A Beau-tea-ful Getaway: Prince of Wales Hotel In Niagara-on-the-Lake

*By: Jennifer Steele*

If it’s the royal treatment you’re after, add this historic landmark to your bucket list. Dating back to 1864, the Prince of Wales hotel boasts beautiful architectural style and classic decor. After spending a night there, I can assure you that the Victorian gem in heart of the vineyards on Niagara-on-the-Lake is a special place. Personally, my interest was piqued by their tea offerings so I arranged a visit to explore all that is fabulous to do with tea. If you’re a tea lover like myself, you will certainly want to book this experience in your calendar for an upcoming weekend getaway…

Afternoon tea is just as much about the social experience as it is about what’s in your cup. The service offered at Prince of Wales hotel is nothing short of spectacular. Our table was set beautifully in the Drawing Room, showcasing a vast array of Sloane brand leaves in fancy wooden display cases. With varieties like Marrakesh Mint, Orchid Oolong, Earl Grey, Heavenly Cream and Tropical Green it was hard to choose just one.

You must be sure to order the finger sandwiches as no afternoon tea is complete sans English cucumber bites and warm, house-made scones with Devonshire clotted cream and jam…

Our tea also came with a special added surprise of Sweet Violettas and Rococo Roses, which you can request separately at an extra cost with the premium upgrade. They are hand-crafted, crystallized flowers from the south of France and are meant to compliment your tea with floral notes. You can eat them whole, or drop them into your cup for added sweetness upon your palate. The sweets and pastries were my absolute favourite!

If you still haven’t quite reached your tea quota after a couple hours of sipping, you can head on downstairs to the Secret Garden Spa for a facial, body wrap or pedicure – all involving tea! These spa treatments incorporate floral green notes along with healing properties of polyphenols found in tea extract to give you the overall signature experience (I know you tea lovers are going gaga over this right now.) The Head to Toe Tea Taster is a perfect way to sample all three beau-tea treatments, at 105 minutes for $225.

Prince of Wales hotel really does a wonderful job keeping in touch with its tradition and making guests feel as though they’re living among royals. From the elegant artwork and portraits to the luxurious tapestries and furnishings, the historic tone was set and maintained throughout the stay. I spent my first hour after check-in exploring the hallways like a curious child. I really felt as though I had stepped back in time with every turn I made. The restaurant and bar, indoor pool and the banquet rooms each had several works of art displayed – all unique – telling somewhat of a magical story. The staff at the hotel were notably friendly and helpful throughout, the service was top notch and the beds were an absolute dream. Hope you guys get a chance to experience Victorian elegance at its finest with a beau-tea-ful getaway here soon!

A huge thanks to Prince of Wales for hosting me. As always, all opinions are my own. For more information about this historic Niagara-on-the-Lake hotel , visit their website.