Looking to pour a bit of magic into your next meeting? Jettison the martini glass. Bid adieu to the Champagne flute. There’s a new beverage toasting the town that’s been spot-on for centuries. Say hello to a royal favorite: tea.
“Tea has been trending in recent years due to its numerous health benefits. In addition, the act of drinking tea can be a calming ritual, providing a moment of mindfulness in our busy lives. It promotes a sense of relaxation and well-being, aligning with the growing interest in self-care and mental health,” says Andrea Locorini, assistant director of marketing at Perry Lane Hotel in Savannah, Ga. “Tea traditions span across many cultures, and the renewed interest in global cuisine and cultural exchange makes tea an appealing choice."
There are many creative options when it comes to adding tea experiences to your meeting to build camaraderie, promote mindfulness, and add a touch of elegance and fun. We curated 11 teatimes to consider for your next meeting or event...
Tea on the Terrace at The Stafford London | London, U.K.
The decadent afternoon tea at The Stafford London takes guests on a journey around historic St. James’s and its secluded streets. Dainty finger sandwiches and homemade sweet and savory scones and pastries are inspired by some of the neighborhood's oldest boutiques, like Lock & Co., known for being the oldest hat shop in the world. The Stafford London enhances any group event or business meeting break with a variety of stunning private spaces groups can rent out for their authentic afternoon tea experience like The Stafford Park Suite’s terrace that provides sweeping views of London.
Photo: Courtesy of The Stafford London
Art Tea at The Merrion | Dublin, Ireland
The Merrion in Dublin offers an incredibly lavish Art Tea where the pastry chef creates decadent desserts inspired by 19th- and 20th-century artworks from Irish and British artists, including J.B. Yeats, William Scott, and Louis le Brocquy. The tea is inspired by its setting, as The Merrion boasts the largest collection of private art in Ireland outside of the National Gallery, which is on display throughout the hotel.
Photo: Courtesy of The Merrion
Tea-Making at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel | Peru
Located in an intimate Andean village with terraced hills, waterfalls, stone pathways, and whitewashed adobe casitas tucked away in the cloud forest, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel offers a twist on the classic afternoon tea. Groups can take part in the tea-making process—picking fresh tea leaves, pressing them over wooden blocks, and finally sealing their tea bag—at the property’s organic tea plantation and teahouse. “From our beginnings, one of our main resources has been the tea that grows at our hotel because we carry out the entire traditional tea-making process ourselves, from growing to harvest to drying and finally to packaging in tea bags, which we then offer at our special teatime,” says Caroline Pando, marketing coordinator for Inkaterra Hotels.
Photo: Courtesy of Inkaterra Hotels
Untraditional QTea High Tea at QT Sydney | Sydney, Australia
Your team will adore the indulgent QTea High Tea. QT Sydney’s response to a traditional high tea, QTea is an elevated experience that's lusciously laid out for bold leisure lovers, lavish loungers, and avant-garde gustos alike. Pâtissier Adriano Zumbo has masterfully curated a collection of culinary curiosities meant to ruin a typical high tea for you forever.
Photo: Courtesy of QT Sydney
Cabana Tipsy Tea Party at La Concha Resort | San Juan, Puerto Rico
La Concha Resort unveiled a new Cabana Tipsy Tea Party package. Putting a spin on traditional afternoon tea and drawing from the resort’s tropical atmosphere and sun-kissed setting, the Cabana Tipsy Tea Party offers groups an afternoon tea experience to remember, including a
private oceanfront cabana at Sereno; sparkling tea signature cocktails upon arrival; a variety of flavor-infused teas and botanical cocktails and/or mocktails; and assorted treats such as seasonal fruit, petite desserts, and freshly baked pastries for the ultimate teatime experience in paradise.
private oceanfront cabana at Sereno; sparkling tea signature cocktails upon arrival; a variety of flavor-infused teas and botanical cocktails and/or mocktails; and assorted treats such as seasonal fruit, petite desserts, and freshly baked pastries for the ultimate teatime experience in paradise.
Photo: Courtesy of La Concha Resort
Private Tea Experience at Perry Lane Hotel | Savannah, Ga.
Team members will delight in private teatime at Perry Lane. “Incorporating the Perry Lane Private Tea Experience into a meeting or event can provide a unique, immersive cultural activity that fosters interaction and networking," Locorini says. "The sharing of tea and the accompaniment of light bites encourages conversation and collaboration in a relaxed setting. It also serves as a break from a typical meeting format, which can reinvigorate participants and stimulate creativity and innovation.”
Photo: Courtesy of Perry Lane Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Tea-Blending Bar at Inn at Hastings Park | Lexington, Mass.
The Boston area's only Relais & Châteaux boutique hotel, Inn at Hastings Park, hosts private tea gatherings for groups. Tea master and J’enwey Tea owner Lisa Marie Gennawey can be on hand to create a customized tea-blending bar featuring an array of loose-leaf tea offerings from the J'enwey Tea Co. collection. Guests will learn about history, flavor profiles, places of origin, and health benefits as they create their unique blends with Gennawey. Signature tea-infused cocktails can also be incorporated into this experience.
Photo: Courtesy of Relais & Châteaux
Royal Tea Party at Waldorf Astoria Orlando | Orlando, Fla.
Groups interested in experiencing Waldorf Astoria Orlando's Royal Tea can book this offering to take place in the newly reimagined Bull & Bear, the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, which will be completed this fall, as well as other locations throughout the property. Tailor the experience to include finely prepared tea sandwiches, housemade sweets, and premium hot tea blends. Elevate the elegance with a live pianist, and add a glass of Champagne for a true royal-"tea" experience.
Photo: Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Library Teapot at Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale | Paradise Valley, Ariz.
Step into Mountain Shadows’ Library Teapot post-event for book flipping and tea sipping. The Library Teapot is rolling into its Living Room, a cozy space at the resort’s signature restaurant, Hearth ’61, full of design-focused books. Overlook gorgeous views of Camelback Mountain while siping a hot Royal Tea with Teaspressa’s Charles Grey tea, London Fog sugar cube, and blue daisy petals with the option to add milk.
Photo: Courtesy of Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale
Guided Trek and Private Tea Ceremony at Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection | Telluride, Colo.
At Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection, reconnect with nature and yourself in this once-in-a-lifetime experience: a guided trek and private tea ceremony in the picturesque mountains of Telluride led by Colin Hudon, the founder and owner of Living Tea and Mountain Gate Teahouse in downtown Telluride. Discover the beauty of the box canyon and an incredible vista where you'll spend time in meditative tranquility, celebrating nature and the profound sacredness of everyday activities like drinking tea.
Photo: Courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection
High Tea on Level 36 at Shangri-La Sydney | Sydney, Australia
Shangri-La Sydney invites groups to indulge in a decadently delicious high tea featuring spectacular harbor views of Sydney Harbor Bridge and Sydney Opera House. During High Tea on Level 36, guests can opt for their choice of specialty Australian sparkling wine or nonalcoholic beverages accompanied by sweet or savory delights of their choosing. With three tempting tiers, groups can savor showstopping desserts and savory morsels; joined by views of the city, the encompassed experience is sure to heighten creativity and productivity, making for the perfect venue for groups and meetings.
Photo: Courtesy of Shangri-La Sydney
