Afternoon tea is a delightful way to spend a few hours. If you’ve never tried it before, you’re missing out. It allows you to enjoy the company you're with while sipping on delicious tea and snacking on finger sandwiches and small pastries. If you're looking to participate in this while visiting the Caribbean – you're in luck! Multiple hotels offer this – below, you'll find 15 hotels with the best afternoon tea available.

Afternoon Tea History

Before diving into the hotels with the best afternoon tea, let's explore the history of those unfamiliar with this activity. Afternoon tea was created in 1840 in England by the Duchess of Bedford. She would request a tray of bread/butter, cake, and tea to be brought to her room as she would typically grow hungry between lunch and dinner. Eventually, she started inviting friends to have tea with her, and it soon grew to be a common social event. Now, it's an activity that is participated in worldwide with growing popularity in the Caribbean. Here are the top hotels serving afternoon tea.

The order in which you should eat at an Afternoon Tea.

In the first course, tea sandwiches and savories are eaten first. These are small bites that can be eaten in 2-3 bites. Then come to the second course or second layer scones served with jam and clotted cream is eaten next with your fingers. Knives can be used to slather on the jam and cream onto your scones but the scones are eaten with your fingers.

Don’t cross-contaminate the jam and cream and the serving spoons. You don’t want to use the cream spoon to scoop the jam. Most importantly, don’t use the serving spoons to put the jam or cream directly on your scone. Thrid course sweets are the third and final course. This course is also eaten with your fingers. All pastries and sweets should be small, each one gone in 2-3 bites. Now here are the 15 Best Caribbean Hotels For Afternoon Tea when you’re in the Caribbean

Belmond Cap Juluca, Anguilla 

Elevated food is the name of the game here. You can eat directly on the beach and find many herbs/spices to be pulled from the Belmond Cap Juluca garden. Anguilla-inspired dishes line the menu at each of the dining spots. Enjoy barbeque tapas, fresh juices, Italian meals, and fresh seafood at this location. Find the afternoon tea in the lobby. Tea is served with scones with clotted cream, biscuits, and hot/iced teas. Instead of a dedicated room or a restaurant, this teatime is served right in the hotel lobby. Afternoon tea is included when a stay is purchased. The lobby offers exceptional views of Maundays Bay while you enjoy your light fare.

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Carlisle Bay, Antigua and Barbuda

At Carlisle Bay, you'll find four different restaurants, each serving its style of cuisine. They all commonly use locally sourced ingredients. Choose between Japanese, Thai, pizza, grilled meats/seafood, and a relaxed beachside restaurant offering smaller dishes.

Afternoon tea is served at the Pavilion Bar each day with light snacks altering between sweet and savory. You'll find dark-stained wooden furniture accented with plush white couches and cushions perfectly complimenting the views into the lush greenery. Multiple vegetarian options are available during tea – both for sandwiches and desserts.

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Curtain Bluff, Antigua and Barbuda

Curtain Bluff Resort provides two different eateries to choose from – the Tamarind Restaurant and the Seagrape Restaurant. You can grab breakfast/dinner at the Tamarind and lunch/dinner at the Seagrape. The Seagrape sits customers right on the beach while the Tamarind provides covered seating. Expect Antigua-inspired dishes at both spots, with the Seagrape incorporating Italian flavors in as well.

Afternoon tea is not to be missed as it includes views of the beautiful gardens. Find your tea in the resort’s library. Tea-time carries a more relaxed vibe than the rest of the resort. It's the perfect way to spend a few hours participating in exciting events all morning. Fresh fruit, sandwiches, and hot tea are served together.

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By the Beach – Barbados

Fairmont Royal Pavilion offers many food options. You can opt for Michelin star eateries or locations that provide a more casual dining experience. The restaurants available use local fruit and even honey provided from their own beehives. The focus of this resort is to provide healthy and renewable foods.

Afternoon tea can be consumed right at Fairmont’s restaurant on the beach. You'll be steps away from the water and have amazing ocean views while enjoying the afternoon. There are three choices for teatime – Royal Pavilion, Sweet Tea, and Light Tea.

