The Mayfair hotel, owned by the Maybourne Group, was though to offer a “a very enjoyable and relaxing tea experience in splendid surroundings” by inspectors from the Tea Guild, part of the UK Tea Council.
The praised the hotel’s tea room, The Foyer, for its art deco design, friendly and efficient staff, selection of scones, sandwiches and cakes and perfectly served teas.
Irene Gorman, head of The Tea Guild, said: “Year on year the nominees for this prestigious award become ever more challenging, but taking tea at Claridge’s gives a demonstration of exactly how special afternoon tea should be.
“The standard of entrants this year was incredibly high and this was especially true in London, which has traditionally been the home of some of the finest afternoon tea experiences within many of the world’s finest and most elegant hotels and establishments. In the capital as elsewhere in the UK, the tradition of afternoon tea has never been stronger… more and more people are taking time out to enjoy afternoon tea.”
This is the second time Claridge’s has received the award, having won previously in 2006.
The UK Tea Council also presented 16 special Awards of Excellence to London establishments.
They include:
Brown’s Hotel
Grosvenor House Park Room & Library
Sofitel London St James
The Athenaeum
The Chesterfield
The Connaught
The Dorchester
The Goring
The Lanesborough
The Langham
The Milestone
The Montagu at Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill
The Montague on The Gardens
The Park Lane Hotel
The Savoy
The Ritz