J T.
Yelp
We had terrible service at The Ritz. They kept us to-ing and fro-ing for half an hour about our reservation before taking us to the bar to wait, then realising we had a young person with us, telling us that actually we couldn't wait in the bar and should instead stand and wait in the lobby area. For the amount of money being spent on this day, the mishandling by staff really sucked the joy out of it. Of course I have to give it two stars because the interior room is beautiful and the food/drink is of a high standard. But if you are looking for a traditional English, genteel experience of afternoon tea that this establishment was once famed for, look elsewhere. The high standards once maintained at The Ritz are no longer, owing to the influx of foreign, poorly trained staff.
For a similar price and the sort of experience one might have hoped for at the Ritz, I would recommend The Savoy any day of the week. The Waldorf in Aldwych is less expensive but still a beautiful experience where staff cannot do enough for you. However, in my opinion, the best afternoon tea in the UK can be found at Betty's Tea Rooms in Harrogate - well worth the visit to Yorkshire if you're travelling from abroad or just want a lovely day out.