Tea at The Dorchester

To sum The Dorchester up as classy would be the understatement of the century. It's simply drowning in opulence and so much grandeur that you won't know where to look next. Apart from service of the highest of standards throughout the entire hotel, some real elegant treats await you in one of the two tea rooms, the highlight being The Promenade.

It's the length of Nelson's Column and there are comfortable seating areas lining the gangway right to the end where a stylish bar stands like a throne. The whole room looks almost exotic with the wash of oranges and olive green sofas, and the palm leaves only add to this. But the cream ceilings and ornate wall decorations calm the whole place down with their soothing tones.

As you look over the menu you'll notice it's about as vast as The Promenade itself. Teas - obviously - overflow with choice, as do cakes, finger sandwiches and pastries of all tastes, shapes, and sizes. Some set menus, like the Laurent-Perrier Rose Afternoon Tea, come with a glass of chilled champagne to go with your traditional Cornish clotted cream and jam scones (additional glasses of Rose are £19.50, whereas other additional champagne glasses are £14).

As far as the savory food goes, smoked salmon, chicken and mustard mayo, cucumber and cheese, and egg mayo are among the available fillings for the bite-sized sandwiches. There's also the High Tea menu which comes with even more variety in the form of a veal burger, potted shrimps, or an onion and cheese quiche for the vegetarians.

So for a day where you will hardly have to lift a finger, be pampered and generally treated like royalty, check out The Dorchester's Promenade - you'll definitely be the envy of all your friends.

Tea Times: Served in The Promenade and in The Spatisserie daily at: 1.15pm, 2.30pm, 3.15pm, 4.45pm and 5.15pm.