Sunland C.
Yelp
Went for high tea.
The experience overall was fairly positive, but with some major issues in my opinion.
First of all, my party booked over a month in advance, but the arrangements they made for us was a bit sloppy. They tried to split up the party between a table and a lounge area. We we're the first party there, so we were baffled. Then they proceeded to allow smaller parties to be seated in areas that could easily have fit us and could have fit comfortably at the table they tried to put us on. When I confronted the manager about this poor lack of planning, she was like hey, I don't control this, I just serve. In the end they shoved a different shaped table between 2 other tables, which made it impossible for us to speak to the other end without yelling. To me, if a party is paying 60+ per person and books over a month in advance...plan better. It was sloppy and felt like they overbooked and crammed us in the back.
Now, once we settled in, I was more willing to give them a chance. While the workers did nothing to help our previous situation, their regular service was attentive and polite. The room and atmosphere was very lovely and there was no sense of rush.
They offered a recommendation of Darjeeling and St. Regis blend. It was assumed that each person got to choose 2 teas, but it was per party, so unfortunately, I did not get to try my choices.
They had a amuse of a cracker seated on butter with cheese and cream cheese and half a raspberry. It was ok. Then they brought out a selection of finger sandwiches. It... wasn't the best quality to be honest. I was most disappointed with the chicken salad, which tasted like a puree if non flavor. It kind of upset me to see how they substituted for dietary restrictions. One person asked for no beef or chicken, so they basically just gave her 3 salmon ones, which she did not eat.
They brought out the desserts and placed them down before the scones for some reason, telling us it was so we could view it...?
Scones we're pretty delicious, with honey and strawberry jam. the two whipped things? I thought was whipped cream... it was tasteless whipped butter?
I personally only liked the chocolate dessert if the trio. My friend raved about the fruit tart, but I wasn't a fan. The caramel topped one, didn't taste bad, but didn't seem a good fit with the filling.
The tea service part made it enjoyable. I drank soooo much tea. I preferred the Darjeeling and found the St. Regis blend a bit too fruity, but the servers came often to check on the tea needs.
I did not like that they did an auto service charge, but since I planned to give them 20% anyways, it was not a big deal for me.
Overall, it was a fun experience, but I felt like it was not worth the money. I feel the hotel cheaped out on some things and that no one really says anything because high tea is supposed to be fancy and focused on what looks nice rather than taste?