Destination Tea: Downton Abbey Tea at Waldorf Astoria, Atl, GA

Where: Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
Style:  Traditional elegance
Tea Selection:  6+ loose leaf teas by Republic of Tea and TEALEAVES
Teatimes:  Thursday to Saturday, 2 to 4; Sept. 7, 8, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21 – Downton Abbey Teas
Reservations: 24-hour notice
Contact: 404-995-7500
Cost:  $68 Afternoon Tea; $28 (ages 6 to 12)
Destination Tea Tips: The full price afternoon tea includes a glass of bubbly, and the price is reduced if you pass on the champagne. Bring cash for the valet. If you go during the September Downton Abbey dates (spots still available Sept. 14, 15, 19-21), go in period costume (1920s) to put yourself in the running for a spa gift certificate.

Prices and teatimes are subject to change. Please see our Atlanta afternoon tea directory for the latest details.

exterior Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, GA

Destination Tea Notes: What an affair! Whereas high-end hotel teas can sometimes underwhelm us with their afternoon tea service, our experience at the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead is quite the opposite. Plan to spoil yourself. If you’re dieting, mark your afternoon tea date down as your cheat day, because the teas, scones and desserts are excellent here, and you will not want to miss a one. To make the occasion even more memorable, we come in for the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead’s September Downton Abbey Tea (spots still available for Sept. 14, 15, 19-21). The hotel is celebrating the upcoming movie release with a special menu, Republic of Tea’s new line of Downton Abbey teas, prizes for best costume and passes to an advance screening of the movie for all guests. It feels like an elegant tea party, and there’s a sense of excitement as we pose for pictures in the style of Lady Mary or Lady Edith, and envision ourselves ladies taking tea a century past.

lobby for afternoon tea at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, GA — Black-and-white geometrically patterned flooring recalls the Art Deco style of the early 20th century, apropos for our Downton Abbey tea.

Rotunda where afternoon tea is served at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, GA — Afternoon tea is served in this quiet rotunda off the main lobby.

Secluded alcove for afternoon tea at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, GA — We are seated in a secluded alcove, perfect for an intimate afternoon tea conversation.

Dressing for Downton Abbey

At Downton Abbey Afternoon tea in costumer at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead — Several of the afternoon tea guests dressed in 1920s style, some in glamorous beaded, fringed evening wear and myself in country summer style.

Vintage-style shoes and hose at Downton Abbey afternoon tea at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, Ga — Shoe closeup! Pale blue hose offset these thrift-store finds that looks like the 1920s “one-strap”.

Costumed beauties at Downton Abbey afternoon tea at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, GA — Time for the costume contest! All the afternoon tea guests share compliments with the costumed guests as we take turns posing for pictures.

Lady Kim at afternoon tea at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead in Atlanta, GA — Congratulations Lady Kim! Looking just the part from her dress to her headpiece, she wins one of two prizes for a free massage or facial at the Waldorf spa.

Tea Service

afternoon tea at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, GA — We each choose one tea, and are welcome to switch them out as we like. I am so content with my richly flavored “Mrs. Patmore’s Pudding Tea” that I do not stray from it.

teas at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, GA — Teas here are served in a French press and classic white china.

Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets

scones and spreads at afternoon tea at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, GA — The freshly baked orange and apricot scones smell delightful, and are just the right size and softness. They are served with clotted cream, peach and strawberry jams.

tea sandwiches at afternoon tea at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, GA — The savories are all very good with a couple inventive additions to the traditional, including cucumber with apple and cream cheese on pumpernickel, smoked Scottish salmon with citrus crème fraîche on whole wheat, Waldorf chicken salad on buttermilk biscuit, sweet potato and goat cheese quiche and the outstanding deviled egg with truffle mayonaise.

dessert at afternoon tea at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, GA — I admit, we don’t save the best for last. We dive right into the extremely wonderful chocolate mud pie, followed by a mini peach cobbler…

tea cakes at afternoon tea at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, GA — …light and creamy mini Victoria sponge cake and deliciously spiced hummingbird cake.

Are You Going to A Downton Abbey Tea?

We are keeping a running list of Downton Abbey tea parties by state and date, as well as offering FREE PASSES to an advanced screening of the movie. Please let us know if there’s a Downton Abbey Tea we should know about, and have a wonderful time!

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