Celebrate Mother’s Day in style with this delectable selection of hotel afternoon teas

Lead image: Fingal Afternoon Tea

Fingal Hotel

Keen for the glamour of a superyacht mixed with old-world, art deco elegance? The new ‘Spring Afternoon Tea’ (£65 per person) on board this luxury floating hotel features sweet and savoury delicacies – all under the shimmering ceiling of The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar. Highlights include prawn toast with chive mayonnaise and sesame seeds; freshly prepared navette sandwiches; an almond financier, Yorkshire rhubarb and ginger ganache, as well as buttermilk scones with strawberry preserve and clotted cream. 

The Balmoral

Set beneath a spectacular glass dome and shimmering Venetian chandelier, Palm Court’s Afternoon Tea menu (priced at £67.50) showcases a seasonal selection of savoury bites such as pea and mint cheesecake, traditional finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with Balmoral jam, and sweet treats like the passion fruit and dark chocolate madeleine. Guests can also choose from a curated list of 88 premium loose-leaf teas. 

SUSHISAMBA at W Edinburgh

With views across Edinburgh’s skyline, SUSHISAMBA is a great celebration spot for a twist on the traditional afternoon tea. The restaurant’s champagne afternoon tea (from £75 per person) blends Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian flavours, with menu highlights that include an A5 wagyu tartare topped with arenkha caviar, yellowtail tetsu on crispy rice and a smooth rhubarb and custard parfait.

Fonab Castle

Afternoon tea at this five-star hotel has the added allure of a setting beside Loch Faskally. Just outside Pitlochry, the Highland Perthshire venue offers an indulgent experience (from £47.50) in fine dining style. Sample delicate finger sandwiches featuring smoked Scottish salmon and Ayrshire ham, alongside freshly baked scones and the chef’s artisan selection of patisseries. There’s also the option of a champagne or gin afternoon tea.

Kimpton Blythswood Square

Inspired by the blooms of Blythswood Gardens, this spring-focused afternoon tea (from £49 per person) features a selection of savoury bites – including coronation chicken on focaccia and a pea, courgette and mozzarella tartlet – along with an array of sweet treats. The miniature delights include a lemon, elderflower and almond tart, classic carrot cake and plain and apricot scones served with Scottish preserves and clotted cream. You can also add a visit to the hotel spa with a ‘Spa and Dine’ voucher.

The Register Club at The Edinburgh Grand

Enjoy a refined take on traditional afternoon tea at The Register Club, within the elegant surrounds of The Edinburgh Grand, a new Marriott Luxury Collection hotel. Guests can indulge in The Grand afternoon tea (£60 per person) with a selection of seasonal savouries, freshly baked scones, and handcrafted patisserie, with menu highlights including black haggis bon bon with horseradish cream, and dark chocolate and Scottish whisky fudge – all served with a curated range of fine teas.