Fairmont Hotels Hosting Afternoon Tea
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts will be holding its second annual Get Steeped with Fairmont programme this November. Expanded from a one-day celebration to a full month of festivi‘teas’, the 2012 programme is sure to impress with traditional afternoon tea services, fancy hat competitions, tea-infused cocktails and even a new, special tea blend.
Throughout the month of November, The Fairmont Hamilton Princess is hosting “The British Empire Classic Tea” featuring Eclipse tea, the first in a new series of commemorative Fairmont select tea blends. This flavourful and full-bodied organic luxury black tea pairs perfectly with the special menu, which includes finger sandwiches of Scottish smoked salmon, hens egg salad and herb cream cheese with English cucumber.
There also are a variety of pastries such as pumpkin and chocolate chip scones and Victoria sponge cupcakes, as well as other delectable sweets including Kirsch mousse with brandied cherries and pistachio almond macaroons. The price for this special afternoon tea is $34 per person plus gratuities. A special menu for children is also available.
In addition, The Fairmont Hamilton Princess will be complimenting its traditional service with a “Tipsy Tea” featuring infused cocktails. The mixologists at Heritage Court have chosen Bacardi rums with their unique tropical flavours to blend perfectly with the aromatic teas to create zesty tea-inspired cocktails.
The cocktails include Bacardi Berry Berry Tipsy featuring Arctic Grape flavoured rum and Berry Berry tea; Bacardi Peach Tea-Ser with Peach Red rum and Kea Lani Orange Pineapple tea; and Bacardi Delicious and Taste-Tea featuring Dragonberry flavoured rum and Peach Paradise tea. These Tipsy Tea cocktails will be featured in Heritage Court throughout the month of November. The price is $12 plus gratuities.
To kick off the Get Steeped celebrations, The Fairmont Southampton presents “Afternoon Tea by the Sea,” a four-course tea pairing at the Ocean Club terrace on November 4 from 2pm to 5pm. The experience will start off with fresh chocolate-covered strawberries and a sparkling glass of Veuve Clicquot followed by various Fairmont teas paired with finger sandwiches, French pastries and fresh scones. Pianist, Dylan Hollis, will provide the musical backdrop. Guests are encouraged to don their favourite tea time hat. The guest with the best hat will win a two-night stay at the hotel. The cost for Afternoon Tea by the Sea is $38 per person plus gratuities.
In addition, throughout the month of November, The Fairmont Southampton will offer a special afternoon tea menu in Jasmine Lounge, which includes a choice of Fairmont loose leaf tea, chocolate-covered strawberries, various French pastries, fresh scones and elegant sandwiches, such as Maine lobster sliders and Atlantic smoked salmon on pumpernickel for $38 per person plus gratuities. Children 12 and under can enjoy the Little Prince and Princess Tea with a choice of hot chocolate or Fairmont tea, fresh fruit cup, Victorian scone and jam, mini sandwiches and Chef Esther mini cupcakes and fruit tartlets for $23 per child plus gratuities.
Guests will be able to purchase Eclipse tea from the hotels and online at www.Fairmont.com/getsteeped. Available for a limited time, this unique-to-Fairmont black tea is flavourful and full-bodied, offering up a citrusy zest with hints of oak cask and caramel sweetness.
Hubby and I recently had the afternoon tea at Hamilton Princess and what a disappointment it was. The sandwiches were stale. The waiter rolled his eyes when we asked for butter and jam. Last not least, service was poor. It took us 20 mins to be seated even though my husband had made a reservation.
For $80 , it is not worth it.