Tea has long been a staple at hotels – afternoon tea service, tea service at a hotel restaurant, in-room tea offerings – but some high-end hotels are catering to tea connoisseurs by creating elevated and unique tea experiences with premium tea.
Here are 12 examples of tea experiences at luxury hotels – all of which are available right now.
1. Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi – Malé, Maldives
Steeped in luxury and served with a side of breathtaking Maldivian views, afternoon tea at this hotel’s private island, Ithaafushi, offers an unforgettable tea experience of a lifetime. The hyper-exclusive 350,000 square-foot private island is the largest of its kind in the Maldives, and it can accommodate up to 24 guests to book-out entirely for the ultimate adult tea party. Hosted right on the island, the afternoon tea experience takes a classic tradition to the next level when it comes to unique experiences and privacy, a specialty the resort is known for.
2. Hotel del Coronado – Coronado, Calif.
Built in 1888 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977, Hotel del Coronado is an American treasure with nearly 134 years of stories to tell. The resort has become a living legend and seaside tradition, visited by celebrities, dignitaries and U.S. presidents, and it’s the quintessential place to enjoy tea. Recently launched, The Del now offers a “Front Porch Swing” on Fridays and Saturdays from 3 to 5 p.m., where locals and guests are invited to relax in the rocking chairs on the newly restored front porch, tune into a custom-curated playlist of vintage swing music and sip on specialty curated menu of tea-inspired concoctions, such as a Sun Deck Lemonade, La Tea Da and a Fig Hinny. The La Tea Da cocktail, pictured below, features gin, passion fruit juice and green tea.
3. Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale – Paradise Valley, Ariz.
Mountain Shadows’ new Library Teapot, launched in partnership with local Teaspressa, is a cozy space at the resort’s signature restaurant, Hearth ’61. It’s full of design-focused books, featuring TASCHEN’s Bibliotheca Universalis series, with titles like Julius Shulman: Modernism Rediscovered. Guests can enjoy gorgeous views of Camelback Mountain and sip a hot Royal-Tea with Teaspressa’s Charles Grey tea, London Fog Sugar Cubes and Blue Daisy petal toppers. In addition to tea, guests can also order specialty coffee drinks as they flip through the pages of books from the library.
4. Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas – Las Vegas, Nev.
Located in the heart of The Strip, Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas’ elegant 23rd-floor signature Tea Lounge has transformed into a wonderland of wisteria for the debut of High Garden at the Tea Lounge. Beginning April 20 through May 15, the intimate space will feature colorful cascading wisterias, customized floral centerpieces, and an enchanting 12-foot sandblasted Manzanita Tree adorned with elegant florals and wisteria spilling over the branches. Served against one of the best views in town – with a floor-to-ceiling backdrop of the Las Vegas Boulevard – guests can sip on new signature spring cocktails and seasonal teas, including an all-new custom blend from Tea Leaves, which was created exclusively for Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas as part of their philanthropy project surrounding environmental awareness, The Garden of Secrets. Additionally, guests can enjoy tiered trays of freshly baked signature scones, egg gougère, truffle croque brioche and an assortment of sweet and savory desserts like cherry blossom tarts, berry cheesecake domes and more. High Garden at the Tea Lounge is available Wednesday through Sunday from 11:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. The cost starts at $64 per person and $35 for their Children’s Tea.
5. Adare Manor – County Limerick, Ireland
Afternoon Tea in The Gallery at Adare Manor is an experience to savor. The property’s Executive Pastry Chef Xavier Torne has created a jewel-box menu of sweet treats paired with an extensive selection of first-flush and specially blended teas from around the world, including Adare Manor’s very own signature blend, 1832 (also available to purchase on Adare Manor’s online boutique, to recreate the experience at home). Dainty cut sandwiches, perfectly crafted miniature pastries and warm scones served with clotted cream and daily-made lemon curd – this afternoon tea is an indulgence to dream about long after your visit.
6. Cliveden House – Berkshire, U.K.
In 2022, Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee for 70 years of service. To celebrate, Cliveden House, an opulent Relais & Châteaux country house hotel, has curated a very special platinum themed afternoon tea. Guests can indulge in a perfectly prepared selection of finger sandwiches with tempting modern touches, freshly baked scones with home-made jam and clotted cream, miniature delectable bite-size cakes, pastries and delicacies, including Queen Elizabeth’s favorite chocolate biscuit cake. Renowned as a venue for entertaining royalty and prime ministers – with tales of parties, privilege and power – guests are surrounded by history and tales that have undoubtedly shaped The Queen's reign, making Cliveden House Platinum Afternoon tea extra special. Built in 1666 by the Duke of Buckingham – and overlooking the tranquil tree-lined River Thames – the five-star, royally-renowned Italianate mansion and stately hotel also boasts 376 acres of National Trust formal gardens and woodland, which make for a wonderful walk pre or post tea. Details on the Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea or the Champagne Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea can be found here.
