Sabrina was our excellent server, keeping our tea sandwiches coming and getting us ice for our hot tea when it had cooled off too much to be hot. They could really use some tea cozies- I have been here 2-3 times before, and every time, the hot tea gets cold in the china tea pot. My friend got hers refilled with hot water by another server, but they didn't check mine, so I asked for a cup of ice and turned it into iced mint tea. We asked to take home our sweets because my friend was full, but I'm sure they would have been better if they didn't have to travel. Even so, great piano tunes- $100 is probably the most expensive afternoon tea I've paid for in awhile.
Servers were excellent. For the price the food was good but not superior. It is not a tea room atmosphere but rather the overflow from the bar turned into a tea area. The piano player was nice. For 2 people with tip, over $300. Half of that would have been appropriate considering everything.
KirstenG
Coming here for Afternoon Tea is a family tradition. It is our special occasion place and we all love it. It is always an amazing experience - beautiful place, delicious food, warm and friendly servers who you get to know (ask for Wanda - she is the best!).....doesn't get any better than this. It is worth the splurge for sure.
This was our second year attending high tea at the Phoenician for my dad's Birthday. The service and food was great as always! Unfortunately, this year there was a very large party of about 20 people sat next to us that disrupted the environment. If you are going to book I would recommend confirming where you are sitting because normally the environment is very pleasant! Still a great high tea!
Lovely setting, beautifully appointed table, fabulous food and wonderful service. Yes, we thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon tea experience. 11 year old girl really got into it, 8 year old boy liked the hot chocolate and sweets, but exercising his table manners for almost 2 hours was a bit of a stretch for him. The staff did their best for us; who would have thought a plateful of mini-marshmallows could seem so magical! We'll be back.
A wonderful high tea! I brought my parents for their birthday celebration. Others had the same idea! The finger sandwiches were all very good, gluten free options were great too. All the classics were offered. The scones were wonderful! The clotted cream, lemon curd and preserves were lovely. I really liked the assortment of sweets. They were well done and not cheaply made and tasted great. Sometimes they can be so beautiful but not tasty! A great go to for a traditional high tea! Lots of hot tea selections. The service was very good and attentive! Well done!
StephanieV
Today was a very special occasion. Our family enjoyed afternoon tea at The Phoenician @phoenicianscottsdale to celebrate Pi Day. We all agreed this was an amazing experience and worth the cost. Service was excellent and the teas were delicious. We sampled five teas (one pot for each of us): - Lavender Chamomile Rose Herbal Tea - White Winter Chai White Tea - Jasmine Pearls Green Tea - Assam Gold Black Tea - Plum Oolong Black Tea We enjoyed three courses: 1st - Finger Sandwich & Savories 2nd - Buttermilk & Cranberry Scones 3rd - Sweet Delicacies And the Royal Caviar Enhancement This was our first time trying caviar. Our tea server was so helpful and gracious, explaining every detail and way of consuming the roe or fish eggs with beignets, créme fraiche, egg whites, egg yolks, lemon, and chives. We have been to high teas at other locations in North Carolina and around the country. I would say that by far this was the afternoon tea that will stay with us for a lifetime. This was truly a memorable, positive experience. The tea servers were extremely friendly and welcoming. They explained how to pour tea and eat caviar without making us feel intimidated in anyway, so if you are a beginner or first timer, please don't hesitate to come in. The setting of the tea room is just perfect for the afternoon sun and golden hour light. We were set at a booth near the interior of the tea room, facing outward towards the patio and the floor to ceiling windows and glass doors that lead in the sunlit views of the Scottsdale mountains and palm trees in the distance. Also, we usually found ourselves a little bit hungry still, after an afternoon tea at other spots. Don't worry about being hungry after this tea experience. We had two grown men with us, one is a 21-year-old who can eat a lot. They were both very satisfied. The first course is served and then another round of sandwiches is offered to anyone who would like. The second course of scones really tops one off.
StaceyE
We have experienced afternoon tea here for over 25 years! Honestly best high tea in the valley! Delicious sandwiches, the best scones and Devonshire cream, and absolutely best pastry's! My favorite tea is Jasmine Pearl, along with unlimited champagne! Also the waitstaff is phenomenal and if you are lucky enough to get Wanda you are truly in for a treat!
