The 2026 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America® Afternoon Tea Experiences List is Announced
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For travelers who plan their getaways around memorable dining experiences and authentic settings, Afternoon Tea at a historic hotel deserves a place on the itinerary.
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Historic Hotels of America®, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest historic hotels across America, is pleased to announce the 2026 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America Afternoon Tea Experiences list (photos). From a Gilded Age domed atrium to a lakeside veranda, these 25 hotels invite heritage travelers to sip, savor, and step into a Victorian tradition that is still being preserved and revived across the United States: Afternoon Tea.
Afternoon Tea has long symbolized hospitality, warmth, sustenance, and comfort, and it is as much a social gathering as a moment to pause and reflect on the day. While the customs of tea ceremonies date back millennia around the world, Afternoon Tea—a meal served in the mid-afternoon with tea or sparkling wine—is traced to the English aristocrat Anna Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford and Queen Victoria’s Lady of the Bedchamber. Her household served dinner fashionably late, at 8 p.m., and the Duchess, regularly hungry in the mid-afternoon, did not want to wait so long between luncheon and supper, so she instituted a new meal. Her “Afternoon Tea” was quickly adopted by women of means during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time when social and cultural mores were rapidly changing for many women. The pursuit of leisure activities away from one’s home became socially acceptable, even fashionable. The movement for women’s suffrage in England and the United States grew over sandwiches and tea at tearooms or friends’ homes, and tea filled the void for Americans wanting to socialize over a drink during Prohibition. Today, the 25 hotels on this list offer visitors the chance to indulge in Afternoon Tea within meticulously restored and preserved historic settings.
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The 2026 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America Afternoon Tea Experiences, listed in order of the date the historic building was established:
Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa (1806) Bedford, Pennsylvania
Established in 1806 around the famed mineral springs of Bedford County, Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa in Bedford, Pennsylvania, has welcomed generations of travelers seeking relaxation, restoration, and refined hospitality. Afternoon Tea continues that tradition through its distinctive First Ladies Tea, served in the historic Crystal Room, a gracious setting that reflects the resort’s longstanding role as a gathering place for presidents, dignitaries, and leisure travelers. Inspired by the lives and legacies of America’s First Ladies, the experience pairs teas named for women such as Abigail Adams and Mary Todd Lincoln with seasonally changing towers of tea sandwiches, scones, petit fours, and handcrafted pastries. Mismatched china lends a nostalgic charm to the presentation, while custom blends created with Bedford’s locally owned Everything Tea connect this centuries-old ritual to the community today. Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2014.
The Willard InterContinental, Washington D.C. (1818) Washington, District of Columbia
The Willard InterContinental, Washington, D.C. has been at the center of Washington’s social and political life for over two centuries since opening in 1818 and introduced Afternoon Tea in the 1920s. Originally served in the upstairs Tea Room overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue—now known as The Nest—the hotel’s Afternoon Tea is served among the grandeur of the hotel’s restored Peacock Alley or in the intimate Willard Tea Room. Accompanied by live harp music, the service showcases seasonal menus of tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones, pastries, and specialty loose-leaf teas, including the hotel’s signature Willard Blend and the commemorative America 250 Reserve. In 2024, The Willard InterContinental proudly unveiled its Willard Tea Room—the newest addition to the hotel’s renowned Afternoon Tea experience. This elegant space reimagines the classic tradition with refined grace, offering an intimate setting for guests to enjoy their tea service. The Willard Tea Room merges timeless elegance with modern luxury, making it the perfect setting for both Washington insiders and travelers alike to relax and savor this historic tradition. The Willard InterContinental, Washington, D.C. was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2010 and it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Boar’s Head Resort and Birdwood Mansion (1834) Charlottesville, Virginia
Once a historic manor home, with roots as a colonial-era tavern and buildings dating to 1834, Boar’s Head Resort and Birdwood Mansion in Charlottesville, Virginia, preserves the legacy of one of central Virginia’s most storied estates. Recently reimagined as a seven-room boutique hotel and dining destination, the mansion offers Afternoon Tea in its restored conservatory dining room and intimate drawing room, where historic character remains central to the experience. Traditional tea service is presented on Bernardaud Albertine-pattern china and features seasonal offerings that balance classic tea customs with contemporary culinary sensibilities, including locally inspired selections such as Kite’s Country Ham Rillettes sandwiches and a seasonal amuse-bouche. Set amid the mansion’s preserved grounds, the experience has already become a gathering place for multiple generations of families, who often pair tea with a leisurely exploration of the historic property. Boar’s Head Resort and Birdwood Mansion was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2001.
