If you have been following me since the beginning, you will know my affection for high tea. It has always been a tradition, so to speak, with my mom and sister. It was the compromise between my husband and I when we started dating…I would take up fishing and drinking scotch, as long as he took me to tea when asked. I have begun introducing it to my children at an early age as well, and not only is a nice mother-daughter time, my son also enjoys going to tea.

High tea in Las Vegas is a rarity. Some of the more luxury hotels will host tea, but it is not as easy to find anymore. When you do, the window to participate is quite small and often inconvenient, say 2-3 hours on a late Saturday afternoon. A few weeks ago, I convinced my husband to take me on a Sunday Date Day. We needed the break from our regular Sunday chaos and some serious adult time. At the time, I knew very little about the Tea Lounge at the Mandarin Oriental, however, I figured if tea was not being served we could always have a late afternoon cocktail at the Mandarin Bar on the 23rd floor, another favorite spot of mine.

Lucky me and much to my surprise, the Tea Lounge serves Afternoon Tea daily, from 2-5pm. If you have not ventured into or stayed at the Mandarin Oriental, I highly recommend doing so during your next visit to Las Vegas. The stylish and sleek look of the hotel adds a nice sophistication to the Las Vegas Strip, as well as the City Center campus where Crystals Las Vegas, Aria Las Vegas and Vdara are located.

Though the contemporary look may seem a bit unconventional for Afternoon Tea, it was actually quite lovely. The room itself overlooks the Las Vegas Strip with floor to ceiling windows. Each space is designated with comfortable chairs or booth seating. The tables are small, providing a more intimate setting for you and your guests. Because of this, the tea pastries, scones and sandwiches are served on a free-standing tray displaying the goodies. Tea selection includes some of the finest teas from around the world. There is also the blooming teas which lends to a picturesque kettle.

I prefer to add a glass of champagne with my tea, and of course the selection is fabulous. I chose to the Veuve Cliquot. The price points are fair, and there is also a Kid’s Afternoon Tea Menu complete with PB&J and cupcakes. Elegant, yet zen-like, it is a perfect place to escape from the everyday or the excitement from the Strip.

RSMLV Tips

• Reservations are suggested as the Tea Lounge tends to fill up quickly depending on the business of the hotel and season.
• There are gluten-free and vegan options available, just check with your server.