The Starwood group, which owns the Sheraton, Westin and W brands, has responded to Chinese guests with in-room tea kettles, slippers, translated restaurant menus, on-site translation services and comfort food such as congee (rice porridge) and noodles.

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Complimentary extras include a full breakfast buffet each morning, in-room wi-fi, fireside tea and cake service in the lobby every afternoon and fresh fruit delivered to rooms daily.

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In easing the restaurant off the shoals LeRoy must deal with a partner in the 74-year-old Russian Tea Room (Tavern on the Green is owned outright).

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But business is less than booming at the 28, 000-square-foot Russian Tea Room, which is better known for its "Ivana Trump goes to Las Vegas" decor, as Zagat Survey put it, than its food.

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At the back of Steven Smith Teamaker's ivy-covered brick Portland tea salon is a blending room, or "lab, " with long metal tables and teapots.

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Back at Estancia Harberton, you'll have time to grab a hot drink at the tea room or explore the farm's on-site marine research center.

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Dave Anderson, of Towneley Hall, says Taylor was an amateur archaeologist who sent so many artefacts back from his travels "by the tea-chestful" that he used to have his own room in the museum.

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The closure of the famed Russian Tea Room in 1995 was greeted with dismay by city-dwellers who had never set foot in it.

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The new Hilton Huanying and Starwood Personalized Travel programs aim to make Chinese tourists feel more welcome by providing in-room teakettles (versus coffee makers), Chinese tea, instant noodles and slippers.

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This cake keeps well for days at room temperature and is wonderful with steaming-hot coffee or tea.

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