23-04-2025
Review: Is afternoon tea at this five-star Scottish hotel worth it?
Spending most of my time in an office in front of a screen, I was really looking forward to time with my mum at a special spring edition of afternoon tea at Prestonfield House.
Located just 5 minutes from Edinburgh city centre and set against the breath taking backdrop of Arthur's Seat, we were completely blessed with the beautiful warm weather as Scotland enjoyed a mini-heatwave.
My mum is a big tea drinker, but I am not so much. I am Team Coffee all the way.
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The tea list was so vast and varied, so I thought, "there must be something for me here". I went for the Lazy Summer Afternoon, a black tea with rhubarb pieces.
Fun fact: rhubarb was first introduced to Scotland at Prestonfield House.
Located in one of the city's finest historic buildings, dating back to the 17th century, the most memorable part of Prestonfield House is the decor. It was both relaxing and a treat to be there, with a warm and welcoming space to talk for hours, as well as the chance to enjoy the sun on the balcony.
I actually really enjoyed the tea part of the afternoon, and since, have adventured into having Peppermint and Earl Grey, so the visit has actually opened up a whole new word of tea for me!
My mum also leaned into the Rhubarb theme, enjoying a Rhubarb Rooibos before we were served a mountain of tiny treats.
We were served new season asparagus quiche with wild garlic pesto, freshly baked plain and fruit buttermilk scones, and exquisite cakes such as lemon verbena and lime battenburg and rhubarb and cardamom custard tart alongside an array of sandwiches.
We could not finish it all. The staff were kind enough to pack our leftovers up for us, extending our enjoyment of the experience to home.
To elevate the visit, you can also add a glass of chilled Billecart-Salmon Champagne, but we did not.
Available Sunday to Thursday from 12–6:45pm, and Friday to Saturday from 12–4pm, the tea also caters to all dietary preferences, offering vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options.
Overall
The sheer volume of tea on offer as well as the amount of food served, it is definitely a go-to for anyone looking to enjoy a treat this spring.
I would say the tea is a perfect experience for friends catching up and looking to splash out or a family wanting to spend some stress-free quality time together. It wouldn't be my go-to hot spot often. The staff truly do take care of everything.