Royal Pavilion encompasses both sweet and savory small dishes. Sweet tea consists of small desserts with tea, and light tea includes finger sandwiches with tea. Afternoon tea is included with your stay. However, the allowed frequency depends on the type of accommodation purchased.

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Cobblers Cove, Barbados

Cobblers Cove offers two dining experiences – you can choose to eat inside the restaurant, which requires more formal wear. Or, dine outside with casual wear. This restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. You'll find locally sourced ingredients with inspiration pulled from the island of Barbados itself. You can also enjoy afternoon tea at this restaurant each day. Tea is included for anyone staying at the resort. However, you can also make reservations if you’re visiting from elsewhere. The experience will be more similar to an English-style tea with finger sandwiches such as cucumber and cream cheese is served.

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Sandy Lane, Barbados

Sandy Lane in Barbados provides four eateries to choose from. International inspired meals and flavors cover the menus at each restaurant. You’ll find both formal and casual dining spots at this resort, each with a stunning view. Expect an English-style afternoon tea on the terrace offering small cakes and finger sandwiches. Tea at this hotel bares more options – you can choose from light tea, classic tea, or royal tea. Each option provides cakes and small pastries with the classic and royal tea adding in sandwiches and other goodies. Champagne, red, and white wines are available for an additional cost.

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Hamilton Princess (Bermuda)

The dining experience at the Hamilton Princess Resort in Bermuda is quite different. You'll find options for two restaurants with different vibes – one, a lounge with live music, the other, an elegant dining option. There is also a café available for food to grab on the go – featuring breakfast and lunch options. Of course, you can always order food to your room or by the pool. Afternoon tea can be found every day in the Crown & Anchor dining option here. Live entertainment can be expected here as well as rum-based drinks and cigars. Tea can be enjoyed inside or out on the terrace near the water.

Sweet treats like macarons or raisin scones can be enjoyed earlier. Savory items like Angus roasted beef and marinated cucumbers are served after 3 pm. Opt for the $75 option for an included glass of Veuve Champagne.

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The Rosewood Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands

You'll find an excellent array of cuisine at The Rosewood Little Dix Bay. There are Caribbean-inspired formal restaurants and tapas with locally sourced ingredients. Each eatery offers exquisite views of the bay that can be enjoyed alongside the food and available cocktails/rum-based drinks.

The mirror room is where you can try the afternoon tea, which has both Japanese and French inspiration. Whimsical desserts inspired by Yayoi Kusama are featured on the tea menu. Unique food items – not seen on other typical tea menus are available. Plus, there are two pages of tea options to choose from. If you want a unique tea experience, this is the spot to head to.

There is also a children’s tea time available called Children's Art Afternoon Tea. A smaller selection of food items is available and juice, hot chocolate, and decaf black tea.

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Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

With six different restaurants to choose from – you have an abundance of options at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman. Each spot has a different specialty, though they are all amazing. Blue by Eric Ripert offers locally sourced seafood that is mouthwateringly good. SEVEN offers steak and bourbon-based drinks. Head to Silver Palm for their afternoon tea boasting bold Caribbean tastes.

Afternoon tea is served here at the Silver Palm – one of five available restaurants at the Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman. Afternoon tea boasts bold Caribbean tastes with a large champagne/wine selection and even Caribbean cigars. Enjoy the views of water and greenery as you sip your tea.

This location also offers Little Cayman’s Kids Tea for children 6-12. They’ll be able to join you with finger sandwiches and small pastries. Tea is available Wednesday – Saturday 5 pm – 11 pm. You’ll need to make reservations at least one day before.

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Spice Island Beach Resort, Grenada

Spice Island Beach Resort promotes local cuisine and local favorites as well as food from around the world. You have two dining options at this location – one focused on Creole/worldwide foods, and another focused on gourmet foods from around the world. Grab some afternoon tea in between meals at this resort.  

Grab some afternoon tea in between meals at this resort. Drink your tea and snack on finger sandwiches and pastries by the pool. Where most tea services are offered indoors, this resort features tea in an outside lounge area intended for relaxing.

