Waikiki Beach, Oahu – Indulging in afternoon tea on a shaded beachfront veranda was a turn-of-the-century Moana tradition.    Victorian gentlemen and ladies from near and far found the perfect respite from the afternoon sun in the comfort of the hotel’s cozy lounge chairs, fanned by the cool ocean breezes.  They sipped tea, refreshing their mind, body and spirit, as they observed bathers on Waikiki beach or immersed in conversation with friends and family while hostesses presented freshly brewed pots of teas along with light repasts of savories and pastries.  Today, the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort continues this elegant tradition with the return of Afternoon Tea on the Veranda serving a variety of fine teas, accompanied by a selection of delicious finger sandwiches, scones and delicate pastries.

Custom tropical tea blends by The Tea Chest balance the Moana’s collection of fine teas.  One of the hotel’s popular fruit-flavored teas, the Moana Sunset marries flavors of tangy ohelo berry and juicy sweet mango.  The Veranda Breeze is a nod to exotic Polynesia, a blend of caramel and heady Hawaiian vanilla.  Some of newer tea blends include a white tea serenade and lemon rooibos.   Decaffeinated teas are also available in the tea collection.

Guests are served delicate sandwiches as a starter - fococcia bread with Westphalian ham, an open-faced smoked salmon roll and a mini croissant with turkey salad.  Vegetarian sandwiches are available upon request.  Pastries arrive on a three-tiered European chinaware tray with warm buttery-rich scones accompanied by rich Devonshire cream, lemon curd and preserves. Other sweet treats include petit fours, cream puffs, chocolate opera, a creamy fruit tart, mango cream profiterole, and macadamia nut florentine.   Kaffir lime-lemon grass green tea sorbet is a refreshing finale to the elegant and refreshingly civilized experience.

If only for an hour or two, return to a more leisurely time in life when enjoying afternoon tea was a regular pastime.   The Moana Surfrider offers afternoon tea on the Veranda daily from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.  Afternoon tea on the Veranda is $32.50 (plus tax) per person.  The hotel also offers a Champagne and Afternoon Tea service for $42.50 (plux tax) per person for special celebrations.  For reservations, please call the Reservation Dining Center at (808) 921-4600.  Visit www.moanasurfrider.com for more information.
Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts, LP owns the three Sheraton Hotels in Waikiki and the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort, as well as the Sheraton Maui in Kaanapali, Maui.   Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts, LP is one of Hawaii’s largest employers, with nearly 3,000 hotel associates in its workforce.    The hotels are a part of the 11-hotel group of Starwood-managed properties in Hawaii.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 890 properties in more than 100 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft(SM), and Element(SM). Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

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