Antrim 1844 (1844) Taneytown, Maryland
Antrim 1844 was a family farm for over 100 years before it was transformed into a boutique luxury hotel. Its tradition of serving Afternoon Tea began in 1991, and the tea service was originally delivered to the guestrooms in the mansion, but, as the hotel expanded, Afternoon Tea moved to the South Drawing Room. Today, it is served out on the Veranda daily between 2 and 4 p.m. At Antrim 1844’s Afternoon Tea, classical piano music sets the tone. The white porcelain tea set is unique to the hotel and features “Antrim” monogrammed in gold letters, personalized at the property with an on-site kiln. On the menu are house-made savory toasts (smoked duck with orange marmalade, bacon jam with Swiss cheese, and English cucumber with lemon cream cheese, to name a few) and bite-size quiches. Sweets are house-made and also sourced from a local bakery. During tea, the Veranda offers guests a perfect view of the Rose Garden, which was featured in The 2022 Top 25 Historic Hotels of America Most Magnificent Gardens list. In the winter, the hotel’s fireplaces make teatime warm and cozy. The Veranda is just steps away from the twin drawing rooms, gift shop, and Pickwick Pub. In the warmer months, guests can enjoy Afternoon Tea before taking a stroll through the brick courtyard and blossoming Rose Garden. Antrim 1844 was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2007, and it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Island House Hotel (1852) Mackinac Island, Michigan
Island House Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan, is the island’s most historic continuously operating hotel, established in 1852, and has long embodied the gracious social traditions of a Victorian summer retreat. In 2026, the hotel introduced Rose’s Afternoon Tea. This experience is inspired by former proprietor Rose Van Allen Webster, whose stewardship beginning in 1892 helped transform Island House into one of Mackinac Island’s premier social destinations, hosting elegant gatherings, concerts, and dances. Served daily in the historic 1852 Grill Room overlooking the marina, Rose’s Afternoon Tea reflects the elegance that has defined Island House Hotel for generations through tiered presentations of finger sandwiches, savory tarts, pastries, macarons, truffles, and house-made scones accompanied by fine teas. Presented on William Edwards Hive bone china featuring tea-plant motifs and gold bee accents, the experience connects guests to the hotel’s enduring culture of hospitality while celebrating the timeless ritual of afternoon tea in a waterfront setting. Island House Hotel was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2005.
The Sayre Mansion (1858) Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
A Gothic Revival-style mansion in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, The Sayre Mansion is framed by the swaying branches of century-old trees and the picturesque beauty of the Lehigh Valley’s lush landscape. It was the first house built in the upscale area of Fountain Hill, in 1858, and has been meticulously restored to maintain its historic details. Afternoon Tea became fashionable soon after Robert Sayre moved into his new home. Today, the hotel hosts an intimate, traditional English Tea every Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. Guests are seated in the formal dining room or parlor, amid the elegant surroundings of the historic mansion. The menu boasts the delicate finger sandwiches and decadent desserts that are customary for Afternoon Tea. Guests may also delight in a variety of tea scones accompanied by Devonshire cream and preserves. In addition to freshly brewed tea, each guest is also served a flute of sparkling wine to toast the occasion. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is known as the “Christmas City,” and The Sayre Mansion serves a festive Christmas Tea in December. Reservations are required for all teatimes. The Sayre Mansion was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2013.
