The English Tea Room at Brown`s Hotel has been voted the best place for afternoon tea in London by the Tea Guild
The hotel`s tea room, which serves 17 different teas, including its own blend, was praised for its ability to `combine a luxurious and elegant ambience with extremely friendly and efficient service.`
"The staff have been well trained, really know their teas and are very happy to advise customers on their choice of tea and you can even take home a sample of the blend you have enjoyed,"†said Irene Gorman, head of the Tea Guild.
"It is important touches like this that mark Brown’s out as a tea aficionado’s paradise as well as the perfect choice for a special occasion or just meeting up with friends.”
Stuart Johnson, general manager at Brown’s Hotel, said the hotel was `delighted and honoured` to receive the 2009 award.
"It means so much to all the staff, who have put their hearts and souls into creating the best possible experience for our customers. We are a close team with a passion and commitment to creating and maintaining a gold standard," he added.
Twelve Awards of Excellence were also given to Claridge’s, Grosvenor House Park Room, `Tea` at Liberty, The Athenaeum, The Chesterfield, The Dorchester, The Goring, The Lanesborough, The Milestone, The Park Lane Hotel, The Ritz and The Wolseley.
Outside the capital, The Bridge Tea Rooms in Bradford-upon-Avon in Wiltshire, was voted Top Tea Place 2009.
The tea rooms, taken over by Roy and Alison Hayward in 2006, gained a near perfect score from Tea Guild inspectors who were impressed by friendly and knowledgeable staff and Alison`s homemade cakes and sandwiches.
Gorman said: “Each year the judges’ task of choosing a winner gets more challenging, as standards continue to reach new levels and this year’s competition was no exception. Across the country, Tea Guild members are busier than ever, serving tea and afternoon teas to an ever greater number of enthusiastic local and overseas visitors, business people, families, groups of friends and an increasing number of romantic couples, celebrating or just “catching up”.
The UK Tea Council’s team of Tea Guild tea experts travel the country to seek out the annual winners of the “Top London” and “Top Tea Place” awards. A team of tea experts judge venues anonymously and award points for the variety, excellence and knowledge of the teas offered, together with excellent food, service, decor, ambience, and presentation.