VIDEO: Is QR150 for an afternoon tea worth it?
So although I have been a Dohan for many many moons, I've never really splurged on the entire luxury scene here. It took me 7 years to try my first Friday brunch at a hotel.
I have since widened my horizons and now indulge a little more. Still, I have walked out of places feeling I paid way too much. For instance, paying like 500QR for only 2 people and it was only mediocre meal. Such experiences can sometimes break my Canadian heart.
I often feel being fiscally responsible is part of the Canadian make-up, we are taxed to the moon and although you can earn a lot - you may not be able to save much.
Thus, we are always conscious of our spending and what our money is spent on.
Well, through my adventures with QL, I was able to try the St. Regis's afternoon tea. I would scoff at spending 150QR on a tea. A meal - maybe - but a tea? I was cynical that it could never truly be worth it's value, c'mon... it's tea.
Ha, well let's say the tea conquered that battle. Here's the thing - it not simply "tea" or "tea and canapes". It's an entire experience.
My colleagues and I arrived to the St. Regis ready to work, after already working the entire day. We were gearing up for a video food review of a place that would be open to the public and operational during the daytime during Ramadan. Simple, right?
We were all a bit tired from the day and the long traffic-filled drive. You could feel that we were ready to take on this new video food review concept - but we were still frazzled and a bit burned out from our work days.
We sat and began filming. We film at many places all over the country and by the end, we are usually exhausted. It's a lot more work than it seems!
The reason this Sarab tea warranted me sharing the experience (and NO this is not paid content), was because I actually came out of it feeling refreshed and relaxed. We ALL felt the same way. The tea was decadent, and offers the most beautiful flavours - I told one of my colleagues that mine tasted like a warmed fruit juice - better than words can describe.
The settings, the history of Caroline Astor, the desserts - which were so beautifully crafted we were reluctant to eat them, the savory canapes, and the view. It was all magnificent.
Out of any of the 5 star hotels I have been to - and I love many - this experience (to me) stood out. Everyone loosened up, unwound, enjoyed the live harp being played, and just simply took the entire experience in.
What really made it worth it? As you went outside there was a magnificent view of the sea, people were lying down reading, reclined typing on laptops, everything everywhere spelled "relax".
Even the vibe at Sarab Lounge was not formal. It seemed casual and very comfortable.
I was surprised, I left in a much a better state than I had walked in. I felt happy, relaxed, rejuvenated. I would expect that type of feeling after a massage or a run, but never a dining experience.
So, would 150QR for an afternoon tea be worth it? Yes, for me, in this case, yes. I will definitely be there again. I would suggest going on your worst days, you will quickly forget how difficult the day was :)
@Alma i thought you were suppose to be having issues with high price of tea instead Gender's Category caused you stress, i beleive no restaurant or cafez are specialized for any Gender column, better to have a googling review before heading for some star restaurant or cafez specially if you are having vouchers.
Once I asked for my birthday an afternoon tea in a 5 star hotel .It was advertised as Victorian style -so I believed it was a "girly place " .My big daughter and me chose a weekday afternoon .
Well , it was full of men . We were the only females .It was terribly embarrassing . We went there to relax and chat but it was impossible this way .
Even the tea was served in contemporary cups .The interior was not Victorian .Rather Edwardian .
With the tea came some scones , gourmet bites - but nothing special . The service was very nice .
We had some vouchers and paid only half .
I would be pleased to spend this money once or twice a year if the gender proportion was more balanced .But how can you be sure about it ? I still have some vouchers for afternoon teas in five stars hotels but I was terribly discouraged .I won't use them ...
Its sad that ql has become such a negative place...really, what's the matter with people? The OP just shared an experience which was enjoyable for them...and people just start tearing it up in bits...i too avoid fancy places and feel they're over rated but if the next person came along and said they liked it, what's wrong with that and who am I to say its not or judge the person???? Ql is a shadow of the site i joined years back...Really guys I need at least one of you to answer to me clearly as to what makes you so petty and judgmental...
What's the world coming to .... I just assumed that Canadians only drank beer :0(
As long as it doesn't affect your other bills, family settlements and savings, it's all good otherwise it's hell waste of MONEY.................Don't drink your future when you're still young and agile.
The hotels are running on a low occupancy and rely mostly on Food & Beverage selling these days. It'll be up to end of the summer period.
I wish good luck for the intention of this post.
I heard last Friday one of our communal yearly event was held in a most reputed five star hotel in town.
I can recall most of their events were held previously in smaller 3 star budgeted hotels.
This move it self shows how eager the hotels are to grab business all corners and the people mind set to have it on a grand place.
I being a hotelier, I personally do not complicate with prices. I believe in Direct advertisement.
Also the charges should be clear. (Without hidden charges)
All the best to all business sectors in Doha.
Brit: What are you try to say? Should I go soft in my comments? O)-
Has anyone READ the article. It's more than just "tea", it's food, tea, and an entire experience. It was lovely.
Also, I would definitely be open to 10QR meals to, I derived value from this experience and totally thought it was worth it.
// served by a waitress on skates// ROFL
I agree with you Brit. It is all about being able to pay -like a British boss of mine who takes me out for 1500 QAR dinner once in a while.
Food for you , Petrol for car is soo cheap.
acchabaccha: I believe that he is a she :O)
A 1 riyal tea at any of the cafe's usually run by Keralites here would get me equal or better satisfaction than a cup of tea for which one would pay QR 150. Canadianrunaway has simply tried to show off his purchasing power. I am not at all impressed. I consider it sheer foolishness. But then with money, it's the"Easy Come; Easy Go" rule that applies in such situations.
Exactly BritExpat - people make their own money and spend it how they like. Spend yours how you like and people will spend theirs. If someone enjoys spending 150QR on an afternoon tea - then that's their choice.
mufti: Qatar is a mish mash of humanity from all over the globe.. The rich and the poor..
I agree with you and would never dream of paying 150 QR for a tea, when i can get the same at Rizks' emporium - served by a waitress on skates..
However, there are others who will gladly pay this and more ..
So, let them have their day and we will have ours :O)
Molten , ,give me some positives about Qatar , since you love it so much>
Mufti, 20 Rials for both of us .................
Spending 500 QAR for a brunch and 150 for tea----not everyone is privileged here. I am happy with my 10 QAR meal.
Some say Canada is better, others say no ...........
Bro...Those 150 bucks could have been served you three plates of Delicious ZURBIYANS at souq waqif...i always avoid and stays back from such fortresses who make us pay for their infrastructures.
Will go there this weekend and experience joys of the tea