By Shellee-Kim Gold

 

You and your gaggle of girlfriends are having a group giggle of note.  It’s a birthday/bonding session over High Tea by the Sea at the wilderness-surrounded Twelve Apostles Hotel near Llandudno.

It’s incredibly private in the Conservatory and has a refined, library-like atmosphere. Or it did – until your gang arrived to disturb the peace! Luxurious carpeting, couches and cushions are in warm, earthy hues. And floor to ceiling windows afford you breath-taking views of both the Twelve Apostles mountain on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.

Served up in sophisticated, three-tiered stands, typical High Tea treats include scones and cream, macaroon fingers, cheesecake and sandwiches filled with smoked salmon and cream cheese, chicken mayonnaise and roast beef with rocket, amongst others.  All accompanied by a vast variety of teas and coffees to wash it all down, served up in delicate, bone china cups.

But everything depends on the month you visit for High Tea. While there may be different themes, all offer the same delectably and decadent sweet and savoury treats.  Pink-themed Teas include pink chocolate-covered goodies such as rose mousse, cream puffs with pink chocolate, pink velvet cupcakes, red wine caramel and strawberry macaroons.

While the Chocolate Tea, often available over the winter months from May, will appeal to every chocoholic’s palate.  This includes white chocolate macaroons, gianduja cremeux (hazelnut mousse), caramelised white chocolate verrine, chocolate brownies, chocolate éclairs and chocolate cupcakes – all while you sip on a hot chocolate.

Although popular with stork parties and other special occasions, if the hotel knows it’s your birthday, they’ll likely acknowledge that by serving a personalised ‘birthday plate’ which ‘smokes’ for effect.

Taking tea needn’t be limited to the glass Conservatory. Opt for the Café Grill or the Terrace at the Leopard Lounge overlooking the ocean. And if you prefer a more vigorous atmosphere, the Leopard Bar roars. It also blazes beautifully on those chilly Cape days when tables near the two fireplaces become the sought-after spots.

Art aficionados can combine their passion for pastries, tea and cake with an hour-long guided art tour of the hotel’s eclectic collection, which features some big names in the art game.  But you’ll need to be serious about your art as the Art-Tea Tour will set you back three times the price of a Tea (and excludes the Tea price) which may be a bit tough to swallow.