L' Orangerie - Buenos Aires

After years of wanting to I had afternoon tea at L'Orangerie yesterday with a group of 14 friends to celebrate a birthday. I stay at 5 star hotels around the world for business frequently and the entire tea experience at the Alvear was just average, nothing really stood out as special or especially unique. Food and drink - The food and cakes were fine, the normal fare for teatime at an upscale place. Portions were generous. Came across as very big event catering-like. Ambiance - Classic upscale hotel space with chandeliers, gold, mirrors etc. Looks like it could use a facelift to keep up with other 5 star hotels, but for tea it works. Buenos Aires isn't really a major luxury/corporate travel destination, so probably doesn't need to do this to compete. Service - BIG disappointment. Service was fine initially when they served the first round of cakes and sandwiches. After finishing and we were just sitting there for 15-20 minutes with nothing else we asked and they seemed to remember they had to bring out the scones and cakes. After this the service literally disappeared. Multiple people in our group wanted more tea and water, but the service completely ignored us and avoided eye contact until we got up and asked for it. Not ok for service at a 5 star hotel. Observing the service they seemed very casual, all following each other around in a group and standing around watching 1 person cut cake etc, laughing when one waitress dropped cake on the ground and playing with food (seriously). I'm accustomed to below average service in Buenos Aires, but the Alvear is a 5 star hotel, not a neighborhood cantina, so it's not acceptable. I hope they get their act together.

My two friends and I visited L'Orangerie for afternoon tea. The service was wonderful! What a great way to take a break and enjoy some down time after checking out Recoleta Cemetery.There was a wide variety of teas to chose from and all of the bites were amazing - the scones were delish! We were so full we took our dessert home!! A very good value for what you get...we literally couldn't finish everything. I'd maybe suggest a light lunch due to the size of the portions.

I had seen a couple of questionable reviews of Tea at the Alvear, and this was not consistent with what I had heard about the Tea, or the Brunch, from friends and colleagues. So, I decided to try it for myself, with my wife. Our experience was almost totally positive. The presentation, selection and quality of the Tea was superb. My wife and I were delighted, and, I might say, a bit puzzled by those earlier reviews. We could agree that the H2O was only OK, not bottled which would have been preferable, but that Tea and those Scones and tea sandwiches and pastries......varied and well-prepared....delicious.My wife and I would certainly recommend the TEA at this wonderful, classic Hotel Alvear.

We had our breakfasts in this restaurant while staying at the Alvear Palace. It is a delightful space and the food for breakfast was beautifully displayed and very tasty.

This was just such a great experience. It's a beautiful hotel, full of character, and almost part of a bygone age, elegant but not stuffy.You need to book for the Sunday brunch which is a buffet with so much choice. There is a fish/ seafood section, sushi, salads, breads and pastries, about six main course choices, so many deserts, crepes, ice creams...... It costs 1250 pesos ( about £60 ) and comes with unlimited sparkling, white and red wine and fresh orange juice. Just go, you'll be so glad you did!