Four London hotels win at 2016 Afternoon Tea Awards

The hotels, among dozens in London visited by judges ahead of the awards at Grosvenor House on 13 July, were announced as the winners of four categories.

Best Traditional Afternoon Tea was awarded to Claridge's, Best Contemporary Afternoon Tea went to The Mandarin Oriental, Best Themed Afternoon Tea to Sanderson London and Best Family Friendly Afternoon Tea to Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel. 

Keith Newton, managing director of Afternoontea.co.uk, the organiser of the awards said: "The standard was extremely high and in the end it came down to very small things." 

The awards presented by Great British Bake Off's youngest contestant Martha Collison, official tea advisor at Wimbledon, were used to launch Afternoon Tea Week, running from 8 to 14 August. 

Fourteen hotels and restaurants including The Langham, Conrad London St James, The Goring and The Dorchester were highly commended while 11 were commended.  

Venues with an afternoon tea offering are encouraged to promote their offering through the Afternoon Tea Week website for Afternoon Tea Week 

Newton said: “Afternoon Tea Week is a fantastic opportunity to generate additional business by creating a special afternoon tea menu, hosting an event, or offering a discount.”

Afternoon Tea Awards 2016:

• Best Traditional Afternoon Tea - Claridge's
• Best Contemporary Afternoon Tea - Mandarin Oriental, London
• Best Themed Afternoon Tea - The Sanderson London
• Best Family-friendly Afternoon Tea - Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel

Highly Commended: 

• The Langham London
• Fortnum & Mason
• Harrods, Georgian Restaurant
• Sketch
• The Milestone Hotel
• Brown's Hotel, Mayfair
• The Connaught
• The Goring
• Royal Garden Hotel
• Corinthia London
• The Dorchester
• Ting at Shangri-La Hotel, At the Shard
• The Lanesborough
• Conrad, St James

Commended: 

• The Landmark
• The Montague on the Gardens
• The Park Lane Hotel
• The Wellesley
• The Marylebone Hotel
• The Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel
• One Aldwych
• The Ritz
• The Royal Horseguards
• The Reubens at The Palace
• BB Afternoon Tea Bus Tour