Festive afternoon tea review at Royal Lancaster London

Tucked just behind Lancaster Gate tube station, Royal Lancaster Hotel beckons with holiday magic, and we had the privilege of being among the first to indulge in this year’s Festive Afternoon Tea. From the moment we arrived, the festive wonderland swept us away. A life-size sleigh with a reindeer, a charming forest adorned with baubles and ribbons, and even a Santa's postbox set the scene for a truly enchanting experience. The warm, cheerful welcome from the staff made us feel like special guests in Santa's workshop.

Our table was a showstopper, featuring the hotel's iconic golden hanging tree, a beautiful homage to the bees on their rooftop that produce the hotel’s own honey. The ingenious tiered display kept the table elegant and uncluttered. To kick things off, we toasted the season with a glass of Nyetimber Cuvee and the festive sparkle of Noughty's non-alcoholic fizz—a perfect way to set the celebratory mood.

Choosing our teas was half the fun, with each selection tailored to complement the first course of dainty sandwiches. We opted for a refreshing Assam, a soothing Afternoon Blend, and a fragrant Rose Tea, all served with traditional silver strainers and attentively refilled by our waiter. The sandwiches themselves were a Christmas delight: think Turkey and Cranberry, Smoked Salmon with Dill, Egg and Avocado, and Beef with Horseradish and Rocket. Each bite was delicious and perfectly portioned to leave room for the rest of the afternoon.

Then came the warm, freshly baked scones, nestled snugly in a napkin. Both plain and sultana varieties were served with indulgent clotted cream and raspberry jam that melted in our mouths—a simple yet heavenly tradition.

Finally, the grand finale arrived: four exquisite Christmas-themed desserts, each a masterpiece. The Snowflake Fruit Cake dazzled with its brandy mousse and sparkling fondant icing, while the Christmas Present Cranberry Curd offered a delightful zing with yuzu cremeux and buttery shortbread. The Santa’s Belt Bauble wowed us with its chocolate mousse and spiced pear compote, and the Yule Log combined whipped ganache, cocoa genoise, and Morello cherry confit into a symphony of festive flavours.

This Festive Afternoon Tea at the Royal Lancaster isn’t just an afternoon tea; it’s a magical escape into the heart of the holiday season. 

• Festive Afternoon Tea & Vegan Afternoon Tea (25th November - 5th January) | £59 Monday to Friday | £64 Saturday & Sunday (Christmas day £85 with a glass of Champagne) 

• Served between 1pm and 4pm

Book your experience at https://www.royallancaster.com/promotions/festive-afternoon-tea

Address: Royal Lancaster London, Lancaster Terrace, London, W2 2TY

Written by Claire Selby 

Photos courtesy of Royal Lancaster Hotel