Afternoon tea is a wonderful way to enjoy the Christmas spirit and I can’t imagine anywhere more romantic and cosy than Dukes Hotel in St James. Indulgent but sophisticated, this beautiful spread is presented in the PJ (Perrier Jouet) Lounge. Sit in the beautiful pink and green chairs and admire the plentiful bottles of champagne that surround you.

I have already tried the refined and delicious menu at the Dukes Thirty Six restaurant, and I was delighted to be returning for this special festive afternoon tea. The hotel sparkles with decoration and is an inviting venue especially in the chilly weather. After a day of Christmas shopping it is the ideal treat.

The Dukes Afternoon Tea is available from 1st – 31st December and includes:

Sandwiches: Smoked Salmon, cream cheese & cucumber, turkey & cranberry mayonnaise and roast ham & tomato.

Fresh Scones, tea cakes, madeleines and fruit cake with strawberry jam and clotted cream.

Cakes: lemon meringue pie, chocolate brownie, plum pannacotta and chocolate eclairs.

A tea of your choice, and, of course a glass of Perrier Jouet champagne

All for £35 a person

I was very impressed with the freshness of every part of the Dukes tea. I find sandwiches are often a touch stale but these were delicious and soft with premium fillings. The scones were warm and smelt divine, just out of the oven I imagine. The picture perfect cakes were super sweet and I could only manage a few mouthfuls, I wished I could have taken them home and saved them for later, because it was all too delicious to leave.

The chilled glass of champagne was a refreshing and luxurious addition to the tea and my fresh mint infusion was soothing. Warm and comfortable, I could have stayed at the hotel all day.

Dukes Hotel may be small but it is just as special as the grandest hotels in London, and this festive afternoon tea proves it as a lovely venue, especially at this time of year.

More information here.

http://www.dukeshotel.com/christmas-afternoon-tea.php