The beloved tradition of Afternoon Tea has taken on a new life – with recent trend reports showing that “afternoon tea is the new happy hour” and Pinterest searches for tea party ideas increasing by 165%. As travelers look to 2025 and beyond, we are highlighting unique afternoon tea experiences around the world that offer not only elegance but a window into each destination's culture – from London to Morocco to Hong Kong to Indonesia.
These immersive tea rituals at luxury properties allow guests to savor regional flavors, time-honored traditions, and creative twists tying in local heritage.
Indonesian Afternoon Tea at TA’AKTANA, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa - Labuan Bajo, Indonesia
TA’AKTANA, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa (pictured) in Labuan Bajo – which opened in May 2024 – offers luxury travelers an off-the-beaten-path experience in Indonesia versus more populated spots such as Bali and Thailand. The resort features a fresh take on Afternoon Tea at the elegant lobby lounge, Nera, inspired by Indonesia’s rich culinary heritage and blending tradition with local flavors and ingredients in a truly authentic setting.
The unique experience unfolds with an assortment of teas and traditional delicacies offering a sensory journey through the destination’s distinctive cuisine and heritage, backdropped by views of the sparkling Flores Sea. This includes Kue Tok and Serrano Croquettes accompanied by exotic teas with floral infusions featuring local ingredients like jasmine, lemongrass, and lemon basil. The tea selection captures Indonesia's vibrant flora, providing a blend of floral, sweet, and sour flavors.
Afternoon Tea Takes Flight with Cathay Pacific - Hong Kong, China
Known for their incredible lounges, Cathay Pacific’s flagship lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, The Pier (Business-Class) features its signature Tea House, where guests preparing for long-haul travel can immerse in wellness and traditional tea in a serene setting before returning to the buzz of the lounge and airport. Tea House visitors are presented with an interactive tea menu, providing them an opportunity to see and smell the tea varieties before they make their pick. A dedicated Tea Specialist is present to recommend different types of tea according to one’s preferences. For an in-flight tea experience, the airline has an exclusive partnership with artisanal tea company JING Tea – serving exclusive blends and three new drinks for First class flyers, all created specifically to be enjoyed at 35,000 feet.
An Afternoon Tea Affair Fit For a Royal at Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C. - Washington, D.C, USA
As discerning travelers scour the globe for exquisite high-tea indulgences, Willard InterContinental Washington D.C. allures guests with its long-celebrated tradition of Afternoon Tea set amongst the grandeur of Willard’s Peacock Alley. A treasured staple at this esteemed location since the 1920s, Willard invites guests to “tea like a royal” and indulge in an exclusive selection of the finest estate and boutique blended loose-leaf teas by the J’enwey Tea Company, seasonal savories and desserts, and its famed scones, complete with the melodic sounds of the in-house harpist, Kristen Jepperson. Willard notably hosts the city’s most festive services during key seasons, like D.C.’s cherry blossom season and the holidays, changing its menu seasonally five times annually to ensure that the experience is both fresh and appropriately themed for the month. However, its signature Vanilla Scones and Cucumber TeaSandwiches grace the table year-round.
An Afternoon Tea Tradition with Moroccan Flair at La Mamounia - Marrakech, Morocco
Following a day of exploration in the bustling, vibrant city of Marrakech, the legendary La Mamounia invites guests to unwind and enjoy the wealth of Morocco’s culinary heritage with an indulgent Afternoon Tea affair at one of its two signature Tea Rooms. At the helm of acclaimed French pastry chef Pierre Hermé, Le Menzeh par Pierre Hermé awaits in La Mamounia’s first historical building at the end of a picturesque pathway lined with ancient olive trees and rose bushes. Tea is served in an intimate garden setting alongside an exquisite selection of sweet and savory delicacies. Guests can expect intricate flavors of Honey, Almond, and Orange Blossom as they take a bite, and exotic notes of Citrus, Rose, Jasmine, and Violets within their tea. We recommend trying the traditional Moroccan Mint Tea, it will not disappoint! Offering another opulent affair, Le Salon de Thé par Pierre Hermé similarly invites guests to indulge in an elevated high-tea experience in a truly extravagant space. Imagine natural light trickling in from a monumental crystal chandelier, complete with an Andalusian patio with a winter garden allure. At La Mamounia, Afternoon-Tea-Goers will partake in a sensorial experience, truly learning to appreciate the refined art that has been enjoyed for centuries.
