For the last few years, the Athenaeum in London has won the hearts of tea-takers with a Honey Afternoon Tea, sourcing honey from bees in Regent’s Park. With the changing seasons, the honey changes flavors due to what’s in bloom in the lush park. On the menu? A selection of sandwiches including honey roasted ham and goats cheese; freshly baked scones and crumpets with Regents Park Honey; pastries including Honeycomb Marquis, Honey Cake, Honey Cheesecake, Chocolate and Honey Mille Feuile, and Lavender and Honey Macaroons. Also included: a glass of honey fizz and a pot of Regents Park Honey to take home. (£39 per person; Book at least 24 hours in advance: [email protected].)
Now Conde Nast Traveller (UK) is reporting that the hotel has installed beehives on its rooftop. The Athenaeum joins a brigade of hotels keen to go green with this new “amenity.” From New York (the Waldorf Astoria) to Paris (Louis Vuitton; Six Senses Spa at the Westin), luxury establishments are supporting the “farm to table” food movement by harvesting honey of their own.