LuElla Benally
Everything was perfect. The plates were brought out as we finished, and nothing rushed. The pianist played a lot of current pop songs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: English Cucumber, Crisp Asparagus & Garlic Herb Mousse, Pastries, Tea Pastries, Buttermilk and Cranberry Scones, Afternoon Tea
LorraineC
I have been taking family, visiting from Canada, to the Phoenician for years. The Afternoon Tea is always a highlight of their visits. Natalie, who we have had the pleasure of seeing each visit is a gem! Her knowledge and skills are top notch. She is definitely a highlight during our visits. I will be returning with more visitors in the near future. I have to admit I did enjoy the more traditional setting than the current one but all in all the piano, great tea and food made for a very enjoyable occasion. Thank you, Lorraine Cormier
Fabulous server, we had the Royal champagne service and it was delightful. My only comment is that the scones were biscuits - especially red buttermilk scone - and a couple of the sandwiches lacked all flavor.
Mallory Durrick
Having had tea at a variety of hotels - I was expecting a lot from the Phoenician - especially because of the prices. It's very expensive. And that's fine because I knew that going in. It was the service that upsets me. I can only say the service, while friendly, was not up to the level of what I'm used to or even what should be expected when spending $700.00 for three people (tax and 22% mandatory gratuity included) for tea, pastries, etc... I'm all for tipping generously so that was okay. We had caviar and that was expensive as well. Not a problem. The wait staff needs to be better trained. They need to stop rushing and running around and provide a more upscale elegant service. Period.Additionally, while we had a lovely table overlooking the patio I think they (the managers) need to separate the golfers and casually dressed from the guests enjoying tea.The best way I can describe this experience is mediocre at best, hugely disappointing and a place I wouldn't recommend to friends or even online.Sadly,I don't recommend Afternoon Tea at the Phoenician. I'm sure there are better places to go to but I'll have to keep looking.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Smoked Salmon, Soft Poached Lobster Roll
catherineb
We had a wonderful time celebrating my mother's 88th birthday. It was a first high tea for a few of us but we truly enjoyed the service and the food. It was quite loud in the room and unfortunately, my mother with hearing aids, found it hard to converse with the people across from her at the table. Only the one right next to her. This is my only downside. Everything else we really enjoyed!
One of my absolute favourite things to take visitors to. It is a perfect afternoon! The view and the food are always spectacular. Our server Wanda makes everything even more enjoyable!! She is a gem!!
Claudia G
Our waitress was very attentive and we appreciated her service. The pianist was absolutely wonderful. However, the tea courses were most disappointing.
Sabrina was our excellent server, keeping our tea sandwiches coming and getting us ice for our hot tea when it had cooled off too much to be hot. They could really use some tea cozies- I have been here 2-3 times before, and every time, the hot tea gets cold in the china tea pot. My friend got hers refilled with hot water by another server, but they didn't check mine, so I asked for a cup of ice and turned it into iced mint tea. We asked to take home our sweets because my friend was full, but I'm sure they would have been better if they didn't have to travel. Even so, great piano tunes- $100 is probably the most expensive afternoon tea I've paid for in awhile.
Servers were excellent. For the price the food was good but not superior. It is not a tea room atmosphere but rather the overflow from the bar turned into a tea area. The piano player was nice. For 2 people with tip, over $300. Half of that would have been appropriate considering everything.
Coming here for Afternoon Tea is a family tradition. It is our special occasion place and we all love it. It is always an amazing experience - beautiful place, delicious food, warm and friendly servers who you get to know (ask for Wanda - she is the best!).....doesn't get any better than this. It is worth the splurge for sure.
This was our second year attending high tea at the Phoenician for my dad's Birthday. The service and food was great as always! Unfortunately, this year there was a very large party of about 20 people sat next to us that disrupted the environment. If you are going to book I would recommend confirming where you are sitting because normally the environment is very pleasant! Still a great high tea!
Lovely setting, beautifully appointed table, fabulous food and wonderful service. Yes, we thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon tea experience. 11 year old girl really got into it, 8 year old boy liked the hot chocolate and sweets, but exercising his table manners for almost 2 hours was a bit of a stretch for him. The staff did their best for us; who would have thought a plateful of mini-marshmallows could seem so magical! We'll be back.
A wonderful high tea! I brought my parents for their birthday celebration. Others had the same idea! The finger sandwiches were all very good, gluten free options were great too. All the classics were offered. The scones were wonderful! The clotted cream, lemon curd and preserves were lovely. I really liked the assortment of sweets. They were well done and not cheaply made and tasted great. Sometimes they can be so beautiful but not tasty! A great go to for a traditional high tea! Lots of hot tea selections. The service was very good and attentive! Well done!
