Latest news with #FourSeasonsHotelBoston
Forbes
04-05-2025
- Forbes
The British Tradition Of Afternoon Tea Is Flourishing In The States
Americans have plenty of options to enjoy afternoon tea. The venerable British tradition of afternoon tea, which dates back to the 19th century, is also flourishing throughout the United States as hotels, resorts and tea rooms offer delectable finger sandwiches, savory scones and a wide variety of exotic tea blends. For many visitors, relaxing with a soothing cup of tea has become a favorite pastime while traveling for business or pleasure. Afternoon tea is normally served on traditional three-tiered trays. The lower tier can includes such delicacies as canapes with shrimp mousse, dill herbed cream cheese and Irish butter with cucumbers. Sandwich fillings can feature fresh herb egg salad and curried chicken with currants. A second tier typically holds scones, in flavors like Apricot-Ginger or Prune-Ginger and tea bread. A favorite true 'tea bread' has sultanas and dried cranberries, soaked overnight in black tea and brown sugar, which is mixed with orange peel. On top guests can choose from biscuits or shortbread flavored with lemon and lavender, mini cuppa-cakes and fresh lemon possets or lemon fools with organic blueberries. Although most U.S. cities would not be mistaken for London, there are nonetheless a wide variety of options for afternoon tea with each venue offering a distinctive flavor and flare. For many locals and tourists alike, afternoon tea serves as an oasis amid the mayhem of some of the world's busiest cities. In effect, afternoon tea is the perfect segue from the frenzy to the calm of a centuries-old British tradition. As International Tea Day on May 21 quickly approaches, the following hotels are sure to be offering special tea experiences. Each one offers a unique blend of history, culture and culinary flair – truly worth the trip. "The Deconstruction of Tea" features Mountain Berry Tea Infused Botanist. Although not officially afternoon tea, Four Seasons Hotel Boston is bringing romance and culture back exclusively for its guests with the new cocktail program at the redesigned lounge and restaurant, Coterie. At the heart of this innovative offering is "The Deconstruction of Tea" cocktail, a clever nod to the historical event of the Boston Tea Party, originally known as the destruction of tea until 1820. Exclusively designed by Coterie's General Manager, Delainey Rowland, the cocktail program at Coterie masterfully bridges the gap between past and present, drawing inspiration from Boston's Public Garden and paying homage to its storied past. "The Deconstruction of Tea" features Mountain Berry Tea Infused Botanist, Lime, Thyme and Prosecco, creating a delightful blend that captures the essence of tradition and modernity. Afternoon tea is served over a leisurely two-hour seating. Make the weekends extra special with Afternoon Tea Service at Hôtel Swexan, served Saturdays and Sundays in Lèonie, the rooftop dining restaurant in Dallas' newest boutique gem. Over a leisurely two-hour seating, guests can delight in a decadent spread of artfully crafted sweets, delicate tea sandwiches and seasonal scones, paired with their choice of premium loose-leaf tea or refreshing tea-infused cocktails. For those looking to upgrade the experience, Hôtel Swexan offers the add-on of champagne and caviar at the close of the tea, all while looking out from the 20th floor of the luxury property. High Tea is served at newly unveiled signature restaurant Remi. Hotel Granduca, a luxury all-suite boutique hotel, reintroduces its beloved Granduca High Tea at the newly unveiled signature restaurant Remi. Experience an elegant Italian twist on the classic English afternoon tea at the city's latest culinary gem, where Old-World charm meets Texan hospitality at the recently renovated property. Step into a world of refined indulgence with Hotel Granduca's signature Tè Pomeridiano, a thoughtfully curated high tea experience featuring an exquisite selection of brewed teas, perfectly paired with delicate finger sandwiches, warm scones and decadent desserts – all with an Italian flair. Afternoon Tea is served in the iconic Grand Lobby and Veranda. Set in the heart of Downtown Nashville, The Hermitage Hotel is a timeless icon of best-in-class accommodations, service, dining and warm Southern hospitality. Originally opened in 1910, the privately owned and operated hotel has stood as one of Nashville's premier luxury properties for more than 110 years. In 2022, the hotel completed a multi-year redesign and revitalization of its 122 oversized guest rooms, suites and public spaces, alongside a restoration of its distinctive Beaux Arts architecture. Afternoon Tea is served in The Hermitage Hotel's iconic Grand Lobby and Veranda every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Delightfully southern, the afternoon tea service aptly themed, 'Spillin' Tea with Draper James,' is inspired by recipes from Reese Witherspoon's cookbook, Whiskey in a Teacup, and features custom linens. Tea is presented at one of Waikiki's most exclusive boutique hotels, This International Tea Day, ESPACIO The Jewel of Waikiki presents the perfect celebration at Mugen's celebrated Afternoon Tea, where Hawaii's luxury shines through golden Oscietra caviar, spiny lobster and Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé paired with rare TEALEAVES blends and local infusions like Manoa Chocolate tea. The experience reflects the same thoughtful curation found throughout one of Waikiki's most exclusive boutique hotels, where nine residential-style suites, each an entire floor with private elevator access, redefine oceanfront luxury. Limited to a dozen guests every Saturday, this is afternoon tea perfected – a harmony of omotenashi hospitality and island-inspired elegance.
