Afternoon Tea at the Lancaster London Hotel Review
Afternoon Tea
Lancaster Hotel, London
Reviewed by Rachael Scott
I was lucky to be asked to review the recently relaunched afternoon tea at the Lancaster London hotel. This hotel is in superb location within close proximity to Hyde Park and Lancaster Gate tube station. The lobby was inviting and the concierge greeted us warmly and directed us upstairs to the lounge bar area situated next to the restaurant.
Upon arrival we were welcomed and shown to a beautifully laid out table with chairs and a sofa. The seating was comfortable and the environment was relaxed. Kenny, a member of the hotel team, introduced himself and took us through the afternoon tea menu. He was extremely helpful and very attentive. He explained that the afternoon tea would be plated per person to avoid that last sandwich on plate embarrassment. He told us that even though the afternoon tea is already plated you can request more of any part of the afternoon tea if you want it. He then poured us a glass of Laurent Perrier champagne each whilst we perused the vast tea menu.
The tea menu included a large selection of teas from the traditional to the truly exotic. I opted for the Persian Pomegranate and my guest went for the Sapphire Earl Grey. When the tea was brought to us Kenny handed us a card each with a list of the different teas with recommendations for infusion times which were colour coded to match the tea sand timers which was brought out along with the tea also. This was a novel and fun idea. The Earl Grey was delicate and the Persian Pomegranate was fruity but not overpowering.
The savoury selection was brought out. The savoury selection included sandwiches of smoked salmon, cucumber and egg and cress accompanied by wild mushroom, chicken and tarragon tartlets and roast beef filled Yorkshire puddings. This was all truly scrumptious in particular the roast beef which was divine. The smoked salmon is smoked onsite which the hotel is proud to promote as it is the only hotel in London that does this. We were reminded that if we desired anymore we were not to hesitate to ask. We never felt rushed at any point and the timing between courses was perfect.
As we were reviewing the afternoon tea Kenny offered us a glass of the Laurent Perrier rosé which he suggested compliments the scones. We obviously accepted. The next course included two scones each one plain and one raisin scone served warm with homemade strawberry jam and Cornish clotted cream. These were perfect in both taste and size and as Kenny had explained the Laurent Perrier rosé complimented them amazingly. We decided that due to the large selection of teas we would try some more. It was explained to us that patrons usually order 3 or 4 teas throughout the afternoon tea and you can order as many as you like as it is provided in individual teapots for one. My guest opted for pai mu tan and I chose the white pear and ginger. The pai mu tan was light and cleansed the pallet. The white pear and ginger was served with fresh sliced ginger it was delicious and we enjoyed using our infusion cards and sand timer again. We then embarked on our third course of sweet bites. The sweet bites included white chocolate and raspberry lollypops, passion fruit and raspberry macaroons, caramel and hazelnut tranche, Apple and honey cupcakes and lemon fruit tarts. This was course was also delicious. Mine and my guests favourite was the apple and honey cupcakes which I can honestly say was the best cupcake I have ever tasted. The lollypops were a quirky and fun touch.
The Lancaster offer three afternoon tea packages served daily in the lounge bar between 2 and 5:30pm. The three packages include Lancaster London afternoon tea: £30, with a glass of Laurent Perrier £40 and with a glass of Laurent Perrier rosé £45. I feel that although this may sound expensive I felt it was definitely worth the money and the added extra of the champagne makes it really special. The service was impeccable, it was clean and tidy, the surrounding was relaxed and comfortable, the food was divine and the champagne was gorgeous. It is the perfect treat for a birthday or special occasion, romantic date, catch up with the girls or when on a trip to the capital.
I would recommend the afternoon tea at the Lancaster to my friends and family without hesitation. I will be going back on my next trip to London 100%. I would rate the afternoon tea 5/5, I absolutely loved it.
Rating: 5/5 
Prices from £30 to £45 per person.
For more information or to make a booking click here.
Lancaster London Hotel, Lancaster Terrace, London W2 2TY | 0207 551 6000
