AD. This is a gifted experience but all views are my own.
There is something so elegant about going to afternoon tea with your loved ones. A chance for some indulgence at a gorgeous venue.
Last week was National Afternoon Tea Week. What a great excuse to have a luxury afternoon tea. I decided checking out the afternoon tea experience at The Connaught Hotel and Spa was a great idea.
Afternoon Tea was first thought up by The Duchess of Bedford, one of Queen Victoria’s ladies in waiting around 1840. Afternoon tea soon became fashionable amongst the high society. However, it was The Langham who popularised this tradition by being the first hotel to feature this ‘new meal’ on its menu when it was opened 1865.
The Connaught Hotel and Spa is one of the finest boutique hotels in Bournemouth offering an indulgence spa experience for all guests. The hotel is on Bournemouth’s West Cliff, which is just minutes from the beach and town centre. The hotel offers an afternoon tea for everyone not just hotel guests. So we went to visit the restaurant to sample their afternoon tea experience.
The afternoon tea is just £18 per person, which is created by their talented AA Rosette chefs. Do not worry as they cater for vegans, vegetarians and people who require gluten free with just 48 hours notice.
We booked ahead of time but we were so fortunate with the weather, it was a beautiful day and before our afternoon tea we had a walk along beach. If you are looking for a hotel in Bournemouth close to the beach I would definitely recommend this hotel. It was just a short walk to the sandy beach, beach huts and lots of ice-cream.
When we arrived there was plenty of parking and disabled parking clearly marked, which made our experience so much easier. We were greeted both at the lobby and restaurant and were able to chose the table next to the opened doors within the restaurant. It was such a beautiful restaurant with so much open space. I always like it when a restaurant give you plenty of privacy from other diners. The hotel is also wheelchair accessible and a variety of seating to suit every diner.
The staff in the hotel from the main lobby and restaurant were so friendly and polite. They were also willing to answer any questions or requests we made. The restaurant itself was clean and well decorated. They also had a fully stocked bar with their range of gins – which would be a definite winner for me with dinner. And of course we checked out their main menu and have already made plans to go back.
The afternoon tea was absolutely delicious, there was a selection of sandwiches, scones and other yummy sweet treats, all brought out on an afternoon tea stand! We each had clotted cream portion as well as some strawberry jam. Of course opted for cold drinks because it was 30 degrees outside of which they had an extensive selection including drinks on tap.
My favourites from the afternoon tea were the warm scones, macrons and the ham and tomato sandwiches! I have never had an afternoon tea where the scones were warm – so this was a really nice touch!
Unfortunately we were both too full to finish all of the sweet treats, so the waiter provided a cake box for us to take home any leftovers. So that evening we could enjoy our cakes with a cup of tea – once the temperature had cooled off.
If you are in the Bournemouth area or planning a visit to Bournemouth, definitely research The Connaught Hotel And Spa for your stay or even to book your own afternoon tea experience!
Make sure you check out their website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Have you had an afternoon tea before? Would you like to visit this hotel for an afternoon tea? I’d love to hear in the comments.
Wow, this place look so amazing. I’ve had before tea, afternoon and it was good, but not with the view like this.
Thank you for reading and commenting. It was a beautiful hotel.
So beautiful! The place looks very cozy and aesthetic 😀 I’ve never had afternoon tea before but it will be a nice experience when I visit Bournemouth one day 😀
Definitely check out this hotel for staying and the afternoon tea when you visit!
I love taking my mum out for afternoon tea, as it is always a lovely experience. I cannot believe such a delicious-looking afternoon only cost you £18 per person.
Thank you for sharing your experience. 😊
For my experience it is definitely worth £18! It was delicious!
This place is beautiful. Looks like a fun time. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
The ambience they put on is marvellous.
regarding your question, No, I wouldn’t come to visit this hotel, The geographical distance is very far. It might happen as if you sponsor my travel for that))
It is unfortunate it is too far. But if you ever travel to Bournemouth definitely check it out.
This looks lovely! My parents, partner and I went out for a luxurious afternoon tea last week actually it was a real nice treat. We were too full to finish all the sweet stuff as well but we got to take it home, thankfully!
It can be super filling can’t it! It is good you were able to take your treats home with you too! Thank you for reading and commenting Jenny x
NGL, I’m an anglophile is this sound like a literal dream lol. Adding this to my bucket list!
That’s great you are adding it to your bucket list. I hope you get to visit soon!
Wow! Not only does this place look absolutely amazing but the cream tea looks delicious. I’m so pleased you had a good time lovely. I’m going for afternoon tea with my grandparents in September, it’ll be my first time and I’m really looking forward to it. I hope it’s as good as yours. Thank you so much for sharing with us lovely! Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
Aww that’s lovely. I hope you enjoy your first afternoon tea. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Great post! This looks like such an amazing experience! As an American, an afternoon tea seems like such a dreamy experience and I would looooove to go somewhere exactly like this when the chance arises. Thank you for sharing!
I love afternoon tea. This one looks amazing and the day sounds lovely, with the sunshine and walk along the beach.
It was a wonderful day. Thank you for reading and commenting.
How cute! I’ve always wanted to do afternoon tea! So sad it’s not really a thing here in the US.
Oh really? That’s a shame! You could always have one at home 😀
I’ve thought of doing this some day, I even have a Pinterest board of ideas 😂
Definitely should!
I haven’t ever been to afternoon tea, it seems like an experience though, and I love teas! I love how the seating gave you much space away from other people, because well at least in the US it seems like in restaurant, cafes, etc you feel very smashed in with very little space in privacy. This hotel, would be far to visit, but if I had a change I would go there for afternoon tea, I really like that they have vegan options, and I like tomato sandwiches. Thanks for sharing!
Oh really? Yes I loved how much space everyone had, felt a lot more of a private experience. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Wow tea in the hotel sounds so inviting. Such a beautiful and
cozy place, lovely sweets too..
It was so pretty! X
I’m on a sugar-free diet right now. Why did you show me these scones, haha?
Sorry 😂. They were delicious though. Thank you for reading and commenting.
I love afternoon tea or even just cream tea. The food looks delicious!
Corinne x
It was so yummy. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Jamaica was under the British rule before 1962 and one of the things I guess we adopted from Britain was drinking tea.
“Bush Tea” is often the go to remedy for every GI issue. In my British accent ” The Food Explora in me would definitely like to go and have tea at the Connaught Hotel and Spa”. Those scones and sweet treats look delicious. Thanks for sharing your experience
Oh wow… what a lovely place for an afternoon tea. I must have an attention tea here if I travel to England again. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
I have definitely heard about it but never have experienced it. Thanks for sharing . A warm scone and a cup of tea in a relaxed atmosphere is definitely heaven.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
The hotel looks so nice and that’s awesome they offer vegetaian afternoon tea! The food looks delicious and I would love to have afternoon tea there!
Yeah they have something for everyone. Thank you for reading and commenting xx