I came to the Firmdale Covent Garden Hotel for afternoon tea because it is one only a few hotels in central London which start serving afternoon tea before lunchtime (I know, I know). Their website says that you can enjoy afternoon tea either in the brasserie or in the drawing room. The brasserie is the standard London restaurant décor, but the drawing room is actually reserved for hotel guests only. (Because I was on my own, my request to sit in the drawing room was actually granted). The décor in the drawing room was beautiful, and the atmosphere was perfectly hushed. The afternoon teas have a £2.something p supplement if you want a specialty tea as opposed to the standard English Breakfast or Earl Grey. It is definitely worth it though.
The afternoon tea its self was lovely. The sandwiches were very nice, if few in number (4 types only, but all well thought through and presented in different manners), and I was brought another four rapidly upon requesting them. The scones were nice although, because they are brought with the sandwiches, they were no longer warm by the time I got to them. The cakes were all very pleasant, and although not spectacular, were well presented and tasted good. This is a low maintenance afternoon tea (had I have been sat in the brasserie where they had planned, I would have had attentive waiter service, but because I was upstairs in the drawing room on my own, I only saw waiters occasionally). When serving, the waiters were very polite and willing to chat. All in all, a very nice afternoon tea. This is probably the 5th best afternoon tea that I have had in London (and I have had a lot of afternoon teas). The only ones that I think have beaten it so far, are all in 5 star hotels, and are much more expensive, so the Covent Garden hotel is batting above it's weight.
Ambiance 5/5 (better than to be expected from a good three star hotel)
Food 3/5 (as expected from a good three star hotel)
Service 3/5. (as expected from a good three star hotel)
(These are good scores for me as I am a harsh marker, and bear in mind that this is only a 3 star hotel, so the ambiance (in the drawing room) is significantly better than expected.
Well done and thank you.