The Empress Fairmont Hotel, 721 Government Street, Victoria, British Columbia

Afternoon tea overlooking the beautiful harbour!

An institution in Victoria BC, "The Empress" one of the many impressive Fairmont hotels is well known for their high tea.

At the higher price end of the high tea scale the menu is sumptuous and a first for me the fresh strawberries and cream as a starter.

Then the traditional three tiered stand with sandwiches, scones, jam, cream and excellent cake selection.  There is a small selection of teas, unfortunately, this did not include a green tea and found when paying the bill an extra $30 had been added for the privilege for the two of us. ugh.

The service was attentive and expedient despite being very well patronised. The waiter looked smart and extremely knowledgeable when questioned on various aspects of the hotel.  I would still like to see a white linen table cloth to finish off the lovely setting.

If the Empress is on your bucket list, I'm sure you will enjoy the experience.

M/S Amsterdam, La Fontaine Dining Room, Holland America Line, Alaskan Cruise, North America

Wonderful scenery included with afternoon tea!

For a high tea lover, the afternoon teas offered on the Amsterdam Alaskan cruise were one of the highlights of the cruising day (along with happy hour)!

A couple of stand outs were the Indonesian Crew High Tea and the Royal Dutch High Tea.



The lovely Indonesian crew happily serve teas and coffees sourced from Indonesia along with delicious and colourful treats.  My choice was the Indonesian Jasmine fine green tea.  The traditional scones, jam and cream were also offered and I found all most tasty.

The Royal Dutch High Tea presented as a smorgasbord was quite the indulgence. Many guests partook in this lavish afternoon tea. There were literally trays upon trays of beautifully presented afternoon tea delights.

If you ever get the opportunity to cruise with Holland America, I truly hope you love the afternoon teas offered.  The crew are very professional in all they do.  Excellent job...

Biku, Jalan Raya Petitenget No. 888, Kerobokan, Bali

"Mystical High Tea in Bali"

As many travellers love Bali, three of our High Tea Bali loving inspectors decided to try Biku high tea with a tarot reading.

They had a wonderful time in the traditional Balinese setting with English touches. Also impressive, the Royal Albert tea set and a well stocked quaint gift shop.  The variety of cakes and teas offered were all served by the attentive, friendly staff including the biggest ever pavlova reported.

The tarot reading enjoyed by two of the inspectors were "quite near the truth". A must book ahead for tarot readings is required if your planning this extra with your high tea.

Next time you visit Bali our inspectors recommend a visit to Biku for Mystical High Tea.  Enjoy!

Raffles, Tiffin Room, 1 Beach Road, Singapore

"The icon in Singapore"

High Tea at the Raffles, what a wonderful christmas gift from one High Tea Inspector to another.  This experience was on the "high tea bucket list".

Three of us arrived just before the 3pm reservation along with many other tea lovers.  We were shown to our table and offered tea or coffee (no menu for teas). The waiter looked a little perplexed when I asked for green tea.  A three tiered stand arrived with one plate of assorted finger sandwiches and two plates with cakes and tartlets, and awhile later, the pots of tea.

The waiter informed us there was a buffet in the next room.  Our table was along way from the buffet, right next to the coffee station, so not an ideal location and disappointing considering the booking was made before christmas.  I find buffet for afternoon tea interrupts the flow of conversation and prefer to have table service.  The buffet offerings looked impressive and I'm sure very well patronised.  I would suggest if planning a visit to request a table closer to the buffet and don't plan on eating dinner, if this is your pleasure.

The expectation of High Tea at the Raffles was a little soured when after stepping out of the taxi at the main entrance, to be directed around the side to the Tiffin room as only guests can enter through the main doors (even though the Tiffin room is directly left through the main door)- I found this a little precious.

The Tiffin room has a lovely ambiance, even with full capacity it seem reasonably quiet and the Harpist was "the cherry" touch.

We can now check off the Raffles high tea from our "bucket list" and wonder how high tea at the Raffles has changed over the past 115 years.