Ah,

Ah,
The Savoy. One of the most famous hotels in the world, this
grand-dame has captured the hearts of many. We’ve put it on a
pedestal since we were a small child; our parents’ spent the first
night of their honeymoon there, and our grandparents, too. While we
don’t care to dwell on the intricacies of those nights, we’d
happily relive the time we spent there over and over.

While many day-trippers visit the hotel to celebrate special
occasions over afternoon tea or to catch a show at the Savoy
Theatre, those lucky enough to stay overnight can expect a
different crowd of old-school sybarites who seek familiar home
comforts in superb surroundings. With Thames-side views and a
personal butler, this is traditional service at its best.

Rooms

Choose from 267 suites spanning no less than 16 room categories,
all done up in either Edwardian or art-deco style. Many of the
rooms have riverside views of London’s most famous landmarks, to be
admired during the day, when the capital is a hive of activity, and
at night, when the city scene lights up as if covered in
fireflies.

Decor is traditional – soft carpets underfoot, floral curtains,
satin armchairs, writing desks and the like. It’s the kind of place
where classical music wafts slowly through the room as you enter,
and a butler promptly asks if you need a glass of champagne or
would like help unpacking.

What’s for breakfast?

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: in-room dining is
imperative when you’re staying at a fancy hotel. The Savoy did not
disappoint, setting up a table bedecked in white linen and groaning
under the weight of fresh pastries and fruits, teas, coffee,
juices, miniature preserves, eggs, sausages – you name it.

How about lunch and dinner?

If you’re at The Savoy, we think you should have afternoon tea –
how often do you get to do that, after all? But if you really must
have lunch or dinner, book into the Savoy Grill, where Gordon
Ramsay spearheads a menu of classic British and French fare.

Is there a bar?

Yes. The renowned American Bar frequently tops the world’s-best
lists for its stellar cocktails, while the moody Beaufort Bar puts
on a play with cocktails that tell a story, alongside a top-notch
selection of “snacks” along the lines of wagyu beef and tuna
tartare.

We were particularly impressed by the Co-Naissance, a cocktail
launched in collaboration with Portobello Road Gin that is billed
as the most sustainable cocktail in Europe, thanks to new
low-waste, low-carbon spirits technology.

Within a short walk you can find…

The city’s top visitor attractions. We suggest a stroll down the
river. Even if you don’t like to count yourself as a tourist
ticking off the obvious sights, we say make an exception and get
stuck in.

What about their green credentials?

The hotel has an extensive sustainable policy ranging from
corporate-level initiatives to planting trees and setting up a
Savoy bee hotel in Trafalgar Square to attract pollinating
bees.

And accessibility?

Accessible rooms are available.

Things I should know…

This is The Savoy, so it goes without saying that nothing comes
cheap here.