Mohonk Mountain House (1869) New Paltz, New York
In 1869, the rocky cliffs that rise above a crystal-blue, glacial lake in the Hudson River Valley inspired Albert Smiley to create Mohonk Mountain House. Afternoon Tea was a daily event that he and his family observed, and the tradition has continued at Mohonk Mountain House since the 1870s. Today, Mohonk Mountain House serves Afternoon Tea & Cookies in the Lake Lounge, where the tea counter was constructed with wood from the original 1899 bellmen’s bench. There, guests can enjoy Afternoon Tea with beautiful, sweeping views of Mohonk Lake and the cliffside. Dainty bites, including three different house-made tea cookies, are offered during Afternoon Tea, and a variety of tea blends are available. The hotel commissioned its own black tea blend in the 1970s, a combination of classic Orange Pekoe and Pekoe Cut Black Tea. It is available to purchase from the resort gift shop, along with other herbal and flavored teas, as well as coffee. New flavors and offerings, such as live music, are added to the tea service during special events throughout the year, such as Scottish Weekend in January, the Garden Holiday in the spring, and festive December holidays. Mohonk Mountain House was designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior in 1986 and was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 1991.
Palace Hotel (1875) San Francisco, California
For over 150 years, Palace Hotel has been a San Francisco landmark designed with timeless artistry, which can be seen in venues such as The Garden Court, with its glass ceiling and Austrian crystal chandeliers, and in artistic displays like The Pied Piper of Hamelin mural by Maxfield Parrish. Since the hotel’s grand opening, visitors have basked in its architectural splendor while enjoying tea served in The Garden Court. Today, Afternoon Tea is served every Saturday from 12 to 2 p.m. Between Thanksgiving and the New Year’s holidays, service days and hours are increased so that even more guests can enjoy Afternoon Tea during the holiday season. Silver and fine china are used for a modern, elegant service, and a harpist provides live music. Palace Hotel serves several blends of TEALEAVES tea, including black, green, herbal and the hotel's own custom Legacy Blend. The Signature Tea service includes elegant tea sandwiches, mini pastries, scones (featured recipe), clotted cream, lemon curd, and jam. Upgrades are available, including the Champagne Tea service and Caviar Tea service. For children, the hotel offers the Prince & Princess Tea service with specialty sweets and savories, as well as a jeweled crown and candy scepter. Palace Hotel also serves holiday-themed teas in The Garden Court for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and throughout December. Palace Hotel was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2010.
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection (1892) Denver, Colorado
The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection has been the Grande Dame of Denver, Colorado, since the Italian Renaissance Revival-style hotel opened in 1892. Since then, guests have cherished the long-standing tradition of taking tea for more than a century. Originally, Afternoon Tea was served in the two-story “Ladies Ordinary” (a ladies lounge, tea room, and changing room combined, with staff to help guests into their evening wear before dinner) on the eighth floor. The Brown Book, a hotel publication from the late 1910s, explained: “A hotel such as the Brown Palace offers so many little reliefs from the monotonies of household cares. You see new faces, new gowns and hats. The Four O'Clock Tea is, of course, delightful.” Today, Afternoon Tea is served daily in the Atrium Lobby, an open space that goes up eight stories and is crowned by a stained-glass ceiling. The menu features more than 20 tea selections, house-made scones with imported Devonshire clotted cream, savory sandwiches, and handcrafted pastries. Seasonal experiences, including holiday teas, Witches Tea, and the annual Grand Champion Steer Tea during the National Western Stock Show connect this historic ritual to Colorado’s unique cultural heritage. The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection was inducted as a Charter Member of Historic Hotels of America in 1989.
