HotelChatter contributing editor Tim Leffel is moving around British Columbia and Alberta in Canada, seeing the hotel scene from a family travel perspective. All prices are in Canadian dollars--which currently trade slightly higher than U.S. dollars. Enjoy.

Where would the original grand hotel in the most British town in British Columbia be without high tea in the afternoon?

The Empress Hotel opened in 1909 in the style of an Edwardian chateau and hosted a steady stream of British royalty and celebrities. It went through several rounds of additions and renovations and became part of the newly formed Fairmont chain in 1999, when the Canadian Pacific railway company spun off its hotels and rebranded them. ]]> Tim L. 2008-07-11T09:05:14-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2008/3/19/15486/5628 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/admin/ritztea.jpg" class="imgborder"><p><i>[Ed. Note: Hotel Maven and High Tea enthusiast <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/user/jetsetcd">JetSetCD</a> gives us her recommendation for Chi-town's finest tea hour. Enjoy.</i><p>Indeed the master of the Chicago institution of Hotel High Tea is, surprisingly, not <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/The+Drake+Hotel/ian/113158"><b>The Drake</b></a>. Only a few blocks away and tucked just off Michigan Ave sits the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Ritz-Carlton+A+Four+Seasons+Htl/ian/115063"><b>Ritz Carlton</b></a> (which is actually a Four Seasons property), and at its 12th Floor Greenhouse you can expect the best High Tea in the Windy City.<p> Set at $27 per person for a complete service of seasonal pastries and choice of tea, they also offer a selection of rare and iced teas for a little extra $. <p> The Ritz Carlton service absolutely requires reservations, as the seating JetSetCD 2008-03-20T15:11:43-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2008/3/19/155210/417

We just finished reading about the lavish new Palm Court Restaurant and Champagne Bar at the Plaza Hotel, wherein the Bloomberg review by critic Ryan Sutton left us gasping for some free-er air.

Having completed the $1 billion re-do of the 1907 landmark hotel, the folks at Fairmont decided to drop another $400 million to open the new restaurant and bar. While Plaza condo residents including the likes of a Kuwaiti billionaire and Faberge Egg-toting realtor may well afford these menus, Manhatten travelers opting to dine better be packing fat wallets. ]]> mytwocents 2008-03-20T14:00:01-05:00 40.764275 -73.973006 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2007/5/3/213721/7418

Hotel: Standard Hotel West Hollywood

When: Sunday, May 6th: 4-7pm.

Where: Poolside.

What: Tea, Tinis, Tails and Snacks. The Standard's unique take on the traditional English tea launches this Sunday, featuring appetizers, a selection of tea and martinis with DJs spinning some tunes.

]]> juliana 2007-05-04T09:22:25-05:00 34.080175 -118.43051 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2005/10/12/105850/22 <![CDATA[<img align="right" src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/454/lj_mem.jpg"><p> LiveJournal member <a href="http://www.livejournal.com/users/jazzxine/">jazzxine</a> is lookin' for folks who have been to high tea at fancy SF hotels.<p> She isn't looking for hoi-polloi, but she wants a fancy setting for her tea party.<p> Fellow LiveJournal member <a href="http://www.livejournal.com/users/notbob/">notbob</a> suggests the <a href="http://www.sfpalace.com/main/home.htm"><b>Palace Hotel</b></a> might fit the bill:<p> <blockquote><p> I've been to the tea at the Palace Hotel several times. it's fantastic, mostly because of the location. you sit in the glass-roofed atrium full of light and greenery. the scene is very grand. the sandwiches, sweets and tea are all very good, though the price is a tad high. but it's a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. i highly recommend it.<br> </blockquote><p> Anything to add Hotel Mavens? markj 2005-10-12T10:59:38-05:00 37.787941 -122.40193 Search HotelChatter string http://www.hotelchatter.com/search/