Anonymous wrote:Willard, no contest.

+1

LOVE the Willard. I think they may be closed for tea in Spring or early summer.

The Willard is just ok--you are sitting in a hall, essentially. It's pretty overpriced. I wasn't that impressed with the Jefferson, either.

Doesn't Hillwood Museum & Gardens do a tea as well? It would be beautiful in the springtime.

Taking my 11 year old daughter and a couple of friends for a little get together. As we are moving away from the area, i want to make it special for dd. Leaning towards the Mandarin. Any thoughts are appreciated.

I thought the Jefferson was much nicer than the Willard. The Willard space is a passageway and feels a bit dowdy. The Jefferson is beautiful. I wasn't blown away by the food at either, but I remember thinking that the Willard's desserts were so-so--overly sweet and one-dimensional in flavor.

The Mayflower has been through a lot of changes recently. I wouldn't trust old recommendations; I'd want to hear from someone who's been there lately. I haven't been myself, but by all reports the Willard is fabulous.

Willard, no contest.

The Jefferson.

The Mayflower tea is no longer held in a pretty room but in a dark bar. I'd go for the Willard.

Bump. Trying to decide between the Mayflower and the Willard for afternoon tea. Can anyone else weigh in on which is better? Thanks!

I've been to the Mayflower for tea -- it was lovely. I agree the 4 Seasons was great as was the Hyatt on 24 + M -- the Ritz at 22 + M is good.

The best deal in town -- sitting in front of the lovely fire at the Ritz in G'town -- South Street off of Wisconsin near K. You can get a refill pot of tea for $5 and sit there all afternoon. They have half-priced apps during happy hour and $3 bottled beer during happy hour. My husband and I go often and feel rich there on a pauper's budget.

I just did a bunch of research on this question myself and am going on Wednesday for afternoon tea. Ultimately, I'd heard so many mixed things about the DC teas that I ended up booking at the Tysons Corner Ritz Carlton which has overall excellent reviews. There's a RC in Pentagon but I've heard mixed things about that. I considered the Mandarin but decided against because the food portion is buffet. Some people love that, some hate it but one general complaint is that it really cuts down on the tea service because the waitstaff leave you to the buffet. I know two different people who went there in the last year. One said the buffet was just delicious, the other said the sandwiches were really bland and the pastries low quality. Maybe it can even vary day to day. Who knows.

I used to go to the tea at the Four Seasons. It was wonderful! Unfortunately, they stopped offering it.

I have never been to tea at the Willard or Mayflower...but I have heard that the Mayflower tea is very noisy.

I would rather recommend the tea at the Mandarin Oriental. Give it a try. It's great!

Can anyone comment on the afternoon teas at either of these hotels? I'd like to take my sister for her birthday. We're looking for ambiance and service - something good and snooty!