The Pfister Hotel (1893) Milwaukee, Wisconsin
When The Pfister Hotel opened its doors in 1893, the Milwaukee, Wisconsin hotel was called “The Grand Hotel of the West.” Architect Charles Koch’s Romanesque Revival-style design incorporated innovative construction and an in-house electrical power plant, which made The Pfister Hotel the first hotel in the country with individual thermostats in each guestroom. Afternoon Tea was served in the Lobby Lounge in the early days. Ninety years later, in 1983, Afternoon Tea was revived under General Manager Rosemary Steinfest, who introduced Afternoon Victorian Tea. The tea service was originally held in the lobby bar, but was eventually moved to Blu, the hotel’s modern lounge on the 23rd floor. The high-rise venue means guests enjoy their teatime with incredible views of downtown Milwaukee and Lake Michigan. The Pfister Hotel serves Rishi Tea, which is headquartered in Milwaukee. Each Afternoon Tea service is led by a Pfister Tea Butler, whose role is to speak about the varieties of tea, their origins, effects on the body, and pairing suggestions. The Tea Butlers use an all-silver service, including a replica of an 18th-century self-tipping teapot. The Pfister Hotel was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 1994. Featured Recipes: The Pfister Hotel’s Caprese Tart and Whipped Ricotta.
The Jefferson Hotel (1895) Richmond, Virginia
Thousands of visitors flocked to The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia, when it opened its doors in 1895. By the end of the decade, the grand hotel affectionately bore the moniker of “The Belle of the ‘90s.” Naturally, a Belle of the Victorian era served Afternoon Tea. The hotel is particularly famous for hosting Richmond residents’ pet alligators in its Palm Court Lobby from the early 1900s through 1948. This made teatime in the ladies parlor, located right off the lobby, potentially exciting. The hotel tells a story about a guest who, while relaxing over tea and a glass (or two) of sherry, mistook a wandering alligator for a footstool. Legend states that she never partook in anything stronger than tea again! The modern tradition of Afternoon Tea service at The Jefferson Hotel began in the early 1990s. Tea is served on the Mezzanine balcony overlooking the Rotunda lobby on Fridays and Saturdays from 12 to 4:15 p.m., January through November. Afternoon Tea is served daily in December. The hotel serves a Southern Afternoon Tea, featuring a savory country ham sandwich and a variety of teas from Richmond’s own Rostov’s Coffee & Tea. On the first and third Saturday of each month, the hotel hosts a Chocolate Lovers’ Tea, which includes the normal menu along with a decadent selection of chocolate confections. In December, there are two Santa Teas designed for children. The Jefferson Hotel was inducted as a Charter Member of Historic Hotels of America in 1989 and it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Featured Recipe: The Jefferson Hotel’s Scones.
West Baden Springs Hotel (1902) West Baden Springs, Indiana
Under the iconic dome of West Baden Springs Hotel, Afternoon Tea is a beloved tradition inspired by the grandeur of the hotel’s Gilded Age past. Once celebrated as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the hotel welcomed guests seeking luxury and refinement before closing during the Great Depression. The tradition began during the hotel’s remarkable restoration, when Indiana Landmarks offered guided tours and Afternoon Tea service as the historic property was brought back to life. Following the hotel’s reopening in 2007, Afternoon Tea became one of its signature experiences. Today, guests gather each Saturday beneath the six-story domed atrium for an elegant tea service accompanied by live harp music. A selection of classic and specialty teas is paired with house-made cucumber sandwiches, fresh scones, tarts, and savory canapés. Special experiences include Mommy & Me Tea on select dates and Afternoon Tea & Tour, which combines tea service with a guided exploration of the historic hotel. Children are welcome, making the experience enjoyable for guests of all ages. For those wishing to take home a reminder of the occasion, teapots and tea sets are available for purchase at the hotel mercantile. Whether savoring the atmosphere, the cuisine, or the history, Afternoon Tea offers a memorable way to experience the timeless elegance of West Baden Springs Hotel. Opened in 1902, West Baden Springs Hotel was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2007 and was designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.
