Luxury hotels launch summer-themed afternoon tea sets

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul serves the “Sea Breeze Afternoon Tea Set,” a summer resort-themed selection of homemade desserts and savory dishes, until Aug. 31. Courtesy of JW Marriott Hotel Seoul

By Jun Ji-hye

Luxury hotels here have created a selection of summer-themed afternoon tea sets to offer visitors refreshment amid the hot and humid weather.

These afternoon tea sets deliver gastronomic and aesthetic pleasures at once, through a combination of cute desserts designed to evoke a summer resort ambience and savory items offering light meal alternatives.

The Lounge, located in the eighth-floor reception lobby at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul, is serving the “Sea Breeze Afternoon Tea Set,” a selection of homemade desserts and savory dishes inspired by a summer resort, until Aug. 31.

Nine desserts include berry mousse cake, chocolate baskets and seaside muffin cake, with all desserts coming in different shapes and flavors, conjuring the colorful ambience of a holiday resort.

The dessert selection is complemented by nine savory items offering light meal alternatives, including lobster roll and French toast.

Sheraton Seoul D-Cube City Hotel is serving the “Afternoon Tea Set ― Holiday Edition” until Aug. 29 at its lobby lounge bar, featuring a three-tier dessert tower that includes lemon pound cake, bacon and spinach quiche and scones.

Sheraton Seoul D-Cube City Hotel presents the “Afternoon Tea Set ― Holiday Edition” until Aug. 29, offering a three-tier dessert tower. Courtesy of Sheraton Seoul D-Cube City Hotel

Guests choosing the afternoon tea set are presented a cooling welcome drink made with sweet, tangy white grapes.

The afternoon tea set is served on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Andaz Seoul Gangnam has launched the “Andaz Afternoon Tea Set” featuring desserts, finger food and unlimited servings of coffee or tea, at its second-floor Jogakbo Bites & Wine bar.

Featuring a variety of colors and textures, the set is served in a unique package modeled after an actor's makeup case and accompanied by dry ice, creating a novel experience from the moment of delivery.

The package also includes three illustrations on the themes of Seoul's nature and travel, created in collaboration with artist Jeon Ye-ji.

InterContinental Seoul COEX is serving the “Apple Mango Afternoon Tea Set” in its first-floor Lobby Lounge until the end of August.

The set comprises a selection of desserts celebrating the flavors of apple mango, and scones with three varieties of jam by Korean master Kim Dong-u in addition to a choice of tea or coffee.

The afternoon tea set menu is also available to go, offering ideal options for home parties.

Fairmont Ambassador Seoul's first-floor Atrium Lounge is presenting the “Bee High Tea Set” until July 31. The menu features desserts crafted from sustainably produced Korean honey, including honey chocolate flowerpots, plus savory items such as smoked salmon caviar brioche.

A choice of coffee and tea beverages combining a seasonal immune system boost are also offered.

The afternoon tea set marks the launch of Fairmont Ambassador Seoul's Bee Sustainable program, a key element of Fairmont's environmental conservation campaign, and embodies a message of the importance of bees in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gangnam has unveiled the “Tropical and Afternoon Tea Set,” featuring 13 desserts crafted from tropical grapefruit, mango, melon and pineapple, including sweet mango panna cotta.

Guests are also offered a choice of tropical teas by premium tea brand Ronnefeldt and tropical smoothies. The set is available daily from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. until Aug. 31.

In Busan, the Lounge at Park Hyatt Busan is offering the limited-edition “Summer Afternoon Sea Set,” a selection of desserts expressing the various sights of the Busan coast, from the depths of the sea to the surface and mist.

The afternoon sea set describes Korea's iconic summer destination Haeundae Beach and Park Hyatt Busan, shrouded in thick sea mist, through desserts and savory items.

The set is served daily from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Park Hyatt Busan offers the “Summer Afternoon Sea Set,” a selection of desserts expressing the various sights of the Busan coast. Courtesy of Park Hyatt Busan

On Jeju Island, Haevichi Hotel & Resort Jeju is serving an afternoon tea set of European-style desserts, fresh seasonal fruit and local Jeju ingredients.

A highlight is the watermelon panna cotta, capturing the sweetness of the iconic summer fruit.

Other items on the menu include green tea tiramisu made with local green tea, carrot bruschetta and “geological cake,” inspired by the island's legendary rock forms.

Haevichi's afternoon tea set is served at Sum Mora and Iidy, restaurants offering stunning sea views, and bakery Margaux.