A Tale As Old As Time | The Kensington

My love of Disney is no secret and Beauty and the Beast will always hold a special place in my heart. Last year on finding that The Kensington’s ‘A Tale as Old as Time’ was fully booked, I was gutted to think that I’d missed it, but thankfully I was presented with a second chance when the theme was extended due to high demand. The afternoon tea actually completed a long weekend city break in London, which was kicked off by Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s On The Run || tour. While the break was in its planning stages, Jamie and I heavily debated which hotel to stay in for our last two nights, and the moment we stepped foot in The Kensington, I regretted our decision. A beautiful and elegant location with impeccable service, the Kensington Hotel would have without a doubt been worth the slightly higher price tag than that of The Hilton, Kensington (which I wouldn’t recommend, but that’s another story).

The afternoon tea comprised of delicious Beauty and the Beast themed goodies, beginning with an extensive and unlimited tea menu accompanied by a three-piece canopy starter and followed by sandwiches and sweet treats. Although there’s only so much you can do with sandwiches, the food was delicious and the menu had been so intricately planned. We tucked into the grey stuff (it’s delicious), the last rose petal which was suspended in a palate cleansing jelly flecked with real gold, and a macaroon snowball inspired by one of my favourite scenes; the one in which Belle and the Beast realise they’ve fallen in love. Last but not least was my favourite feature; the Cogsworth biscuit, which was so intricate and almost too life-like to eat, but delicious once I did.

This particular afternoon tea sets you back at least £45.00 per person, with optional additions such as themed cocktails or prosecco incurring additional costs. In comparison, we’ve brunched at The Ivy for less and dined on lobster at The Wolseley for around the same price, so it’s definitely extravagant. Despite the initial ‘how much for a couple of sandwiches??’, the expense not only covers food, but also the impeccable service and the experience itself. The afternoon tea is tailored specifically to those who are fondly familiar with the tale as old as time and is a much more memorable experience than your average scone and tea pairing.

Our attendant was attentive. He was welcoming and more than happy to cater for Jamie’s recently developed gluten intolerance at very short notice, providing him with an alternative menu without hesitation. He also took his time explaining to us the relevance of every aspect of the menu and the unlimited nature of the sandwiches and tea and offered to take a picture without us even having to ask.

Although I believe that the Kensington is fully booked for this specific menu, I’m now a fully fledged fangirl, and look forward to keeping an eye out for future excuses to be their guest.