Unsurprisingly, I find Afternoon Tea delightful and elegant, especially during my recent teatime at the Ivy Hotel in Charm City.
Part of the allure of the Ivy Hotel is the opportunity to explore the exclusive interior of this magnificently restored 1889 mansion. The original owner, a wealthy homeowner, commissioned architect Charles Carson to design the house to reflect wealth, power, and taste in Mount Vernon, Baltimore’s most prestigious neighborhood at that time.
Before our group of four sat down for afternoon tea at The Ivy Hotel, the staff graciously took us on a tour of the mansion’s main rooms on the first floor—including one of the only unoccupied rooms.
What adds to the charm of the Black-owned boutique Ivy Hotel in Baltimore? It is the captivating history of the 19th-century restored mansion. Who was the architect, and who originally lived there?
The architect Baltimore born Charles Carson, known for the Wilmington Opera House.
John Gilman’s wife lived at the newly built mansion for several years, but her prosperous banker and industrialist husband didn’t live to see his project finished.
Fast-forward to 2010, when Eddie, the CEO and founder of Brown Capital Management, and his wife, Sylvia Brown, acquired the Biddle Street property from the City of Baltimore. After years of renovations, the hotel opened in 2014.
As you may know, I’ve compiled a list of exquisite places for teatime, and I can personally attest to this timeless tradition.
The Ritz Carlton, Philly, for my Mom, 2004
The Hotel Hershey, 2011
The Plaza Hotel, NYC, 2014
The Ritz Carlton, 2015
Bergdorf Goodman, 2018
Akwaaba, The Mansion at Noble Lane, 2022
Summer Vacation in Victoria, British Columbia, 2023
Tea Around Town, NYC 2024
Akwaaba New Tea Salon in Philly, September 2024
Each respective afternoon tea place is unique in its spin on afternoon tea. And in some respects, it is more modern, as with our tea time at the Ivy Hotel.
The Teatime Teas
Emma, our tea expert, educated us on the different savoring teas available for this elegant tradition. First, Equitea, a Baltimore tea distributor, had three selections: the famous Earl Grey and a mint tea. I chose the soothing Equitea Surrender, an herbal rose blend.
The Food
Tasty ritual finger sandwiches, buttery and bready scones, and sweets (Chocolate and macaron.)
We elevated our tea experience with a bottle of Janz Sparkling Rosé, which was neither too sweet nor too dry.
It’s worth noting that the Ivy Hotel recently received two Michelin-key distinctions. Why? for its excellence in dining, accommodations, and spa—hubby and I dined at Magdalena’s in the ivy-walled courtyard in August.
Was the teatime at The Ivy Hotel worth it? Yes! Let’s get into the details of having tea time at the Ivy Hotel:
Reservations: Only offered on Saturdays and Sundays
Contact the hotel or utilize the Open Table App
Cost: $75 per person
Valet parking comes with the cost of tea
Alcohol – additional cost per glass or bottle
If you want a delightful holiday experience, try the grand teatime tradition at the Ivy Hotel in Charm City.
As always, thank you for visiting The Age of Grace. I appreciate you.
