Re-imagining Afternoon Tea

The Challenge

This is one of our stand-out collaborations with our client The Merrion. Constantly innovating, The Merrion saw an opportunity to create a totally unique experience for guests by reinventing their Afternoon Tea offering. Working closely with Head Pastry Chef, Paul Kelly and Executive Chef, Ed Cooney we drew inspiration from one of The Merrion’s USPs – Ireland’s largest private collection of 19th and 20th century Irish and European art. ‘Art Tea’ was the result.

The Response

Guests are served a slice of 19th- or 20th-century art on fine china with miniature sweet creations inspired by the work of J.B Yeats, William Scott, Louis le Brocquy and others. Displayed on fork easels, miniature table cards tell the story of each piece. We commissioned Kate Brangan to create a bespoke illustration and art directed and styled photography by Mark Reddy.

Art Tea has been a phenomenal success winning many awards to include the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World ‘Remarkably Uncommon Award’ and National Champions for Customer Focus in the European Business Awards. It has also received stellar reviews from The Times, The Telegraphy Luxury, Huffington Post, Conde Nast Traveller Boston Globe, New York Post  – to name but a few. Most importantly, Art Tea has captured the imagination of our culturally curious guests and attracts record bookings.

Constantly evolving, Art Tea has paid homage to many artists to include Andy Warhol, poet W.B. Yeats and writer James Joyce. Vegan Afternoon Tea is their latest offering.

Art Tour Guide

To further establish The Merrion as a true art hotel, they produced an in-depth audio art tour. Bossanova designed the collateral to accompany the audio, which guides guests through The Merrion’s hallways, drawing rooms and gardens exploring twenty of the collection’s finest work.