Life is finally starting to look somewhat normal. Yes, we still wear masks in public (mainly in indoor spaces) and social distancing signs are visible. However we are now able to connect again with friends and family that we generally didn't see during the pandemic. For the first time since March of 2020, my group of high school girlfriends got together for a baby shower.
This was much needed girl time that we haven't had in a long time... and even though we did those zoom parties early on in the pandemic, it just wasn't the same.
We decided to go to the The Beach House Afternoon Tea at the Moana Surfrider. The Moana Surfrider is the oldest hotel in Waikiki, built in 1901 and is framed with iconic beautiful white columns, grand archways, and rocking chairs that calmly sit across the porch of the hotel. The classic tea service is open from Friday through Sunday from 11:30-2:15 pm. Adults are $50 and kids are $25. If you are kamaaina, make sure to ask them for the discount! We made our reservation weeks in advance to make sure we got a spot. However, they also do take walk-ins. Parking at the Moana Surfrider is valet only.
One of my favorite parts of having a high tea experience is choosing my tea! Personally, I love all different types of herbal, white, and black teas. Here at the Moana Surfrider, they have traditional and classic teas to choose from. The Classic Teas include; Mango Pineapple, Passion Orange Guava, Sweet Peach, and Hawaiian Coconut. Their Traditional Teas include Rooibos, Indian Darjeeling, Earl Gray, and Jasmine Tea. I picked the herbal Rooibos tea which was very delicious. It has a light vanilla flavor to it which pairs nicely with all of the yummy finger foods.
Afternoon Tea is a set menu so the only thing that you can customize to order is your tea. Each person will get a plate with their finger sandwiches and the serving platter will have all of the desserts for everyone to share. The sandwiches menu included; Roast Beef and Swiss, Salmon Toast, Crab Salad Croissant, Hummus Tart, and Egg Salad Sandwich.
My favorite sandwich was the Crab Salad Croissant because it was the most unique and it was very delicious.
The desserts come on a very beautiful tea serving tray which is shared between everyone sitting at the table. These desserts included; Haupia Roll Cake, Mango Passion Moose Cake, Macaron, Pannacotta, Blueberry scones, Lilikoi Curd and Devonshire Cream.
Honestly, I was full from eating all the sandwiches that I was unable to try every dessert. However I did get to try the Pannacotta and the Blueberry Scone. Both were very delicious and I heard from the other ladies that all the desserts tasted yummy. My favorite was dipping the blueberry scone into both the Lilikoi Curd and the Devonshire Cream... together. It's truly one of the best combinations.
The Beach House Afternoon Tea is a perfect place to gather with girlfriends. There isn't so much thinking that has to go into what you are eating since it's a set menu and the focus can really be on the people around you and the ambiance is somewhat quiet and calm... even though there are many people around. (Don't forget, we are in Waikiki!).
We stayed well beyond our full stomachs playing shower games, talking and catching up with one another since its been a long time. I forgot how much I missed just gathering and having in person conversations and experiences. I'm looking forward to more outings like these with friends and family.
Congratulations, Eryn!
Here is more information if you want to book a reservation for Afternoon Tea!
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach
2365 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 922-3111