Sometimes us ladies just need to treat ourselves to something lovely and girly and indulgent. Last weekend I went with my sister in law and mother in law for High Tea at the Hydro Majestic.

Originally named the Belgravia Hotel it began its life as a health retreat in the late 1800s. That was until Gatsby-esque retail baron Mark Foy bought it in 1902 and created a hydropathic sanatorium. It offered all sorts of ‘interesting’ treatments (bowel kneading anyone?) to become one of the country’s finest hotels. Lavish parties reminiscent of French Belle Epoque were regularly hosted; where guests could dance the night away in the beautiful ballroom.

The Hydro Majestic has three options for high tea. The traditional Wintergarden High Tea, the Eastern High Tea full of Asian influence, and the Gluten Free High Tea, which rhymes.

Most of the girls opted for traditional Wintergarden High Tea with scones, sandwiches, and sweets – including watermelon sponge, cream puffs, apple crumble bites and a mango custard parfait. ($65 with tea/coffee, $79 with sparkling wine, $85 with Champange).

Children’s High Tea menu is also available with the selection of soldier sandwiches, sweet treats and pikelets with jam and cream and your choice of tea or hot chocolate for $35.00 per person (3 – 12 years).

Certainly, the breathtaking panorama from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the Wintergarden dining room has an impact, but it’s not just that. The whole place just oozes significance.

After having eaten a surprisingly large amount of food, we sat back and enjoyed the view afforded by Hydro Majestic’s incredible location.