Ah, Claridge’s in London for afternoon tea – this is the epitome of “old school” British elegance, sophistication and style. Claridge’s has been in operation at this location since 1812, and I don’t think that I’d be going out on a limb in saying that afternoon tea at Claridge’s is an institution in and of itself.
The main entrance to the hotel is on Brook Street, in London’s Mayfair district …
Claridges Hotel Entrance
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
Ritz London Palm Court
If you’re an afternoon tea lover, then afternoon tea at The Ritz London Hotel is one of the most iconic experiences in the world. Since the hotel’s opening in 1906, “Tea at the Ritz” has been elegantly served in the hotel’s Palm Court.
I’ve had the great pleasure to enjoy afternoon tea at The Ritz London on several occasions. To me, it’s one of the finest venues in the world for afternoon tea, and one that far too few of us will ever have an opportunity to experience.
So with this in mind, let’s pretend “you were there” by following along with this visual or pictorial tour of the Ritz’s afternoon tea experience, served in the beautiful Palm Court.
Façade of Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam
The Hotel Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, familiarly known as “The Grand,” has a long history that dates back to the 1500’s when the building was used as a convent. Since that time, it has been a 16th Century Royal Guest House, a 17th Century Amsterdam Admiralty Headquarters, and the city’s Town Hall in the 19th Century. More recently, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands was married here in 1966.
The entrance to the hotel is through a courtyard, set back from the street. Passing a fountain, you enter the hotel through a brass and wood revolving door. Afternoon tea at “The Grand” is served in either the lounge, an Art Deco and stained glass room, or in the Bar at Bridges. Continue reading
Afternoon Tea at The Amstel Hotel ©HighTea.com
I had spent the morning touring past priceless works of art at the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum and decided to walk to the Hotel Amstel for Afternoon Tea. The distance was about 1.4 km or just under a mile, and even though it was a cool January day, it was clear, bright and just begging for a brisk afternoon walk. Starting out from the Museumpleine , I headed east toward the Amstel Hotel. Along the way, I began to think that I had gotten off my directions, so I stopped in an office building and asked the receptionist if I was on the right track. She entered my information into her iPhone and quickly determined that I was one street off, but running parallel to the correct street, so I would still encounter the hotel, just from the other side.
Amstel Inter-Continental Hotel ©HighTea.com
As I came up to the Amstel River bridge, I couldn’t miss the grand façade of the Amstel Hotel, located just across the river on the opposite bank. Dating from 1867, this is one of the premier hotels in Amsterdam. Previous guests have included Queen Elizabeth, Gustav Eiffel, Audrey Hepburn, The Rolling Stones, Elizabeth Hurley, and U2. Continue reading
Bar Amigo in Brussels, Belgium
The overnight flight from Chicago to Brussels, Belgium was uneventful, until shortly before landing when the captain announced that some cool winter mist and fog was restricting visibility to about 1,500 meters at the airport. Nevertheless, it was enough for a Boeing 767 to land safely, and I was soon off to my afternoon tea at the Hotel Amigo.
The heart of the city of Brussels is Grand Place (Grote Markt), and if you can’t be directly on the Grand Place itself, the next best thing is to be just off one of the corners – northwest in the case, where the Hotel Amigo is located. This is one of the most desirable locations in Brussels – within walking distance of most of the top sights, restaurants, and historical points of interest. Continue reading