For those who have had tea in area hotels, advice please

[Anonymous]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/best-bets/afternoon-tea,87170.html

[Anonymous]

What happened to the fancy little tearoom at the Willard?

[Anonymous]

Henley Park is a really great tea, agreed.

The Jefferson is delicious (probably has the best scones) but serves in a very masculine feeling/bar type room.

The Four Seasons in Georgetown used to be the best but alas, no longer serves it for whatever reason.

We've had good and mediocre teas at the Ritz in Pentagon City but they do a lot of business with special holiday teas and the room/ambiance is nice.

Very blah experiences at the Mayflower and won't go there again.

I've heard the Mandarin Oriental does a great tea but haven't been.

Not sure where you live but if the FOOD is the key thing for your MIL, we recently had a transcendent experience in Potomac, MD at Founding Farmers. It's more of a restaurant feel but their Afternoon Social (weekdays only) is truly delicious. Best thing? No reservations required!

Enjoy your tea, ladies!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This sounds like a good time, I never knew hotels offered this. How does this work? Do you sign up ahead of time or just stop by?

Call ahead for a reservation. Many places don't do it every day, only on weekends.

Thanks! What do you need to wear? Does it differ by hotel?

[Anonymous]

The Willard closed its glorious dining room some time ago; tea is now served in Peacock Alley which doesn't work as well and is not as private.

[Anonymous]

Stay away from the Mayflower. If you've been to tea there recently, there is nothing wonderful about it. It was dull, ill serviced, and underwhelming. Waiter served tea and basically left the scene. Didn't even ever offer to refill hot water for tea!

[Anonymous]

Can one sample and enjoy more than one variety of tea, unrushed? Or is it pick one tea and pastry, and that's it?

[Anonymous]

Ritz, any where.

[Anonymous]

This is the op, thanks for all the suggestions! I think I'm going to do the Willard holiday tea since it seems to have a historic setting which MIL will enjoy I hope. Maybe we will try to get the mandarin too!

[Anonymous]

Am I the only one that thought that was definitely a euphemism? I am both bummed and somewhat intrigued to find out it's not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Am I the only one that thought that was definitely a euphemism? I am both bummed and somewhat intrigued to find out it's not.

What? You've never heard of afternoon tea?

[Anonymous]

I know it isn't everyone's thing, but having just moved to the area, thanks to everyone who posted suggestions. I love a nice tea. Not the OP, but thanks!

[Anonymous]

Which place is best to take eight year old twin girls?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which place is best to take eight year old twin girls?

Try the Pentagon Ritz -- they have a nice kids' tea with special sandwiches (PB&J and ham&cheese), serve hot chocolate and then have more kid-friendly desserts plus scones with cream, jam and lemon curd. Less expensive than the adult tea, too. We go there fairly often and my twins rave about the hot choc!