US Hotels With Unique Afternoon Tea Experiences

Pinkies up and here we go.

The British tradition of afternoon tea is a charming and elegant custom that dates back to the early 1840s. It is typically a light meal with finger sandwiches and a variety of scones and sweet pastries.

With the growing popularity of afternoon tea, travelers are embracing the English tradition seen in popular series such as Downton Abbey and Bridgerton. And many luxury US hotels are following suit and serving up some fine tea brews and decadent small bites in settings that transport guests back in time.

Here’s a sampling of hotels where you can indulge, and some locations that may actually surprise you.

Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest, IL

Reminiscent of a Tudor manor house you’d find in the Cotswolds, Deer Path Inn focuses on mannerly innkeeping traditions that leave guests feeling as though they’ve been swept to the English countryside.

As a result, guests can delight in the Inn’s renowned afternoon tea service in the English Room or garden. Featuring an exquisite menu developed in partnership with Malcom Ferris-Lay, an English Master of Tea whose family has been in the tea trade since 1842, tea-loving fans can indulge in a signature tower of tea sandwiches, petit fours and tartelettes, accompanied by their choice of loose-leaf tea.  

Ashton Hotel, Fort Worth, TX

Situated in the heart of Fort Worth’s downtown, the Ashton Hotel is beautifully preserved with two buildings listed on the National Register of Historical Places.

The boutique hotel offers its renowned Afternoon Tea program, listed in Historic Hotels of America's Top 25 Tea Experience, every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. with seasonal assortments of fresh fruit preserves, finger sandwiches, pastries and shortbreads. 

The hotel’s timeless charm is a lovely match to an ideal tea blend from an assortment of seasonal offerings like Cherry Sencha and Sweet Texas Dreams.

The Watergate Hotel, Washington, D.C.

Once the playground for Washington elites and Hollywood royalty to mix and mingle, The Watergate Hotel is now home to D.C.’s must-try afternoon tea experience— Spill the Tea.

With a playful and appropriate nod to its 1960s roots, this tea experience features pastries inspired by presidential figures and prominent personalities from the era. Guests can savor a luxurious selection of teas and treats while soaking in the chic, historic ambiance of one of D.C.’s most storied hotels.

W South Beach, Miami, FL

Following a $30 million renovation, oceanfront icon W South Beach introduced a wave of new guest experiences designed to reflect Miami’s evolving sense of calm and creativity. Among them is Teatime Tranquility, a modern take on afternoon tea that invites guests to craft their own loose-leaf blends using organic ingredients, floral notes and exotic spices.

The Plaza, New York, NY

For over 115 years, Afternoon Tea has been a long-celebrated tradition at The Plaza, a New York City Central Park hotel.

The Palm Court offers a timeless, elegant and grand setting surrounded by floor to ceiling palm trees with an impressive tea selection accompanied by sandwiches, savories, scones, pastries and sweets. There’s even a Children’s Eloise Tea based on the books, for the youngsters.

The Maybourne Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, CA

Afternoon tea is served in the Terrace Tea Room of this sophisticated hotel with legendary London roots on weekends between 2 and 4 pm.

The sister hotel to London-based The Berkeley, The Maybourne’s reimagined tea is named Prêt-à-Portea: The Red Carpet Collection. A favorite among fashionistas with a sweet tooth, afternoon tea here transforms celebrity fashion moments into playful couture cakes and edible art. Guests can indulge in a surreal showcase of nine desserts, each resembling iconic red-carpet outfits, plus six pastry creations that channel breathtaking styles from A-list celebrities. 

The Langham, Boston, MA

Afternoon tea at this luxury hotel is served at The Reserve, the hotel’s lobby lounge, where proprietary teas are poured into Wedgwood china cups and culinary delights are served on Wedgwood plates.

The teas, scones, sweets, and tea sandwiches are tantalizing and the presentation is impressive. You’ll truly believe you have been transported to the heart of London.

Davenport Hotel, Spokane, WA

Guests at Washington Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea at the Palm Court Grill will find themselves in a newly-renovated 111-year-old Gilded-Age lobby in front of the extravagant crackling fireplace.

High Tea includes delectable sweet and savory treats from Classic Eclairs with Huckleberry Cream and Elderflower Panna Cotta with Limoncello Gelee Verrines to Earl Grey Infused Devil Eggs with Smoked Paprika and Balsamic Glazed Strawberries. The tea menu features a diverse range of 12 premium loose-leaf teas.

Willard InterContinental, Washington, DC

Sipping tea at the Willard is an afternoon treat dating back to the 1920s.

Located in the heart of our nation’s capital, the celebration of afternoon tea at the Willard is set amongst the grandeur of Willard’s Peacock Alley – one of the hotel's most cherished traditions.

Afternoon Tea is served in the elegant Willard Tea Room with seasonal menus reflecting D.C.’s Cherry Blossom season and other holidays, accompanied by the melodic sounds from harpist Kirsten Jepperson.

Waldorf Astoria, Las Vegas, NV

The hotel recently completed its 23^rd-floor renovation which included the unveiling of the iconic Peacock Alley, a name synonymous with the Waldorf Astoria brand.

It doesn’t get any better than sweeping views of the Las Vegas Strip with traditional afternoon tea accompanied by tiered trays of dainty sandwiches, freshly baked scones and decadent pastries made in-house, all alongside an extensive menu of the finest teas from around the world.  

ette hotel, Orlando, FL

Who would guess that an Orlando, Floria hotel would join the tea experience tradition?

The ette hotel offers a luxurious afternoon tea experience that embodies the elegant tea scene of London. Held in the main dining room and on the garden patio, guests can delight in this afternoon tradition every Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

English China drawn from the impeccable Edward Williams collection paired with the enchanting melodies of Maestro Nathan Bowman played at the grand piano enhance the overall experience. Salt & The Cellar chef Theo Goupil meticulously crafts the menu to include seasonal offerings as well as classics.

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