Hotel Boulderado (1909) Boulder, Colorado
Opening in 1909 as Boulder, Colorado’s first luxury hotel, Hotel Boulderado debuted its contemporary Afternoon Tea experiences in the 1990s. The hotel offers seasonal and themed teas throughout the year, all including traditional tea service and tiered selections of seasonal savories, pastries, and scones. The hotel’s Witch’s Brew Afternoon Tea embraces Halloween with spooky seasonal décor and details throughout the space, while Galentine’s Tea is offered in February to celebrate love and friendship. The Holiday Afternoon Tea transforms the setting with festive decorations and a spectacular 28-foot Christmas tree, creating a warm and celebratory holiday atmosphere. Bookings for the Holiday Tea are available in 2026 on select dates between November 28 and December 27. During this magical season, sparkling lights and verdant garland adorn the original cherrywood railing of the Mezzanine, and golden light streams through the beautiful stained-glass canopy ceiling. Each table is decorated with an assortment of traditional holiday décor, from nutcrackers to beautiful floating candles. Depending on the day that they reserve their table, guests may enjoy a holiday music playlist, live piano music from local musicians, or a holiday choir. Inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 1996, Hotel Boulderado continues to charm all those who step inside.
The Otesaga Hotel (1909) Cooperstown, New York
Afternoon Tea has been part of The Otesaga Hotel’s hospitality since its early days, when guests gathered in the grand lobby for an unhurried pause between lakeside strolls, golf, and dinner. Tea and cookies were set out each afternoon in the grand lobby, a quiet courtesy for the hotel’s guests. The tea and cookies ritual fell out of fashion at some point in the 20th century, but an Afternoon Tea tradition was revived with a modern twist in 2023. It is now hosted in 1909, the resort’s signature restaurant, named for the year the hotel opened. While honoring classic tea traditions with savories, scones, sweets, and fine teas, the menu introduces inventive creations such as Lobster & Caviar in a wonton cup and foie gras “Uncrustable” sandwiches. Tableside blossoming teas and panoramic lake views create a contemporary interpretation of a timeless ritual within one of New York’s most distinguished historic resorts. On fair-weather days, the meal moves to the veranda overlooking Otsego Lake. Twice each holiday season, The Otesaga Hotel hosts Tea with the Princesses, a beloved family tradition for the young and the young at heart. Storybook princesses move through the room, chatting with guests and posing for photos, and a children’s menu is served. Many families return year after year, making Tea with the Princesses part of their holiday tradition and creating the next generation of Otesaga guests. Afternoon Tea is served on select Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m., and reservations are required. The Otesaga Hotel was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 1994.
The Saint Paul Hotel (1910) St. Paul, Minnesota
Located in the heart of St. Paul, Minnesota’s business and cultural districts, The Saint Paul Hotel offers guests a respite with its tranquil English garden setting. When the Italian Renaissance Revival-style hotel opened in 1910, it quickly became the city’s social hub. The Saint Paul Hotel served Afternoon Tea in the Palm Room during its early years. Today, seasonal Afternoon Tea menus are served in the lobby on select Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. The hotel serves a special tea blend, custom-made for its tea service, on antique and estate-sourced china. Visitors are also welcome to purchase this blend at the front desk as a souvenir. Live piano accompaniment, provided by longtime pianist Chris Lomheim since 1991, adds a distinctive sense of continuity to the ritual. Special themed teas throughout the year, including Kentucky Derby, Valentine’s Day, and Anniversary celebrations, further connect guests to a tradition that remains an integral part of the hotel’s identity. The Saint Paul Hotel was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 1991.
