From an immersive installation to an elegant, festive afternoon tea, luxury hotel, Pan Pacific London, is providing plenty of yuletide magic this Christmas.
It’s December, and that means one thing – the festive season is upon us. Whether that means splashing cash on stocking fillers, bedazzling homes with decorations, or counting down with a calendar of treats – ‘tis the time to be jolly, whether you like it or not. However, when queues are frightful, tinsel is an eye-sore, and you feel immediate regret after each square of sugar, you may be at a bit of a loss as to where to find that warm, Christmassy feeling this year. Sometimes, the feeling just doesn’t come naturally. But fear not, we have the perfect solution to get you into that fuzzy, festive spirit. Introducing, Pan Pacific London’s Kaleidoscope Afternoon Tea, the festive edition.
Sat proudly amongst the hustle and bustle of Spitalfields is Pan Pacific London, an elegant hotel which also happens to be home to one of the best afternoon teas London has to offer. Pan Pacific London’s Afternoon Tea is usually open from noon to 5pm seven days a week. However, this Christmas there is a new time slot available, and one we’d certainly recommend. From 6pm to 8pm on Monday evenings, you can experience a special twilight tea amongst the city’s twinkling lights.
Housed in the Orchid Lounge, the setting overlooks the immersive MOSAIC Christmas tree installation, designed by renowned and award-winning artist Arnaud Lapierre to the plaza for the season. Inside, the lounge has been transformed into a festive haven, bedecked in grand trees and elegant baubles.
Between the open fire alight in the room’s centre to the scent of pine from the trees that fill the corners, the lounge exudes a serene atmosphere, providing a much-needed escape from the crowds and chaos of Christmas in London.
Afternoon Tea has always been a much-loved English tradition. A few hours spent catching up and unwinding over delightful bites, aromatic teas, and sparkling wine. However, Executive Pastry Chef Francesco Mannino goes far beyond the ordinary with his very first collection to Pan Pacific London, the Kaleidoscope Afternoon Tea. Along with the traditional menu of delicious scones, elegant sandwiches, and candied treats, he has created four exquisite new patisseries, beautifully presented within bird cages on mirrored plates for a stunning play on light and reflection.
For those who seek a new afternoon tea experience, there is also a menu available called Kopi Tiam. Expect afternoon tea, but with a Singaporean twist. This unique menu can’t be found anywhere else in London and celebrates bao, dim sum, and choux.
They also offer entirely gluten-free and vegan menus comprised of Singaporean-inspired summer rolls as well as traditional hand-made pastries and scones. You can even bring the little ones, with a Little Kopi Tiam afternoon tea available for children. It’s truly an extraordinary festive experience tailored to all. And if you want to find the best vegan-friendly resorts where you can be sure to have plenty of good food options, then you may consider checking out The Vegan Travel Guide.
What’s more, each fantastic course can be served with a glass of world-renowned sparkling wine straight from the British vineyards, and what better way to get in the merry spirit than sipping on fizz beside a gloriously embellished Christmas tree?
As you can expect, the expertise of the staff here is second to none. After much humming and harring through the extensive menu of luxury teas from the Rare Tea Company, we decided to turn to our dedicated Tea Connoisseur to lead us towards the perfect choice to satisfy our particular tastes. From antioxidising white to loose leaf oolong, we were guided through the menu and finally settled on the caffeine-free Tisanes range (it was the evening, after all). We chose the Golden Lily Milk Oolong, known for its succulent, creamy texture and sweet notes. This was the perfect, deep finish to savour between courses.
In conclusion, with the jam-packed calendars and overwhelming hustle and bustle that fills the lead-up to Christmas, sometimes it can be difficult to stop and truly enjoy that merry, festive feeling. However, this year you can experience a blissful evening of refuge at the Pan Pacific London’s Orchid Lounge.
Grab your partner for a not-your-average date night or catch up with old friends over a luxurious teapot and twinkling lights. Take a breath, unwind, and allow yourself to truly indulge in the warm festive spirit this year at Pan Pacific London.
Location: 80 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7AB
For more information on Pan Pacific London and to make your booking, please visit: panpacificlondon.com | @panpacificlondon