Forbes
15-04-2025
- Forbes
This Grand Boston Hotel Offers Guests An Exclusive Gin Inspired By The City's Public Gardens
Coterie Gin is Four Season Hotel Boston's customary spirit with a flavor profile that includes rose buds, jasmine flowers, sunflower petals, elderflower and rosemary. During the latest redesign of Four Seasons Hotel Boston, the property knew they wanted to infuse a stronger sense of place at the new restaurant, Coterie. The parkside lobby lounge is adjacent to Boston's Public Garden — the first and longest operating public garden in the U.S. — so they looked to local artisanal spirits maker Short Path Distillery to create a gin that captured the botanical essence of this prized green space. 'We are always seeking experiences that bring the heritage and culture of our Public Garden setting to life,' Delainey Rowland, restaurant general manager, food and beverage, told Forbes. So, the team asked Short Path to create 'a floral-inspired gin with a strong juniper backbone.' Crafted, distilled and bottled in Everett, Mass., Short Path presented the beverage team with nine iterations of the gin before landing on the preferred flavor profile that includes rose buds, jasmine flowers, sunflower petals, elderflower and rosemary. The gin plays perfectly in a collection of signature botanical-centric cocktails, including a selection inspired by the legendary Boston Tea Party on the menu at Coterie. Additionally, the hotel offers all overnight guests an in-room Coterie Gin & Tonic Trio featuring the custom-blended gin with a sampling of tonics: original, grapefruit and rosemary, and orange & elderflower. Below, Rowland shares more about Coterie Gin and the ethos of Short Path that was perfectly suited to the Four Seasons Hotel Boston. Coterie Gin in the bar setup at the hotel's Royal Suite. Jillian Dara: How did you decide to work with Short Path Distillery? Delainey Rowland: We work with local makers whenever we can. Short Path uses locally sourced ingredients and combines old-world distilling techniques with a new-world approach to spirit development to handcraft spirits that represent the best of both worlds. JD: What is it about their brand that aligns with Four Seasons Boston? DR: Short Path's handcrafted approach reflects the Four Seasons Hotel Boston focus on authentic hospitality, artfully delivered. Their philosophy mirrors our own where we blend traditional luxury hospitality with contemporary innovations. JD: How else can guests experience Coterie Gin during their stay? DR: The gin is available in the Royal Suite with assorted mixers and garnishes, as part of the suite's full bar, which is complimentary to guests. JD: Can you share more about one of the botanical-inspired cocktails Coterie inspired? The 'Destruction of Tea' is a large format cocktail for two guests, served in a teapot. The gin base is infused with mountain berry tea then combined with lime, thyme and prosecco. Before 1820, the Boston Tea Party was referred to as the Destruction of tea; this is Coterie's take on tea time. JD: Why do you think it's so important to offer this type of amenity for your guests? DR: We see increased guest interest in local products on both the dinner and bar menu. In addition to sourcing many of our seafood, meat and produce regionally, we feature a strong selection of local beers, cider and spirits. Plus, it's our goal to bring the character and history of Boston alive for our guests. Our Coterie gin quite literally captures the essence of our Public Garden setting. JD: Anything else you'd like to share about the proprietary gin? DR: The gin has inspired a lot of creativity within the Coterie team. In 2024, we offered a monthly rotating Coterie Gin cocktail special, in which each team member, from bartenders, to food runners, to managers in Coterie created their own specialty cocktail with the gin which was offered for a month. This was a great way to create conversation about the gin within the restaurant and guests! We plan to restart this monthly special once we return to the busy season.
Forbes
25-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Inside The Newly Redesigned Royal Suite At Four Seasons Hotel Boston
The cinema room. Four Seasons Hotel Boston first opened in June 1985 in the city's Back Bay and has since been a staple in Boston's luxury hotel scene. There have been many renovations over the years, including a 2023 refresh of the lobby, Coterie lounge and restaurant, and lobby-level amenities by AD100 designer Ken Fulk. More than a year later, the hotel's crown jewel accommodation, the Royal Suite, was extensively redesigned to match these elegant additions and renovations. Situated on the sixth floor, the 2,590-square-foot Royal Suite overlooks the Boston Public Garden and has an entrance foyer, one bedroom, one bathroom, a powder room, service kitchen, a private balcony, dining room, a living room, and a private cinema room. The suite was transformed by Boston-based Niemitz Design Group, a firm that specializes in restaurant, hotel, and entertainment design, who hoped to create a residential-inspired suite with bold colors and classic architectural details. It was meant to recreate the feeling of a classic Boston brownstone seen in the Back Bay neighborhood. The private bar. The lovely living room has a fireplace and a private marble-topped bar with seating for four—perfect for private events. It connects to a small balcony with seating that overlooks the skyline and public gardens. Together, there's room for up to 25 guests in total. The bar is stocked with a martini set-up starring Coterie gin, which was created exclusively for the hotel by Short Path Distillery in Everett, Massachusetts. The nearby dining room can seat up to 12 guests and has grasscloth walls, blue moulding, and a gold-veined ceiling. The dining room. 'The gold pattern on the ceiling was selected because it's interesting both day and night,' says Peter Niemitz, founder of Niemitz Design Group. 'When you have candlelight or low lighting at night, it becomes a very striking room. With the colors and patterns, the goal was to make it look dramatic without being over the top.' It's the striking use of color and thoughtful details (like the curated library and decor) that make this suite feel like a private home. Niemitz says that all of the carpets were custom designed and made exclusively for each room. The group also custom designed the furniture and had it exclusively made for each space. Perhaps one of the most well-dressed (and most fun) rooms within the suite is the private cinema room, which has royal blue walls, a tufted velvet chaise, patterned carpet, and built-in blue cabinets and media stand. Oversized windows looking out onto the gardens add natural light to the space. The bedroom. The cinema room has tiered seating with a custom-designed multi-room Bang and Olufsen sound system and Apple TV. There's even popcorn and theater treats similar to the Vaults, which are the hotel's fully stocked snack pantries located on each floor. The pantry kitchen just outside the theater also has sweet treats from a local confectioner and is stocked with an array of beverages. The Royal Suite's rates are $14,000 and up per night and it's available for both short-term and long-term stays, as well as private events.
