hotel offers a beautiful chocolate tea during the holidays. But for those who style themselves true chocolate lovers, there’s another seating you’ll want to book if you’re really ready to over-indulge: The five-course Chocolate and Champagne Dinner—yes, that’s five full courses of dessert, plus premium bubbly pairings—is offered Friday and Saturday evenings this holiday season, for $125 per person. Don’t wait a minute longer to reserve your space though—this was supposed to be a weekly Saturday event, but the hotel had to add Fridays to accommodate demand, and the colder the weather gets, the more that demand grows. (Photo courtesy of Ritz-Carlton)
Held daily in the “Tea Lobby” of the Palm Court in Chicago’s classic Drake Hotel, this is fairly lavish as far as food goes, and could serve as a late lunch for those who went without the mid-day meal. The holiday sandwich offering includes roast beef, tomato/cucumber, poached chicken and egg salad, pastries, scones with double Devon cream and lemon curd round out the sweets. Per adult, it’s $38—additional for champagne or other adult beverages. Dress properly and call ahead to get a seating time for this oh-so-traditional English tea. (Photo courtesy of he Drake hotel)
Afternoon tea in Le Salon in New Orleans will most certainly transport you to a bygone century, as every detail here is handled with reverence for and understanding of that era. Year-round afternoon tea is, as tradition dictates, somewhat of a “ladies’ pastime,” with live string or harp entertainment. The special Holiday Tea (through January 6, 2013) has a more robust menu that includes special seasonal cocktails and sweets. (Photo courtesy of Le Salon)
