BOSTON – MAY 5, 2008 – The Langham, Boston is pleased to announce that on June 10, Langham hotels around the world will pay homage to a quintessentially British institution – the afternoon tea – by turning back the clocks to 1865. On the anniversary of the original opening of Europe’s first grand hotel, The Langham, Boston will serve afternoon tea for its original price in 1865, one shilling, six pence, which is equivalent to 15 cents.
On Tuesday, June 10, The Langham, Boston will serve afternoon tea at 3:00 p.m. with some special additions. Step back in time with elegant white-glove tea service while enjoying orange scented cranberry almond scones, house smoked maple cured salmon sandwiches, and chocolate dipped strawberries. The afternoon tea features a selection of 12 teas including Blue Lavender, Orange Pekoe, Darjeeling, and Organic Green. Special guest, John Harney, from Harney and Sons, The Langham’s tea purveyor, will be available to answer questions about tea.
"In a world where we focus on quick-serve coffee with our heads buried in laptops, The Langham is taking a step back in time to captivate the senses, restore the art of conversation and indulge in a timeless tradition which is about friends coming together for a genteel afternoon ritual," said Brett Butcher, senior vice president, sales and marketing for Langham Hotels International. "Langham Hotels International is pleased to celebrate our anniversary by sharing in this legendary tradition with our guests," he continued.
The luxurious ritual of afternoon tea was established in 1840 by Anna, 7th Duchess of Bedford, who served it to ward off hunger pangs in the long hours between lunch and dinner. Her personal indulgence grew into an experience to be shared with her friends, and soon a tradition was born.
Acknowledged as one of the most elegant and sophisticated of dining occasions, the first afternoon tea at The Langham, London was served in the Salle À Manger, or general dining room, for the princely sum of one shilling, six pence. Billed as Teas, Plain – the first afternoon tea consisted of simple but dainty items including cakes, sweets, bread and butter and, of course, tea.
Langham Hotels International is thrilled to celebrate the anniversary of its flagship hotel in London and looks forward to sharing the timeless tradition of afternoon tea with guests around the world. Langham hotels in Auckland, Boston, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne and Pasadena, California will participate in this anniversary tea celebration.
Advance reservations are required, as the tea is expected to sell out quickly at The Langham, Boston. For reservations, please call 617.451.1900, extension 7125.
About The Langham, Boston: This elegant property, once the Federal Reserve Bank, is a national architectural landmark. An ideal downtown location, the hotel offers a unique blend of historic charm and urban sophistication next to the finest shopping and attractions including: Faneuil Hall, Boston Common, the Freedom Trail, the Theater District and the waterfront. The hotel’s award-winning restaurant, Café Fleuri, offers a brasserie-style restaurant enhanced by lofty atrium ceilings. The hotel is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and has won AAA’s Four-Diamond award. For information on The Langham, Boston, please visit: http://boston.langhamhotels.com
About Langham Hotels International: Langham Hotels International is the subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based Great Eagle Holdings, spearheaded by Dr. KS Lo, who is also the Chairman and Managing Director of Great Eagle Holdings. Spanning four continents, the group currently features 12 properties either open or under construction, with over 5,000 rooms in 11 cities, namely, Auckland, Beijing, Boston, Chang Chun, Hong Kong, Koh Lanta, London, Melbourne, Pasadena, Shanghai and Toronto. |
