Where: Washington, D.C. Style: Tudor manor Tea Selection: 9 sacheted loose leaf teas by Harney & Sons Teatimes: Daily, 2:30 to 5 Reservations: Required Contact: 202-638-5200 Cost: $25 The Royal Tea; $28 English Tea; $14 Scones and Tea
Prices and teatimes are subject to change. Please see our DC afternoon tea directory for the latest details.
Destination Tea Notes: Today’s Henley Park Hotel was originally upper-crust apartment homes built in 1918. If you are a regular reader of Destination Tea reviews, you’ll know we have a particular fondness for taking tea where tea was taken long ago. (Say that three times fast). However, Henley Park Hotel does not rest on its historically pedigreed laurels, but rather whips up a delicious afternoon tea menu at a remarkably reasonable price for a metropolitan venue. One might then expect dainty portions, but to the contrary, upon arrival the three-tiered stand is plated with sandwiches and scones aplenty, allowing our party second and third helpings. Service is attentive without being intrusive, all-together creating a quietly relaxing and scrumptious affair.
Entering Henley Park Hotel
Afternoon tea is served in the Front Parlor, a quiet room with salmon upholstered chairs and walls, leaded-glass windows, and cleverly placed mirrors to create a more spacious feel.
Imagining a tea party at this long table
The neighboring atrium of The Tavern — originally an open courtyard, now sheltered by skylights — is where lunch is served. Given the choice, we would prefer to take tea in this beautiful space under the sky.
Tea Service
We love Harney & Sons! Each guest chooses her own pot, and we mix it up to share around the table: Hot Cinnamon, Paris and Dragon Pearl Jasmine. I like the elegance of the china here, all creamy white with raised embellishments.
The girls’ favorite: Hot Cinnamon. For my Dragon Pearl Jasmine, the server graciously brings a second tea sachet to create a good tea-to-water ratio in my 3-cup pot.
We don’t find the thickly buttered salmon tea sandwich palatable, but do appreciate the thinly sliced breads of the tasty egg salad and cucumber sandwiches.
Cranberry scones are so yummy, and served up two-a-piece.
Jarred Dickinson’s preserves and large ramekins of clotted cream are offered for slathering on our warm scones.
Dessert includes a perfectly light mango cake, fruit tart and chocolate truffle. Just right!
We love comments! Destination Tea's comment policy shares a guiding principle with afternoon tea etiquette: please be gracious. We welcome honest comments that are not rude or scathing.
