Access London recommends Summer Afternoon Tea @ The Savoy Hotel

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Today's post is about Access London's recommended Afternoon Tea for Summer 2011 at the stunning Savoy Hotel. The Savoy is located on The Strand, 5 minutes from Trafalgar Square and just down the road from Charing Cross Station. This luxurious 5* hotel recently underwent a massive renovation - there was even a mini-series documentary on this that was aired last year.

This excerpt from The Savoy's website really says it all, the hotel combines traditional Englishness with modern touches:
"A British icon since 1989, The Savoy has once again taken its place on the world stage after over a £100 million restoration. The hotel seemlessly blends elements of the original and the new while the stunning English Edwardian and Art Deco interiors sparkle with timeless elegance and glamour."

The hotel can be accessed via its main entrance on The Strand which has level access into its extravagant foyer. The welcome and greeting you are shown by the doormen and front of house staff is friendly, warm and makes you feel like you are entering somewhere very special!

To reach The Thames Foyer Room where Afternoon Tea is served requires using 2 lifts, unless you can manage stairs with the help of a handrail. The Savoy does have its own wheelchair that you can transfer into if you don't have your own. This is an old building that has done everything it can to adapt to the modern needs of its disabled guests. However, if you use a large mobility scooter, I would advise that you take up the offer to use The Savoy's house wheelchair. Manual and electric wheelchairs and small to medium sized scooters can easily negotiate the lifts.



A member of staff will stay with you the whole way on the lifts and through some very opulent rooms (take advantage of this little detour as you will see some very special rooms that you might not otherwise have seen if you simply walked down the stairs to tea!).

The Thames Foyer Room is spacious and elegant. There is lots of room in between tables to move wheelchairs and scooters around and they have not tried to cram as many tables in as possible as is sometimes the case in large hotels. The waiting staff in The Thames Foyer are as welcoming as they were in the Foyer and more than happy to offer any help that they can to make you and your party comfortable, in fact the service is some of the best I have seen.

Afternoon Tea itself is served between 2.30pm and 6.30pm. Guests have the choice of two different teas: the first is the more traditional afternoon tea with a wide selection of finger sandwiches (vegetarian options available), plain and fruit scones with cream and jam, beautifully crafted and colourful pastries and traditional cakes. There is a huge range of teas from all over the world that you can choose to accompany this. Be warned: do not eat anything before you go, it is a large tea and you will always be offered more when you finish one of the selections! The second option is more savoury and includes hot, savoury dishes in place of the sweet pastries and cakes.



For such a grand and iconic hotel, the Afternoon Tea at The Savoy is very reasonably priced at £40 per person. Another lovely touch is the house pianist that plays throughout and who sits in the middle of the large antique gazebo in the middle of the room, playing relaxing tunes.

The Savoy asks that you dress smartly casual for afternoon tea and advanced booking is definitely recommended. You can make a reservation or call to discuss your access and dietary needs on: 020 7420 2111 or email them at: savoy@fairmont.com

A tea recommended for all that will please the taste buds and will certainly leave you feeling full. Access London recommends Afternoon Tea at The Savoy for Summer 2011.



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