Time for a spot of ‘Afternoël Tea’

Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts is putting a festive spin on its ever-popular afternoon tea, introducing mulled wine, sultana and cinnamon scones and of course, turkey sandwiches.

The Afternoël Tea, which launches at four of the Park Plaza London hotels on 1 December, is great either as an early Christmas present or the perfect way to unwind after a day spent present shopping.

The menu features a mixture of traditional and seasonal fare, a delicious combination including:

* Cornish clotted cream and strawberry jam
* Sultana and cinnamon scones
* Selection of festive finger sandwiches (smoked salmon, roast turkey and cranberry, mature cheddar cheese and pickles, cucumber sandwiches)
* Christmas Petit-Fours (handmade mini mince pie, chocolate Christmas pudding, Christmas praline and raspberry Champagne truffle)
* Selection of desserts, such as gingerbread and stollen cake
* Selection of teas from around the world (Mulled spice Christmas tea leaves, Cranberry, Darjeeling, Assam leaf, Earl Grey, Camomile and Green Tea)

The tea, which costs £17.50 or £23 with a glass of hot, spiced mulled wine, will be available throughout December 2010 at the following hotels:

Park Plaza County Hall - parkplaza.com/countyhall
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge - parkplaza.com/westminsterbridge
Park Plaza Riverbank - ParkPlazaRiverbank.com

The hotels are situated on the South Bank, where a Cologne-style Christmas market will feature until 23 December and the London Eye's pop-up ice rink will be open until 5 January.

For those who like to take their tea in a traditional English setting, head to Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes (parkplaza.com/sherlockholmes). The four-star boutique hotel is located on Baker Street is just moments from the boutiques of Marylebone High Street, perfect for finding high-end and unusual gifts.