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Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Jamaica

Jamaica-inspired food is served at Round Hill by James Beard Award-Winning Executive Chef Martin Maginley. In the morning, you can feast on local fruit, fresh smoothies, and local dishes. Local ingredients are used as much as possible. Even herbs and produce are sourced from the area or the Round Hill Garden. Tea here includes freshly baked scones, coffee, and more at the Cocktail Bar.

Tea here includes freshly baked scones, coffee, and more at the Lounge/Cocktail Bar. You can choose between a traditional or a formal tea event. Stop by between 4 pm – 5 pm daily. This tea is served inside, so you’ll be able to get a break from the heat and sun.

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Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, Saint Kitts and Nevis

You'll find a beachside breakfast spot (Coconuts) at this beach club, as well as a restaurant/bar right on the beach (Sea Breeze). Both have a casual/relaxed atmosphere, and beautiful water views can be seen at each spot. Nisbet Plantation has been offering afternoon tea since 1950 – sit down and taste the available cakes, finger sandwiches, and array of teas here.

Nisbet Plantation has been offering afternoon tea since 1950 – sit down and taste the available cakes, finger sandwiches, and array of teas here. Imagine teatime with Caribbean inspiration. That's what you'll find here. You'll still be able to grab a cup of English tea or Earl Grey tea – with a beautiful view of the sea.

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The Bodyholiday, Saint Lucia

This wellness resort promotes food that encourages health while maintaining taste. You can find vegetarian fare, sushi, pizza, smoothies, and even fine dining at The Bodyholiday. There is no shortage of food options, and all with your health in mind. Afternoon tea can be found in the Clubhouse/Pavilion each afternoon. It is advertised as the time to interact with other guests that are staying at the Bodyholiday hotel. Hunt for the secret garden while sipping on your tea.

There is an array of cocktails also available in this location. You can choose from alcoholic and non-alcoholic. All cocktails include fruit from the island. Afternoon tea can be found in The Piano Bar from 4 pm – 6 pm each day. "A very civilized time of the day to catch up with everyone. It is a real hub of activity throughout tea-time both in the clubhouse and out on the deck.

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Jade Mountain, St. Lucia 

This resort features "Jade Cuisine" created by their James Beard Award-winning Chef Alan Susser. This St. Lucia-inspired menu is noted as exotic and tasty. It's fused with other cuisines to take it to a whole new level. Most of the produce and herbs are provided by Emerald Farm – Jade Mountain's organic farm. From 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm, you can try their afternoon tea at the Beach Bar you can try their afternoon tea at the Beach Bar. This is situated at the nearby sister resort of Anse Chastenet. Between three restaurants/dining areas located on the beach level, the Beach Bar also offers grilled simplistic food.

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The Cotton House, Mustique Island (St. Vincent & Grenadines)

Pick from the Veranda Restaurant, Beach Café, or Basil's Bar for food options. Both the café and bar provide a more casual/relaxed environment. The restaurant offers both small and large dishes in a cozy setting. Modern, vegan, sushi and grilled seafood are all types of cuisines expected at this resort.

The Cotton House announces itself as the only hotel on the island of Mustique. Making it an interesting option for a vacation. To attend teatime here, you'll need to head to The Great Room. You can also find excellent rum-based cocktails here. It is worth the visit and offers a slightly more casual atmosphere than Veranda's (another dining option).

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Bonus

Grand Cayman, Mariott Beach Resort

Here’s your bonus spot for afternoon tea. Anchor & Den, located at the Grand Cayman Resort, offers a Mad Hatter's Tea Party, which is inspired by Alice In Wonderland. This whimsical afternoon tea notes “potions” and tea blends available during this event. You can experience this tea party every Saturday.

You can find fresh juice, crepes, sushi, and gelato at this restaurant spot on other days.

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Conclusion

While visiting the Caribbean, try something new by reserving an afternoon tea for you and your friends. This is an excellent way to grab a snack and enjoy each other’s company while seeing gorgeous views of nature. You won’t want to miss out on this experience while traveling.