You may or may not have an opportunity to visit the Amstel Hotel in The Netherlands for afternoon tea, but since I have, I will be more than happy to take you on a pictorial tour – just scroll down.  You’ll feel like you were there! The Intercontinental Amstel hotel  is located on the banks of the river Amstel in Amsterdam, and is probably the premier hotel in all of the Netherlands.

Intercontinental Amstel Hotel

The front entrance to the hotel is on Professor Tulpplein …

Amstel Hotel Front Entrance

When I was there, “Afternoon Tea” was really not on the menu at The Intercontinental Amstel, but the staff can assemble one for you from the ala carte menu in the open and airy Brasserie area of the hotel.

The Brasserie

If you’re lucky, a table for two can be had by the windows of the Brasserie allowing you to watch the sailing boats and water taxis parade up and down the river Amstel while you enjoy your afternoon tea …

Afternoon Tea by the river Amstel

The picture below will give you an idea of the beautiful light that pours in through “The Brasserie.”

The ceiling of the Brasserie …

Glass ceiling of the Bar And Brasserie

For afternoon tea, I chose the Formosa Oolong, which was steeped in a silver teapot …

Formosa oolong tea

Here is a view of the complete table setting for afternoon tea at The Intercontinental Amstel in Amsterdam. The scones were flavored with lemon and vanilla. I’ll talk more about the cylindrical-bread object in the next picture.

Afternoon Tea Table Setting Amstel Hotel Amsterdam Netherlands

The finger sandwiches (egg salad, smoked chicken, smoked salmon and cucumber) are brought to your table hidden in a hollowed out, silo-like, bread called a “Pain Surprise.”  After a ceremonious unveiling, the tea sandwiches are revealed!

Finger sandwiches

Tea at The Intercontinental Amstel …

Tea at The Amstel

Finally, when afternoon tea was over, I had to make my way (by train) back to Brussels where I would be jetting back to the States the next day.  Below is a track at the Centraal Train Station in Amsterdam …

Centraal Train Station Amsterdam