The Peninsula Hotel | high tea edition
Last week, I finally got to experience something in Hong Kong that I’ve wanted to do since learning I was moving here in the first place, high tea at the Peninsula Hotel. You see, high tea at the Peninsula (Hong Kong’s oldest hotel) is renowned because it’s one of the few traditions that remains from the colonial period. On any given day, you can expect to wait in line for up to two hours to get a table. I learned this the hard way the first time I tried to have tea here. On the second occasion, I showed up 50 minutes prior to tea time (which is 2 p.m.) and was second in line. By the time I sat, the line was out the door. So, here’s a simple tip: get there early!
Upon arriving at the hotel, I was awe struck with the grandiose lobby and ceremonial nature of it all. A pianist played live music from a balcony overlooking the lobby, which is where tea is served. Inside, I was immediately drawn to the soaring columns with large ferns placed under each one. While my eyes continued to survey the room, I found myself truly taken aback when I looked up to the ceiling. Combining traditional skills with modern techniques, European craftsmen worked with the original blueprints from the Peninsulas early days to recreate the ceiling and elaborate details reminiscent to when the hotel first opened in 1928. Immediately, I felt like I was sitting at Ricks Café from the movie, Casablanca (Fun fact: we chose the song “As Time Goes By” as the final dance at our wedding).
So, let’s get down to the food and, you know, the tea. Like, the Upper House, the Peninsula Hotel offers a bevy of finger sandwiches and savory sweets and pastries with the accompaniment of Devonshire clotted cream and strawberry preserve. The only thing I was missing was the honey. I like my honey-soaked scones, people! I will say though, the finger sandwiches at the Peninsula were (in my opinion) tastier than the finger sandwiches at the Upper House, and there were less sweet options too, which I actually prefer. For the tea, I went with my usual, chamomile and lavender, while Mr. Dave opted for an organic blend.
High tea at the Peninsula Hotel is, although touristy, a must-do if you find yourself in Hong Kong and can stand the wait time. The ambiance, coupled with the service and food is enough to make me want to go back again. And I could stare at that ceiling all day. If you would like to learn more about the wonder and beauty of the Peninsula, check out this amazing video on their website. Seriously, it’s like a movie trailer.
Peninsula Hotel
Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui