BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW
The building that is today known as the Ampersand Hotel has a unique and interesting history that stretches back to the late 19th century, when The Norfolk Hotel was opened there.
With only 80 rooms, The Norfolk Hotel was unique for the time not only for its size, but also for its luxury. Each of the rooms had different fittings and furniture, a lack of uniformity that was thought to give the establishment character. Most importantly, however, The Norfolk was known as a comfortable place to stay in Kensington, and was a very popular destination in the world-famous museum district of London.
The Ampersand Hotel keeps much of its heritage alive even today, with design inspiration coming directly from the many museums in the surrounding neighbourhoods. In addition, the hotel boasts an interesting collection of curiosities, and each of the rooms, have been designed according to five themes: botany, music, geometry, ornithology and astronomy. Truly, the Ampersand Hotel combines history and style for a unique experience in the heart of Kensington!
MORE ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE
With so many options for Afternoon Tea in London, it takes something extraordinary to make one stand out above the rest, but that is exactly what the boutique Ampersand Hotel in South Kensington has done. This exclusive experience for Lime&Tonic members gives you two-for-one access to the hotel's incredible Afternoon Tea in their Drawing Rooms, which form the luxurious heart of the hotel, with deep, comfortable sofas and armchairs, scarlet velvets, and kingfisher blues. The decor of the rooms combines contemporary French elegance and British tradition, inspired in part by the fantastic art galleries of the surrounding neighbourhoods. It is uniquely stylish setting to match the fantastic drinks and pastries you'll be enjoying.
The Ampersand Hotel uses only the finest ingredients and offers the best quality coffees and teas. The coffee selection includes a Honduras organic blend, which contains notes of wine gums, rose petals and caramel. The tea selection is equally impressive and includes the best organic green and black teas, as well as fantastic herbal infusions, like whole chamomile flowers, for a brew that is both delicious and calming. And of course, the French champagne speaks for itself! But the drinks are only half of this Afternoon Tea experience, as you'll also be enjoying pastries and scones from the renowned Pastry Chef Ji Sun Sin, who crafts unbelievable savouries and desserts for the hotel daily.
For those with an appetite, these treats will be the best part of this Afternoon Tea. You'll take your pick of two menus consisting of scones, sweets and savouries. The first offers four types of tartines: A savoury honey-glazed ham with sauce gribiche; a tangy coronation chicken; Goldstein smoked salmon with dill and cream cheese; and cheese with fruit chutney. The scones are also to-die-for, buttery and crumbly, according to Ji Sun Sin's recipe, and are served with jam and clotted cream. There are also three fantastic types of pastry: A decadent chocolate eclair, tangy lemon tart, opera cake, a fruity raspberry macaroon, and salted peanut Florentine. The second menu consists of gougères in the same variety of the first menu's tartines, along with scones. But this menu distinguishes itself with the pastries: A chocolate cupcake, raspberry macaroons, salted peanut Florentine, a creamy, refreshing mint mouse, and a tangy lemon profiterole.
After spending the first half of the day learning about the origin of the species at the Natural History Museum, studying art and design at the V&A, or finding out about the mechanics of flight at the Science Museum, there's no better way to relax than enjoying the cream of South Ken afternoon teas at the Ampersand hotel!
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