As most of my friends know, I was born and grew up in Dubai, spending most of my life being surrounded by Brits. I went to an English school, revered Remembrance Sunday by wearing a Royal British Legion poppy and donating to the Poppy Appeal, celebrated Mother's Day on the last Sunday of March (also called Mothering Sunday), and stuffed myself silly with mince pie and Welsh cakes whenever Christmas rolled around. Making the move to Manila was hard for me, but like most kids, I learned to adapt. But what I really missed the most about my old life, was tea time.
Tea time is a magical twilight hour for little girls (and even grown ones!), where they sit at home or in posh hotel lobbies with their mom - dad can sometimes make an appearance, too - patiently waiting for their handsome server to appear with a pot of Earl Grey and dainty teacups along with tiers of little scones, French pastries, mini cakes, cookies, and finger sandwiches. Which is why I'm not only ecstatic seeing the tea revolution currently starting in the Philippines, but I am overjoyed that places like the Crimson Hotel offer affordable tea sets for two, for only P550++.
Head up to the 8th floor of the Crimson Hotel and sit down to a spot of tea with the ladies or the kids. I have found tea time to be the perfect time to teach young ladies (and men) eating etiquette - how to stir your tea without clanging your teaspoon against the sides of your cup, how to sip and not slurp your tea, how to properly eat when dining out, how to say please and thank you to to your server, and most importantly: how to eat with your mouth closed. This is such a fun experience for them and sure beats make believe tea time any day!
I sat down to afternoon tea with the lovely Jane of Sugar & Spice, and her two sweet teen daughters, Jana and Jena. Oh, and Jericho, my good friend. Ya'll know him. Haha!
Afternoon tea promptly starts at 3 o'clock to 5 o'clock daily. Each tea set comes with a refillable pot of tea of your choice - Earl Grey, black, jasmine, green, or Breakfast tea. Casual tea usually means Earl Grey with a spot of milk and sugar, so that's what we had. The three-tiered stand has cookies and scones on the top tier, mini cakes and tarts in the middle, and finger sandwiches on the bottom, as well as pots of clotted cream, artisanal jam, and lemon curd on the side.
I liked most of what we had for tea, especially the mini chocolate cakes and cheesecake! I found the scones a bit to compact - they should be firm yet a bit crumbly - but the artisanal jam and lemon curd were pretty yummy, I almost didn't notice. I had one of the finger sammies, which had chicken with lettuce - I was hoping for the simpler more traditional cucumber and watercress or egg sandwiches for tea. I'm mababaw and sentimental that way.
We all had such a wonderful time catching up and getting to know Jane's girls! Well, just one, Jana. Jena was so quiet, I didn't hear a peep out of her the whole time we were together! But she was smiling the whole time and looked pretty, I'm just going to assume (probably incorrectly) that she has more of her dad in her than her mom. Haha!
When mucking around Alabang, sit down and enjoy a pot of tea with a friend. I will probably be back here a few more times this summer, because I want to take advantage of their awesome pool, and because the tea sets are one of the more affordable hotel afternoon tea options in the area. Or hey, better yet, treat your little princess (or princesses!) to Crimson Hotel's Enchanting Summer Tails, happening from April 7 to May 16, 2014, and bond over her mermaid experience over afternoon tea. Pinky up!
Just mucking around Manila,
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The Lobby Lounge
+63 2 863 2222
8/F, Crimson Hotel,
Entrata Urban Complex, Filinvest City,
Civic Drive, Muntinlupa
AvailableDaily: 3pm to 5pm
ENCHANTING SUMMER TAILS
April 7 to May 16, 2014 | Mondays through Fridays
This summer, realize your childhood dreams and explore the world of mermaids and mermen at Crimson Hotel Filinvest City, Manila!
Learn the proper strokes, breathing, kicking and maneuvering through the water with a fish tail as coached by the Mer-teachers from the Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy.
THE MAGICAL TAIL ROOM PACKAGE
Spend a magical night with us dreaming about becoming "part of that world":
- Deluxe Room - P5,500++
- Premier Room - P6,500++
Inclusions:
- Overnight accommodation with Buffet Breakfast for two (2) at Café Eight
- 2- hour Mermaid class for one (1) person (child or adult)
- Use of the gym and swimming pool
- Complimentary parking and valet services
- Scheduled shuttle service within Filinvest City
For extensive mermaid training:
Experience the GRAND TAIL package, inclusive of five (5) mermaid classes (Monday to Friday consecutively) and an overnight stay in a Deluxe Room with buffet breakfast for two (2) at Café Eight for only P12,500++.
A BOUNTIFUL TAIL is yours to experience at Café Eight. After exploring the fantasy land of the merpeople, enjoy a sumptuous feast for only P4,000++, inclusive of 2-hour Mermaid class for one (1) person (child or adult) and buffet lunch for two (2) at Café Eight.
The CLASSIC TAIL is also available for guests who wish to join the Mermaid classes only at P3,000++ per person (adult/child).
Terms & Conditions:
- The "Grand Tail" package includes one (1) mermaid class per day for five (5) consecutive days and one (1) overnight stay in a Deluxe room with buffet breakfast for two (2) that must be availed during the period of enrollment in the mermaid class.
- The Mermaid classes are available during Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (1st class). The first class can only accommodate a maximum of ten (10) students. Should the number of enrollees exceeds ten (10), an afternoon class shall be conducted.
- Prior reservations are required. Enrollment to the mermaid classes is on a first come-first served basis. Walk-in guest shall be registered and included in the waiting list for the day.
- All rates are subject to 10% service charge and applicable government taxes.
- Promos may not be combined with other hotel promos, discounts and/or privileges.
- Other hotel terms and conditions apply.
