If you haven’t indulged and enjoyed the pleasures of Afternoon Tea, this is one experience you must surely add to your list of things to see and do.  Originated by the Duchess of Bedford during the 19th Century in an effort to preempt what today we call “low blood sugar”, she enjoyed light sandwiches, buttered breads and little cakes in the afternoon.  A boost in her vitality came with the infusion of carbs that would elevate her spirits during that part of the day when they tended to slump.  Along with these goodies a pot of one of the many delicious hot teas that came from the far reaches of the British Empire would be served with a splash of milk because it was discovered that when the boiling tea scalds the milk a whole new array of flavors are released, adding yet another pleasurable dimension to the equation.   The tradition of Afternoon Tea is still celebrated around the world much the same as the Duchess of Bedford enjoyed it, with one of the truly special venues for Afternoon Tea  being the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia. 

Located just across the street from the manicured Inner Harbor of James Bay at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, the Fairmont Empress Hotel (www.fairmont.com/empress ) has been serving Afternoon Tea just as the Duchess enjoyed, since this magnificent hotel opened its doors in 1908.   In fact the Fairmont Empress serves more guests Afternoon Tea than anywhere else, even more than any hotel in London, England, a fact that simply underscores just how English this “once upon a time” colony still is.  It is all of this together that lends a huge amount of charm to the experience of enjoying Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress. 

Served in the Tea Lobby as well as in the Library (with its Sistine Chapel like hand painted ceiling), Afternoon Tea when first offered here back in 1908 cost one dollar.  Today the experience that requires a reservation and smart casual attire costs about sixty dollars.  The ambience is delightful, the process elegant and the fare excellent.  Pastry Chef D’Oyen Christie is responsible for the pastry shop that creates the raisin scones that are served with thick cream and strawberry preserves; his much lauded chocolate hazel raspberry cake; glazed berries; choux pastries (filled with green tea white chocolate cream); sour cherry almond pound cakes and traditional shortbread cookies.  Today the tea served is a house blend called the Tea at the Empress that is a collage of Assam, Kenya, South India, Ceylon and China teas. A small tin of tea is given to each guest at the end of the experience. More than 115,000 guests are served Tea each year at the Fairmont Empress.   

Across the decades the list of celebrities who have enjoyed Afternoon Tea at the Empress reads like a list of “who’s who” in the world.  Among the litany of notables have been Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and Prince Edward who enjoyed tea here as recently as 2004.  King George VI enjoyed the same experience in 1939.  Barbara Streisand, John Wayne, Katherine Hepburn, Bob Hope, John Travolta, Shirley Temple and Ginger Rogers are among the other notables that line the list of celebrated guests.  And for those who enjoy a purely historic perspective the Fairmont Empress has hosted as a guest in one of its elegant suites none other than Rudyard Kipling. Say what? That’s right, Rudyard Kipling. Photos of many of these individuals dress the walls of the hotel’s public areas.

Daily seating begins at noon and reservations are held for no longer than ten minutes after the scheduled reservation time.  When making reservations it is suggested you do so one to two weeks in advance of your visit to Victoria www.tourismvictoria.com) in order to be guaranteed one of the coveted spots in the Empress’ Library or Tea Lobby.  The telephone number for reservations is (250) 389-2727.  It’s guaranteed you will not be disappointed. 

Happy Traveling!