The Ashton Hotel (1915) Fort Worth, Texas
When it opened in 1915, the six-story, Italianate-style building now known as The Ashton Hotel was the home of the Fort Worth Club, a hub of business deals and civic ties. Today, The Ashton Hotel, which is Fort Worth, Texas' only small luxury hotel, prides itself on catering to guests and locals alike in a grand way: by offering Afternoon Tea. While there may have been an earlier Afternoon Tea service in the hotel’s history, the Afternoon Tea experience offered today dates to 2001. The experience features a classic English-style presentation with three-tiered stands, fine floral china, silver tea strainers, and a selection of loose-leaf teas. Seasonal touches, such as autumn and holiday menus featuring house-made scones, soups, clotted cream, and curated spritz pairings, complement the experience without overshadowing its enduring sense of occasion. Recent offerings include roasted butternut squash soup with sage creme fraiche and toasted pepitas as a savory, and maple brown butter scones with spiced pear curd, apple butter, and Devonshire cream as a sweet. The sunlit dining room, where families and friends have gathered for generations, remains one of Fort Worth’s most cherished settings for traditional Afternoon Tea. Reservations are required. The Ashton Hotel was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2008.
Claremont Resort & Club (1915) Berkeley, California
Overlooking the San Francisco Bay, the iconic Claremont Resort & Club in Berkeley, California, has served traditional Afternoon Tea for decades. When the hotel opened in 1915, it was subject to an 1873 state statute that denied the sale of alcohol to any business within two miles of the University of California, Berkeley. Tea consumption and tea rooms boomed under this law and later under Prohibition, making Afternoon Tea a popular activity at the Claremont Resort & Club. Today, Afternoon Tea is offered during the holiday season between November and December, and on select holidays throughout the year, including Mother’s Day and Galentine’s Day. Served in the Lobby Lounge, Afternoon Tea at the Claremont Resort & Club offers guests spectacular views of San Francisco and its Bay in a sophisticated space. Fine bone china and traditional accoutrements arrive at tables on a three-tier stand, featuring sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, strawberry preserves, lemon curd, and sweets. Available for a limited time this holiday season, visitors can enjoy an elevated Holiday Tea experience from the comfort of Santa’s beautifully decorated sleigh, and children can receive a keepsake gift to carry the magic home. Claremont Resort & Club was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2016.
The American Club (1918) Kohler, Wisconsin
Founded in 1918 by former Kohler Company President Walter J. Kohler, Sr., as a residence for immigrant employees, The American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin, has evolved from a model of community-minded hospitality into one of the Midwest’s most distinguished historic hotels. Afternoon Tea has long been part of the guest experience, and today the tradition is presented in the historic Wisconsin Room, where guests gather for a refined service that reflects the property’s enduring emphasis on craftsmanship, gracious hospitality, and thoughtful detail. Delicate savory selections, freshly baked scones with Devonshire cream and lemon curd, elegant pastries, and premium teas are served in a setting that balances historic character with contemporary sophistication. A Festive Tea is offered Thursday through Saturday from 12 to 2:30 p.m. between November 5 and January 2. Following the holiday season, the classic Afternoon Tea menu resumes through Mother’s Day. The American Club was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 1991.
The Brown Hotel (1923) Louisville, Kentucky
The Brown Hotel has been a beloved Louisville landmark and favorite social gathering spot since it opened in 1923, and is world-famous for its Georgian Revival architecture and enduring tradition of hospitality. Afternoon Tea, offered regularly for the past decade, is served in the magnificent Grand Lobby beneath ornate ceilings, chandeliers, and marble columns. The experience reflects the hotel’s distinctive blend of Old World elegance and Southern hospitality, pairing classic tea sandwiches and freshly baked scones with imaginative, seasonally themed menus crafted by the hotel’s pastry team. The tea theme changes monthly, with previous concepts ranging from Garden Party and Gilmore Girls to Nutcracker and Kentucky Christmas, while live piano music, estate-sourced china, and signature cocktails create a memorable sense of occasion that continues to bring multiple generations of families together. During the 2026 holiday season, the Nutcracker Afternoon Tea will feature costumes from the Louisville Ballet on display, a signature mocktail called The Sugar Plum, and a live pianist playing pieces from The Nutcracker. The Brown Hotel strives to make Afternoon Tea a space where friends and family, both local and visiting, can create lasting memories. The Brown Hotel was inducted as a Charter Member of Historic Hotels of America in 1989.