Today was a very special occasion. Our family enjoyed afternoon tea at The Phoenician @phoenicianscottsdale to celebrate Pi Day. We all agreed this was an amazing experience and worth the cost. Service was excellent and the teas were delicious. We sampled five teas (one pot for each of us): - Lavender Chamomile Rose Herbal Tea - White Winter Chai White Tea - Jasmine Pearls Green Tea - Assam Gold Black Tea - Plum Oolong Black Tea We enjoyed three courses: 1st - Finger Sandwich & Savories 2nd - Buttermilk & Cranberry Scones 3rd - Sweet Delicacies And the Royal Caviar Enhancement This was our first time trying caviar. Our tea server was so helpful and gracious, explaining every detail and way of consuming the roe or fish eggs with beignets, créme fraiche, egg whites, egg yolks, lemon, and chives. We have been to high teas at other locations in North Carolina and around the country. I would say that by far this was the afternoon tea that will stay with us for a lifetime. This was truly a memorable, positive experience. The tea servers were extremely friendly and welcoming. They explained how to pour tea and eat caviar without making us feel intimidated in anyway, so if you are a beginner or first timer, please don't hesitate to come in. The setting of the tea room is just perfect for the afternoon sun and golden hour light. We were set at a booth near the interior of the tea room, facing outward towards the patio and the floor to ceiling windows and glass doors that lead in the sunlit views of the Scottsdale mountains and palm trees in the distance. Also, we usually found ourselves a little bit hungry still, after an afternoon tea at other spots. Don't worry about being hungry after this tea experience. We had two grown men with us, one is a 21-year-old who can eat a lot. They were both very satisfied. The first course is served and then another round of sandwiches is offered to anyone who would like. The second course of scones really tops one off.
We have experienced afternoon tea here for over 25 years! Honestly best high tea in the valley! Delicious sandwiches, the best scones and Devonshire cream, and absolutely best pastry's! My favorite tea is Jasmine Pearl, along with unlimited champagne! Also the waitstaff is phenomenal and if you are lucky enough to get Wanda you are truly in for a treat!
Everything was perfect. The plates were brought out as we finished, and nothing rushed. The pianist played a lot of current pop songs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: English Cucumber, Crisp Asparagus & Garlic Herb Mousse, Pastries, Tea Pastries, Buttermilk and Cranberry Scones, Afternoon Tea
I have been taking family, visiting from Canada, to the Phoenician for years. The Afternoon Tea is always a highlight of their visits. Natalie, who we have had the pleasure of seeing each visit is a gem! Her knowledge and skills are top notch. She is definitely a highlight during our visits. I will be returning with more visitors in the near future. I have to admit I did enjoy the more traditional setting than the current one but all in all the piano, great tea and food made for a very enjoyable occasion. Thank you, Lorraine Cormier
Restaurantji Recommends
Fabulous server, we had the Royal champagne service and it was delightful. My only comment is that the scones were biscuits - especially red buttermilk scone - and a couple of the sandwiches lacked all flavor.
Having had tea at a variety of hotels - I was expecting a lot from the Phoenician - especially because of the prices. It's very expensive. And that's fine because I knew that going in. It was the service that upsets me. I can only say the service, while friendly, was not up to the level of what I'm used to or even what should be expected when spending $700.00 for three people (tax and 22% mandatory gratuity included) for tea, pastries, etc... I'm all for tipping generously so that was okay. We had caviar and that was expensive as well. Not a problem. The wait staff needs to be better trained. They need to stop rushing and running around and provide a more upscale elegant service. Period.Additionally, while we had a lovely table overlooking the patio I think they (the managers) need to separate the golfers and casually dressed from the guests enjoying tea.The best way I can describe this experience is mediocre at best, hugely disappointing and a place I wouldn't recommend to friends or even online.Sadly,I don't recommend Afternoon Tea at the Phoenician. I'm sure there are better places to go to but I'll have to keep looking.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Smoked Salmon, Soft Poached Lobster Roll
We had a wonderful time celebrating my mother's 88th birthday. It was a first high tea for a few of us but we truly enjoyed the service and the food. It was quite loud in the room and unfortunately, my mother with hearing aids, found it hard to converse with the people across from her at the table. Only the one right next to her. This is my only downside. Everything else we really enjoyed!
One of my absolute favourite things to take visitors to. It is a perfect afternoon! The view and the food are always spectacular. Our server Wanda makes everything even more enjoyable!! She is a gem!!
Our waitress was very attentive and we appreciated her service. The pianist was absolutely wonderful. However, the tea courses were most disappointing.
Food: 1