St. James Hotel and Club is quintessentially English, private and bespoke and an English Afternoon Tea with someone special is a time to delight in the art of conversation and elegance.
If you think of Paris offering luxury couture for Ladies, London is absolutely about bespoke ateliers for Gentlemen. Of all London’s chic areas, I think St. James has the largest concentration of Royal Warrants and traditional English establishments offering style and excellence to guests.
St. James’s Hotel and Club
7-8 Park Place, St. James’s London, SW1A 1LS
+44 20 7316 1600
Where Are We
As you turn the corner from Green Park and walk down St. James Street you are in St. James, which houses some wonderful buildings and areas of urban peace. Particularly in summer, a perfect part of London where you can escape to a time that is a little slower, calmer and definitely more civilised.
The St. James Hotel and Club is home to 60 bedrooms and suites, many with spacious terraces, the restaurant, bar and beautifully designed, intimate events spaces. Dating from 1857, this luxury Victorian hotel and private members’ club lies in a grand townhouse on a quiet cul-de-sac.
Afternoon Tea in Mayfair
www.stjameshotelandclub.com/en/seven-park-place-bar-lounge/afternoon-tea
The history of afternoon tea dates back centuries and is closely linked to British tradition and culture,
You will be offered afternoon tea, traditional with a modern twist.
A choice of teas, Plain Scones with Clotted Cream and Strawberry jam, Lemon Ginger Cake, Venille Tart, Hazelnut financier with Frangelico, Choux with Chocolate & Cheeries and Apple Cinnamon Crumble.
Relax in a secluded part of St. James and enjoy these delicious delicacies prepared with love. For those in the mood for something sparkling, you can be served afternoon tea with fine Roederer Champagne.
A Royal story of Afternoon Delights
Anna Maria Russell, née Stanhope, Duchess of Bedford, a lifelong friend of Queen Victoria and lady-in-waiting between 1837 and 1841, introduced “afternoon tea” to society.
To bridge the time in the afternoon between a meagre lunch and a late dinner, the duchess introduced a light snack: a light meal with tea and small pastries or sandwiches. After a while, she began to invite her friends to join her. This newly formed ritual of gathering for tea quickly spread and became an established and sociable tradition in many noble households.
Even when Anna Maria Russell returned to her London residence, she continued this cherished habit. She sent invitations to her friends asking them to join her for “tea”. The news of Stanhope’s ritual reached Queen Victoria, who quickly became enthusiastic about the idea.
In the late 1840s, the royal household began to hold its own daily afternoon parties, which eventually became known as afternoon tea. In the diaries of Queen Victoria, afternoon tea is mentioned over 7,000 times, which underscores her fondness for this tradition.
Also in 1840, Charles Elme Francatelli, an Englishman of Italian descent, was appointed chef to Queen Victoria after previously being head chef at the London St. James’s Club. It is believed that he was also responsible for the delicious afternoon teas of the queen.
He recorded his authentic recipes in a cookbook, which was published in 1846 and also contains many references to Queen Victoria and German cuisine, due to the origin of her husband Prince Albert. After leaving his position at the royal court, he worked in various clubs in the St. James area and eventually became manager of the St. James’s Club, which was then located at the corner of Berkley Street and Piccadilly.
The St. James’s Club was later revived under the name “St. James’s Club and Hotel” with its location in Park Place – our present-day Althoff St. James’s Hotel & Club.
Private and secluded in Mayfair
With the flowers from Hayford and Rhodes as part of The Chelsea Flower Show in full bloom I went off to meet an old friend of mine. Founded in 1924, Hayford & Rhodes have gone on to become one of London’s finest florists with an extensive catalogue of clients including Kensington Palace, Harrods, Sketch and St Paul’s Cathedral.
I think there are generally four areas that make up an experience: ambiance, the service, the aesthetics and then the taste. Often I think the ambiance is the one that really makes the biggest difference. The feeling when you walk in the hotel is so calming. I was met by polite, calm and charming staff and that was my feeling throughout the afternoon. From this respect I really did feel it offered something a little different and a perfect place to meet a friend and enjoy some privacy.
I was brought up with Afternoon Tea
I was brought up with the concept of afternoon tea, with a mother that would have certainly been a fan of the television programme Bake-Off. I always enjoy seeing patisserie with some imagination and was not disappointed by our board game inspired creations. Personally, I prefer my afternoon tea presentation in more of a classic white porcelain and linen cloth.
Before I left I poked my head into the Francatteli Restaurant in the hotel. Certainly, looks intimate and stylish which concurs with my overall feeling.
Celebrate the richness of Britain as renowned chef William Drabble partners with local suppliers, echoing the culinary legacy of Charles Elmé Francatelli. Inspired by Francatelli’s iconic 1846 cookbook, the new restaurant at the St. James’s Hotel & Club unveils modern interpretations of 19th-century dishes.
It was lovely to reacquaint myself with central London’s hidden luxury hotels. I adore personally being in spaces where one can unwind and be looked after in an air of civility. A perfect choice.
