The Hotel Windsor

The Hotel Windsor is something of a throwback to a previous era. Built in 1883, the 180-bedroom luxury hotel is home to a grand and lavish dining room, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, but most notably, traditional afternoon tea.

Enter the hotel foyer and continue into the dining room where afternoon tea is served daily – as in the 19th century – with finger sandwiches; housemade scones with jam and cream; and sweet cakes and pastries including macarons, millefeuilles and rich chocolate gateaux.

It feels like a special occasion, and maybe it is. Everything comes laid out on glistening three-tiered silver stands. A pot of the signature Windsor Blend tea is a most pleasant accompaniment to a cream lathered scone or cucumber sandwich.

Bar a few touch-ups here and there, the hotel has hardly been altered in over a century. Preserving the Victorian architecture of the building, the dining room interior has a classical, ornate fit-out with chandeliers hanging above white-clothed tables. In the centre of the room, a large wooden bar contains crockery and crystal glassware.

Like any truly high class establishment, opening hours can be negotiated on booking, as are vegetarian and gluten-free options.