
As it is August and traditionally a quieter time in the office, we made an exception and took up Damien’s very kind offer to come and experience the Berkeley London designer afternoon tea, Prêt-à-Portea. This was followed by a show round of Claridge’s. After all, we at DeSouza Associates are venue finding experts and have to experience every aspect of the venues we visit!
So, we left the office promptly at 4pm and arrived at the Berkeley just in time for last orders for Tea for 4! A glass of champagne was had by some members of the team but not all! They state, and I quote, that the tea is inspired by the ‘themes and colours of the fashion world’ and we can certainly vouch for that. The menu is transformed every six months to follow the changing seasons in fashion so Damien we will have to resample it in the New Year and report back! The range of teas available were most interesting and Damien assisted us in experiencing the variety on offer by choosing the Caramel Indulgence for himself which some of us sampled and it was deceptively delicious. We ladies were more conservative and went for the Berkeley and English blends. The tea was a creative twist to the classic elements of the traditional English afternoon tea with cakes and pastries resembling the latest catwalk designs from designers including Oscar de la Renta, Alexander McQueen and Prada. The tea sandwiches were probably my favourite but in summary there was a mouth-watering selection of miniature savoury skewers, taster spoons and elegant canapés Following our Afternoon Tea we had to raise ourselves from our seats close to the Marcus Wareing Restaurant at the Berkeley, to do a show round of the Hotel. It was most useful to be reminded of the size of the Ballroom, with its grand windows, crystal chandeliers and high-mirrored ceilings. Recently refurbished and complete with a private entrance, this room can be used in conjunction with the adjoining Belgravia Room for a reception.
The Tattersalls Room (the room commemorates the famous blood stock auction house that once stood on the site of the Berkeley) remains a stylish room which has the benefit of an adjoining ante-room and has also been refurbished recently and is ideal for smaller meetings and private dinners.
As one would expect, the designer bedrooms and suites at the Berkeley are individual and each has a chic yet timeless feel.
The rooftop open-air pool, which looked just exquisite on that lovely summer evening and offering glorious panoramic views over London’s skyline, is a serene oasis in the middle of Knightsbridge.


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