A Health-Focused Twist on The Classic Afternoon Tea at COMO The Halkin - London, UK
Served daily in the elegant Halkin Bar at COMO The Halkin, Chef Melchor Baltasar presents a guilt-free Afternoon Tea menu that redesigns the cherished British tradition with a wellness-focused twist, bringing in both sweet and savory delicacies from the brand’s properties across the globe. This special menu is inspired by the renowned COMO Shambhala philosophy which harmonizes healthy eating, expert nutrition, and pleasurable gastronomy. Afternoon tea-goers will experience tantalizing flavors from the acclaimed COMO Shambhala cookbook, ‘The Pleasures of Eating Well,” featuring delicacies such as Chilled Almond and Green Grape Gazpacho from COMO Castello Del Nero in Tuscany, Cacao Mousse with Fresh Raspberries and Pistachios from COMO Maalifushi in the Maldives, and Tuna Tartare with Avocado, Radish, and Japanese inspired Champagne dressing from COMO Metropolitan Singapore in Singapore alongside an array of fresh teas and drinks such as the COMO Shambhala Iced Tea, a delightful blend of ginger, honey, and lemon. The hotel's first-ever Afternoon Tea menu concept was awarded the Best Contemporary Afternoon Tea 2024 at the Afternoon Tea Awards UK and continues to impress all patrons who reserve a seat at this remarkable experience.
Afternoon Tea at the Legendary Raffles Singapore
The 137-year-old Grande Dame recently introduced an elevated Afternoon Tea experience in its famed Grand Lobby, offering a more memorable indulgence with family, friends and loved ones amidst the lobby’s floor-to-ceiling Victorian pillars. The Raffles Singapore Classic Afternoon Tea now features tea selections from JING Tea, showcasing loose tea leaves directly sourced from unique single origin gardens. Beyond simply delivering freshly brewed pots of tea, Raffles Singapore serves the tea via a guided sensory tableside presentation, allowing patrons to learn about the tea leaves and select their preference, while the tea is delicately brewed and prepared in front of them for an optimal consumption experience. Accompanying this enhanced tea service is a selection of exquisite signature finger sandwiches, house-made original, raisin and savory scones with clotted cream and rose petal jam, and sweet delights. Raffles Singapore also showcases special variations on limited occasions like Sakura Afternoon Tea and Festive Afternoon Tea, with themed sweet and savory delights to offer unique twists on the beloved classic presentation.
A Modern Experience Rooted In Time-Honored Tradition: The Peninsula Hotels - Global
Notably recognized as one of the premier Afternoon Tea experiences around the globe, The Peninsula Afternoon Tea has remained a quintessential hallmark of the famed Peninsula brand. Formally introduced in 1928 at The Peninsula Hong Kong – the brand’s flagship property – the English-inspired afternoon tea offering quickly became a beloved feature of Peninsula properties across the globe. This winter, guests of The Peninsula Chicago can indulge in a special Afternoon Tea experience in partnership with Dom Perignon: “Dom Perignon Holiday Afternoon Tea at The Lobby’, complete with exquisite cuisine and flowing, sparkling Dom Champagne. Further exemplifying the brand’s fusion of modern-day-chic and venerable tradition, The Peninsula Tokyo offers guests a one-of-a-kind, ‘Imperial Afternoon Tea at a Suite’ experience, where picturesque views of Hibiya Park and the Imperial Palace Gardens are matched with champagne and a personal butler dressed in Kimono, to ensure a personalized experience. For the youngest tea-goers this season, travelers of The Peninsula Istanbul, alongside other properties, can experience tea as a royal with a dedicated, Children's Festive Afternoon Tea Service, brimming with child-friendly treats and bites. Furthermore, playing into the hotel’s legacy, The Peninsula Hong Kong has announced the return of its renowned partnership with Star Ferry, allowing guests to experience Peninsula Afternoon Tea aboard the World Star Ferry, alongside panoramic views of the Victoria Harbor and a new, seasonal menu. As the brand’s tea menus change regularly to reflect each distinctive destination’s seasonal ingredients, as well as celebrated holidays and cherished traditions, the quintessential Afternoon Tea experience at The Peninsula Hotels is bound to impress patrons year-round.
