Brown's is best for afternoon tea

THE tea room at London's oldest five-star hotel has been named as the best place in the capital for afternoon tea.

The 170-year-old English Tea Room at Brown's Hotel, Mayfair, was awarded the Tea Guild's highest recommendation - the equivalent of a Michelin star - after its food, service, decor, presentation and ambience impressed judges. The tea room also received top marks for the variety and excellence of its teas, as well as staff's knowledge of them. The head of the Tea Guild, Irene Gorman, said these touches marked out Brown's as "an aficionado's paradise".

"The food and teas are absolutely exquisite, both in their presentation and taste. The staff have been well trained, really know their teas and are very happy to advise customers on their choice," she said.

Brown's reopened in 2005 after a £24million restoration project.

Its general manager, Stuart Johnson, said: "Since Brown's opened more than 170 years ago, the English Tea Room has been a British institution."

Other Mayfair tea rooms given awards of excellence include Claridge's, Grosvenor House park room and library, The Chesterfield, The Dorchester and The Ritz.