The venue beat dozens of other hotels and tea rooms to win the Guild's Top London Afternoon Tea 2010 award after judges were impressed by its 'light and airy setting, friendly and efficient staff and excellent selection of scones, sandwiches and pastries'.
Irene Gorman, head of the Tea Guild said: "Palm Court manages to combine a luxurious and elegant ambience with service that is not only friendly and efficient but also extremely knowledgeable. Our judges found that the food and teas were delicious and the presentation was perfect."
Paul Skinner, director of Food and Beverage at The Langham, said the award meant 'a huge amount' to staff. "We are passionate and committed to every aspect of serving the perfect afternoon tea and are hugely proud of everything we have achieved," he said.
Awards of excellence
Judges spent months taking tea in hotels and tearooms in the capital and the rest of Britain to find the best places for afternoon tea. Points are awarded for the variety, excellence and knowledge of the teas offered, together with the quality of food, service, décor, ambience, and presentation, before winners are decided.
Sixteen London tearooms were also given Awards of Excellence by the Tea Guild. They are: Brown’s Hotel, Claridge’s, Grosvenor House Park Room & Library, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 'Tea' at Liberty, The Athenaeum, The Dorchester, The Goring, The Landmark London, The Lanesborough, The Milestone, The Montagu at Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, The Park Lane Hotel, The Ritz, Sofitel London St James and The Wolseley.
Winners of the Tea Guild's new accolade the Top City & Country Hotel award and the Top Tea Place award will be revealed on Thursday and Friday respectively.