The St. Regis Washington, D.C. (1926) Washington, District of Columbia
The St. Regis Washington, D.C. has long been a gathering place for presidents, diplomats, and cultural icons in the heart of the nation’s capital. Afternoon Tea was introduced in the 1990s and is still served in the hotel’s ornate Beaux-Arts lobby, beneath Florentine-inspired gilded ceilings and chandeliers. In 2026, the hotel offered a Centennial Tea in honor of its 100 years of hospitality and will transition to a Festive Tea by December. Among the standout savory selections is Bloody Mary Beef with gold leaf and caviar, a dish that pays tribute to the hotel’s signature Bloody Mary ritual while incorporating luxurious touches that reflect the property’s gilded aesthetic. Wild Mushroom Quiche with burrata and flamed pine nuts draws inspiration from a favored dish of Barbara Bush, while Beet Cured Salmon with pickled asparagus and truffle honors the women who gathered in the hotel’s lobby during the rise of the women’s suffrage movement. Located two blocks from the White House, the hotel has served as a residence for government officials, a meeting place for committee hearings, and an event space for women’s suffrage leaders. Tea is served Thursday through Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m. The St. Regis Washington, D.C. is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and it was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2025.
InterContinental Indianapolis (1926) Indianapolis, Indiana
The landmark InterContinental Indianapolis pairs Hoosier hospitality with the adaptive reuse of one of the city’s most significant early twentieth-century commercial hubs, the Illinois Building, built in 1926. Shortly after the hotel opened in the historic building, Afternoon Tea debuted Mother’s Day weekend in 2025 and quickly established itself as a signature ritual within Serliana, the hotel’s refined restaurant space. Guided by training from former Royal British Butler Anthony Cawdron, the tea emphasizes ceremony, relaxation, and the cultural significance of the ritual itself, while seasonal and holiday-themed presentations offer fresh interpretations throughout the year. The experience reflects both the historic elegance of the restored building and the contemporary sophistication of its new life as a luxury hotel. Guests are presented with a traditional three-tiered service of tea sandwiches, pastries, and desserts served on custom bone china created exclusively for Serliana, with many sweets sourced from local artisan bakery Circle City Sweets. Teatime at Serliana is 2 p.m. Saturdays and reservations are recommended. InterContinental Indianapolis was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2025.
Hassayampa Inn (1927) Prescott, Arizona
Located in the downtown Historic District of Prescott, Arizona, Hassayampa Inn offers comforting small-town charm while being closely situated near the sights and sounds of the city. Built in 1927, the hotel introduced Afternoon Tea in 2014 and the experience has become a cherished tradition that complements the inn’s historic ambiance and sense of occasion. Served quarterly in the elegant Peacock Room, tea service features live musical performances by harpists, flutists, or acoustic guitarists. Seasonal menus offer savory sandwiches, soups, scones, and handcrafted sweets. The experience has developed a devoted following among local families and visitors, some of whom arrive in period-inspired attire and hats. It is a popular spot for grandmothers, mothers, and granddaughters to come together and dress up. Prescott historical docents come dressed in costume, reinforcing the connection between the tea service and the community’s appreciation for heritage and tradition. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Hassayampa Inn was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 1996.
