Once we decided to go to Hong Kong for our Christmas vacation, the first thing we penciled in was afternoon tea at the iconic Peninsula Hotel. Opened in 1928, this historic property has become synonymous with luxury and is considered one of the finest hotels in the world. A nod to Hong Kong’s colonial past, the British-style tea is served in the Lobby restaurant between a dazzling array of arched columns and gilded moldings. The twinkling lights and seasonal decorations succeeded in creating a winter wonderland atmosphere despite the 75 degree weather outside.
Of course, we weren’t the only ones with this brilliant idea. Since reservations aren’t accepted, we settled in for an hour-long wait. Or, I should say hubby settled in to wait. I walked around the lobby gaping at the beautiful decorations and enjoying the scene as musicians played Christmas carols from an alcove high above our heads.
Finally our table was set and tea was served! We were presented with a menu of dozens of tea varieties; I opted for the classic “Peninsula Afternoon Tea” blend which was served loose-leaf style with an individual strainer. The three-tier platter of pastries and savory tarts was impressive and we weren’t quite sure where to start. A highlight for me was the freshly-baked scones, each several inches tall with deliciously flaky, buttery layers. Served with Devonshire clotted cream and strawberry jam, they made a very satisfying finale. Overall, the holiday tea was a wonderful experience and we felt truly pampered by the excellent service!
The Peninsula Hong Kong Address: Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong Afternoon Tea Set Pricing: HK$268 per person/ HK$398 for two people (US$35/US$51) + 10% service charge
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