Just before Christmas I received an email out of the blue saying I’d won an Overnight Stay at The Cavendish Hotel in London  along with tickets to go to see The Bodyguard.

You have no idea how excited I was! I never win competitions! But there was a bit of a problem in that the prize was supposed to have been taken literally the next Weekend. As it was so close to Christmas, like most Mums, I had a pretty hectic weekend up ahead – possibly the busiest of the year. Firstly there were two of the children to pick up from Unis in different towns and then there was a shed-load of presents to deliver to various family members!

The Cavendish were remarkably understanding and allowed me to change my booking to the beginning of February but unfortunately were unable to change the theatre tickets. However, they kindly offered me a complimentary Champagne Afternoon Tea instead and anyone who knows me will know that that more than made up for the fact that we missed out on the chance to go and see The Bodyguard. Because Afternoon Tea happens to have become one of my favourite treats!

The staff at The Cavendish were spot-on – friendly and efficient but not too fussy and over-attentive. From the moment our car was valet-parked for us, through check-in and walking into our stunning 14th floor Executive Room, we felt spoilt rotten! The view from the room was spectacular and we could see Big Ben, The London Eye, The Shard, The ‘Guerkin’, Horseguards Parade, The BT Tower and numerous other strange things like a lone statue of an angel along with table & chairs for 6 on one rooftop patio! The mind boggles, Our room was luxurious but contemporary and the bathroom was absolutely lovely with gorgeous toiletries from Taylor of Old Bond Street. A bath together was almost compulsory!

Our Lanson Champagne Afternoon Tea was a relaxed affair served in The Lounge. We looked over the Tea Menu whilst sipping our bubbly, thinking ‘Mmmm, this is the life!’ The tea came accompanied by a selection of freshly-made free-range sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, mini pastries, tartlets and even some very indulgent hand-made chocolate truffles. I know it was wrong but I sneaked a truffle before everything else – well you have to, don’t you?! The done thing is to start on the savouries but Mr. C and I always start with the scones. When they bring them to your table fresh out of the oven, all warm and tempting, why let them get cold? It’s daft. They brought us so much food though it was unbelievable. I think it’s got to be the first time ever that we actually left something.

The Cavendish Hotel Afternoon Tea offers tremendous value for money considering you’re in a Four Star hotel smack bang in the middle of London. It’s stylish, relaxed, peaceful and there’s plenty of simply delicious food. If you can afford the extra for the champagne, then do it. It makes it into so much more of a treat!