Arizona Inn (1930) Tucson, Arizona
Tea has been part of the social life of the Arizona Inn since it was established in 1930 by Isabella Greenway, Arizona’s first Congresswoman. The contemporary Afternoon Tea tradition served today was brought to life in the historic Library in the early 1990s by Isabella Greenway’s granddaughter, Patty Doar. In 1996, Doar explained to a newspaper reporter that she revived Afternoon Tea because it was a custom that made the Arizona Inn feel like home. Today, guests gather in the Library amid dark wood beams, books, antiques, and a welcoming fireplace to enjoy finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, pastries, and the inn’s celebrated orange marmalade, served with fine china and silver service. Rooted in the unhurried atmosphere that has defined the Arizona Inn for generations, the experience offers a rare continuity of tradition within one of the Southwest’s most historic retreats. It also carries forward Doar’s intention, welcoming guests to a place that feels more like a home than a hotel. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Arizona Inn was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2026.
Omni Shoreham Hotel Washington D.C. (1930) Washington, District of Columbia
Omni Shoreham Hotel Washington, D.C. has maintained a connection to the tradition of Afternoon Tea since its opening day on October 30, 1930, when tea was served in the hotel’s grand lobby. Today, the experience continues each Saturday in Robert’s Restaurant, a space occupying what was once the Lower Lobby and distinguished by its blend of Renaissance and Art Deco architecture, abundant natural light, and views across four acres of landscaped gardens and terraces. The Afternoon Tea tradition leans into the approachable elegance of Robert’s Restaurant with a playful theme, inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Seasonal celebrations, including the festive Peppermint Tea Party, reinforce the experience’s multigenerational appeal by welcoming families, while live music during the Saturday Social extends a tradition of hospitality that has endured for nearly a century. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Omni Shoreham Hotel Washington, D.C. was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2014.
The Lodge at Wakulla Springs (1937) Wakulla Springs, Florida
Established in 1937, The Lodge at Wakulla Springs in Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park is one of Florida’s most significant examples of 1930s rustic architecture and overlooks one of the world’s largest freshwater springs. Although Afternoon Tea was first introduced in July 2026, the experience feels naturally at home in “North Florida’s castle,” where china and tea sets associated with Edward Ball are preserved by the hotel. Afternoon Tea at the lodge features traditional favorites like tea sandwiches, quiche bites, freshly baked scones with preserves and cream, and an assortment of pastries and sweets. Traditional hot teas are offered alongside rotating seasonal selections, such as fruity summer blends and warm spiced flavors for fall. Served in the terrace room with views of the spring, the tea service combines the casual elegance of an afternoon hotel gathering with the distinctive character of Old Florida. Mismatched floral china and colorful linens create a whimsical aesthetic, while the historic architecture and natural surroundings make the experience one-of-a-kind. The Lodge at Wakulla Springs was inducted into Historic Hotels of America in 2016.
“The Afternoon Tea tradition is timeless and beloved around the world. Many historic hotels, resorts, and inns of Historic Hotels of America have served guests Afternoon Tea since it became fashionable in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Historic hotels today offer a variety of Afternoon Tea experiences, from the classic English menu to tea services with a creative and modern twist,” said Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Vice President, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. “We hope this list will inspire readers who are looking for an authentic setting to celebrate or simply relax. Afternoon Tea can be enjoyed as a quiet, solo respite or shared with loved ones.”
Seasonal menus, service times, and special experiences vary by hotel. Contact the individual hotel to confirm current offerings and reservation requirements before planning a visit.
About Historic Hotels of America®
Historic Hotels of America® is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing and celebrating the finest historic hotels across the United States of America. The National Trust for Historic Preservation was chartered by U.S. Congress in 1949 and is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is leading the movement to save the places where our history happened. To be nominated and selected for membership in this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historical significance. Of the more than 300 historic hotels inducted into Historic Hotels of America from 44 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, all historic hotels faithfully preserve their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity. For more information, please visit HistoricHotels.org.
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Katherine Orr
Historic Hotels of America │ Historic Hotels Worldwide
Director, Marketing Strategy and Communications
Tel: +1-202-772-8337
korr@historichotels.org
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