7. The Stafford London – London, U.K.
The Stafford London is a five-star luxury hotel located in the heart of prestigious St. James, near many of London’s most recognizable landmarks. The hotel’s main restaurant, The Game Bird, focuses on providing authentic British culinary experiences, including the timeless tradition of Afternoon Tea. The Stafford Afternoon Tea features a cake-stand overflowing with delicious finger sandwiches and homemade pastries with clotted cream and jam, although the real showstopper is the Tea Ceremony, featuring tea from Camellia’s Tea House, including their exclusive The Game Bird Blended Tea, served in only the finest china. Visitors can experience the ceremony any day between 12 to 7 p.m., or even book a luxurious Private Afternoon Tea.
8. JOALI BEING – Bodufushi, Maldives
Based on the belief that understanding is the key to creating and sustaining wellbeing, the recently opened (November, 2021) JOALI BEING is the Maldives’ first nature-immersive wellbeing island retreat, inviting guests to reconnect with themselves and the beauty of nature. Complete with an array of the finest wellbeing facilities and unique transformational spaces, a variety of educational workshops and experiential classes guided by wellbeing experts, culinary maestros and herbalists, JOALI BEING offers an unrivaled opportunity to embark on a customizable journey tailored perfectly towards one's needs and goals. With a dedication to the culinary arts, the private island retreat is home to SAI, a tea lounge where visitors can explore an incredible range of brews (over 60 different types of teas offered) and join tea ceremonies and learning sessions hosted by the island’s resident tea sommelier.
9. Cavallo Point – Sausalito, Calif.
Nestled at the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge within the iconic Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the award-winning Cavallo Point is a historic bayfront lodge that beautifully blends colonial revival character with spectacular contemporary design, luxury focused amenities, elevated culinary offerings, and globally inspired healing arts services and treatments. Surrounded by more than 75,000 acres of expansive national parkland, Cavallo Point is an oasis for rest, relaxation and wellbeing. With that in mind, visitors can enjoy the tranquility of the lodge and make their way to the Tea Bar, which is a soothing space to unwind. The Tea Bar serves a variety of healthy tonics and teas made with the finest ingredients of nature’s revitalizing flavors and complemented by an array of fresh dishes.
10. Nobu Ryokan Malibu – Malibu, Calif.
Located in one of Southern California’s most exclusive destinations between the iconic Pacific Coast Highway and Carbon Beach, Nobu Ryokan Malibu is a haven of tranquility, boasting elevated and inspired experiences and the utmost of personalized and attentive service. The intimate 16-room oasis honors the traditional Japanese Ryokan at every turn with authentic design features, timeless artwork, gracious accents of the California coastline and more. Upon arrival, guests are greeted with traditional Japanese green tea and matcha cake, served as a traditional warm welcome to the property. And, during their stay, guests are invited to enjoy the complimentary in-room Ikaati Tea.
11. Biltmore Mayfair, LXR Hotels & Resorts – London, U.K.
Located in London’s prestigious Grosvenor Square, this property’s afternoon tea experience takes guests on a true culinary journey of the English terroir. Prepared by Michelin starred Chef, Jason Atherton, Afternoon Tea is served in the dedicated Tea Lounge and features fresh produce sourced from across the U.K. for a variety of local flavors all in one afternoon.
12. MacArthur Place – Sonoma, Calif.
Sonoma’s iconic MacArthur Place, a luxury boutique 64-room hotel located in the heart of California’s wine country, is a proud partner of local female-owned tea steepery, UppercaseTea. Guests can enjoy their own simple yet sophisticated tea blends available in-room, as they savor the perfect cup of loose-leaf tea as the day winds down. Beyond sipping on the luxurious tea blends, guests can also purchase a range of Uppercase Tea scrubs, body lotions, massage oils and more – all hand-steeped in organic, loose-leaf Rooibos tea, and used for treatments at The Spa At Macarthur.
Plan to Attend or Participate in the
World Tea Conference + Expo, March 27-29, 2023
To learn about other key developments, trends, issues, hot topics and products within the global tea community, plan to attend the World Tea Conference + Expo, March 27-29, 2023, co-located with Bar & Restaurant Expo. Visit WorldTeaExpo.com.
To book your sponsorship or exhibit space at the World Tea Conference + Expo, contact:
Veronica Gonnello
(for companies A to G)
e: [email protected]
p: 212-895-8244
Tim Schultz
(for companies H to Q)
e: [email protected]
p: (917) 258-8589
Fadi Alsayegh
(for companies R to Z)
e: [email protected]
p: 917-258-5174
Also, be sure to stay connected with the World Tea Conference + Expo on social media for details and insights about the event. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.