Hanbury Manor - spa and afternoon tea - quite splendid!

Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club

Ware

Hertfordshire, England SG12 0SD

July 2014

From the moment I booked on the telephone explaining this was a present for my friend’s 50^th birthday, they couldn’t have been more charming and helpful, suggested the best time for booking treatments to fit in with tea,  explained the use of spa, choice of treatment, asked if we had any dietary requirements for afternoon  tea. They even explained about parking and suggested we come as early as we like as we could use the pool area and sun loungers a much as we wanted – even come earlier and have some breakfast or brunch.  

We were blessed by the fact that it must have been one of the hottest days of last summer, so we arrived about 10.30am,   were given our locker to use for the day and had a lovely brunch of Eggs Benedict  in the Oakes Grill on the terrace in the beautiful sunshine overlooking the lake.

Photo from Hotel website 

We then used the amazing pool and sun loungers on the grass for a few hours  - there was a supply of water and orange and lime squash to take outside (or herbal teas inside) or the waiters will come out to the sunbeds and offer you drinks – it felt like being by the pool in swanky beach resort !

The lockers were huge and in a lovely changing room with lovely fluffy towels, dressing gown and even towelling flip flops in the wood panelled changing rooms. The pool as you can see was stunning (we were lucky we had it practically to ourselves) and opened out onto the grassy lounge area.

Our treatments booked were short (we knew this it’s not a complaint) –30 minute massage for me , facial for the birthday girl but we were almost reluctant to leave that lovely pool area.

After our treatments we had to get dressed (lovely products in the changing room showers) and head for tea in the Oak Hall which was a beautiful oak panelled room .

The tea was quite delicious – fresh sandwiches , fresh tea brought several times, all served on beautiful crockery

Finger Sandwiches
Honey roast ham with wholegrain mustard on walnut
Smoked salmon and cream cheese cheese on granary
Egg and cress mayonnaise on white
Cucumber on basil
Warm raisin and plain scones from their bakery

Served with clotted cream and strawberry jam
Selection of pastries and treats
 

All was served with utter charm and best wishes for my friend’s birthday.

I have to say the staff were what made this day so special – really couldn’t fault their service or helpfulness.

The tea on its own is not a bad price for the lovely setting and service (£25) but with the spa treatment and use of pool etc it really was value for money for two and made for an amazing relaxing day.

Sorry I don’t have many photos – and pinched the ones of the pool and hall from the Hanbury Manor website http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/stngs-hanbury-manor-marriott-hotel-and-country-club/ as we went there before I’d decided to do this but I’ve used them because it really is that gorgeous there.

Would I recommend ? Absolutely yes – and will I be going back?

DEFINITELY !

Savoy Hotel - Thames Foyer Afternoon tea

Thames Foyer Afternoon Tea
September 2011
The Savoy Hotel, The Strand, London, WC2R 0EU

 
I have been here 3 times for Afternoon Tea and each time I'm impressed by the splendour, the service and food.

My husband and I are lucky enough to attend a Black Tie event every year here in the Lancaster Ball Room, and have had drinks many times in both the American Bar and the Beaufort Bar, which are all truly thrilling - but there is something so very special about The Savoy afternoon tea in the Thames Foyer - it really is my favourite.

Before it was closed and revamped in 2009, they used to offer a pre theatre afternoon tea which was quite a savoury affair with little vials of soup and savoury pastries as well as sandwiches and cakes - we loved this one ! (This has now been replaced with a "High Tea")

We also had a traditional afternoon tea on another occasion and enjoyed that just as much: it's expensive but it really is unlimited – they will bring you more sandwiches, more cake, more tea…

So we revisited September 2011 for Karen's birthday by which time I'd caught up with the idea of a camera phone and got photos although not much of the food (I do think in 2011 it was probably a bit weird taking pictures of food pre instagram! ) 

The choice of teas was great and they were more than happy to cater for the non mayonnaise eater with the sandwiches. The scones were delicious and as well as jam they also provided home made lemon curd which is so lovely on a warm scone. 

It was delightful – the Thames Foyer room is sumptuous, tinkly piano player playing show and jazz tunes that every so often breaks into a tasteful rendition of happy birthday or congratulations according to the occasion.

The waiting staff are so beautifully trained and helpful – they poured your tea then took the pot away so you had to attract someone to come and get your pot and re pour – although not a problem to get anyone – they are fabulous at spotting empty plates, cups, dropped pastry forks and napkins etc. 
I also love that they never make you feel like you need to leave – I was chatting to my nieces last week and they reminded me that when we went a few years back we were there for nearly 4 hours still eating ….

 
And the bathrooms... so worth a few visits. 
For a special occasion you really can't beat it. Dammit now I've written this I need to go back! 
Just watch this video to get a feel of it - nothing gimmicky just very traditional. 

So why am I doing this ?

My name is Mary, age 50 (ahem something) and I'm lucky enough to have a wonderful husband, two handsome strapping sons, 2 sisters, 2 brothers and 2 cats. I also have a 5 nieces (3 of whom are old enough to enjoy a tea too ) and  huge circle of girlfriends and now some their daughters  who love to go out and celebrate , and I love to help them ! 
My first afternoon tea was at the Ritz for my friends 50th in 2006 , and i must admit to thinking "HOW much for sandwiches and cake ?!!" but was totally hooked on the whole experience - (this is me beaming in the middle)

Since then I have been for so many afternoon teas that people are beginning to ask me where I would recommend, so I've had the idea that I should find a place (other than annoying people boasting about them on Facebook) for a while.

An Ex Primary School teacher, in my day job I now train adults and children on using all sorts of technology and software- and recently have been working on a project with some children in Camden on Blogging - and as I was talking to a group of them about the sorts of things you could blog about - your interests,  your passions etc one of them asked me if I had a blog - I said no rather sheepishly and another asked me what I would blog about if I did ... and I said ...well probably afternoon tea - all the children were fascinated and, gratifyingly so were all the adults in the room. 

So here it is . I'm going to start with the AMAZING tea I had at the Hotel Royale Cafe last week for my birthday, and i have 2 more booked in the next two weeks so have plenty to be going on with ! But I will be digging out old pictures too and writing about some of those too as I have time,

Hope you enjoy it - and do let me know if there's somewhere we should try - I'm sure it will be someone's birthday soon !!