The Blurb
I arrived at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel just before 2pm on Saturday, 30th November. The entrance was decorated with mini-Christmas trees nestled into bronze oblong plant pots. An extravagant Christmas wreath fixed above the doorway was a gentle reminder that the season to be jolly is in full swing. As I entered, to my surprise, hanging from the ceiling were many components resembling the inner mechanisms of a clock, with the main clock itself towering above my head. I thought this mini-installation was pretty cool. If I could take a wild guess, I imagine it was to pay homage to the building’s Art Nouveau Edwardian roots.
The Style
So, now I’m in the foyer. First impressions – very red, very rich, very Christmas. A 6-foot-tall Christmas tree decorated with the finest baubles and gift-wrapped presents tucked underneath the tree to give a real sense of home. I cannot forget to mention the lovely foyer receptionists who are on hand to assist the guests visiting the hotel. One of the lovely receptionists showed me to the Parlour, where my friend and I had our reservation for the Festive Afternoon Tea.
If I had to describe the Parlour with one word, it would be quintessential. Everything about the interior embraced vintage English luxury. Even the entrance to the Parlour was covered in lengthy dark cyan velvet drapes hung on an antique golden rod. A wooden stand was positioned just to the right of the entrance displaying the menus being served for the day. Opposite were sconces with candle-shaped bulbs inside. The warm lighting gave a cosy, intimate feel.
While seated and waiting for my friend to arrive, I took a moment to soak in my surroundings. A fine art mural inspired by a tropical setting covered all the walls, while real-life plants dotted along the windowsills added a touch of surrealism to the artwork. High wing chairs in upholstery and vintage leather; luxury cushions made from discharge screen printing effects and patchwork embroidery, added to the classic, sophisticated décor.
The Food
I am not a tea connoisseur—I like what I like. Nine times out of ten, my go-to tea is English Breakfast. That said, I’m always open to trying something new. The first tea I sampled was the Assam Breakfast. It had a bold flavour and was quite filling. My friend chose the Organic Yunnan White Peony, a white tea from Yunnan, China. Her verdict? “It has a very subtle taste. A good tea to drink if you’re parched and want something a little more exciting than water but not as heavy as a black tea.”
The first course of the Afternoon Tea was the savouries. Before diving in, it’s worth noting that both my friend and I have nut allergies, so the menu was slightly adjusted to accommodate our dietary requirements. First up was the Wild Mushroom and Rocket Quiche. It was very tasty—the mushroom wasn’t overpowering, there was a slight kick, and the buttery pastry paired beautifully with the filling.
Next came the Smoked Salmon, Caviar, and Horseradish Cream on malted bread. The salmon had just the right amount of salt and flavour, but the caviar fell flat—we couldn’t taste it. In our opinion, the sandwich would have been just as good without it.
The Turkey, Celeriac Remoulade, and Cranberry Sauce on brown bread was a festive highlight. Flavourful, filling, and perfectly suited to the season, this sandwich ticked all the boxes and did not disappoint.
Our fourth savoury, which seemed to be a substitution for our dietary needs, was Guacamole and Chopped Tomatoes on brown bread. The bread was soft, and the filling was undeniably fresh, but overall, the sandwich was uninspiring and lacked any festive flair.
Finally, we had the Egg Truffle Mayo and Chives on Pain de Mie, a soft and fluffy French bread. I’m not a fan of eggs in sandwiches, so I let my friend take the lead on this one. Her feedback? “It felt like scrambled eggs in a sandwich. The chives added a mild onion and garlic flavour but weren’t overpowering. I really enjoyed this sandwich.”
Next, we moved on to the sweet treats, accompanied by a second pot of tea. I opted for Ali Shan, a premium-grade Oolong tea from Taiwan. Its light, fruity, and floral notes were the perfect palate cleanser before dessert.
When it comes to Afternoon Tea, scones are non-negotiable, and I didn’t save the best for last. I sampled two varieties: a Spicy Gingerbread Scone and a Plain Scone. The gingerbread scone had a delightful kick, and the surprise bursts of currants in every bite elevated it further. Paired with clotted cream and blackberry jam, it was perfection. The plain scone was just as it should be – warm, soft, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Slathered with jam and cream, it was *chef’s kiss.*
The second dessert was the Black Forest Reindeer, a rich combination of dark chocolate mousse balanced with cherry flavour. It was a nostalgic nod to a classic Black Forest cake.
Lastly, we had a Mini Chocolate Cake. Unfortunately, this was a letdown. It was as stiff as a brick and as cold as an ice lolly, making it difficult to cut.
In A Nutshell
The Festive Afternoon Tea at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel was a charming experience, enhanced by the warm hospitality of our waitresses, Annamaria and Emma, who were both welcoming and attentive. The setting was elegant, with festive touches that perfectly captured the season, and the tea and food selection offered something for everyone.
The Details
Once a medieval palace housing Scottish royalty during visits to London, Great Scotland Yard in Westminster takes its name from this royal connection.
In the early 1800s until the late 19th century, it served as the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Force under Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel. The current Edwardian structure, built in the early 1900s, later became the British Army Recruitment Office and the Royal Military Police headquarters during both World Wars.
In 2019, this historic building was transformed into the 5-star hotel it is today…
The festive afternoon tea starts at £65 per person. Book via www.hyatt.com
The Great Scotland Yard Hotel, 3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London, England, United Kingdom, SW1A 2HN
02079254700
