Cliveden For Sale: Tea For Two And A Sex Story To Chew On

ANY historian looking for a sign of how economic times have changed could do worse than look the von Essen Hotels group, which has collapsed into administration. The group includes the country house venue of braying media types, hob knobs and Surrey-based brokers, Cliveden House in Berkshire.

Earlier this month, Cliveden, once home to Nancy Astor and venue for the Profumo scandal, (oh for a super injunction, eh readers) introduced the world’s most expensive afternoon tea – £550 per couple.

Created by executive head chef Carlos Martinez, the tea includes white truffles at a £2,500 per kg, beluga caviar at a £4,000 per kg and Da Hong Pao tea, which is harvested from 1,000-year-old plants and costs over £2,000 per kg.

You can buy that. Or if you want something flashier that truly marks you out as a money-mad nutter, you can buy the tables, chairs, trays, chefs, swimming pool water and all other Cliveden stuff to go with it…

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Christine Keeler, right, and Mandy Rice-Davies leaving the Old Bailey after the conclusion of the fist day's hearing of the trial at the Old Bailey in which Dr. Stephen Ward, 50 year old osteopath faces vice charges.

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Posted: 21st, April 2011 | In: Money Comment | TrackBack | Permalink