Sanjuna Budhani heads to Sheraton Grand Park Lane for an evening of tasty hedonism courtesy of Jay Gatsby
First opened to the public in the 1920s, the Sheraton Grand Park Lane hotel contains many realms. The deeply dark panelled Oak Room, the sweet 1950’s-esque booths of Mercante, the Art Deco of the Palm Court and as you’d expect, a full ballroom. But the Palm Court is where we’ll be spending the afternoon.
Palm Court looks like it came straight out of The Great Gatsby’s mansion and so, makes it the perfect place for their celebration of the launch of Tony award-winning musical The Great Gatsby in London!
Before the party begins
Meticulously crafted pastries such as the Raspberry and Pistachio Opera Cake and The Gatsby Black Forest Gateau sit atop the tiers of warm fruited scones and playful takes on the loyal afternoon tea staples, like the Rockefeller Smoked Salmon Tart and East Egg Truffle Salad.
All the dishes were developed in partnership with the musical’s creative team. It’s a classically elegant afternoon tea that manages to blend the history of the Sheraton Grand and the opulence and fun of the roaring 20s. Now with bellies full of perfectly formed cakes, it’s time to journey to the West End (and West Egg, where the play is set).
A slice of the 20’s in the 2020’s
The London Coliseum is home to the brief run of The Great Gatsby (and we mean run, it ends in September). Featuring Corbin Bleu – yes of High School Musical fame – as Nick Carraway and vocal powerhouses Jamie Muscato as Jay Gatsby and Francis Mayli McCann as Daisy Buchanan, the show is a whirlwind of hypnotising art deco, divine 1920’s fashion, soaring vocal performances and electric dance numbers (tap dancing should be considered a sport).
The show follows Nick as he is begrudgingly dragged into the archetypal love story between his cousin Daisy and Jay Gatsby, the narrative expressed through song and dance, so you don’t need to be particularly familiar with F.Scott Fitzgerald’s original novel, as the show focuses on the love story and doesn’t delve deeply into the book’s themes.
The set design is magical and we’re seamlessly transported between gritty New York to verdant West Egg. The orchestra accompanies the characters beautifully.
The Wordrobe Verdict
Experience a slice of the 1920’s high life this summer in the stunning Grade II listed Sheraton Grand Park Lane’s Palm Court sipping a glass of Champagne, and end your evening with a raucous golden-hued love story in West Egg.
Make it happen
When: The Great Gatsby: Only Afternoon Tea! and themed cocktails are available daily in Palm Court until 7 September 2025.
Where: Piccadilly, London W1J 7BX
How: Find out more and make a booking via marriott.com
Wallet: Prices start at £65.00 per person, with Champagne upgrades available at £85.00. Themed cocktails are from £19 each, available in Palm Court.
Words by Sanjuna Budhani, freelance writer
