The Lanesborough named as London's Top Tea Place 2008

2nd April 2008

The UK Tea Council announced on Wednesday 2nd April 2008 that The Lanesborough has, for the second time, achieved the highest 'accolade' of the tea world by winning The Tea Guild's Top London Afternoon Tea 2008 Award.

The presentation of a specially commissioned vase designed by Adam Aaronson, one of the UK's leading glass artists, was made by William Gorman, Executive Chairman of The UK Tea Council to Ajaz Sheikh, Director of Food & Beverage at The Lanesborough.

This prestigious event is the ‘Michelin Star’ of the tea world and is a much sought after honour with most of London’s world famous London hotels competing for the title. Each year the judge’s task of choosing a winner becomes even more challenging as standards continue to reach new levels and this year’s London competition was no exception!

As a result, The UK Tea Council has awarded 9 special Awards of Excellence to;

  • Brown’s Hotel
  • Claridge’s
  • The Chesterfield
  • The Four Seasons
  • Grosvenor House
  • The Athenaeum
  • The Dorchester
  • The Goring
  • The Ritz

in recognition of their outstanding quality and consistently high standards in tea service.

Now in its 23rd year, The UK Tea Council’s team of Tea Guild inspectors have been searching the country to seek out the annual winners of the two ‘Top Tea’ awards. The Tea Guild’s team of expert tea inspectors have secretly taken tea in tearooms and hotels in London and across Britain in order to find the finest tea experience. The anonymous judges award points for the variety and excellence of the teas offered, together with excellent service, décor, ambience and presentation.

In London, Tea Guild members are busier than ever, serving tea and afternoon teas to even greater numbers of enthusiastic local and overseas visitors, and to the many business people who now like to conduct their meetings whilst enjoying afternoon tea. In addition, more and more families and groups of friends throughout the country are now taking time out to enjoy a ‘special afternoon tea get-together!’

Judges inspecting The Lanesborough were impressed by the exceptional service and the warm welcome guests receiving from the staff. The Afternoon Tea experience should be one of style, comfort and fun, and this coupled with The Lanesborough’s winning combination of elegant ambience, excellent variety of wonderful teas brewed and served with perfection, plus a delicious selection of food including the hotel’s ‘signature dish’ of lemon curd, left the judges in no doubt that Thev Lanesborough was the ultimate winner of The Tea Guild’s Top London Afternoon Tea 2008 Award.

Commenting on The Lanesborough winning The Tea Guild’s Top London Afternoon Tea 2008 Award, Irene Gorman, the Head of The Tea Guild said, “The buzz of this popular tearoom, coupled with its stylish chic setting and soft music, creates a warm and elegant ambience, thus providing the perfect setting for afternoon tea. The Lanesborough offers all this and more”

Irene added; ‘The Tea menu is amazing with a Tea Sommelier on hand to advise guests on their choice of teas according to their individual preferences and tastes. The friendly and enthusiastic staff are keen to ensure that everyone feels special and thoroughly enjoys their tea experience!’

The Lanesborough previously won The Tea Guild’s Top London Afternoon Tea Award in 2005.